Six of the Best (EP)

Last updated

Six of the Best
Sladeepsixofthebest.jpg
EP by
Slade
Released24 May 1980
Recorded1979–80
Genre Rock
Label Super
Producer Slade
Slade chronology
Okey Cokey
(1979)		Six of the Best
(1980)		 Alive at Reading
(1980)

Six of the Best is an extended play (EP) by the British rock band Slade, released in 1980. Six of the Best includes six tracks; three new tracks and three taken from the band's 1979 studio album Return to Base . All songs were written by lead vocalist Noddy Holder and bassist Jim Lea, except "I'm a Rocker" which was written by Chuck Berry. The EP was produced by Slade and failed to enter the UK charts. [1]

Contents

Background

Having returned to the UK from the United States in August 1976, Slade found themselves out of favour at the time of the UK's Punk rock explosion. The band's 1977 album Whatever Happened to Slade proved a commercial failure while their tour that spring had shown that they could no longer fill large venues. Slade's waning success soon led to the band playing small gigs after that, including universities and clubs. Despite being successful at filling small venues for their live performances, the band's new records were barely selling. [2] After the commercial failure of the band's 1979 album Return to Base , the band's next release would be Six of the Best in May 1980. Alongside the EP, a promotional-only single, "Night Starvation", was released in June to try and gain radio airplay. [3]

Despite having the low selling price of £1.49, the EP failed to chart, with "Night Starvation" failing to generate sufficient airplay. [4] [5] In Belgium, the EP reached No. 3 on the Telemoustique Chart; a weekly rock chart compiled by public votes. The lack of success in the UK continued the band's struggles. In June, the band embarked on a UK tour to promote the EP, but by July were on the verge of disbanding. The band's fortunes changed after they were offered a headlining slot at the Reading festival in August 1980, following a late cancellation by Ozzy Osbourne. The band's performance in front of the 65,000-strong crowd saw Slade back in the public eye. The music press began to take an interest in the band again, while heavy metal followers also began deeming the band 'cool'. [2]

Six of the Best was released on 12" vinyl in the UK only on manager Chas Chandler's label Six Of The Best Records. The A-Side was named the "Rock Side", while the B-Side was named the "Back Side". The EP featured three new songs; "Night Starvation", "When I'm Dancin' I Ain't Fightin'" and "9 to 5". The other three tracks, "I'm A Rocka", "Don't Waste Your Time" and "The Wheels Ain't Coming Down", were taken from Return to Base and were remixed for inclusion on the EP. Lea designed the EP's sleeve. [6] [7]

In a 1980 fan club interview, Holder spoke of the EP and the band's struggles at that time:

"After Return to Base, there was a period of us writing songs and seeing how they turned out. Like "When I'm Dancin' I Ain't Fightin'" and "9 to 5" - to us they were all good songs - but they didn't sell huge quantities of records. Therefore, we got to a point where we thought that we'd cool it for a little while and not go in the studio. Jim was working on his band The Dummies - so me and Jim decided to write a song specifically for them. The final record got lots of radio play. So we knew that we could still write songs that would get played on the radio. Then it was a case of thinking "where do Slade go from here?" We now knew that our songs were strong. Then the Reading Festival came along. You've seen the reaction on "When I'm Dancin' I Ain't Fightin'" now - when we first brought the track out on the Six of the Best EP, it didn't see the light of day as far as charts were concerned - but now it's on the Reading EP and all the crowds are singing it!" [8] [9]

Track listing

  1. "Night Starvation" - 3:08
  2. "When I'm Dancin' I Ain't Fightin'" - 3:12
  3. "I'm a Rocker" - 2:47
  4. "Don't Waste Your Time" - 3:29
  5. "Wheels Ain't Coming Down" - 3:39
  6. "Nine to Five" - 2:53

Critical reception

Upon release, Charlie Gillett of Music Week said: "Rasping guitar, spot-on Holder vocals, earthy and commercial, catchy riff. Six cuts, no duffs. Slade are no has-beens." [10]

John Ogden of Wolverhampton Express and Star said:

"A confident-sounding Slade are all set for a big attempt to get back into the charts. "Night Starvation" deals fairly graphically with one of the lead vocalist Noddy Holder's pre-occupations - sex. It fairly stomps along, but I'm afraid that the too-basic lyrics count against it. There are no rude words, it's just a bit too unsubtle in this day and age. However, it is the sort of song which has made Slade so popular in the past, and it carries on Nod's lascivious but humourous[sic] image well enough. I'd have preferred to see "9 to 5" getting the plays. This is a song which chugs along nicely in an almost rockabilly rhythm, and is sung in a light-hearted manner which comes off well. Nowhere near as frantic as "Night Starvation", it exudes a far better spirit. "When I'm Dancin' I Ain't Fightin'" also makes a good listen. It's got a rowdy background of cheering to it, and thumps along in style. The excellent "Don't Waste Your Time", with its Garth Hudson-type organ sound; the out-and-out rock and roll sound of an old Chuck Berry number "I'm a Rocker", and the equally fine "Wheels Ain't Coming Down", which proves such a show-stopper on live gigs, all demonstrate Slade at their best - entertaining, amusing, and full of energy." [11]

Chart performance

Chart (1980)Peak
position
Belgian Telemoustique Singles Chart [12] 3

Personnel

Slade
Additional personnel

Related Research Articles

<i>Beginnings</i> (Ambrose Slade album) 1969 studio album by Ambrose Slade

Beginnings is the debut album by the British rock band Ambrose Slade, who later achieved fame as Slade. It was released on 9 May 1969, but failed to enter the charts. In the US, it was released under the title Ballzy. A re-issue as Beginnings of Slade was briefly released by Contour in 1975, but was quickly withdrawn from sale due to copyright issues.

<i>Nobodys Fools</i> 1976 studio album by Slade

Nobody's Fools is the sixth studio album by the British rock group Slade. It was released in March 1976 and reached No. 14 in the UK. The album was produced by Chas Chandler.

<i>Return to Base</i> 1979 studio album by Slade

Return to Base is the eighth studio album by the British rock group Slade. It was released on 1 October 1979 by Barn Records, and did not enter any national album charts. At the time of the album's release, the band's success had waned and were receiving little fortune. Forced to play at small halls and clubs around the UK, the only income they were reliant on was Noddy Holder and Jim Lea's songwriting royalties. Their recent singles had sold poorly and they were no longer drawing in large audiences. Prior to their last-minute call up for the 1980 Reading Festival, they were on the verge of disbanding.

<i>Well Bring the House Down</i> 1981 studio album by Slade

We'll Bring the House Down is the ninth studio album by the British rock group Slade. It was released on 13 March 1981 and reached No. 25 in the UK. The album was produced by Slade, except "My Baby's Got It" which was produced by Chas Chandler. The album was the first studio album released by the band after their successful appearance at the 1980 Reading Festival. In order to capitalise on their revival, Slade quickly compiled this new album, made up of some new tracks and some recycled ones, mainly from their failed Return to Base album of 1979.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Mama Weer All Crazee Now</span> 1972 single by Slade

"Mama Weer All Crazee Now" is a song by the British rock band Slade, released in 1972 as the lead single from their third studio album Slayed? It was written by lead vocalist Noddy Holder and bassist Jim Lea, and produced by Chas Chandler. It reached No. 1 in the UK, giving the band their third number one single, and remained in the charts for ten weeks. In the United States, the song reached No. 76.

<i>Slade Smashes!</i> 1980 compilation album by Slade

Slade Smashes is a compilation album by the British rock band Slade. It was released 1 November 1980 and reached No. 21 on the UK charts. The album was issued by Polydor in the wake of new interest in the band following their successful appearance at the 1980 Reading Festival, filling in for Ozzy Osbourne. The album featured most of the band's big hits from their early and mid 1970s heyday in the UK as well as three of the band's singles from post-1977. This collection, alongside the band's subsequent 1981 studio release We'll Bring the House Down, further cemented Slade's comeback in the UK and Europe.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Myzsterious Mizster Jones</span> 1985 single by Slade

"Myzsterious Mizster Jones" is a song by English rock band Slade, released in 1985 as the third single from their twelfth studio album, Rogues Gallery. The song was written by lead vocalist Noddy Holder and bassist Jim Lea, and was produced by John Punter. "Myzsterious Mizster Jones" reached number 50 in the UK Singles Chart and remained in the top 100 for five weeks.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">We'll Bring the House Down (song)</span> 1981 single by Slade

"We'll Bring the House Down" is a song by the British rock band Slade, released in 1981 as the lead single from their ninth studio album We'll Bring the House Down. It was written by lead vocalist Noddy Holder and bassist Jim Lea, and produced by Slade. The band's first single to reach the UK Top 40 since 1977, the song peaked at No. 10 in the UK, remaining in the chart for nine weeks.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Gudbuy T'Jane</span> 1972 song by British rock band Slade

"Gudbuy T'Jane" is a song by the British rock band Slade, released in 1972 as the second single from their third studio album Slayed? It was written by lead vocalist Noddy Holder and bassist Jim Lea, and produced by Chas Chandler. It reached No. 2 in the UK, remaining in the charts for thirteen weeks. The song was certified UK Silver by BPI in 1973. In the United States, the song reached No. 68. It was also included on the band's 1973 compilation album Sladest.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Universe (Slade song)</span> 1991 single by Slade

"Universe" is a song by English rock band Slade, released in December 1991 as the second single from their compilation album Wall of Hits (1991). It was written and produced by bassist Jim Lea. "Universe" reached number 76 in the UK Singles Chart and was the band's last single before disbanding in 1992.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">How Does It Feel (Slade song)</span> 1975 single by Slade

"How Does It Feel" is song by the British rock band Slade, released in 1975 as the second single from the band's first soundtrack album and fifth studio album Slade in Flame, in promotion of the film of the same name. The song was written by lead vocalist Noddy Holder and bassist Jim Lea, and produced by Chas Chandler. It reached No. 15 in the UK, remaining in the charts for seven weeks.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Thanks for the Memory (Wham Bam Thank You Mam)</span> 1975 single by Slade

"Thanks for the Memory (Wham Bam Thank You Mam)" is a song by the British rock band Slade, released in 1975 as a non-album single. It was written by lead vocalist Noddy Holder and bassist Jim Lea, and produced by Chas Chandler. It reached No. 7 in the UK, remaining in the charts for seven weeks.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Let's Call It Quits</span> 1976 single by Slade

"Let's Call It Quits" is a song by the British rock band Slade, released in 1976 as the second single from their sixth studio album Nobody's Fools. The song was written by lead vocalist Noddy Holder and bassist Jim Lea, and produced by Chas Chandler. It reached No. 11 in the UK, remaining in the charts for seven weeks.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Ruby Red (song)</span> 1982 single by Slade

"Ruby Red" is a song by English rock band Slade, released in 1982 as the third single from the band's tenth studio album, Till Deaf Do Us Part. It was written by lead vocalist Noddy Holder and bassist Jim Lea, and was produced by Slade. "Ruby Red" reached number 51 in the UK Singles Chart and remained in the top 75 for three weeks.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Wheels Ain't Coming Down</span> 1981 single by Slade

"Wheels Ain't Coming Down" is a song by the British rock band Slade, released in 1979 as the opening track from their eighth studio album Return to Base. The song was written by lead vocalist Noddy Holder and bassist Jim Lea, and produced by Slade. In 1981, the song re-appeared on the band's follow-up album We'll Bring the House Down and was released as the second single from it in March, which reached No. 60 in the UK.

<i>Alive at Reading</i> 1980 EP by Slade

"'Alive at Reading'" is an extended play (EP) by the British rock band Slade, released in 1980. Alive at Reading includes three live tracks recorded at the band's performance at the 1980 Reading Festival. The EP was produced by Slade and reached No. 44 in the UK, remaining in the charts for five weeks. The EP was later included in its entirety on the 2006 Salvo compilation Slade Alive! – The Live Anthology.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Ginny, Ginny</span> 1979 single by Slade

"Ginny, Ginny" is a song by English rock band Slade, released in 1979 as the lead single from their eighth studio album, Return to Base. It was written by lead vocalist Noddy Holder and bassist Jim Lea, and was produced by Slade. "Ginny, Ginny" failed to make an appearance in the UK Singles Chart.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">We Won't Give In</span> 1987 single by Slade

"We Won't Give In" is a song by English rock band Slade which originally appeared on the soundtrack of the 1986 British drama film Knights & Emeralds. The song was written by lead vocalist Noddy Holder and bassist Jim Lea, and was produced by Lea. In 1987, it was released as the fourth and final single from the band's fourteenth studio album, You Boyz Make Big Noize, and reached number 121 in the UK Singles Chart.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Sign of the Times (Slade song)</span> 1979 single by Slade

"Sign of the Times" is a song by the British rock band Slade, released in 1979 as the second single from the band's eighth studio album Return to Base. It was written by lead vocalist Noddy Holder and bassist Jim Lea, and produced by Slade.

<i>A Day in the Life of the Dummies</i> 1992 studio album by The Dummies

A Day in the Life of the Dummies is a compilation album by The Dummies, which was a musical project of Jim Lea of Slade and his brother Frank. The album was released in March 1992 and gathers all of the 1979-80 recordings produced by the pair.

References

  1. ↑ "12" Singles - Slade - Six Of The Best - Barn - UK". 45worlds.com. 12 February 1980. Retrieved 27 July 2017.
  2. 1 2 We'll Bring the House Down - 2007 Salvo remaster booklet liner notes
  3. ↑ "Slade - Night Starvation (Vinyl) at Discogs". Discogs.com. Retrieved 27 July 2017.
  4. ↑ "1980 - Slade Fan Club www.sladefanclub.com". Sladefanclub.com. Retrieved 27 July 2017.
  5. ↑ Slade Fan Club Newsletter July–August 1980
  6. ↑ "1980 - Slade Fan Club www.sladefanclub.com". Sladefanclub.com. Retrieved 27 July 2017.
  7. ↑ Slade Fan Club Newsletter May–June 1980
  8. ↑ "1980 - Slade Fan Club www.sladefanclub.com". Sladefanclub.com. Retrieved 27 July 2017.
  9. ↑ Slade Fan Club Newsletter November–December 1980
  10. ↑ "1980 Press Cuttings". Slade Scrapbook. Retrieved 27 July 2017.
  11. ↑ "1980 Press Cuttings". Slade Scrapbook. Retrieved 27 July 2017.
  12. ↑ "Archived copy". Archived from the original on 16 July 2011. Retrieved 29 January 2011.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link)
This page is based on this Wikipedia article
Text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license; additional terms may apply.
Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.