STATUS QUO/BEST OF STATUS QUO NSPL 18402 (-73) UK

 Band who's had over sixty chart hits in UK. Started as a pop group early sixties, then moved over to psych rock. Signed by Pye label 1967 and got a breakthrough with "Pictures Of Matchstick Men", which reached #7 in UK and #12 on Billboard. After that they changed direction again and played hard dirty blues rock for a couple of years before leaving Pye for Vertigo, cleaned up their act a little and became the world's most prominent boogie rock band. There's a lot more to say about their early history, but I don't have time or space to get into it all. If You want more details please check the Wikipedia article  https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Status_Quo_(band) . This compilation covers their late Pye years with four cuts from Ma Kelly's Greasy Spoon and four from Dog Of Two Head, coupled with some non-LP 45 tracks. "Down In The Dustpipe" and "Tune To The Music" comes in fake stereo, the rest true. I really like this part of their carreer - right on hard blues rock, a lot more grubby than what they later would do for Vertigo. If You're new to the band or just into their later stuff this can be an ear opener. Adding a couple of songs below as proof. Issued and/or reissued on vinyl all over Europe, Downunder, Japan, South Africa and South America. Also as UK cassette and 8-track. To my knowledge the absolutely first UK came on blue label, so this purple is probably somewhat later. It came in a thin glossy cover. (STÄQ*)