German metal and hard rock vocalist, multi-instrumentalist and music producer Michael Voss has created a tribute album to musician Rick Parfitt. Parfitt, who died in 2016, was the rhythm guitarist and singer for the British Rock band Status Quo. Released on Massacre Records, Voss takes on a number of Parfitt-centred songs and is joined by a plethora of talent.
The album features contributions from people connected to Quo including Jackie Lynton, John Rhino Edwards, John Coghlan, Bob Young, Andy Bown, Rick Parfitt Jr and Alex Toff. The list goes on from there and is a testament to how much care and attention has been put into the album from first glance. Voss has assembled a huge ensemble of musicians, many associated with the Quo world; Making this album possibly the biggest collection of Quo people on a production that isn’t labelled Status Quo!
One look at the tracklisting tells you this isn’t a throwaway tribute; The album is mostly populated by album tracks with a handful of singles thrown in. It is clear a fan compiled it. Indeed, Voss is a huge fan of Status Quo; First seeing them live in 1979 at “Halle Münsterland as part of their If You Can’t Stand the Heat Tour”. There may be debates among fans that their favourite Parfitt tune is missing. Assembling the songs must have been a hard task for Voss, as Parfitt’s repertoire spanned many decades. While it would have been nice to hear compositions such as All the Reasons, Big Fat Mama, Ressurection or even One Man Band, the final tracklisting is a perfect blend of tunes that complement each other nicely.
Again and Again was a single for the Quo in 1978, it featured Rick Parfitt on lead vocals. It is the perfect track to start this album with, as its lyrical content could be applied to the person being paid tribute to. The song’s co-writer Jackie Lynton also provides additional vocals on this track.
Rain was a single taken from the Blue for You album in 1976, reaching a peak position of 7 on the Official UK Charts. Voss keeps the groove and arrangement of the original, adding a modern pronounced production that allows the listener to experience everything. Uwe Schneider’s guitar solo deviates from the original but the creativity is to be applauded.
Don’t Drive My Car was a top 20 single released in 1981, and was taken from the Just Supposin’ album. The rhythm guitar, complete with effects, on the Voss version is very close to the original. It maintains the dark sound of Parfitt’s vision, while Michael has put his own stamp on it. Everything from the vocal delivery to the chorus backing vocals to the ending solo is outstanding.
For You was a track first featured on the Rockin’ All Over the World album in 1977. The inclusion of this track is interesting, as it showcases a lighter side to Parfitt’s repertoire. Out of all of the tracks on this album, it is probably the most faithful to the original. Voss showcases the softer end of his voice, almost matching Parfitt’s tone. I also must applaud the note-perfect melodic solo, which is an integral part of the original. This is possibly one of my favourite songs on this album.
Rockers Rollin’ is another track from the 1977 album, which was released as a single in some European countries including Germany, where it was a top 30 hit. Voss released a music video for this song to promote the album, and what a perfect choice it was. The version presented here is another mostly faithful recording that has Parfitt’s trademark boogie guitar at its heart. I love the raw energy of Voss’s vocals here, a perfect fit for his style. Although mostly faithful, it sounds like Andy Susemihl is having the time of his life on that solo.
Oh What a Night was first included on the 1978 album If You Can’t Stand the Heat. The opening riff acts as something of a precursor to Whatever You Want, the original is a stylish rocker with a full sound that signalled a slightly different direction for the Quo. This was a perfect track to include given the production present on this tribute album. It maintains most elements of the original, yet somehow sounds contemporary. I also love Michael Voss’ injection of personality coming into the closing moments of the track. John Rhino Edwards and Andy Bown play on this track.
Something ‘Bout You Baby I Like was a Status Quo single written by Richard Supa. It was originally released by Tom Jones in the early 70s. Quo’s version is derived from an early 80s cover by Glen Campbell and Rita Coolidge; Francis Rossi sings the verses, and Parfitt performs the middle eight before coming together for the chorus. The recording on this album keeps that format, featuring Rick Parfitt Jr in the verses. It’s a fun version that keeps the arrangement faithful while amping up the vibe. It sticks out as an odd inclusion because it wasn’t a “Rick song”, per se, but the album would lose something without it. John Rhino Edwards also plays bass on this track.
Reason for Living is a fondly remembered album track from 1973’s Hello. I love Voss’s interpretation, which mixes the original blueprint with a few extra flourishes. There is a nice use of panning in the intro, with the guitar on one side and the vocals on the other. The use of double-tracking during the main body of the song really lifts it, he does a great job. One of the best tracks on the album which bounces along nicely. John Rhino Edwards also plays bass on this track.
Coming and Going is possibly the most obscure track featured here. It was originally included on the Just Supposin’ album from 1980, acting as one of the Quo’s trademark long songs. Here, it performed with as much intensity and darkness as the original. It also features the sweeping harmonica of Bob Young, who brings a piece of the original magic to this piece. If you take this song out of its context for a second, it could quite easily work as a stadium rock banger in this configuration. The Bluesy ending, which sounds spontaneous, finishes the track off nicely.
Lastly, the album ends on a poignant note as it closes with Living On An Island, featuring Status Quo’s Frantic Four drummer John Coghlan. The original was released as a single in 1979, reaching a peak position of 16 in the UK charts. The choice of this track as the album’s closer was a piece of genius, as it shares autobiographical similarities with the opener. The backing track is a nice recreation of Quo’s version, with Voss showcasing his vocal range; Actually hitting the same high notes as Parfitt effortlessly. As the effect-laden closing section reaches its conclusion, a soft drone-like sound from an organ finishes the album on a high.
Conclusion
Michael Voss has created an album which successfully pays tribute to the career of Rick Parfitt. He has done so without too much mimicry. The vocal style of Voss is gritty yet tender, perfectly slotting into these songs, putting his own emphasis on a few things. The broad arrangements stick close to the Quo originals, but there have been tweaks to the finer details. The solos evoke those played by Rossi, but they occasionally venture off into areas more personal to the player. Most of the song endings also feel unique to this album. It’s positive that the artist has sought to put their own stamp on the compositions while maintaining the important parts of the original vision. This isn’t a straightforward copy, but a true tribute. Rocker’s Rollin’ (A Tribute to Rick Parfitt) by Michael Voss is available on Massacre Records.
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Tracklisting.
- Again And Again
- Rain
- Don’t Drive My Car
- For You
- Rockers Rollin’
- Oh! What A Night
- Something ‘Bout You Baby I Like
- Reason For Living
- Coming And Going
- Living On An Island
