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Album Details

• Artist: Nazareth
• Album: Boogaloo
• Label: Sanctuary Records
• Year of Release: 1999
• ME Rating:
• Reviewed by: gwhill on 2013-01-10

In the `70`s Nazareth were one of the premier bands in the field of fun, solid rock and roll music. As time wore on, they seemed to struggle in trying to redefine their sound. Some of the music they did in that period was great, some was good, some was somewhat less than good. This album is really a triumphant return to the wonderful music of yesterday for the band. It definitely captures that sort of sound, while updating it at the same time.

The musicians on this album are Jimmy Murrison, Dan McCafferty, Ronnie Leahy, Darrell Sweet and Pete Agnew. The opening number, “Light Comes Down” actually got some airplay, sort of an unheard of thing at the time of the disc’s release, particularly for “classic rock” bands and new material. It provides a prime slab of classic Nazareth, a strong rocking boogie number with some intriguing twists. “Cheerleader” seems to be Nazareth’s take on a Zeppelinish riff rocker. “Loverman” is quite an interesting cut. While having a lot of energy and soulful sound, there’s a horn section and the overall effect is one part Nazareth, one part James Brown, one part Peter Wolf and one part Aerosmith with a  Beatlesesque chorus.

“Talk Talk” starts a lot like Rabin-era Yes and is an energetic melodic rock tune with blues and folk roots. “Party in the Kremlin” presents a sound that’s groove driven and very much an updating of the classic Nazareth sound. Slow blues (starting with some great organ) is on hand with “God Save the South.” Honky-tonk piano is heard on the bouncy rock and roll that is “Robber and the Roadie.” “May Heaven Keep You” has classic Nazareth elements along with something akin to later era Guns N Roses and even some progressive rock.

The other two songs on the set are “Open up Woman” and “Waiting.” Both are pretty much classic Nazareth, the first more of a rocker and the other a down-tempo rock tune. All in all, the album does a good job of presenting a sound that really is Nazareth, while string bringing something new to the table.

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