Status Quo released the game-changing 'Aquostic (Stripped Bare)' on 20th October. 2014 through Rhino/Warners (UK/Australia) and 17th October through earMUSIC/edel (ROW).
After 50 years at the top of their game as one of the world's premiere hard rock acts, Quo have leapt out of their comfort zone and now give the songs the chance to shine in a stripped down format; the amps are turned off, this album is fully acoustic and Quo recorded a total of 25 completely reworked Quo hits and fan favourites.
The band are helped out along the way by additional musicians, a female backing vocalist and even a string section. The arresting cover image was shot by none other than the superstar Bryan Adams. Stripped of the sheer power of the famed twin-Tele assault it's time for the melodies and the band's innate musicianship to shine through.
And shine they do. Rendered here in a simpler, sharper focus, it's the tunes and the progressions that are the stars. The lyrics seem to benefit from the extra space and these stone cold rock classics are given a fresh personality and potency. Tracks are taken from across the band's incredible output throughout the decades; some permanent features of the electric setlist, others being issued into the limelight for the first time - having been scrubbed and polished and reappraised through the prism of a new approach.
Recorded at Francis Rossi's studios, 'Aquostic (Stripped Bare)' is the result of a band looking back at where they've come from, peeling back the years, and taking a fresh look at what's been done. 'Aquostic (Stripped Bare)' is a triumphant collection of some of the defining moments of a truly seminal British rock act.
A set to change a few peoples' minds. A set to raise a few smiles. A set that didn't require producer Mike Paxman to keep putting 50p in the meter. A set to be treasured.
The album is available on CD, double gatefold vinyl, box set and download.
" It's time to save the Quo from their image as real-life Spinal Tap and reclaim them as one of Britain's great bands"... "The stripped-back approach suits Status Quo's songs because they are, in their own unpretentious way, perfect pop constructions." - The Times
"It's fresh and full of charm" - Guitar & Bass
"This unplugged compendium of hits and beloved album tracks not only survives the songs' sparse makeovers, it dares even to improve many of them" - Classic Rock (Album Review)
"It was triumphant... It works. Brilliantly. Quo acoustic? It's no gimmick." - Classic Rock (Roundhouse Gig Review)
"If you haven't bought a new Quo album in a while, this is the one to get" - Sunday Express
"Helps confirm their national treasure status" - The Sun
Aquostic! - Live At The Roundhouse
The concert, recorded in October 2014 in a joint effort by earMUSIC and the BBC, captures the band's first ever live acoustic performance at the glorious Roundhouse in London and will be released in five formats: 2CD, 2CD+DVD (available from some retailers), Vinyl, DVD and Blu-ray.
The DVD and Blu-ray formats feature bonus behind the scenes material.
Buy - 'Aquostic! Live At The Roundhouse'
iTunes
Status Quo released ‘Aquostic II – That’s A Fact!’ via Universal Music On Demand and earMusic/Edel in Europe, on 21st Oct 2016, in three formats - a Standard Edition 14 track CD, Deluxe Edition 25 Track 2xCD and a 20 track Vinyl Edition 2xLP.
The standard CD edition of this carefully curated collection includes 14 reimagined Quo classics such as ‘In The Army Now’, ‘Hold You Back’, ‘Roll Over Lay Down’, ‘Ice In The Sun’ and two brand new tracks.
These and extra tracks are available on deluxe/vinyl, as well as another brand new song ‘Is Someone Rocking Your Heart?’. The song ‘For You’, released originally on ‘Rockin' All Over The World’, is available only on the 20 track vinyl format.
The 19 track Deluxe Edition comes with a second disc which features 6 tracks recorded at the band’s 2015 Stuttgart ‘Aquostic’ show, which are unavailable elsewhere. See below for full track listing of all formats.
Aquostic II – That’s A Fact! - Standard Edition
08. One Of Everything [New Song]
09. Belavista Man
10. Lover Of The Human Race
11. Ice In The Sun
12. Mess Of The Blues
13. Jam Side Down
14. Resurrection
01. That’s A Fact
02. Roll Over Lay Down
03. Dear John
04. In The Army Now
05. Hold You Back
06. One For The Road [New Song]
07. Backwater
Aquostic II – That’s A Fact! - Deluxe Edition (2xCD)
01. That’s A Fact
02. Roll Over Lay Down
03. Dear John
04. In The Army Now
05. Hold You Back
06. One For The Road
07. Backwater
08. One Of Everything
09. Belavista Man
10. Lover Of The Human Race
11. Ice In The Sun
12. Mess Of The Blues
13. Jam Side Down
14. Resurrection15. Lies
16. Little Dreamer
17. Living On An Island
18. Is Someone Rocking Your Heart? [New Song]
19. Rockers Rollin’
Deluxe Edition CD 2 [Live In Stuttgart]
01. And It's Better Now
02. Pictures Of Matchstick Men
03. Don't Drive My Car
04. Claudie
05. Whatever You Want
06. Rocking All Over The World
Aquostic II – That’s A Fact! - Vinyl Edition (2xLP)
Side 3
11. Ice In The Sun
12. Mess Of The Blues
13. Jam Side Down
14. Resurrection
15. Lies
16. Little Dreamer
Side 4
17. Living On An Island
18. Is Someone Rocking Your Heart? [New Song]
19. Rockers Rollin’
20. For You
Side 1
01. That’s A Fact
02. Roll Over Lay Down
03. Dear John
04. In The Army Now
05. Hold You Back
Side 2
06. One For The Road
07. Backwater
08. One Of Everything
09. Belavista Man
10. Lover Of The Human Race