Tales of Old Grand-Daddy [Matured for 40 Years]

Personnel: Harry Vanda (guitar, background vocals); George Young (piano, bass guitar, background vocals); Wally Waller (electric piano, background vocals); Freddie Smith, John Proud, Malcolm Young, Alex Young , Ian Campbell , Angus Young , Howie Casey.
Liner Note Authors: John Tait; Wally Waller.
Recording information: Abbey Road, London (06/12/1972-11/14/1972); EMI, Sydney (06/12/1972-11/14/1972); Abbey Road, London (07/1973-08/1973); EMI, Sydney (07/1973-08/1973).
Photographer: Philip Morris.
A midpoint for the collaboration of Harry Vanda and George Young and the missing early chapter in AC/DC's career, the Marcus Hook Roll Band was an Australian studio creation of the early '70s. Despite the heavy connection to AC/DC -- it features Malcolm and Angus Young on guitars while some of the songs contain musical elements that would later resurface on AC/DC albums -- it sounds very little like that sleazy heavy rock band and, despite boasting a song called "Goodbye Jane," it doesn't even sound as nasty as the big-booted Slade. Instead, this is very much in the vein of the Sweet, tempered with a little bit of the garage rock of the Easybeats and a lot of slicked-up, radio-ready studio sheen. Tales of Old Grand-Daddy shows bits of album rock indulgence -- "Silver Shoes" marches like the second side of Abbey Road -- but it's best when it's all about trashy riffs, big beats, and singalong vocals. Strictly speaking, it's not glam -- compared to all the glitter emanating from the U.K., it's not as sexy or cheap; it's polished and assured -- but it's a kindred spirit and a whole lot of fun. ~ Stephen Thomas Erlewine