SLADE (October 13, 1978) – "Rock 'N' Roll Bolero" b/w "It's Alright Buy Me" 7" Single: UK
Released on October 13, 1978, "Rock 'N' Roll Bolero" was issued by Slade on Barn Records under catalogue number 2014 127. Written by Noddy Holder and Jim Lea, the single marked a significant turning point for the band as it became the first Slade single to be self-produced rather than produced by their long-time manager and producer Chas Chandler.
Issued during a difficult commercial period for the group, the single represented an attempt to modernise Slade's sound while retaining elements of the melodic style that had brought them success earlier in the decade. Despite the band's hopes for the record, the single failed to enter the UK Singles Chart.
Today, "Rock 'N' Roll Bolero" is often viewed as one of the more overlooked recordings from Slade's late-1970s catalogue and an interesting precursor to the band's eventual commercial revival in the early 1980s.
RECORDING
The song was initially recorded on June 28 and 29, 1978 under the working title "I've Been Rejected".
Slade subsequently re-recorded the track at Portland Studios in London on July 3, 4 and 5, 1978 under its final title, "Rock 'N' Roll Bolero".
The recording notably featured the return of Jim Lea's electric violin, the first time the instrument had featured prominently on a Slade single since "Coz I Luv You" in 1971.
STYLE & THEMES
"Rock 'N' Roll Bolero" combined Slade's rock foundation with a more melodic and polished production style than the band's earlier chart hits.
Built around an arrangement that incorporated electric violin and a gradual bolero-style musical development, the record represented a deliberate attempt to move in a different direction from the band's familiar glam rock formula.
While some listeners appreciated the change in style, others felt it differed too greatly from the classic Slade sound that had established the band's success earlier in the decade.
TRACK-BY-TRACK NOTES
• Rock 'N' Roll Bolero — Written by Noddy Holder and Jim Lea. A non-album single featuring Jim Lea's electric violin and the first Slade single produced entirely by the band themselves.
• It's Alright Buy Me — Written by Holder and Lea. Produced by Chas Chandler and used as the B-side of the UK release.
RELEASE HISTORY
The single was released by Barn Records in the United Kingdom on October 13, 1978.
Discogs documentation references an October 6, 1978 issue date, while 45cat records October 13, 1978 as the UK release date.
The release coincided with Slade's October-November UK tour.
International issues followed in Germany, Belgium and France.
PERSONNEL
Noddy Holder — lead vocals, rhythm guitar
Dave Hill — lead guitar, backing vocals
Jim Lea — bass, electric violin, backing vocals
Don Powell — drums
PRODUCTION
Produced by Slade ("Rock 'N' Roll Bolero")
Produced by Chas Chandler ("It's Alright Buy Me")
Label: Barn Records
Published by Barn Publishing (Slade) Ltd
NOTES
The single was the first Slade release produced entirely by the band without Chas Chandler.
"Rock 'N' Roll Bolero" originated under the working title "I've Been Rejected".
The release featured the return of Jim Lea's electric violin on a Slade single for the first time since "Coz I Luv You".
The song was issued as a non-album single.
Released during a challenging commercial period for the band, it became Slade's fourth consecutive single since 1976 to miss the UK chart.
RELEASE VARIANTS TABLE
Artist | Title | Label | Country | Catalogue | Date | Format |
Slade | Rock 'N' Roll Bolero | Barn Records | UK | 2014 127 | October 13, 1978 | 7" Single |
Slade | Rock 'N' Roll Bolero | Barn Records Ltd | Germany | 2014 127 | 1978 | 7", 45 RPM, Stereo Single |
Slade | Rock 'N' Roll Bolero | Barn Records Ltd / Polydor | Belgium | 2014 127 | 1978 | 7", 45 RPM, Stereo Single |
Slade | It's All Right Buy Me | Barn Records Ltd | France | 2014 127 | 1978 | 7", 45 RPM Single |
Slade | Rock 'N' Roll Bolero | Barn Records Ltd | France | 2014 127 | 1978 | 7" Single |
TRACKLIST TABLE (ALL FORMATS)
Format | Catalogue | Tracklisting |
UK / Germany / Belgium 7" Single | 2014 127 | A. Rock 'N' Roll Bolero (4:04) B. It's Alright Buy Me (3:20) |
French 7" Single | 2014 127 | A. It's All Right Buy Me (3:20) B. Rock 'N' Roll Bolero (4:04) |
SOURCES Discogs, 45 World, Wikipedia, BBC Official Charts.
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