Forrest Gump’s life theory comes short in terms of Status Quo, because Status Quo is pretty far from a box of chocolates, as you always know what you’re gonna get … but these guys have been delivering the goods for 40 years now, and this year sees the release of a 40-track compilation CD, a DVD, and a book.
In addition to that, those old 70’s albums are also being re-released/remastered with bonuses. But Francis Rossi, Rick Parfitt, and the rest of the legendary outfit isn’t inclined to stay at home celebrating. They are celebrating with the fans on the road; teaching rock history every night.
So was the case in Norway on this evening as well, with a seated Oslo Concert House ready to welcome their legendary lifelong friends. At exactly 8:30, the five piece band entered the stage with their black jeans and screaming white sneakers … from that point on, it was boogie-woogie all the way, and you might also throw in a World Championship won in the Fender Telecaster department as well.
“Caroline” started the party and “Hold You Back,” “There’s Something Bout You Baby I Like,” and “Rain” prevented the crowd from wanting to sit down. The front rows were there to rock, and so was Francis Rossi, Rick Parfitt, John “Rhino” Edwards, Andrew Bown, and Matthew Letley.
The setlist was not surprisingly a career-spanning extravaganza. The “how-to-include-all-those-classics-in-one-evening” challenge was partly solved by playing a long medley midway through the set, including songs like “Most Of The Time,” “Rollin’ Home,” and “Again And Again”.
After a boogie-break with “Gerdandulla,” containing four out of five members playing guitar, this well-arranged medley was a highly welcomed timeout. Neither “The Wanderer” nor “In The Army Now” at this time, but thrilling versions of “Whatever You Want,” “Rockin’ All Over The World,” “Paper Plane,” “Big Fat Mama,” and “Roll Over Lay Down” at the end always leaves you with a big smile on your face.
You always know what you’re gonna get – but you always know that it would be a lot of fun as well. This night made no exception to those general rules whatsoever.
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