If I Were Brittania I'd Waive the Rules

If I Were Brittania I'd Waive the Rules
Studio album by
Budgie
Released23 April 1976
Recorded1976
StudioRockfield Studios, Monmouth, Wales
GenreHard rock, Blues rock, Progressive rock, Jazz rock
Length35:51
LabelA&M
ProducerBudgie
Budgie chronology
Bandolier
(1975) 		If I Were Brittania I'd Waive the Rules
(1976) 		Impeckable
(1978)
Professional ratings
Review scores
SourceRating
AllMusic[1]

If I Were Brittania I'd Waive the Rules is the sixth album by the Welsh power trio heavy metal blues rock band Budgie, released in April 1976.[2]

The album is the band's first new release with A&M Records, having signed with them in late 1975 to distribute the US pressings of Bandolier. Musically, the album is significantly more subdued and polished than their earlier, heavier releases, exploring new experimental territory, which they would also continue to develop on their next release, 'Impeckable' : the band's usual hard rock blues rock style is augmented on this album with funk-Jazz rock fusion elements in two songs, and progressive rock in two others.The sound engineer on the album was Pat Moran, noted for his equally eclectic rock-fusion work with Dr. Feelgood (band) on Down by the Jetty, Robert Plant, Lou Gramm, Queen, Iggy Pop,Van der Graaf Generator, and Peter Hammill. The album was recorded at Rockfield Studios.[1]

Noted science fiction fantasy artist and book-cover illustrator Alun Hood provided the iconic artwork for the sleeve, whilst acclaimed rock photographer, Gered Mankowitz provided the band photographs.[3] The title of the album is a pun on the concept of Britannia ruling the waves. Professor Irene Morra of Cardiff University wrote that Budgie used this title to "declare an essential lack of agency within Britain" which helped portray a countercultural identity, lacking in national ambition.[4]

Track listing

All tracks are written by Burke Shelley and Tony Bourge

Side one
No.TitleLength
1."Anne Neggen"4:04
2."If I Were Brittania I'd Waive the Rules"5:50
3."You're Opening Doors"4:14
4."Quacktor and Bureaucats"3:52
Side two
No.TitleLength
5."Sky High Percentage"5:52
6."Heaven Knows Our Name"3:52
7."Black Velvet Stallion"8:07
2010 remaster bonus tracks
No.TitleLength
8."You're Opening Doors" (2006 version)3:38
9."Black Velvet Stallion" (2006 version)7:56

Personnel

Budgie
  • Burke Shelley – bass, lead vocals
  • Tony Bourge – guitar, backing vocals; lead vocals (track 6)
  • Steve Williams – drums
Guest musicians
  • Richard Dunn – keyboards
Production
  • Pat Moran – mix engineer
  • Fabio Nicoli – art director
  • Alun Hood – illustrator
  • Gered Mankowitz – photography[5]

Charts

Chart (1976) Peak
position
Australian Albums (Kent Music Report)[6] 98

References

  1. ^ a b Rivadavia, Eduardo. "Budgie: If I Were Brittania I'd Waive the Rules" at AllMusic. Retrieved 27 November 2011.
  2. ^ Larkin, Colin (1992). The Guinness encyclopedia of popular music. Guinness Publishing. p. 361. ISBN 9780851129396.
  3. ^ If I Were Brittania I'd Waive The Rules. A&M Records. 1976. SP-4593.
  4. ^ Morra, Irene (2013). Britishness, Popular Music, and National Identity: The Making of Modern Britain. Routledge. p. 39. ISBN 9781135048952.
  5. ^ If I Were Brittania I'd Waive The Rules. A&M Records. 1976. SP-4593.
  6. ^ Kent, David (1993). Australian Chart Book 1970–1992 (illustrated ed.). St Ives, N.S.W.: Australian Chart Book. ISBN 0-646-11917-6.