In 1977, amidst the din of punk's snarling rebellion and disco's glitter-ball fever, a curious blue album washed ashore in Portugal. It wasn't the Sex Pistols or ABBA, but a cheeky bloke named Ian Dury and his debut solo album, "New Boots and Panties!!!" This wasn't your average rock 'n' roll record, mind you. It was a boozy, boisterous celebration of life's little pleasures, a lyrical pub crawl through the streets of London, with a soundtrack that mixed music hall melodies with pub rock grit.
This was a time when the airwaves were thick with guitar solos and synthesizer bleeps, but Dury, with his polio-stricken swagger and gravelly voice, didn't give a toss about trends. He was a storyteller, a poet of the everyday, a bloke who could turn a tale about a new pair of shoes into a working-class anthem. His lyrics were a delightful mix of sharp wit, Cockney slang, and saucy innuendo, delivered with a wink and a nudge.
"New Boots and Panties!!!" was a musical melting pot, a reflection of Dury's eclectic tastes and his deep roots in British culture. He drew inspiration from music hall legends like Max Miller, rock 'n' roll rebels like Gene Vincent, and the raw energy of the emerging punk scene. The result was a sound that was both familiar and fresh, like a pint of bitter in a brand-new glass.
The album was recorded at various studios around London, including the legendary Pye Studios, where countless British music legends had cut their teeth. The production was helmed by Laurie Latham, a young upstart who had already made a name for himself working with punk bands like The Damned. Latham captured the rawness and energy of Dury's live performances, while adding a touch of studio polish to the mix.
The album's title track, "New Boots and Panties!!!," was a celebration of life's simple pleasures, a cheeky ode to the joy of a new pair of shoes and clean underwear. It was a song that resonated with the working class, who saw in Dury a kindred spirit, a bloke who spoke their language and shared their struggles.
Other standout tracks included "Sweet Gene Vincent," a heartfelt tribute to the rockabilly icon; "Wake Up and Make Love with Me," a raucous invitation to a night of passion; and "Billericay Dickie," a hilarious tale of suburban romance gone wrong. Dury's lyrics were often laced with sexual innuendo and references to bodily functions, which caused a bit of a stir in some quarters. But his wit and charm ultimately won over even the most prudish of listeners.
The Portuguese release of "New Boots and Panties!!!" with its distinctive blue record label was a testament to the album's universal appeal. It was a record that transcended cultural boundaries, speaking to the human condition with a raw honesty and a wicked sense of humor. It was a reminder that even in a world of political turmoil and economic hardship, there was still room for a bit of fun, a bit of naughtiness, and a whole lot of heart.
