Old New Borrowed and Blue

Old New Borrowed and Blue was recorded amid various touring and promotional activities in late 1973, and also during the headline-making recovery of drummer Don Powell, who was involved in a near-fatal car crash in July, briefly throwing the band's existence into doubt. Despite his critical condition, Powell was able to make a recovery and the band soon entered the studio to record material for their new album. During recording of "My Friend Stan", Powell was still walking with the aid of a stick and had to be lifted onto his drum stool. On the album, the band attempted to continue their usual formula on some tracks, while others took a change in musical direction.[3] The album's title, as explained by Holder, came from the album's content, which the band felt had a mix of old, new, borrowed and blue songs.[4]

"My Friend Stan" was released as the album's lead single in September 1973 and reached No. 2 in the UK. Over Christmas 1973, the band would also achieve success with their No. 1 single "Merry Xmas Everybody". Old New Borrowed and Blue was released in February 1974 and reached No. 1 in the UK. In the UK, Old New Borrowed and Blue was awarded Gold by BPI prior to its release, based purely on pre-order sales.[5][6] At the time, a Slade spokesman had reported to the Record Mirror: "The album has sold twice as many cartridges and cassettes than their previous offerings."[7] In March, the album's second single "Everyday" reached No. 3. In America, Stomp Your Hands, Clap Your Feet reached No. 168. "Good Time Gals" was issued there as a single in February 1974. Later in May, "When the Lights Are Out" was also issued in America and Belgium. Both singles failed to make any chart impact.[3]

Slade appearing on the Dutch television show TopPop, a month after the album's release.

"Just Want a Little Bit" is a cover of the 1959 Rosco Gordon song, which was a minor hit in 1964 for Liverpool group The Undertakers. The song was later recorded in 1977 by The Animals too, of which Slade manager and producer Chas Chandler was bassist.[8] At the time, the song was a regular inclusion in Slade's live set.[9] "When the Lights Are Out" is the band's first track to feature Jim Lea on lead vocals. In a 1974 interview for the "19" readers, Holder jokingly commented: "There's nothing like a good singer and Jimmy's nothing like a good singer."[10] The song was later covered by Bob Segarini in 1978[11] and American rock group Cheap Trick on their 2009 album The Latest.[12] Lea would also record his own version with his brother Frank Lea under the name The Dummies in 1979.[13] "My Town" originally appeared as the B-Side to "My Friend Stan".[14]

"Find Yourself a Rainbow" features honky-tonk piano as the main instrument, played by Tommy Burton. In a 1974 fab club interview, Powell stated: "Pub piano is played by a local landlord, Tommy Burton. He now owes us free booze for the rest of the year."[1][2] On the album's inner gatefold sleeve, the lyrics of the song include an extra verse which was not on the song's recording.[15] "Miles Out to Sea" was another song to later be recorded by The Dummies.[16] Of the up-tempo tracks "We're Really Gonna Raise the Roof" and "Do We Still Do It", AllMusic stated: "Slade fans can be assured that these guys hadn't lost the will to rock out."[17]

"How Can It Be" is a country-flavoured track with acoustic guitar.[9] "Don't Blame Me" originally appeared as the B-Side to "Merry Xmas Everybody".[18] In a 1979 fan club interview, Lea said of the song: ""Don't Blame Me" was a time-filler, I think that it was created as that. When it was used as a B-Side, we didn't even know it was being used, it was chosen by the offices."[19]

Chandler had persuaded Lea to finish "My Friend Stan" after he heard Lea playing the melody at home on his piano.[20] "Everyday" also features piano and was released as a single at Chandler's insistence. Jim Lea was totally opposed to it being an A-side and argued with Chandler for the duration[21] of a flight from the UK to Australia. When it was released, the band knew they were taking a risk but "Everyday" would become a firm favourite on stage.[22] The song featured Lea on guitar as guitarist Dave Hill was away on honeymoon at the time of the recording sessions.[20] "Good Time Gals" also featured as the B-Side to "Everyday".

Professional ratings

Review scores
Source	Rating
AllMusic	[23]
AllMusic (US edition)	[17]
BBC	[24]
Christgau's Record Guide (US)	B[25]
Record Collector	[24]

Upon release, The Sun felt that the album marked the beginning of Slade becoming a "true album band". The reviewer commented that the songs were "toughening up" and the album was "expertly produced".[26] American magazine Cash Box described the album as "another powerful collection of 'Toons'", with "raw power" being "the most immediate sensation you feel from the LP".[27] At the Disc Music Awards 1974, the album was voted the tenth "best album of the year".[28]

AllMusic retrospectively stated that the album saw Slade's "songwriting efforts" enter "more mellow pastures". In a review of Stomp Your Hands, Clap Your Feet, AllMusic said: "Full of trademark Slade rock & roll, Stomp Your Hands, Clap Your Feet continues the band's arena style stomp. Dated, a bit, but still rockin' hard." Bob Stanley of The Times retrospectively felt the album was the "pick of their early albums", stating: "This is joyous, unshackled and unpretentious stuff that reminds you how they rattled off six No. 1s." In 2010, Classic Rock considered the album "superior: reputation cementing" and noted the album's mix of "wistful ballads" and "mouth-watering commercial, hard rock nuggets".

All tracks are written by Noddy Holder and Jim Lea, except "Just Want a Little Bit" by John Thornton, Ralph Bass, Earl Washington, Piney Brown and Sylvester Thompson.

Slade

• Noddy Holder — lead vocals, rhythm guitar
• Dave Hill — lead guitar, backing vocals
• Jim Lea — bass, piano, guitar, backing vocals, lead vocals (track 2)
• Don Powell — drums, backing vocals

Additional personnel

• Chas Chandler — producer
• Tommy Burton — piano (track 4)
• Alan O'Duffy, George Chkiantz — engineer
• Dave Ferrante — mixing
• Wade Wood Associates — design
• Ian Murray — art direction
• Gered Mankowitz — photography