Monday, August 22, 2016

Your Monday Moment of Words Fail Me

The lead-off track from Ian Hunter's forthcoming (Sept. 16) new album with the Rant Band.



This is a David Bowie tribute, obviously, and it's also, as a friend observed, just like hearing a new Mott song in 1973.

I should add that the guy...


...is freaking 77 years young. Absolutely phenomenal.

[h/t John Holcomb]

13 comments:

Blue Ash Fan said...

The man is a legend. To my mind, he's doing the best work of all the veteran rockers, including a certain guy from Jersey to whom I'm a devoted fanatic.

He's still great live, too. Go see him.

And, Steve, if you've got $350 you don't know what to do with, you can order his 30-CD career retrospective from Proper Records in the UK. I ordered mine.

steve simels said...

BAF -- I saw him live late last year at a medium size club. He was brilliant beyond words. Best version of "Sweet Jane" I've ever heard in my several thousand years on this earth.

Blue Ash Fan said...

He's touring in October. He always plays NYC.

I will say, though, that I think a lot of the credit also goes to his producer, Andy York. I met York at a Yayhoos show at the Mercury Lounge and had a fascinating conversation. I also told Andy that Springsteen should give him a call. I meant that. Andy was amused but flattered. Honestly, I think Bruce could use York's services. He brings an organic feel to Ian's records that really reminds me of the great albums of the '70s and that sounds better than anything Bruce has done since he stopped using Brendan O'Brien for some inexplicable reason.

Billy B said...

That is outstanding. You friend is correct - this sounds like Mott the Hoople in 1973. I'm going to have to go dig out the earlier album from his Rant Band when I get home.

Anonymous said...

Sounds great, love is voice.

Captain Al

Brian Leonard said...

Love, love, LOVE him! Will be seeing him live for the first time in 10+ years in a couple of weeks!

Mark said...

Yes, this is great. And his shows ARE great, as Steve says. And if you do see him, it's like seeing rock royalty up front and personal.

Anonymous said...

His latter day work surpasses his middle period. Nice song with lots of references to Bowie songs. A fitting tribute since Bowie did so much to further his career. Nice that he acknowledged the Spiders as well, since he copped Little Lord Fauntleroy for his own band. Ian has outlived most of them. We'll see about Woody.

No West Coast gigs yet. Probably next year. If the venue is intimate enough, I'm there.

But Steve, it's a tribute to a guy you have no use for?:-)

VR - the bitter comes out better on a stolen guitar

steve simels said...

VR

I'm mellowing.
:-)

Anonymous said...

I've got something for that.

VR

Anonymous said...

Saturday Gigs 2016.

VR

Anonymous said...

I'm a bit embarrassed to admit this but I need to catch up with Hunter's solo work. Steve, which albums would you to recommend to start with ?

Glad you weren't eaten by a moose in Quebec City.

J. Lag

Ken J Xenozar said...

I agree with J Lag. I would love to have someone put together a retrospective playlist of Hunter's work.