|
Post by BSJ on Oct 11, 2014 23:13:56 GMT
Mott The Hoople – All The Young Dudes, 1972
There are a few posts about suggestive lyrics out there. Plenty of posts for my Beatle cd of the week, that’s for sure! So I’m starting a tradition! My pick of the week cd is chock full of this stuff! But seriously, this was my initial pick before I changed it to Rubber Soul in celebration of that sweet, sweet, Sunday.
A bit of Glam-rock anyone?
Dave Bowie believed in this band and to keep them from hanging it up after a rough concert tour and bad album sales, he gave the band a few of his songs, and produced this rockin’, entertaining and amusing album that helped restore their career.
Does Mott The Hoople perform Sweet Jane better than Lou Reed? You all decide – I’m not going to be sucked into that vortex! Though I do think Mott made it their own. As they did with Bowies All The Young Dudes. The song Ready for Love, is written by Mick Ralphs, and he performed it with Bad Company when he left Mott. No question that Motts is the better of the two. Bad Company’s is slicked up. I think Micks vocals are better on Motts.
Enjoy! The current cd has bonus tracks. A few of them live. Very nice!
Thanks for having my back 88keys. I changed mine.
Sorry for the ads. They drop off the more you play.
|
|
|
Post by jrmugz on Oct 12, 2014 11:35:09 GMT
Sounds good BSJ, always wanted to see what they were all about, and thanks for all the history, there.
Will send thoughts throughout the week and provide my song by song thoughts by mid-week or so.
I wonder if this was their first / only album or if they made a bunch of albums?
Jim
|
|
|
Post by BSJ on Oct 12, 2014 13:10:48 GMT
Sounds good BSJ, always wanted to see what they were all about, and thanks for all the history, there. Will send thoughts throughout the week and provide my song by song thoughts by mid-week or so. I wonder if this was their first / only album or if they made a bunch of albums? Jim en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mott_the_Hoople
Gee isn't wikipedis great! I just wish it was around when in grade school!
|
|
|
Post by jefflynnenut on Oct 12, 2014 14:33:22 GMT
Whahey! BSJ! Champion choice! Haven't heard this album in many moons! Went Bowie crazy in my teens and bought the lot. When that was exhausted I started chasing everything else that Bowie had touched and I found this lil gem...I don't even own it anymore my I can't wait to get me lugs back into it! Well done, good choice! My review will be posted by the end of the week!
|
|
|
Post by BSJ on Oct 12, 2014 15:43:00 GMT
Whahey! BSJ! Champion choice! Haven't heard this album in many moons! Went Bowie crazy in my teens and bought the lot. When that was exhausted I started chasing everything else that Bowie had touched and I found this lil gem...I don't even own it anymore my I can't wait to get me lugs back into it! Well done, good choice! My review will be posted by the end of the week! Thanks! I appreciate that DUDE! I was checking out my Bowie albums and ran across Ol' Mott. Ian Hunter! A buddy of mine thought I was nuts not having the cd, so he bought me one. As I wrote above there are extra tracks that make it worth while having. Enjoy!!!!!
|
|
|
Post by unomusette on Oct 12, 2014 20:01:19 GMT
Heh! I was going to start with "Wahey!" too, but I can see that great minds think alike Anyway, it's an instinctive reaction for me because I adore Mott the Hoople and Ian Hunter. Although I must admit to not owning this particular album I'm familiar with a few of the songs already. This is going to be an easy review, thanks!
|
|
|
Post by queenofthehours on Oct 12, 2014 20:40:46 GMT
Mott The Hoople! This is surprising. Not a name you hear often, especially not in discussions on albums. Usually they get a thumbs up for the 'All the Young Dudes' single and that's that. Really looking forward to hearing what other tracks the band's got to offer.
|
|
|
Post by Chippa on Oct 12, 2014 21:31:59 GMT
Sweet Jane- Never heard this version, but it’s a great song. Lou Reed had to be proud.
Momma's Little Jewel – The opening piano reminded me a little of “Evil Woman”. The rest of the song is pretty good, with flashes of early solo George Harrison, and 70’s Bob Dylan.
All the Young Dudes – Great, great song! Always loved this one.
Sucker – Classic example of early 70’s rock. Parts of it remind me of “Up On Cripple Creek” by The Band. Not bad.
Jerkin' Crocus – Nice R&B stomper.
One of the Boys – A rotary dial? Ohhh, nostalgia! Ok song. Nothing special or memorable.
Soft Ground – Sounds like an odd Deep Purple and John Lennon collaboration.
Ready for Love/After Lights – I had no idea that Bad Company's Mick Ralphs wrote this while he was in Mott The Hoople.
Sea Diver – Very nice ballad. Some ELO-esque strings going on, and a great melody and lyrics. A bit short, though.
Overall, I liked this album. Too bad Mott The Hoople never made a bigger impact.
|
|
|
Post by Horacewimp on Oct 13, 2014 10:36:16 GMT
Week after week we are getting great albums I've not heard, same again this week good choice BSJ enjoyed listening to it, will play it a few times again during the week when I get a chance.
|
|
|
Post by jrmugz on Oct 13, 2014 20:10:50 GMT
Enjoying the CD very much on first play. Very accessible, distincly early 70s.
Jim
|
|
|
Post by jrmugz on Oct 14, 2014 19:46:08 GMT
OK, below is my breakdown after familiarizing myself with the songs: 1. "Sweet Jane" - Strong opener, like it a lot. Simple and effective, like a good rock song should be. 2. "Momma's Little Jewel" - Carole King meets Steely Dan meets Bob Dylan. Nice feel to the song, good rhythm. Lyric seems a tad too seductive, for my tastes, but I can still appreciate the overall quality of the song. 3. "All the Young Dudes" - Great melody, chorus, etc. Abstract lyric. The guitar work is beautiful. 4. "Sucker" - Kinda sparse sounding compared to the previous 3. Reminds me of Grand Funk, and of pyschedelic. Nice groove to the chorus. 5. "Jerkin' Crocus" - Stonesy rocker, don't get brain freeze from lickin' the ice cream cone. The main riff reminds me of "Spill the Wine", by War. Sounds nice. 6. "One of the Boys" - Decent starightforward rocker; but a little bit of a throwaway song, IMHO. 7. "Soft Ground" - Seems like a nod to Hendrix. Maybe the most adventurous track on the CD. Very good, I like it. 8. "Ready for Love/After Lights" - Great Mick Ralphs song; much better vocals than the other guy, whoever is singing. Great chorus. They did a good job on this, makes us appreciate how Paul Rodgers brought it to a whole new dimension with Bad Company, as well. I like the "After Lights", second half on this one. Very nice. 9. "Sea Diver" - Nice soft closer, with an inspired vocal. The soft piano and Bowie-like vocals are soothing and a nice change of pace. Poetic lyrics, tasteful strings. Based on my familiarity with their hit "All the Young Dudes", I thought they might wane more into the art-rock style. But, outside of the title track and "Soft Ground" maybe, it seems like the band was kind of a conglomeration of, and springboard for, the joy of the straightforward rock genre. Which is always fine with me! I thought the vocals on the title track and "RFL/AL" were strong. It seems like on a two or three of the tracks, the vocals were good but sometimes lacked the same kind of spunk, though the kickoff track "Sweet Jane" works very well, for sure. That said, I admit that the vocals do sound better with each listen, for sure. Checking into the album made me aware of some Ian Hunter, and Bad Company history I was not aware of, namely that Ian Hunter, and Mick Ralphs were in the band. Thanks for a very cool pick, BSJ; enjoyed it very much and will continue enjoying it throughout the week, etc.! Will continue to provide any additional comments that may hit me as a I continue to play it. Jim
|
|
|
Post by unomusette on Oct 15, 2014 21:31:33 GMT
Sweet Jane - really suits Ian Hunter's voice with the semi-spoken Lou Reed lyrics, great guitar sound, rolls along nicely. And is that a cow bell? Winner. Momma's Little Jewel - Nice funky vibe, love the saxophone honking away there. Spontaneous head-nodding to this one, always a good sign, typical Mott song. All the Young Dudes - Legendary song and a proper classic. Love the ending especially. First time Mr Musette heard it on the radio he came rushing in telling me about this fabulous song he'd discovered, only to receive a pitying look from me - a person who'd known and loved it since it first came out. He had a very sheltered upbringing and most '70's music escaped him at the time Then in about 1980 he discovered Alice Cooper... Sucker - Nice bit of sax again and great vocals. Chorus is a bit "meh" though and it does go on a bit too long for me. Jerkin' Crocus - Bit of a Ma Ma Ma Belle intro, wonder which came first? Looks like maybe this did? I blame Marc Bolan. Rolling Stones-ey too with the "ooh's" Nice little rocker, I approve but it's kind of average fare when I know they can do better and more original things. One of the Boys - Ahh, that ye-olde telephone dial sound effect It's another standard Mott rocker, it does the job without blowing my mind and is better than most other contemporary bands' average output. Shouty comeback ending does redeem it somewhat, this is a feature they do really well I think in a few of their songs. I can imagine it going down a storm live. Soft Ground - The Hammond organ helps this sound pretty psychadelic, the whole song is a quirky departure from the norm, I like it a lot. The vocals remind me of John Lydon in his Public Image Ltd days. Ready for LoveAfter Lights - I already knew and loved this song from a Bad Company LP someone gave me years ago; it was quite a surprise to discover it later on a Mott compilation. This version is a lot edgier than the Bad Co. version, and all the better for it I reckon. The extended ending was pleasant enough as background music but probably not necessary. Sea Diver - Great Ian Hunter slowie building to a massive crescendo, love it like I love all of his songs in this style. Great way to end an album. Thanks for making this your CD of the Week, Snooks, you knew I was already a fan but I've enjoyed discovering the songs on here that had escaped me before. Plus I've relived a few old memories, sniffle.
|
|
|
Post by jrmugz on Oct 18, 2014 10:57:45 GMT
The title track is the one that stands out as my favorite. Here is some great information and history about the song "All the Young Dudes"; guess it was an apocalyptic song about the earth only having five more years to live. en.wikipedia.org/wiki/All_the_Young_DudesSo Bowie wrote is specifically for the band to save them from breaking up. "Suffragette City" was the first one he wrote for them, but they rejected it, so then he wrote "All the Young Dudes" for them. Interesting history. Jim
|
|
|
Post by queenofthehours on Oct 18, 2014 12:44:07 GMT
Sweet Jane - I’m a big drum fan and I love the drums here. They're interesting and don't just keep the time. The guitar is used used judiciously and there's nothing over the top. A nice solid piece of music. I like how it speeds up towards the end before leaving guitar to play out.
Momma's Little Jewel – Again the drums are great, nice and clear. Piano makes all the difference. For some reason I'm getting reminded of Tom Petty here.
All the Young Dudes – I've always been able to take or leave this song but here but it fits in so well that you can really appreciate the track in it's natural environment - the LP. You hardly notice that it’s a famous single, just a stunning track.
Sucker – I like the guitar parts on this. It's not my favourite track but that doesn't mean it's bad, it just goes on a bit too long.
Jerkin' Crocus – Reminds me of 'Ma Ma Ma Belle' but Jeff does more with the tune than Mott here.
One of the Boys – Great guitar here. All the instruments on all the songs are clear and plain. Just goes to show how much you can do with simple instrumentation.
Soft Ground – Doesn't grab like the others but a good track all the same.
Ready for Love/After Lights – I like this track. It could easily be borning and samey but it's kept interesting even though it's quite a long track.
Sea Diver – Great strings and drums here.
What I like is that there is a tune in every song. By that I mean that even though it's a rock record they haven't used it as an excuse not to include lots of melodic and pop elements. Many of the tracks go on a journey, the songs don't stay in one place. A great album to hear.
I've also only just discovered that drummer Dale Griffin was a session producer for John Peel and recorded bands including Nirvana and OMD.
|
|
|
Post by BSJ on Oct 18, 2014 22:50:42 GMT
I’m really pleased that this CD was so well received. Chippa* wrote “Sucker is a classic example of 70’s rock”. Jim wrote “very accessible, distinctly early 70’s”. There’s nothing like 70’s rock! Yes!
Thanks for listening; it made me see songs I've always loved through different eyes. Here are some comments that me wonder if you all listened to the same CD! Grand Funk and Lennon jamming together (Chippa); Carole King meets Steely Dan meets Bob Dylan (Jim. My favorite); Embarrassing the husband and making Bolan, yet again, the whipping boy with a cowbell or two (Toots). I think Queenofthehours had the correct CD, no head scratching here.
But really, I thank you all for taking the time listening and writing your in-depth reviews. I enjoy doing this with you all.
*Your use of star rating is genius by the way. Unomusette agrees.
|
|