The Ballad of Mott the Hoople and Ian Hunter - Album by Album thread

Yes, definitely true of here in the US. Not "mainstream" here at all in the well known, everybody knows them (whether they like them or not) sense. Most people never heard of them, let alone heard them.

 

Bit envious of our US friends right now.



Ian Hunter remains amazing.

Tim

 

I saw the Boston show last night. My first time seeing Ian Hunter live (and Mott's first US tour since the month I was born...!)

It was awesome. They sounded great, played great, and had an appropriately responsive/appreciative audience.

 

Exactly as it should be!!! I can’t wait for Mott to schedule some dates in Canada!!!

 

Yeah...... I wouldn't hold your breath on that one. I gave up on waiting years ago and travel to them when I can.

Ian has stated on his website blog that Canada is a tax rip-off to play in... not worth the hassle for one or two dates.
The last time they (Rant Band) played in Toronto (Lee's Palace 2012?), it didn't go too well... CRA took them to the cleaners.

 

I was at the Lee Palace show and it was crazy good!! Sometimes you have to take one for the fans and I vote now would be a good time for that!!!

 

Any news on filming / recording?

 

Ha ha !!.. have you met their business manager (Mrs. Hunter)?... nobody is going to "take one for the fans".

That Lee's Palace gig was good... I was there as well... but it was too small / oversold. The promoter should have thought bigger and made it worth their while. It was eleven years since they'd last been in Canada (2001)... they did it as a quick jog up from Buffalo... and I think it wasn't profitable. That's why they may be gun-shy about playing in Canada.

Maybe some brave Toronto promoter will make Mott The Hoople an offer they can't refuse...
that is, if they continue on at all after this month's UK tour. Ian Hunter has certainly implied this will be it.

 

He'll celebrate his 80th birthday in a couple of months.

 

This is from The Horse's Mouth, March 2019: "No live cd’s planned."

We don't know if he's referring to the Rant Band or Mott.

 

doesn't rule out a dvd/blu ray

one can dream....

 

I just replied on the Mott thread. The Milwaukee show is out there if you know where to look. It's a good quality audience recording. Ian and the boys absolutely nail it.

 

Anyone go to the 80th birthday celebration at the City Winery in NYC last night? "Songs written for Mott the Hoople".

Tim

PS it's on for four nights so there is still time!

 

A teaser. Asked which song on Mott is his favourite, Ian says in Horse's Mouth "Begins with M".

None do. Possible answers:

A. He got confused with The Hoople and meant Marionette
B. all the way from Memphis
C. i wish i was your Mother
D. ballad of Mott the hoople

?

Tim

PS I'm going with A

 

The album begins with M. Maybe they are all his favourite

 

From Friday. OK it is a bit ramshackle but no doubt still a great evening

Tim

 

Ian Hunter turned 80 today!

 

“Now we’ll be lookin’ at how to make a record.”
Horse’s Mouth (Issue #202, June 2019)
​

Looks like the story is not over yet

Tim

 

His last solo albums have been very good, so this should be no different

 

I'm not sure if eiricd misunderstood, but ian appears to be talking about just another of his normal records; not a mott 74 thing; he explicitly says no to a new record from that configuration elsewhere in the same horse's mouth.

 

I don't think he misunderstood. That's what I'm expecting too. Another solo / rant band release.

Tim

 

I have only two things to say - "Braincapers" and "Mad Shadows"

 

ok---his use of word "solo" fooled me into thinking that he was discussing something he thought would be different from all the recent solo records.

 

"Your Own Backyard" a top 100 for me! Of all time. And "Violence" from "Mott"

 

It seems there is a new Campbell Devine bio of Ian Hunter. Part one (!) is called Rock n Roll Sweepstakes and covers the Mott the Hoople years.

Campbell Devine - Rock n Roll Sweepstakes: The Authorised Biography of Ian Hunter Volume 1 - Hardback – Rough Trade

In some ways I'm more interested in part two as there is less information out there already. Part two is coming 19th March:

Campbell Devine - Rock 'n' Roll Sweepstakes: The Official Biography of Ian Hunter (Volume 2) - Hardback – Rough Trade

I probably won't get hold of it until both parts are out. Perhaps there will be a deal!

Tim