Mott

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The glam-rock makeover of the '70s produced a handful of masterpieces, topped by the likes of Bowie's Ziggy Stardust, the New York Dolls' two LPs, and this peak-performance effort by Mott the Hoople. The group's 1973 follow-up to their 1972 breakthrough, All the Young Dudes, bursts out of the gate with the infectious "All the Way to Memphis," one of a handful of great rockers from the Hereford, England, quintet. But frontman Ian Hunter--he of the charmingly limp Dylan-esque sneer ("I felt soooo ashamed!")--wears his heart all over his shimmering sleeve on the likes of "Hymn for the Dudes," "Ballad of Mott the Hoople," and, especially, the truly poignant "I Wish I Was Your Mother." --Steven Stolder

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Mott

Average customer rating: One Of The Boys NOT the UK single version Mott - very accesible glam Great Service Glam is an attitude, not a look. Mott typified that. anything less than 5 stars is absurd!

All the Young Dudes Mott the Hoople Manufacturer: Sony ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD Proto Punk | Hardcore & Punk | Alternative Rock | Styles | Music Britain | British Isles | Europe | International | Styles | Music General | Rock | Styles | Music General | Hard Rock & Metal | Styles | Music Hard Rock | Hard Rock & Metal | Styles | Music Pop Rock | Pop | Styles | Music Album-Oriented Rock (AOR) | Classic Rock | Styles | Music Glam | Classic Rock | Styles | Music Similar Items: Mott The Hoople Live You're Never Alone With a Schizophrenic Tres Hombres ASIN: B000E6EJAC Release Date: 2006-02-21

Tracks:

1. Sweet Jane
2. Momma's Little Jewel
3. All The Young Dudes
4. Sucker
5. Jerkin' Crocus
6. One Of The Boys
7. Soft Ground
8. Ready For Love/After Lights; Ready For Love\ After Lights
9. Sea Diver
10. One Of The Boys
11. Black Scorpio
12. Ride On The Sun
13. One Of The Boys
14. All The Young Dudes
15. Sucker
16. Sweet Jane

Customer Reviews:

One Of The Boys NOT the UK single version.......2007-07-11

A great album by a great band. But when oh when will we get the FULL UK single version of 'One Of The Boys', which clocks in at over 5 minutes (basically the same as the album version but withourt the infernal telephone dialling 'effects'). Surely there must be a master out there somewhere - until then I'll stick to my scratchy old 45...

Mott - very accesible glam.......2007-06-02

mott the hoople has a glam sound that truly rocks.. whether covering tunes from lou reed or david bowie or playing originals their sound is original.. While not as innovative as t-rex, bowie, reed - they were able to charm the masses with their sound.. i would highly recommend this for any comprehensive glam collection.. Their version of all the young dudes is monumental..

Great Service.......2007-01-10

always get the best service from Amazon. And so speedy! Am always impressed!

Glam is an attitude, not a look. Mott typified that........2006-11-10

Bowie loved this band. And when their lack of success almost broke them up, He came in and produced this album for them. This 1972 masterpiece put them up there with the likes of T.Rex and Ziggy Stardust as the bearers of a musical movement loosely called Glam Rock. Imagine a glamed out Rolling Stones. They were not goofy like Slade or artsy like Roxy Music or Bowie. They were just right. Like the New York Dolls, they had a trashy attitude. Unlike the Dolls, they knew how to play their instruments. The bonus material is great. The demo version of "One of the Boys" is out of sight.

anything less than 5 stars is absurd!.......2006-10-05

David Bowie may have written the "hit" on this album and may have helped the band in any number of ways but it sickens me to hear so many comments in the literature implying Bowie's contribution is responsible for this band's success. Certainly he helped them at a crucial time when they may have passed on to anonymity but the talent was all theirs. When one listens to the bonus Bowie track where he sings "All the Young Dudes" even though he wrote it, it is obvious Mott the Hoople made it their's. Mott is a perfect example of how the media can destroy a band. Lord knows what may have come from these guys if Allen and Ralphs had hung around for another two or three years. As a musician and song writer this is one of my all-time favorite early seventies albums. I am also a Bad Company fan but I'll never understand why anyone liked B.C.'s version of Ready For Love more than Mott's...at best its a fair imitation. Like many bands during this time they were phenomenally talented and creative but only maintained their edge for a short while. Give them the credit they deserve!

Average customer rating: Solid collection of tunes Last of the Mick Ralphs Mott Albums Remastered Beautifully We Don't Need No Stinkin' Bowie An Essential CD If You Want To Understand The Seventies Mott Triumphant

Mott Mott the Hoople Manufacturer: Sony ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD Proto Punk | Hardcore & Punk | Alternative Rock | Styles | Music Britain | British Isles | Europe | International | Styles | Music General | Rock | Styles | Music General | Hard Rock & Metal | Styles | Music Hard Rock | Hard Rock & Metal | Styles | Music Pop Rock | Pop | Styles | Music Album-Oriented Rock (AOR) | Classic Rock | Styles | Music Glam | Classic Rock | Styles | Music Similar Items: All the Young Dudes The Hoople Ian Hunter Live Shrunken Heads ASIN: B000E6EJA2 Release Date: 2006-02-21

Tracks:

1. All The Way From Memphis
2. Whizz Kid
3. Hymn For The Dudes
4. Honaloochie Boogie
5. Violence
6. Drivin' Sister
7. Ballad Of Mott The Hoople
8. I'm A Cadillac/El Camino Dolo Roso; I'm A Cadillac\ El Camino Dolo Roso
9. I Wish I Was Your Mother
10. Rose
11. Honaloochie Boogie
12. Nightmare
13. Drivin' Sister

Customer Reviews:

Solid collection of tunes.......2007-05-02

Of course, this CD includes the rollicking hit "All The Way From Memphis" but it is also loaded with a lot of other great tunes, ranging from the hard rock of "Violence" to the near-gospel of "Hymn for the Dudes" to the Dylan-esque "I Wish I Was Your Mother." Despite the wide range of styles, this CD has a consistent sound that is nicely tied together by Ian Hunter's ragged vocals and playful lyrics. The only tune that doesn't work for me is "I'm A Cadillac/El Camino Dolo Roso," which sounds too much like Bad Company for my ears.

Last of the Mick Ralphs Mott Albums Remastered Beautifully.......2007-02-12

The mixture of Ian Hunter's glam, Dylanesque voice with Mick Ralphs basic rock riffs produces an intriguing rock masterpiece.

My review cannot help but be slightly biased due to my age and rememberances of listening to this during the 70s in rural Mississippi.
The world is much smaller now, with the internet, cell phones, and cable/satellite TV. But, listening to this unique and engaging rock sound from the UK merits many more listens thanks to the remastering.

Mott was the album between All the Young Dudes (thanks Bowie) and The Hoople, when guitarist Ralphs was replaced by Ariel Bender. Ralphs went on to start Bad Company, a smart move historically, but not for fans of Mott.

I happened to see Mott the Hoople, with Bender on guitar, in Memphis in 1974, when they opened for Queen. As I recall they were terrific. Ian kept telling the Super-Trooper lightist to focus the light on him, because he was the star. It was fun and he was a true crowd pleaser.

My favorite tracks are Honaloochie Boogie, Hymn for the Dudes, and Violence, but all pack a punch. Ralphs sings one of the tracks and just cannot compare to Hunter. But Ralphs contribution cannot be dismissed. He is a rock guitar virtuoso. Just listen to any of his work with Mott or Bad Company.

With Ralphs and Hunter, Mott peaked with this recording and the remastering is tops. I cannot give a 5 rating anymore, due to it's misuse. 4 is tops to me. Something like Sgt Peppers from the Beatles, or any of 10CC's recordings with the original group deserve 5 stars. Those are 10cc, Sheet Music, Original Soundtrack, and How Dare You.

10CC combined Beatles creativity and musicianship with operatic rock capabilities that preceeded Queen's. I did not realize 10CCs importance until recently, when comparing all the music of this era.

You cannot ignore the contribution of United Kingdom rock acts during this period, or even the 80s. Beatles, Zeppelin, Supertramp, Deep Purple, 10CC, Mott, Bowie, Kinks, Who, Elton, Queen, and many others all share the inventive British musical charm.

We Don't Need No Stinkin' Bowie.......2007-01-20

In the wake of the long overdue commercial success of the David Bowie produced "All the Young Dudes", Mott the Hoople had a HUGE monkey on their backs. Their success turned out to be a dual-edged sword... the pundits assumed Bowie was the source of Mott's newfound mature, controlled songwriting and production. Which made Mott the Hoople mad as hell. The liner notes for "Mott" open with DH Lawrence's "A Sane Revolution," and the abandon epitomized in that poem becomes the rallying cry for "Mott."

With "Mott," Ian Hunter basically puts a saddle on his back and tells his bandmates, "Mount up... we're gonna make those critics eat their words, and if I have to, I will carry all of us, even if it kills me." "Mott," not "All the Young Dudes," turned out to be the pinnacle of Mott the Hoople's outstanding discography, with Hunter writing or co-writing every track other than Mick Ralph's comparatively weak "I am a Cadillac."

Granted, "All the Young Dudes" is a great Bowie-penned track. But in "Mott," Hunter strings together FIVE equally strong tracks ("All the Way from Memphis," "Hymn for the Dudes," "Violence," "I Wish I Was Your Mother," and "The Ballad of Mott"; along with two that are only a half-step behind ("Honaloochi Boogie" and "Drivin' Sister").

Sadly, Hunter's assertiveness probably drove Mick Ralphs out of the band to join Bad Company (where Ralphs ironically achieved more success than Mott could ever dream of). Without his Scottie Pippen to complement his Michael Jordan-like musical vision, Hunter would founder a bit until he eventually ran into another Mick (Ronson this time -- ironically, of ex-Bowie fame, but I guess irony was Mott's constant companion).

Upsetting the apple cart was Mott the Hoople's modus operandi even before "Mott," and in retrospect, it seems somehow appropriate that they flamed out in the brilliant burst of light that is "Mott." They would release one more album sans Ralphs ("The Hoople"), but things would never again all come together at once like they do on "Mott." Definitely one of the great rock albums of all time.

An Essential CD If You Want To Understand The Seventies.......2007-01-17

First of all, the remastering on this CD is stunning. Everything is crystal-clear: vocals, bass, drums, guitar -- the works. Well done!

Two quick comments:

1. When I was in high school, the cool kids (mostly upperclassmen) carried around albums like Uriah Heep's Live (1973), Yessongs, Queen II and this alubm by Mott the Hoople. There was something about Mott that was alluring to teens looking to identify with angst, rebellion, attitude, and catchy grooves. I remember buying the album around 1974 or 1975 and enjoying it. Something about it always made me feel emotional. Today, I appreciate the album even more -- and feel even more emotional when I listen to it.

2. The songs on Mott stand the test of time. Some 30 years on, this album still sounds fresh. Ian Hunter's voice is a bit of an acquired taste (imagine a cross between Lou Reed and Bob Dylan), but there's no denying the man's passion.

The opening track ("All The Way From Memphis") is classic. The piano riff, alone, is worth the price of admission. But there really isn't a clunker on this disc. Favorite tracks include "Honaloochie Boogie," "Hymn For the Dudes," "The Ballad of Mott the Hoople," and "I Wish I Was Your Mother" -- the song whose lyrics never fail to choke me up for some reason.

Mott by Mott the Hoople is a slice of musical history that no serious collector should be without. I highly recommend this CD.

Mott Triumphant.......2006-11-27

I used to lie in my basement bedroom listening to "Things from England" every Friday afternoon on the radio. The first time I heard "All the Way from Memphis" my ears perked right up: a little poppy, but tough, artful but not effete. And why was the singer cackling malevolently in the background? I was hooked. Rolling Stone voted MOTT the best album of '73 and it stands as their finest hour (the ferocity of their live performances notwithstanding). Ian Hunter really came into his own as a songwriter here. Has any rock'n'roller ever been this nakedly self reflexive? Of the many songs he's written limning the highs and lows of the rock life, the entries here are classic. The swagger of "Memphis" climaxes in a duel between guest Andy MacKay's frenetic sax and Mick Ralph's triumphal guitar. And the frayed reflections of "Ballad of Mott" add up to the most poignant song about the lure of the stage ever written: "I changed my name, in serach of fame, to find the Midas touch. Oh I wish I'd never wanted then what I want now twice as much".

If this angle appeals you should check out Hunter's self titled solo album (abetted by the supremely crunchy Mick Ronson) and his recent "comeback" RANT, with the heartbreaking take on a rocker growing old, "Dead Man Walkin'".

Average customer rating: hard ,drivin' fun. Mott the Dog 210th year Anniversary Edition Interesting for Mott-o-philes Live Mott, wish I saw the concert(s) pretty good end of the line mott the hoople

Live Mott the Hoople Manufacturer: Sbme Import ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD General | Alternative Rock | Styles | Music Proto Punk | Hardcore & Punk | Alternative Rock | Styles | Music Britain | British Isles | Europe | International | Styles | Music General | Rock | Styles | Music General | Live Albums | Rock | Styles | Music General | Hard Rock & Metal | Styles | Music Hard Rock | Hard Rock & Metal | Styles | Music Pop Rock | Pop | Styles | Music Album-Oriented Rock (AOR) | Classic Rock | Styles | Music Glam | Classic Rock | Styles | Music General | Live Albums | Classic Rock | Styles | Music Classic Rock | Imports | Stores | Music Rock | Imports | Stores | Music Similar Items: The Hoople Welcome to the Club Mott Ian Hunter - Just Another Night Live at the Rant Band All the Young Dudes ASIN: B00024759I Release Date: 2004-06-14

Tracks:

1. Intro - Jupiter from "The Planets"
2. American Pie/The Golden Age of Rock & Roll
3. Sucker
4. Roll Away the Stone/Sweet Jane
5. Rest in Peace
6. All the Way from Memphis
7. Born Late '58
8. One of the Boys
9. Hymn for the Dudes
10. Marionette
11. Drivin' Sister/Crash Street Kidds/Violence
12. All the Young Dudes
13. Walkin' With a Mountain

Tracks:

1. Intro - Jupiter from "The Planets"
2. Drivin' Sister
3. Sucker
4. Sweet Jane
5. Sweet Angeline
6. Rose
7. Roll Away the Stone
8. All the Young Dudes
9. Jerkin' Crocus/One of the Boys/Rock & Roll Queen/Get Back/Whole ...
10. Walkin' With a Mountain

Customer Reviews:

hard ,drivin' fun........2007-04-26

Bought this album ,used for a $ 1.00 in 1976. I was 18, played the he-- out of it, have the album cover in my music room, decided I needed the re-mixed CD version.. WOW, does this bring back memories, enjoy, be amused, be confused, shake your head in wonderment or disgust ,air guitar like no one is watching, who knows with this band , is it good ? is it bad ? are they strange ,,YES.. who knows.. its 1974...."Queen" opened for them for 2 years before this came out, they broke up 6 weeks after its release..there is a whole story written in the jacket about the 2 live concerts disc 1- New york, 2- London. keep in mind during the end of disc 2 the Mgm't is trying to stop the concert and lower curtains and stuff and the band keeps playing, ..utter chaos..ahh the good old days !!
Here comes a purely nostalgic, hard driving, return to the past,if hard driving rock and roll is your thing and you've never heard Mott, listen in their entirety to songs 9 & 10 on disc 2, you won't be disappointed.

Mott the Dog 210th year Anniversary Edition.......2006-04-29

At last; a proper release for this masterpiece of a live album in tribute to one of the great rock'n'roll bands of the mid-seventies . Mott the Hoople "Live" was originally released in 1974 , but because of time restraints, only part of two concerts were put out as the first vinyl bound release . This consisted of five songs from a concert of their week long residency at the Uris theatre Broadway May 1974, and three songs from their end of tour Christmas gigs 1973 , at London's Hammersmith Odeon, hardly satisfactory . As none of the songs ran in order , there were two songs midway through each side "Rose" and "Rest In Peace " which were used in the sets to give the members of the band a bit of a breather from all the leaping about, neither side had an opening number , and side one ended with a truncated version of the final encore, whilst side two closed with the end of the set proper, so although there were plenty of flashes of excitement , nothing like the full thing.
Here you get the both concerts ( Unfortunately there was a recording glitches at Hammersmith and we lose " Hymn For The Dudes " and "All The Way From Memphis" , and time constraints meant one song had to be culled from the Broadway show and Ariel Bender's solo track " Here Comes The Queen '' was left off which is a shame , but not really a Mott The Hoople number anyway.) in their proper running order .The results are simply devastating .
At this time ( Late 73 to early 74.) Mott The Hoople were probably the Number One live act in the world , Led Zeppelin were having their troubles ,The Beatles had long gone, The Rolling Stones were going through their " Black and Blue" period, Black Sabbath were doing their Los Angeles thing, David Bowie had split up the Spiders from Mars , Deep Purple were not sure who was in the band and who wasn't. So the field was wide open and Mott grabbed it with both hands . Touring both the Britain and America with a fledgling Queen in support they took no prisoners . Their last album " The Hoople " had just smashed it's way into the top twenty on both sides of the Atlantic , whilst their fifth hit single " The Golden Age Of Rock'n' Roll " was firmly entrenched in the top ten of the singles charts worldwide .They looked " The Business" -they were obviously it,seemingly without trying . They appeared as an agglomeration of bright colours , bizarre shapes , scarves , leather , sunglasses, velvet , huge boots , strange felt hats, blending seamlessly into masses of hair, beer bottles , battered guitar cases covered with stickers and that added something, SWAGGER, they exuded attitude, easy humour and the utter confidence born of knowing your the best. They had within the last year acquired the services of one of the greatest rock'n' roll guitarists to ever draw breath , the marvellously moniker Ariel Bender ( Previously known as Luther Grosvenor of Spooky Tooth fame ) who could not only play the guitar like a ringin' the bell, but also threw the most magnificent shapes , throwing his guitar behind his back , or in the air ,as he did it , being the perfect foil for the menacing leader of the band Ian Hunter , who stood centre stage glaring out at the audience behind his shades daring them not to get out of their seats and cause a riot. Also in the line-up was the originator of all the weird and wonderful clothes worn by all those people who followed in glam rock, Bass player Overend ( Pete ) Watts, Overend used to daily spray paint his long hair silver and virtually be winched onto stage such was the height of his platform boots, behind the drums was the mercurial Dale ( Buffin) Griffin, who when he wasn't hit his chosen instruments as hard as he could he would be scattering them across the stage with well aimed kicks , in total contrast on the piano forte' was Mr Morgan Fisher rockin' his heart out wearing a white piano keyboard suit, with a floppy bow tie , tifter on his head, and a perfectly groomed handle bar moustache adorning his upper lip.
Then there was the music , even with Queen as support there was never any doubt who the headline act was , Mott would swing relentlessly on stage , and go unstoppably into their show every night . The Intro from Holtz's Jupiter from "The Planets" was the intro theme to prelude the celebration of Rock'n' Roll that was to follow , On Broadway they did a clever little opening with Ian Hunter singing the opening bars of Don MacLean's American Pie , backed only by Morgan Fishers tinkling piano, but when it gets to the line " The day that music died " Overend Watts steps up to ask the crowd " Or did it" where upon the whole band breaks into a thundering version of " The Golden Age Of Rock'n' Roll " complete with over the top sonic guitar solo from Ariel Bender . Over both concerts there are too many highlights to mention them all , but "Hymn for the Dudes'' and Hunter's mini Rock Opera about the music business with the immortal lines ' These wires are tight' "Marionette" are particular highlights from the Broadway shows, and the final Rock'n' Roll medley from the Hammersmith Odeon with its pieces of Mott classic's along side snippets from the Beatles , Jerry Lee Lewis and David Bowie are unforgettable, with Ariel Bender laying down some volcanic guitar over every song , and Ian Hunter playing Ringmaster to the crowd throughout the concerts .
This two CD package comes beautifully encased in a cardboard and plastic Digi-pack with all the original sleeve notes , plus a new booklet and an eight hundred word essay by Brian May of Queen , which is worth the price of the package on it's own. If you want to hear how rock'n'roll should be played buy this package .
My only regret is that no body had the sense to film either of these events , so we could have a visual record of Mott The Hoople live , at the peak of their powers .
Mott the Dog.
Mott the Hoople.

Interesting for Mott-o-philes.......2006-03-21

I've always liked the original release of this live album from Mott the Hoople, but this goes a bit farther, presenting the complete recordings from two different dates and venues. The new songs from the Broadway venue include: Born Late 58, One of the Boys, Hymn for the Dudes, Marionette, and a medley of Driving Sister / Crash Street Kids / Violence. The new songs from the Hammersmith gig include: Driving Sister, Sucker, Sweet Jane, Roll Away the Stone, All the Young Dudes, and Walking With a Mountain. If you are following me, there are some songs that appear in two versions: Driving Sister, Violence, Sucker, All the Young Dudes, and Walking with a Mountain. Good news: some of the new stuff is a delight to hear, particularlly Marionette and Hymn for the Dudes. Bad news: I can see why drummer Dale Griffin left some of these off the original release; Ian Hunter's singing is occasionally flat, and the band is somewhat sloppy compared to a live concert from today. But I suspect that this release is closer to the actual performance than a lot of live recordings done now (with endless studio overdubs). And these boys sure could ROCK!!! So if you want a powerful live document of Mott the Hoople, warts and all, circa 1974, this is for you!

Live Mott, wish I saw the concert(s).......2006-02-10

Any classic rock fan, especially the fans who love "live" classic rock would enjoy this special release. The more you play it, the more you will like it. I also recommend Ian Hunter's "Welcome To The Club", another live release with Mick Ronson. You won't be disappointed with either release. Play it LOUD !

pretty good end of the line mott the hoople.......2005-02-24

this was recorded late in the life of mott the hoople (without original members mick ralphs and verden allen) and it's pretty good as live albums go. ian hunter's in fine form and the cd has 13 additional tracks not on the original lp. mott disbanded shortly after it was released in 1974. if you're new to mott the hoople try "ALL THE YOUNG DUDES" or "MOTT" first.

Average customer rating: Great Compilation Of A Truly Underrated Band Mott's Hits (Mostly In the UK) If you're looking for the hits, this is it. For casual fans only Mott The Hoople's "Greatest Hits" Needs Much Improving!

Greatest Hits Mott the Hoople Manufacturer: Sony ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD General | Alternative Rock | Styles | Music Proto Punk | Hardcore & Punk | Alternative Rock | Styles | Music Britain | British Isles | Europe | International | Styles | Music General | Rock | Styles | Music General | Hard Rock & Metal | Styles | Music Hard Rock | Hard Rock & Metal | Styles | Music Pop Rock | Pop | Styles | Music Album-Oriented Rock (AOR) | Classic Rock | Styles | Music Glam | Classic Rock | Styles | Music CDs $7 - $10 | British Isles | Europe | International | Today's Deals in Music | Formats | Music All Bargain Titles | British Isles | Europe | International | Today's Deals in Music | Formats | Music CDs $7 - $10 | Glam | Classic Rock | Today's Deals in Music | Formats | Music All Bargain Titles | Glam | Classic Rock | Today's Deals in Music | Formats | Music CDs $7 - $10 | Hard Rock | Hard Rock & Metal | Today's Deals in Music | Formats | Music All Bargain Titles | Hard Rock | Hard Rock & Metal | Today's Deals in Music | Formats | Music 4-for-3 Alternative Rock | 4-for-3 Music | Stores | Music 4-for-3 Classic Rock | 4-for-3 Music | Stores | Music 4-for-3 Hard Rock & Metal | 4-for-3 Music | Stores | Music 4-for-3 International | 4-for-3 Music | Stores | Music 4-for-3 Pop | 4-for-3 Music | Stores | Music 4-for-3 Rock | 4-for-3 Music | Stores | Music 4-for-3 All Music | 4-for-3 Music | Stores | Music Similar Items: You're Never Alone With a Schizophrenic The Best of Ian Hunter All the Young Dudes 20th Century Masters - The Millennium Collection: The Best of Uriah Heep Mott ASIN: B00008WT4N Release Date: 2003-04-15

Tracks:

1. All The Way From Memphis
2. Honaloochie Boogie
3. Hymn For The Dudes
4. Born Late
5. All The Young Dudes
6. Roll Away The Stone
7. Ballad Of Mott
8. Golden Age Of Rock'N'Roll
9. Foxy Foxy
10. Saturday Gigs
11. Sweet Jane
12. One Of The Boys

Customer Reviews:

Great Compilation Of A Truly Underrated Band.......2006-10-16

Mott The Hoople are one of the most underrated bands in the history of rock, and this brief but insightful 12 song greatest hits cd is truly a testament of how great they really were.

This cd includes the band's two most popular selections, "All The Way From Memphis" and David Bowie's "All The Young Dudes", as well as other lesser known Mott tunes such as "Born Late '58", "Roll Away The Stone", "Golden Age Of Rock 'N' Roll" and "Sweet Jane". They did a good job, remastering these tracks, and I rwould recommend ths cd to most people.

Mott's Hits (Mostly In the UK).......2006-09-22

I'm not going to make any claims that this neat little compilation is representitive of Mott's career - they made four albums and other worthy material for Atlantic (Island in the UK), after all, before signing with Columbia in 1972, which issued the classic "All The Young Dudes," (which saved the band's career), the slightly less classic "Mott," minus organist Verden Allen, "The Hoople" with Ariel Bender in place of departed guitarist Mick Ralphs, and the uneven "Live" set issued shortly before MTH's breakup early in 1975. "Hits" covers the Columbia era, but as the band's entire catalog has been remastered in the past couple years the interested reader can hear the band from any point in its fascinating career in superbly packaged, annotated, and sonically upgraded compact discs. "Greatest Hits," issued after Mott's 1975 breakup, has also been upgraded. It may be an appendix of sorts to their albums, but other reviewers' complaints miss the point about its quite valid function: to collect the single versions of tracks that in many cases were hits, if only in the UK ("Dudes" was the group's sole single hit on this side of the water)where they were glam era radio stars as opposed to serious artists and makers of important albums, the role they acquired here in the States thanks to expansive and effusive critical analysis of those later albums in all the important rock 'zines. So, yes, some tracks are edited, but that's the way kids heard those tracks on the radio. And the collection does indeed also collect several interesting items that did not make it onto any of the Columbia albums back in the day. "Roll Away The Stone," known from "The Hoople," with Ariel Bender's guitar, is here in its original single version with Mick Ralphs. The track was remixed and overdubbed after Ralphs left, for inclusion on "Hoople." And from the post-"Hoople" era, "Foxy Foxy" was a non-album single that appeared only on "Greatest Hits." Fans know Ariel Bender was gone after a year, and Mott's last, brief incarnation was with the legendary Mick Ronson on guitar. Unfortunately that promising lineup produced only one final single, "Saturday Gigs" which also debuted on this set. It's a nifty farewell. So if you don't have the Columbia double retrospective from the early '90s, I'd certainly recommend this quite decent set, which has fine remastering overseen by Bob Irwin, for the rare singles and versions or if you want to hear Mott as glam era hitmakers. The bonus cuts are single mixes too, and sound just fine.

If you're looking for the hits, this is it........2005-12-15

Mott the Hoople became a "glam" band during their years with Columbia, but they never really fit that category musically. They released some of the best rock available in the early 70s, and the Mott LP is considered a 70s classic. This CD collects the singles from that era, including tracks from All The Young Dudes, Mott, and The Hoople. The tracks here are the single edits as they appeared on 45 and heard on the radio. The version of Roll Away The Stone is a rarity. Mick Ralphs plays the guitar solo in the single version included here. The solo was re-recorded by his replacement, Ariel Bender (nee Luther Grosvenor), for the version that appears on The Hoople LP. This CD is, indeed, a must for completists.

The bonus tracks are LP tracks that were edited for single release and used as b-sides. However, two excellent non-LP b-sides - Rose and Rest In Peace - are missing. They are available on the more comprehensive 2 CD The Ballad of Mott: A Retrospective.

If you're looking for "just the hits" presented as you heard them on the radio, this is a fine intro to one of the best, most influential, and often overlooked bands of the 1970s. If you'd like a broader overview (including a taste of the band's pre-glam era), pick up The Ballad of Mott.

For casual fans only.......2005-06-08

Mott THe Hoople's Greatest Hits.

Mott The Hoople was one of the many glam metal bands to emerge in the late sixties and early seventies. With legendary vocalist Ian Hunter and future Bad Company guitarist Mick Ralphs, these guys shelled out excellent song after excellent song. The band has released a number of hits compilations over the years, but this seems to be the most popular and readily available one. Read on for my review of Mott The Hoople - Greatest Hits.

PROS:
-If you're just discovering this band, or if you're merely a casual fan who doesn't want to hunt down every last album the band released, this is a good introduction.
-The band's two biggest hits, All The Way From Memphis and All The Young Dudes (written for them by the one and only David Bowie) are here for your listening pleasure.
-Perhaps the greatest thing about this compilation is the number of underrated masterpieces it gives you. There is a lot more to this band than just the big hits.
-This reissue of the package has two bonus cuts!

CONS:
-Many tracks are edited! The intro and outro to All The Way To Menphis have been sliced off! And these are two of the best parts of the whole song. And this isn't the only song that got butchered by the record company.
-Length. You can fit eighty minutes on a compact disc, and even with the bonus selections added the total time of this compilation is only about fifty minutes. When you're making a hits compilation that isn't budget-priced, you should always fill the entire play time.
-Better Mott compilations are out there. Hell, even the budget-priced Super Hits makes for a pleasant alternative to this set! Or better yet, you could get the dual-disc Ballad Of Mott.

OVERALL:
Mott The Hoople was one of the most excellent bands to emerge from the glam rock movement of the seventies, but this compilation doesn't do them justice. Do yourself a favor and shell out the extra cash so that you can get the two disc Ballad Of Mott retrospective. You won't regret doing it.

Mott The Hoople's "Greatest Hits" Needs Much Improving!.......2003-12-25

Re-released, remastered and expanded with bonus tracks still doesn't make Mott The Hoople's "Greatest Hits" a good buy. Soundwise, I've never thought CBS's remastering was all that great, but this cd is an improvement over the older version. What gripes me, as the other reviewer has mentioned is that "All The Way From Memphis" fades out towards the end of the song, just where Mick Ralph's guitar solo begins. This is a terrible mistake on CBS's part. There are also noticable ommissions here such as "Jerkin' Crokus", "Drivin' Sister", and "Crash Street Kids". These could have easily been added as bonus tracks seeing as though the entire cd's running time is less than 47 minutes. That said, you do get the big hits such as "All The Young Dudes", "Hymn For The Dudes", "Honaloochie Boogie", "Roll Away The Stone", "The Golden Age Of Rock N' Roll", "The Ballad Of Mott" and the above mentioned "All The Way From Memphis", to name a few. A better choice, and not much more money, would be "Mott The Hoople: A Retrospective" which is a two cd collection and makes this cd pale in comparison.

Average customer rating: Out of the Park and Still Rising... Unknown Mott Brain Capers roars with energy Mott at their best! One of the great rock'n'roll train wrecks...

Brain Capers Mott the Hoople Manufacturer: Atlantic / Wea ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD General | Alternative Rock | Styles | Music Proto Punk | Hardcore & Punk | Alternative Rock | Styles | Music General | Rock | Styles | Music General | Hard Rock & Metal | Styles | Music Hard Rock | Hard Rock & Metal | Styles | Music Pop Rock | Pop | Styles | Music Album-Oriented Rock (AOR) | Classic Rock | Styles | Music Glam | Classic Rock | Styles | Music Similar Items: Mad Shadows Mott the Hoople Wildlife Mott All the Young Dudes ASIN: B000002I7M Release Date: 1991-01-16

Tracks:

1. Death May Be Your Santa Claus
2. Your Own Backyard
3. Darkness Darkness
4. The Journey
5. Sweet Angeline
6. Second Love
7. The Moon Upstairs
8. The Wheel Of The Quivering Meat Conception

Customer Reviews:

Out of the Park and Still Rising..........2007-07-23

"Brain Capers" is cut from the same cloth as the eponymous first album. It's "Mott the Hoople" on STEROIDS.

The whole band clicks into overdrive on this platter. Dale "Buffin" Griffin's drumming is explosive, Verden Allen's organ is amped-up to the nth degree, Mick Ralph's lead work is his most authoritative (with a clear nod towards George Harrison's influence on "Sweet Angeline"), and Ian Hunter's vocals are his most expressive.

There is no letdown in the material, either. The rockers like "Moon Upstairs" and "Death May Be Your Santa Claus" are JET-FUELED blasts of energy, the ballads ( Dion's "Your Own Backyard", Jesse Colin Young's "Darkness, Darkness", and Mott's own "Second Love") are skillfully and tastefully handled. As an epic declaration of alienation, "The Journey" nearly outdoes Procol Harum at its own game--until it rips into a headbanging finale that is pure Mott.

"Brain Capers" failed commercially because it arrived when rock was firmly into its "hippy-dippy" phase. I remember when I played "Moon Upstairs" for a friend, he just went a little white and said, "uh, what the h-- are they doing?" What Mott was doing was stretching the envelope sonically, and tapping into the motherlode of rock's "Sound and the Fury". The lyrics that leapt out, like "I don't give a --- anyway", "I wandered freely like a bird that had broken both its wings", and "We're not leading you, we're bleeding you, but you're too ----ing slow!", were cynical, nihilistic (just as I was feeling at the time) and ballsy beyond belief. It was the biggest challenge to the stoner generation since Frank Zappa, but instead of jokey send-ups it was angry and in-your-face.

I was profoundly grateful for the album's appearance in 1972, and I still love it.

Unknown Mott.......2006-08-16

Even most Mott the Hoople afficianados haven't heard this one. The high point is Sweet Angeline, which was a concert regular that Mott played for many years. A snarky, cynical rocker that has Ian Hunter comparing his girlfriend's mouth to a snake. Not sure that I get it, but it works. The lead song - Death May Be Your Santa Claus - gets kudos for the title alone. The rest of the songs are just so-so. All in all, not Mott's strongest work, but you can see glimpses of the genius that Ian Hunter would show on later work like All the Young Dudes.

Brain Capers roars with energy.......2006-05-10

The songwriting is incredible, and the performances are more passionate and explosive than 99% of what passed for rock and roll at the time.

Mott at their best!.......2004-11-05

I really miss this band, though since disbanding individual members do turn up from time to time. Brain Capers is their BEST album. This is pre-Dudes and just has a lot more power than their later work. And is sans Bowie's influence. "Death May Be Your Santa Claus" is one of the 100 all time best rock and roll songs. Ian Hunter is pure raw performer on Brain Capers. If I could only own one Mott album this would be it. This is the Mott the Hoople at their best!

One of the great rock'n'roll train wrecks..........2003-05-22

As influential as The Beatles, Stones or any other 60's band you care to mention, Mott the Hopple helped give birth to punk. And they did it without becoming too popular. Brain Capers sold so poorly that the band considered packing it in (in fact there were a number of demos for the next Bowie produced album recorded during this session available on the boxed set). Ian Hunter, Mick Ralphs, Verden Allen, Dale Griffin and Overend Watts bulldozed through the history of rock 'n' roll and decided to relieve themselves all over it.

From the kooky, inspired and creepy Death May Be Your Santa Claus to the soulful Sweet Angeline, Mott never got better than this (although they did come darn close with the slicker, more melodic All The Young Dudes and Mott). Both Dudes and Mott expanded on the band's sound and songwriting skills but this is where they really hit their stride.

Hunter's The Journey despite its pretensions works because of the soulful and heartfelt playing and singing. It would characterize both their best and worst (The Hopple anyone?)albums.

Average customer rating: A Masterpiece The Stone Rolls Away

The Hoople Mott the Hoople Manufacturer: Sbme Import ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD General | Alternative Rock | Styles | Music Proto Punk | Hardcore & Punk | Alternative Rock | Styles | Music Britain | British Isles | Europe | International | Styles | Music General | Rock | Styles | Music General | Hard Rock & Metal | Styles | Music Hard Rock | Hard Rock & Metal | Styles | Music Pop Rock | Pop | Styles | Music Album-Oriented Rock (AOR) | Classic Rock | Styles | Music Glam | Classic Rock | Styles | Music Rock | Imports | Stores | Music Similar Items: Mott All the Young Dudes Ian Hunter Live All American Alien Boy ASIN: B000EOUSJU Release Date: 2006-03-27

Tracks:

1. Golden Age of Rock 'N' Roll
2. Marionette
3. Alice
4. Crash Street Kidds
5. Born Late '58
6. Trudi's Song
7. Pearl 'N' Roy (England)
8. Through the Looking Glass
9. Roll Away the Stone
10. Where Do You All Come From [*]
11. Rest in Peace [*]
12. Foxy Foxy [*]
13. (Do You Remember) The Saturday Gigs [*]
14. Saturday Kids [*]
15. Lounge Lizzard [*]
16. American Pie/The Golden Age of Rock 'N' Roll [Live][*]

Album Details

Digitally Remastered Edition of Mott the Hoople's Swan Song, Originally Released in 1974. The Follow-up to their Critically Acclaimed "Mott" Album Featured a Refocused Band, Following the Departure of Mick Ralphs (Who Left to Join Bad Company) and the Arrival of Ariel Bender (Aka Luther Grosvenor, from Spooky Tooth). It was Hunter's Show Though and all the Stops were Pulled for this Manic Thrust of Energy. Kicking off with the Goodtime Rocker "The Golden Age of Rock N Roll", We Immediately Plunge Into the Dramatic "Marionette" and Soon Into the Manic "Crash Street Kids". This Special Expanded Edition Includes Seven Bonus Tracks, Including Studio Recordings with Mick Ronson (Who Had Replaced Bender on Tour) plus a Live Version of "Golden Age..." Prefaced by a Snippet of Don Mclean's "American Pie".

Customer Reviews:

A Masterpiece.......2007-06-06

Of all of the rock acts of the 1970's, Mott The Hoople was the band that experienced the most versitile creative changes of it's day. "The Hoople" is Mott's third and final release, completing the cycle that began with "All The Young Dude's" and continued with "MOTT."

Critics hated this album upon it's release in 1974 but for me this album is their defining moment. No disrespect to guitarist Mick Ralphs who left before this recording to form "Bad Company" but Ariel Bender (Luther Grovesnor formerly of Spooky Tooth) added the missing element from the Hoople's sound on all of their previous releases. His licks on this record remind me of the sound of other bands of this time including Queen and Sparks. Morgan Fisher who replaced original keyboardist Verdi Allen proved to be a superior musician and not nearly the head case that the explosive Allen could be.

Ian Hunter's songwriting, progresses on this recording in leaps and bounds. "Marionette," " Through the Looking Glass" and "The Golden Age of Rock N Roll" are just a few of the great songs that give us a peek into what would later become an outstanding solo career for Ian.

If you are a "Hoople" fan from the the 1970's as I am, then you probably already have a copy of this. However if you are a younger fan of bands like "The Darkness" or "Keane" then you might want to get back to the roots with this all-time classic release.

Also Recommended:
"Kimono My House" by Sparks
"A Night At The Opera" by Queen
"Desolation Boulevard" by Sweet

The Stone Rolls Away .......2006-07-18

The last in the triumvirate of Mott's classic glitter rock albums, "Hoople" finds the boys near the top of their game. Although missing the higher number of standouts found on "Mott" and "All The Young Dudes," tracks such as "Crash Street Kidds," the Watt's sung "Born Late '58" rock-out sideways. "Roll Away The Stone," and "Marionette" suffer only from excessive production; Hunter knew this was the end, and wanted to make every track resonate like a cabaret version of "Rock 'n' Roll Suicide."

Average customer rating: triviahead Seek Out the Angel Air and Let Wounded Bird Be

Mott the Hoople Mott the Hoople Manufacturer: Wounded Bird Records ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD General | Alternative Rock | Styles | Music Proto Punk | Hardcore & Punk | Alternative Rock | Styles | Music General | Rock | Styles | Music General | Hard Rock & Metal | Styles | Music Hard Rock | Hard Rock & Metal | Styles | Music Pop Rock | Pop | Styles | Music Album-Oriented Rock (AOR) | Classic Rock | Styles | Music Glam | Classic Rock | Styles | Music Similar Items: Brain Capers Mad Shadows Wildlife All the Young Dudes The Hoople ASIN: B0007W7HBG Release Date: 2005-04-19

Tracks:

1. You Really Got Me
2. At the Crossroads
3. Laugh at Me
4. Backsliding Fearlessly
5. Rock and Roll Queen
6. Rabbit Foot and Toby Time
7. Half Moon Bay
8. Wrath and Wroll

Customer Reviews:

triviahead.......2006-11-11

Early "Hoople" is the BEST "Hoople". "Rock N' Roll Queen" SHOULD be a Classic-rock staple. Yes, there are several covers on this album, but the overall raw energy more than compensates for the lack of originality. A hidden gem!

Seek Out the Angel Air and Let Wounded Bird Be.......2006-09-23

The Wounded Bird label has reissued some terrific near forgotton rock'n'jazz gems, but this edition of Mott The Hoople's 1969 debut is unnecessary, inferior sonically, in terms of packaging and liner notes, and musical content to the lovingly restored Angel Air edition (UK - check the other recent edition of this CD in amazon's listings), which was issued less just months earlier under the supervision of Mott drummer Buffin. The A.A. versions of the early MTH catalog also feature bonus tracks and archival releases. The debut is not the best Mott album, but it has a melancholy charm and raw, haunting quality that led those who discovered it 37 years ago to hope for finer, more developed work in the future. Here, Ian Hunter's vocals remain too reminisicent of Dylan, and the two keyboard lineup recalls The Band (as does the pace of most songs). Mott were a lot more raw, however, and the instrumental take on "You Really Got Me" and Mick Ralphs' hard rocking (and lyrically slight) "Rock 'n' Roll Queen" move along quite nicely. "Half Moon Bay" may be Hunter's best original here, but covers of Doug Sahm and Sonny Bono are also rather impressive, if conceptually jarring. But you'll forget the seeming incongruity once the tracks have been heard - which they should be, but on the Angel Air label's edition of Mott's very promising if flawed debut.

Average customer rating: coming 2 U from your own backyard I've always been disappointed that this early rock group has been under-rated.

Mad Shadows Mott the Hoople Manufacturer: Wounded Bird Records ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD General | Alternative Rock | Styles | Music Proto Punk | Hardcore & Punk | Alternative Rock | Styles | Music General | Rock | Styles | Music General | Hard Rock & Metal | Styles | Music Hard Rock | Hard Rock & Metal | Styles | Music Pop Rock | Pop | Styles | Music Album-Oriented Rock (AOR) | Classic Rock | Styles | Music Glam | Classic Rock | Styles | Music Similar Items: Brain Capers Wildlife Mott the Hoople Mott The Hoople ASIN: B0007W7HAW Release Date: 2005-04-19

Tracks:

1. Thunderbuck Ram
2. No Wheels to Ride
3. You Are One of Us
4. Walkin' With a Mountain
5. I Can Feel
6. Threads of Iron
7. When My Mind's Gone

Customer Reviews:

coming 2 U from your own backyard.......2005-09-21

God, I love Mad Shadows, my second or third favorite Mott the Hoople record. Mott being my favorite (thank you), and either Brain Capers or Mad Shadows next. If you are in your teens, check this out and know what the word "angst" really means. When My Mind's Gone done extemporaneously by Ian. Incredible. Also, listen for the notorious bass drum pedal squeek. Once you hear it, you'll always hear it.

I've always been disappointed that this early rock group has been under-rated........2005-07-27

I borrowed this LP from my sister in 1970, and I've been searching for it ever since she demanded it back. Thanks to Wounded Bird Records for this faithful digitization. This is great listening from start to finish (a mere 36 minutes). This is pre-David Bowie-inspired/glam rock Mott the Hoople - I think that I would call this mainly an album of excellent early, electric-rock ballads. One of my all-time favorites is "No Wheels to Ride." ("Can't get enough, can't get enough, can't get enough, I can't get enough of your love..."). This album sounds somewhat old-fashioned nowadays, but I'm really enjoying getting into it again. This is the original band, with piano and strong and emotive lead vocals from Ian Hunter (yes, his gravely voice does sound a bit like Bob Dylan at times). Supportive organ by Verden Allen, a great wailing guitar by Mick Ralphs (also provides vocals) and bass by Overend Watts, and Dale "Buffin" Griffin's drums. All songs by Hunter or Ralphs. (Ralphs moved on to Bad Company around 1974, bringing Mott the Hoople's song "Ready for Love" with him). (They almost appear to be backed up by gospel singers on "You Are One of Us" and especially on "I Can Feel.") If you're into early electric rock, I don't know why you wouldn't like this album. It's very energetic, a little noisy, and smooth.

Average customer rating: No Hoople. Who Cares? It Rocks! This is NOT Mott the Hoople - It's "Mott" Mott without "the Hoople"

Drive On Mott the Hoople Manufacturer: Wounded Bird Records ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD General | Alternative Rock | Styles | Music Britain | British Isles | Europe | International | Styles | Music General | Rock | Styles | Music General | Hard Rock & Metal | Styles | Music Hard Rock | Hard Rock & Metal | Styles | Music Pop Rock | Pop | Styles | Music Album-Oriented Rock (AOR) | Classic Rock | Styles | Music Glam | Classic Rock | Styles | Music Similar Items: Trouble with Women The Hoople Journey: A Retrospective All of the Good Ones Are Taken British Lions ASIN: B000GPIFK6 Release Date: 2006-10-17

Tracks:

1. By Tonight
2. Monte Carlo
3. She Does It
4. I'll Tell You Something
5. Stiff Upper Lip
6. Love Now
7. Apologies
8. Great White Wail
9. Here We Are
10. It Takes One to Know One
11. I Can Show You How It Is

Album Description

Mott The Hoople was a Glitter/Rock group lead by Ian Hunter & Mick Ralphs. Even though those originally members eventually left the group, Mott continued to release charting albums for many years to follow. In 1975 they issued Drive On. We now make this hard to find CD readily available. Wounded Bird. 2006.

Customer Reviews:

No Hoople. Who Cares? It Rocks!.......2007-07-26

Okay, alot of diehard Mott The Hoople fans hated this post Ian Hunter incarnation of the band. In a way I can see their point. Mott were decidedly heavier and more 70's AOR leaning than the old Hoople stuff.
But if you listen to this record without all the the "Classic-Hoople" baggage attached, it turns out to be a high energy, rocking and FUN listen all the way through. Kind of the same stomping party vibe as mid period SLADE had, whats not to like about that???
Top notch musicians playing catchy 70's hard rock with a singer thats WAY diffrent from Ian Hunter. (think a less shrill Geddy Lee and you are in the ballpark) Ignore the Hoople Purists and BUY IT!
Mott had another, equally fun record out called "Shouting and Pointing".
No domestic CD release on that one yet. (Hello, Wounded Bird? Can we get that one too?)

This is NOT Mott the Hoople - It's "Mott".......2007-05-15

Didn't these guys alter the name to just MOTT? I can see why. This is hardly the band anyone would remember. Since the songwriting fell heavy on Ian Hunter, when he left, so did the good songs. There is very little here that sounds like the "old" Mott the Hoople. Basically this is a mediocre album by a band with an identity crisis. The playing isn't (that)bad, the lead singer is annoying, and the songs are just plain weak.

There was alot of crappy music released in the 70's. This is proof.

Skip it. Get the good stuff!

Mott without "the Hoople".......2006-12-23

I could see why a lot of MTH fans might not like this - with the departure of Ian Hunter it's certainly a whole new ball game. I don't remember the new vocalists' name(s) but one of them has a high pitched wail that I kind of like. I think the bass player from MTH (Overend Watts) does vocals on a few tunes as well. Overall some pretty darn catchy rock in the classic rock mode, with some decent ballads thrown in. The song Great White Wail & It Takes One to Know One could have been hits back in the day if they had the right promotion. I burned my vinyl copy onto cd a couple of years ago when I couldn't find this on disc. Worth checking out for fans of MTH or similar 70s rock.

Average customer rating: My Favorite Album Better things were to come.... Borrowing From Many Great Sources

Mott the Hoople Mott the Hoople Manufacturer: Angel Air ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD General | Alternative Rock | Styles | Music Britain | British Isles | Europe | International | Styles | Music General | Rock | Styles | Music General | Hard Rock & Metal | Styles | Music Hard Rock | Hard Rock & Metal | Styles | Music Pop Rock | Pop | Styles | Music Album-Oriented Rock (AOR) | Classic Rock | Styles | Music Glam | Classic Rock | Styles | Music Classic Rock | Imports | Stores | Music Rock | Imports | Stores | Music Similar Items: Wildlife Mad Shadows Brain Capers The Hoople Live ASIN: B0000AJ5T7 Release Date: 2003-09-22

Tracks:

1. You Really Got Me
2. At The Crossroads
3. Laugh At Me
4. Backsliding Fearlessly
5. Rock & Roll Queen
6. Rabbit Foot & Toby Time
7. Half Moon Bay
8. Wrath & Wroll
9. Ohio (Bonus Track)
10. Find Your Way (Backtrack Demo) (Bonus Track)

Album Description

2003 remastered reissue of 1969 debut album, that's unavailable domestically, features 10 tracks including 2 bonus tracks, 'Ohio' (live Neil Young cover) & 'Find Your Way' (Instrumental). Includes 24-page booklet with extensive sleeve notes & many photos. Angel Air.

Customer Reviews:

My Favorite Album.......2005-08-30

This is a great album, with original mix of everything other bands always wanted to be. Mick Ralphs guitar has such personality, they didn't even need lyrics on the Kinks "You Really Got Me". Hunter's voice does have a Dylan quality, but the songs are more musical, and, aiming back at the critics; they aren't even Dylan's songs. This band had great musical intelligence and ability on their own, as well as borrowing tastefully from resources and contemporaries of the time. Producer, Guy Stevens, had a great vision and ear, and although he drove the band nuts, had genious for sound. He was a strong advocate and defender of the band, sadly passing away at such an early age. I enjoy listening to the album with Ralphs guitar, Verden Allen's Hammond organ/Leslie speaker, Ian Hunter's voice and Jerry Lee Lewis style piano, Overend Watt's interesting powerful bass, and Buffin's raucious drumming. Much of the album has an easy listening, swashbuckling tone. "Half Moon Bay" is the cornerstone piece with its rolling, soothing sound of the sea and a classical bridge. I imagined the organ sound reflecting the texture of the lizard on the back of the album. "Rock and Roll Queen" is a great rocker with searing lead guitar by Ralphs that just does not quit. Just when you think it might be peaking out, he kicks it up another notch, and then another, until fading out frantically at the end of the song. A lot of energy that still gets me buzzing when I hear it. "Cross Roads" and "Laugh At Me" are other favorites, building from mellow slow beginnings to rocking high energy finales. I especially liked the tiny backgound voices on "Laugh At Me", singing the band's name, "Mott the Hoople!", just after the intense and colorful lead guitar kicks in. "Cross Roads" ends with slide guitar work that sounds inspred by the Stones, "Monkey Man", which in turn was inspred by the Beatles, "Hey Jude". Any of these songs could have been hits, and could still be today...

I attended a concert in 1971 at the Eastown Theater in Detroit. They played cuts from this album as well as Mad Shadows and the yet to be released Wildlife. We jumped on stage with them during "Rock and Roll Queen" and they seemed to enjoy it. They were playing before Johnny Winter, and had just been preceded by one of their favorite groups, Leslie West and Mountain. Leslie came down into the audience (no seats, just standing room) and I heard him commenting how tight and powerful MTH was on stage. I was thrilled to hear MTH do a live version of Mountain's "Long Red" on the live double album released many years later. It took me instantly back to the concert.

I originally purchased Mott the Hoople's first four albums when they came out, 1970 - 1971. I purchased the original CDs when they became available but was very disappointed in the sound quality. I have waited for 20 years to hear these cds with sound quality like the vinyl original albums had, and now even better. A real treat to have the added previously unreleased tracks, especially Neil Youg's "Ohio", which may have also fitted well on Mad Shadows, where Mick Ralphs had more vocals. Over all this one and Mad Shadows have always been my two favorite albums. This version is great with the sound quality and extensive bigraphical notes from Buffin. Anyone that likes Bob Dylan's sound, the Beatles or early Rolling Stones needs a copy of this finely remastered CD. It seems Angel Air was the missing link this band could have used when making albums.

Better things were to come...........2005-08-08

Mott The Hoople (1969.) Mott The Hoople's first album.

INTRODUCTION:
Mott The Hoople would rise to fame in the early seventies as one of the leading bands of the classic glam rock movement. The group didn't start out as a glam rock band, though. At conception the Ian Hunter-fronted band found itself in somewhat of an identity crisis, unsure of what musical path they should pursue. The band debut in 1969 with their self-titled album. So, before the band got popular, how were they? Were they musical weaklings with no direction, or unsung musical geniuses? It you want to know the answer to this question, read on!

OVERVIEW/REVIEW:
This isn't a bad album, but it certainly WAS a disappointment. It's interesting to see Mott The Hoople doing something different than most people give them credit for doing, but the fact of the matter is that the band's heyday hadn't arrived yet, and it shows through and through, along the entire course of this album. Most of these songs are blatant, straight-up Bob Dylan rip-offs. Don't believe me? Listen to the album. Well over half of these songs are like that. Quite honestly, there were enough people ripping of Bob Dylan in this day and age... did we really need any more? Even on the songs that don't particularly have that Dylan-esque sound, Hunter STILL sounds like Dylan. Another weakness of this album is that the few tracks that AREN'T rip-offs of Dylan's music are the ones that were given the least musical focus, and the ones that seem the most underdeveloped. For instance, I LOVE the instrumental take on the Kinks classic You Really Got Me that kicks off the album - the album could not have been started on a higher note. But still, it shouldn't have been the opening track because it may give the listener the wrong idea about the album - and cause them to be ultimately disappointed. That's basically what happened to me. The only REALLY good track this album has to offer is the straight-up classic rocker, Rock And Roll Queen, which hints at the band's future glam rock sound, but even this song drags on longer than it should. The instrumental sequence that closes the album shows great promise, but it ends too briefly and ultimately comes off seeming like a half-finished musical idea. Unless you're a die-hard Mott The Hoople fan who wants to hear everything the group ever did, you'll be better off skipping this album and moving directly into the band's glam rock days.

EDITION NOTES:
This album, like many of Mott The Hoople's earlier releases, is not readily available in America. This is a shame, since some of the group's early stuff really is good. Hopefully the band's catalogue will get the much-needed reissuing treatment in America sometime in the near future. Until then, we can only hope...

OVERALL:
This isn't a bad album by any means, but it sure is a disappointment. Why listen to a blatant Bob Dylan rip-off when I can just go listen to Bob Dylan? The album isn't all bad, but ultimately, the fact of the matter is that the album doesn't succeed where all it could. Fortunately, it wouldn't be long before the band found their musical direction. Skip this album and move directly into the glam rock territory. This stuff isn't worthwhile unless you're a die-hard fan.

Borrowing From Many Great Sources.......2005-02-06

From 1969, this was Mott's best album, a level they never subsequently reached again. They combined the music of Bob Dylan, Procol Harum, the Who, and the Band in a dense, rocking sound covered by Ian Hunter's best Zimmy imitation. The borrowed material was all over the map, from the best cover version of the Kinks' 'You Really Got Me' to a soulful, dirge-like cover of Sonny Bono's 'Laugh at Me' to a psychedelic rendering of Sir Doug Sahm's 'Crossroads.' The band's own 'Rock and Roll Queen' is a classic that will get at least two parts of your body moving, and their 'Half Moon Bay' could easily have been additional cut on Procol Harum's 'Shine on Brightly.'
They rocked and had a hard edge, but they forgot all the great influences on subsequent albums and slipped ingloriously into glam rock. A shame, because they definitely had the right idea.

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