Another Fine Mess almost can apply to the album it appears in but the project turned out to be stimulating. The can be viewed as a reflection on life on the road with Mick Ronson: Hunter is Stan Laurel with Ollie Ronson. The title referenced the well-known comedic catchphrase of Laurel and Hardy, the British-American comedy duo during the classic Hollywood era of American cinema.
This album originally came out in 1995 on a small Norwegian label, with the US label Cleveland International also picking it up and later released by Cherry Red with an accompanying booklet.
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Laurel and Hardy were a British-American comedy duo act during the early Classical Hollywood era of American cinema, consisting of Englishman Stan Laurel (1890–1965) and American Oliver Hardy (1892–1957).
This 1995 album is an oddity. Not quite a full solo album, but more than just a collaboration. It started life as a project by Norwegian keyboardist Casino Steel with Ian invited to sit in in the studio. It soon became much more than that, with Ian writing a number of songs (some of which were written in the studio) and contributing to a few others. More importantly, it marked the return of Ian to the recording studio following the death of his long-time friend Mick Ronson.
With vocal duties shared as well this has something of a "band" feel to it. Despite being recorded at a number of studios, it also has a good live feel to it, which is no bad thing. Dancing On The Moon opens things up nicely, while Another Fine Mess looks back to life on the road with Ronson. My Revolution is another standout track, this time looking back to Ian's Mott days - fans will appreciate the reference to "a revolution for fun", while Ian acknowledges the advancing years in the next line with "you'd better lock up yer mums!" Sheer brilliance.
Darrel Bath's Never Trust a Blonde is great fun, as is Honest John Plain's Psycho Girl and Good Girls. All have a good, earthy 1950's rock n roll feel to them. The album ends with a trademark Ian weepie, this time the great The Other Man in which he forgives his lady but not the guy who shagged her.
This album originally came out with little fanfare in 1995 on a small Norwegian label, with the US label Cleveland International also picking it up. In the days before Amazon, etc, it meant getting hold of copies in the UK was difficult (but not impossible). This release on Cherry Red, therefore, makes it the first time this album has been available in the UK. This time round you also get a good booklet, explaining the background to the recording of the album.
This is a fun album. Not Ian's best but by no means his worst and certainly worthy of consideration.
(Ian Hunter/Darrell Bath/Honest John Plain)
Well you rang me up you say you wanna get high
Now I'm underpaid and I'm overtired
Riding shotgun 'round the world
I'm too young to die, too old for the girls
You wanna know something, I've had it with you
Another Fine Mess you got me into
Well, you're always in one hole or another
And I come runnin' just like a brother
When are you ever going to get yourself cleared
You'll keep on running 'til we disappear
I can't believe the things you do
Another fine mess you got me into
Another fine mess (3)
Well that's what you get when you settle for less
Another fine mess yeah, another fine mess
Look on the bright side - smile smile smile
Relive our childhood just for a little while
Can't you see it's catching it up on you Hit me, Darrell
Well, that's another fine mess you got me into
How many more times are you gonna get pissed?
How many more asses have we gotta kiss?
How many more songs have I gotta write?
How many more sessions into the night?
For some dumb fuck who don't got a clue
Another fine mess you got me into
Well you say I'm kicking up too much fuss
Twenty-four hours is too long on the bus
The band's all moan and the driver's slow
There's not enough people - too many shows
Down in the bus with the birthday blues
Another fine mess you got me into
Another fine mess (3)
Well, that's what you get when you settle for less
Another fine mess (2)
Oh, I said another fine mess - another fine mess| Another Fine Mess | 3:28 | Originally issued on Ian Hunter's Dirty Laundry. |
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