The Great Escape is the lead off to the CD and is based on a true story. Biographical songs are a forte of Hunter's and this is one of them including a humorous story line that is engaging and demonstrates a sense of humor. There is a bit poetic license but the occasion was about a bunch of guys who wanted to attack Ian after a gig. These were "seriously heavy, dangerous people." Hunter took off with a chef buddy of his in his "Austin Metropolitan." Ian and producer Andy York wrote the tune about Ian's 21st birthday. The local thug with "best left hook in the business" was after blood once Ian "sullied" the character's reputation. As our hero is in danger there is a pop culture reference to his heart pulsing like a funny car which is a type of drag racing vehicle. Hunter left his belongings behind while he ducked into the loo and instead of returning Ian flew away never to be caught. When the other guy is a bigger ruffian here is guidance about what needs to be done, the great escape. Get out!
After the two preceding more political CDs this release is more personal and Ian's tales of the rougher life from places such as his youth in Northampton. This opening track harmonizes closely with the title track stating: "They say crime doesn't pay, well take a walk down my way."
There is a clever line about discretion is the better part of valor.
The winners are losers, the losers are covered in blood and they can't get it offIt's not a good idea to fight even if you win since you are a loser and if you fight and lose then you are covered in blood never to lose that stain. Hunter is suggesting fleeing is better than fighting regardless if you are a winner or a loser. Just to get your proper revenge Ian cleverly adds:
I seen his eyes when I gave him the fingerThis was Hunter's Alamo, the 1836 pivotal military engagement during the Texas Revolution, and the end as the operatic expression "I heard the fat lady singing" and as dangerous youth fades away its a "stone age daydream." Its a clever, funny, and entertaining tale.
There is a version on Live in The UK 2010.
On Track Ian Hunter is shipping soon. Want to promote Ian? The publisher is marketing the book but asked for help from us fans in the Hunter orbit. If you have contacts with podcasts, magazines, or other music outlets let me know so we can promote Ian's music. I'm open for interviews to talk about Hunter's catalog. Thanks!
Great news! Advance copies of On Track Ian Hunter have reached the publisher and will be available soon! I even saw an advance copy on eBay.
Upcoming Podcast Appearances! More details soon:
Better To ...? Podcast, recorded a terrific conversation, due for release 2 August 2024.
In the meantime, listen to previous appearances!
Yeah Uh-Huh by Lisa and Phil https://youtu.be/r46AbOSo-MM?si=uuWy3T8rQjhnGkwS
Tell Me About Your Book, The Phenomenal Musician John Christian
https://www.facebook.com/.../pfbid09pnutefvQEpSF8uz8jMTip...
Set Lusting Bruce with Jesse Jackson https://podcasts.apple.com/.../set.../id1038228650...
HODGEPOD with Rob Fredette https://www.podbean.com/ew/pb-bgfx7-14962b2
Toby Gribben Show, awesome show, and live 8 February 2024!
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Ian Hunter On Track for Sonicbond Publishing, TheDoctorOfDigital@pm.me
1836) was a pivotal event and military engagement in the Texas Revolution.
Funny Car is a type of drag racing vehicle and a specific racing class in organized drag racing.
The Great Escape
(Ian Hunter/Andy York)
On the night of my 21st birthday I was playing in a pub back room
When a local dude informed me of my impending doom
Apparently I'd sullied the reputation of the best left hook in the business
Now he's looking for my blood
Well there's a thug in every doorway and it's coming up to closing time
The best left hook in the business put his chair right next to mine
My heart was pulsing like a funny car just before the start of a race
This ain't no time to panic boy you better get your head on straight
I left my guitar on top of the bar, my jacket and coat on the seat
I'm over the counter, I'm up the back stairs
They all thought I was taking a leak
I fly though the air with the greatest of ease
Out of the window and into the breeze
I land on my feet and I'm picking up speed
And all I could think of was "You'll never catch me"
Chorus
When you got to get away
You got to get away
When you got to get away, it's true
When you got to get away
you got to get away
Especially if the other guy is bigger than you
Well there ain't no rhyme, there ain't no reason, just people going over the top
The winners are losers, the losers are covered in blood and they can't get it off
I fly though the air with the greatest of ease
Out of the window, over the trees
I land on my feet I'm picking up speed
And all I could think of was "You'll never catch me"
Chorus
That was my great escape
That was my big adventure
That was my brush with danger
That was my Alamo, baby
I heard alarm bells ringing
I heard the fat lady singing
I seen the club when he came out swingin'
I seen his eyes when I gave him the finger
Those days are over, it's been good to know ya
You're just a stone age daydream
They say crime doesn't pay, well take a walk down my way..."
The album opens strongly with The Great Escape, which tells of the singer's narrow escape after a "lack of respect" for a local thug. Indeed, several songs seem to be telling tales of the rougher side of life, such as the title track which informs us "They say crime doesn't pay, well take a walk down my way..."
Ian Hunter CD: "Man Overboard"
Sleeve and track listing
New West NW6167
- The Great Escape
- Arms And Legs
- Up And Running
- Man Overboard
- Babylon Blues
- Girl From The Office
- Flowers
- These Feelings
- Win It All
- Way With Words
- River Of Tears
Review
After two albums that were somewhat political in nature (2001's Rant and 2007's Shrunken Heads), 2009 find Ian in a more mellow frame of mind. After a long and successful career he has time to look back on his life and say "Yeah... I've no complaints..."
The album opens strongly with The Great Escape, which tells of the singer's narrow escape after a "lack of respect" for a local thug. Indeed, several songs seem to be telling tales of the rougher side of life, such as the title track which informs us "They say crime doesn't pay, well take a walk down my way..."
Ian doesn't forget his working-class roots either, with the delightful Girl From The Office, which is reminiscent of the Kinks at their best and has a very English feel to it, and tells the story of a factory-floor romance. As always with Ian's songs of this nature, it has a happy ending (he gets the girl).
Ballads have always been a strong point with Ian, and these are prominent especially on the second half of the album. Not all work, however, with These Feelings being a particular weakness.
More up-tempo songs are on the first half of the album. I hesitate to say "rockers", as medium-pace is about the best we get these days (I did say Ian is more mellow these days) and guitars, although present, are rarely high in the mix any more. Those expecting another Just Another Night or Cleveland Rocks should perhaps look elsewhere. That was then and this is now... That said, Arms And Legs is a strong guitar-led song that will really work well in a live setting, as is the next track Up And Running.
Ian hopes to tour with the album both in the USA and UK, so we will wait and see how the songs work in a live setting. Reports from the two gig so far (at the time of writing, end July '09) are positive. As for where this album fits in Ian's extensive back catalogue time only will tell. It is more immediately likeable than its predecessor (sometimes it takes a few plays to "get" an Ian Hunter album, but I liked this straight away), but ulimately I feel it may end up a notch or two down from his very best.
| The Great Escape | 4:29 | Originally issued on Man Overboard. |
| The Great Escape (live October 2010) | 4:41 | THis live version (recorded at an unknown UK venue) was issued on Live In The UK 2010. |
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