Excerpt:
I Don't Know What You Want is a song about the generational divide. With two of his three children having musical talent here is one of the only collaborations he has actually had with them in the studio. On this track his son Jesse gets a songwriting credit and a lead vocal and this is unusual during Hunter's output. The song started out as a jam in his basement but his son Jesse came in and did the vocal in one take. Ian thinks highly of his son's voice, guitar, and bass talents as a younger version of himself with grit in his voice.
A common issue between generations is not understanding each other and the lyrics nail the difficulties between father and son. In some ways this is similar to Ships and No Hard Feelings where Ian was addressing his relationship and frustration with his father. On stage at the Bell House in Brooklyn Ian noted Jesse came home with a tattoo that he was not thrilled with but reacted with a sentiment along these lines essentially, I don't get it but what can I say? Both father and son care for each other but that emotion is difficult to communicate when the generations are so different.
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.
On Track Ian Hunter https://www.amazon.com/dp/1789523044...
Upcoming Podcast Appearances! More details soon:
Full of Words & Book 101 will interview about On Track Ian Hunter!
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
Frankly Francisco Podcast:
Mostly about Burning America: In the Best Interest of the Country? but On Track Ian Hunter is mentioned as well:
https://open.substack.com/pub/micksmith/p/who-was-on-the-frankly-francisco?r=e00v8&utm_campaign=post&utm_medium=web&showWelcomeOnShare=true
Toby Gribben Show, awesome show, and live 8 February 2024!
Sign up now for behind the scenes information about On Track
Ian Hunter at TheDoctorOfDigital@pm.me!
To book and interview:
TheDoctorOfDigital@pm.me
What is the difference between a Beatles biography or a song by-song review of the Beatles career?
https://micksmith.substack.com/p/what-is-the-difference-between-a-9fc
I don't know what you want
Ian Hunter On Track for Sonicbond Publishing, TheDoctorOfDigital@pm.me
I Don't Know What You Want
(Ian Hunter/Jesse Hunter Patterson)
Just take some more time and I'll explain just what I see
My need to be blind behind a laptop looking screen
Discount my interests, 'cause I'm not what I've been
The entitlement generation, always heard but never seen
Well I don't know what you want, no I don't know what you want
But I have to keep trying, never once can I be free
I'm no good with complying, no it never suited me
A consumer, late bloomer, telling lies but living free
A victim of American teenage mentality
Well I don't know what you want, no I don't know what you want
No I don't know what you want
No I don't know what you want
No I don't know what you want
I'm a token, not broken, but ready to concede
It's a race I'm not winning, getting harder just to breathe
You assume I don't understand, and I play it down
It's just a phase, but we're needing some more time
I just want you to tell me that you care
I just want you to tell me that you care
I just want you to tell me that you care
I just want you to tell me that you care
I don't know
I don't know
I don't know
Ian Hunter and The Rant Band CD: "When I'm President"
Sleeve and track listing
Proper Records PRPCD104
- Comfortable (Flyin' Scotsman)
- Fatally Flawed
- When I'm President
- What For
- Black Tears
- Saint
- Just The Way You Look Tonight
- Wild Bunch
- Ta Shunka Witco (Crazy Horse)
- I Don't Know What You Want
- Life
Review
Now this is more like it. Ian's new album is a welcome return to form. The good news is this album is chock full of rockers. The bad news is... well, there isn't any. In the fullness of time this album could well turn out to be his best in many years.
The run of good albums that started with Rant and continued with Shrunken Heads continues here. Guitars are to the full, with strong solos from both James Mastro and Mark Bosch. Ian's singing is strong without ever sounding strained and the rhythm section is as tight as a duck's whatsit.
What helps of course is that the songs are top-notch. Comfortable (Flyin' Scotsman) sets the tone, being a powerful full-paced rocker with guitars and subtle use of saxes. The title track is also strong, a mid-paced rocker with a repeated keyboard refrain reminiscent of The Who's Won't Get Fooled Again.
What For is another rocker with strong guitars and piano reminiscent of early Mott The Hoople. Ian hasn't rocked like this for years, and it sounds like he's having fun. Black Tears is slower but powerful and moody with a guitar solo that reminds me of the much-missed Mick Ronson. Saint is another up-tempo rocker, this time it reminds me at times of Twisted Steel. Wild Bunch meanwhile is a rocker that reminds me of The Faces.
There are so many good songs on this album it is hard to pick out highlights. What's interesting is that this album is credited to Ian Hunter And The Rant Band. This is much more of a band album than most of Ian's recent albums, and it is much the better for it.
What more can I say? It's brilliant... 'nuff said,
| I Don't Know What You Want | 3:47 | Originally issued on When I'm President. |
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