There is some question as to when this song originated since the sources say it was an out take from both the Artful Dodger sessions and as a Rant out take. In any case, it is a light song that sounds unfinished but has a pleasant tune and calm and peaceful lyrics. There are song that fill Hunter's albums and some such as these don't fit in and are cut.
There have been Mott The Hoople compilations, and there have been Ian Hunter compilations. Some have been reasonable, some have been very good. Few have covered all angles (eg both the Island and CBS years, or Ian's entire solo career), and even fewer have covered both Mott and Ian. Here at last is a compilation that does just that - take tracks from (nearly) every album from the very beginning in 1969 right up to the present day (well OK, 2001 - Ian's last studio album).
It is impossible to do justice to 30 years worth of work on a single CD, even two but three CDs seems about right. It's impossible to pick out highlights - all of the tracks are good. There's also three previously-unissued tracks, just to keep the regular fans happy as well (let's face it, if there was no new stuff on here, we'd be complaining).
There's also a 36 page booklet with a good overview of Mott's and Ian's career, together with many colour photographs.
As a retrospective of Mott The Hoople and Ian Hunter, I don't think it can be bettered.
| I'm In Awe | 4:39 | Outtake from the Artful Dodger sessions, released on The Journey and (described as a 'Rant outtake') on Tilting The Mirror - Rarities (box set only). |
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