In August 1993 Hunter performed with Ricky Byrd on the Hamn Rock (Harbour Rock) tour while Ian and Byrd appeared as guests of The Mats Ronander Band in particular at Stockholm's Melody Club where Hunter first played a new song, Michael Picasso, a tribute to Ronson. This heartfelt tribute to close mate Mick Ronson is quiet, reflective, and subdued as appropriate to the subject matter. Songs like this are so hard to write since they are so personal, emotional, and difficult to say without sounding trite but Hunter pulls it off with this track. The two mates had a long professional, family, and personal together and it is quite an accomplishment to say so much in so little time. He sums up Mick in one word and that is "artistry" so the reference to Picasso is aptly made.
We get to hear a bit of the development of the song as there is an early version released on Experiments and the song was often performed live so there are four live versions as well.
Ian's artistic, simple tribute to his mate Mick Ronson is quieter and more subdued than the live version we'd grown used to (from tapes of the Ronson Memorial show). Transposed in a studio setting, featuring only lead voice, soft guitars and light orchestration, it is an authentic, emotional eulogy to a musical mate and cherished friend. In the studio it took three and a half days to get the ideal take.
Ian Hunter On Track for Sonicbond Publishing, TheDoctorOfDigital@pm.me
Michael Picasso
(Ian Hunter)
Once upon a time
not so long ago
people used to stand and stare
at the Spider with the platinum hair
they thought you were immortal
We had our ups and downs
like brothers often do
but I was there for him
he was always there for me
and we were there for you
How can I put into words
what my heart feels?
it's the deepest thing
when somebody you love dies
I just wanted
to give something back to you gift to gift
Michael, Michael Picasso good night
You used to love our house
you said it was relaxing
now I walk in the places you walk
I talk in all the spaces you talk
it still hasn't sunk in
Are the words real
that come into my head
on a morning walk?
Do the shadows
play tricks with my mind?
For it feels like
nothing has changed
but I know it has
Michael, Michael Picasso
good night
Heal me
won't you
heal me?
nothing lasts forever
set me free
Heal me
won't you
heal me?
I'm the one who's left here
heal me
heal me
heal me
You turned into a ghost
surrounded by your pain
and the thing that I liked the least
was sitting 'round Hasker Street
lying about the future
And we all sit
in a room full of tears
on a windy day
and I looked out
but none of these words seem right
I just wanted
to give something back to you gift to gift
Michael, Michael Picasso
good night
Michael Picasso, Ian's tribute to his mate Mick Ronson is quieter and more subdued than the live version we'd grown used to (from tapes of the Ronson Memorial show).
Ian Hunter CD: "The Artful Dodger"
Sleeve and track listing
Citadel CITCD 1.
Sleeve variations
Original Norwegian sleeve
UK release picture disc
Review
Ian recorded his 1997 album in Canada and Norway in 1995. Ian used a variety of musicians on this album, but he retained Bjørn Nessjø as producer because Ian was impressed with his work on Dirty Laundry. Ian jointly owns this recording with Bjørn (recordings are normally owned by record companies), and is now leasing it to record companies. Ian felt he needed management before he could do this in the UK and USA, which is why this album was released initially only in Norway (in 1996).
This is a strong album, though it takes a couple of listens to get used to. This is mainly the fault of Too Much, which is a slow opener - the rockers come later, but it is not another Laundry (that said, tho', a friend of mine bought this album immediately after the Burnley gig purely on the strength of Too Much). The standout tracks are Now Is The Time, Something To Believe In, 23A Swan Hill and The Artful Dodger. Michael Picasso, Ian's tribute to his mate Mick Ronson is quieter and more subdued than the live version we'd grown used to (from tapes of the Ronson Memorial show). Resurrection Mary is also a different tempo from the version performed at the Mick Ronson Memorial Concert in 1994.
Ian has described this album as being his most focussed. He also says that he is still writing... maybe his next album won't take another six years!
The album was released in the UK on 21st April 1997 on the Citadel label (CIT1CD); the title track was released as a single on the same day (CIT101CDS). This single included the non-album track F*ck It Up.
The UK release is a picture CD and comes with some nice photos of Ian, together with lyrics.
| Michael Picasso | 5:46 | Originally issued on The Artful Dodger, also on the compilations The Golden Age 1969-1997 and The Journey. |
| Michael Picasso (early version) | 6:56 | Originally released on Experiments - Previously Unreleased Recordings (box set only). |
| Michael Picasso (live 29th April 1994) | 7:26 | This live version (recorded Hammersmith Apollo, London England) was released on The Mick Ronson Memorial Concert and on the compilations Bag Of Tricks (Vol 1) (box set only) and Once Bitten Twice Shy. The version on Once Bitten Twice Shy is shorter (at 6:52) because it omits the spoken introduction. |
| Michael Picasso (live 29/30th January 2002) | 8:20 | This live version (recorded Sentrum Scene, Oslo Norway) was issued on Strings Attached. |
| Michael Picasso (live 28th May 2004) | 7:50 | This live version (recorded The Astoria, London England) was released on The Truth, The Whole Truth and Nuthin' But The Truth and on Behind The Shades. Not on the box set. |
| Michael Picasso (live October 2010) | 8:00 | This live version (recorded at an unknown UK venue) was released on Live In The UK 2010. |
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