Personnel:
Ian Hunter - guitars, vocals
Casino Steel (Stein Groven) - keyboards, vocals, percussion
"Honest" John Plain (John Splain) - guitar, vocals
Darrell Bath - guitar, vocals
Glen Matlock - bass
Steve "Vom" Ritchie - drums
Blue Weaver - keyboards
Lasse Hafreager - piano, organ
Mitt Gamon - harmonica
Angela Clemmons-Patrick, Bård Svendsen, James Williams, Torstein Flakne, Vaneese Thomas - backing vocals
Torstein Flakne - guitar on "Invisible Strings"
Produced at: Abby Road Studios, Final vocals recorded at Nidaros Studio, Trondheim, Norway by Bjørn Nessjø
Release date: 10 October 1995
Running time: 49:59
Current edition: Cherry Red
Highest chart places: Did not chart.
Prepare yourselves for a tale that intertwines tragedy, friendship, and a whirlwind of musical creativity. It all started when the rogue-like Casino Steel and the visionary Bjørn Nessjø conceived a project like no other: The Gringo Starrs. Their quest for sonic brilliance led them to the indomitable Ian Hunter.
But before destiny fully unfolded its hand, Hunter and his faithful companion Ronson ventured into the Swedish music scene, leaving their mark as Klubb Rock and the legendary Park Rock during the heady years of 1990-1991. Fate, it seems, had a different plan in store. In a twist of cruel irony, Ronson was struck by the insidious presence of carcinoma of the liver. While Mick's spirit burned bright, his body faltered. Undeterred by adversity, Hunter carried on, embarking on a Scandinavian summer tour alongside The Mats Ronander Band and the spirited Swedish covers group, The Few. Alas, the music world mourned the loss of Ronson on that fateful day, April 29, 1993. Yet, in the face of tragedy, Hunter found solace in his art and a renewed drive to create.
With a newfound urgency, he joined forces with the talented Robbie Alter, crafting soul-stirring demos that would become the cornerstone of a project that would soon be known as Ian Hunter's Dirty Laundry. In a mere eleven days, they captured the essence of raw rock and roll, channeling the spirit of proto-punk and harkening back to the golden era of The Rolling Stones in 1962. Get ready to dive headfirst into a musical odyssey like no other as Hunter lays bare his soul through twelve electrifying tracks. From sorrow to triumph, from tragedy to defiance, this is the tale of Dirty Laundry, where the power of music becomes a balm for the wounds of tragedy.
Hunter picked up gigs from time to time. In August 1993 Hunter performed in Europe with Johan Wahlstrom and Ricky Byrd on the Hamn Rock (Harbour Rock) tour. 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 as a tribute to Ronson entitled Michael Picasso. In September Hunter appeared on Joe Elliott's Retroactive featuring Ian as "Honky Tonk Messiah" on piano and Ian vocalized the introduction to The Golden Age of Rock 'n' Roll on their covers album, Yeah!
On 29 April 1994 the Mick Ronson Memorial Concert was staged including the tribute to Mick Ronson and another new song debuted Resurrection Mary.
Seven of the twelve songs were penned or co-written by Hunter. This was the most written by Ian in the studio which was not his usual modus operandi. Previously and mostly afterwards he had difficulty writing in the studio. Big Kid was one song that didn't make the cut.
Ian Hunter On Track for Sonicbond Publishing, TheDoctorOfDigital@pm.me