Just Another Night (Ian Hunter/Mick Ronson), Ian Hunter, You're Never Alone With a Schizophrenic,

Just Another Night starts with a punchy drum intro by Weinberg, Ian's spoken count, and the signature piano flare up as the song chronicles one of the best-known stories about Ian's storied career. The song is about the 1973 night with Mott The Hoople when he spent a night in the Indianapolis jail after mouthing off to an off duty sergeant, an Indiana State Trooper at a Holiday Inn hotel. Ian resided with a Black Panther staring at him all night while this was their only off the road time and Ariel Bender got to imbibe refreshments and a cozy hotel bed while Ian was preoccupied. Upon release, early the next morning, no one recognized the shadeless Hunter although court people were talking about their gig.  

Ian notes that the song may have been a hit since Roy Bittan, the keyboardist, heard it as a commercial release but Hunter and Ronson talked him out of it. As an early alternative, a Springsteen-like slow version entitled, "The Other Side of Life," could have been a popular hit but as revved up by Hunter-Ronson it was less commercial. 

The Hunter and Ronson revved up version provided for a co-writing trade since Ian wanted the scrawled phrase "You're Never Alone With a Schizophrenic" found on a bog wall at Wessex Sound Studios, the same place Ian produced Billy Idol's Generation X; Mick gave up the phrase for the LP title and earned co-writing credit. 

The versions of the song also have one of the most disparate releases in Hunter's catalog. Originally on You're Never Alone With a Schizophrenic, when re-released there was bonus material with an interesting early take which features radically different lyrics, showing how such a standard song can develop from the initial germ of an idea to the finished product. Moreover, there was an electric version as an early download-only on the 30th Anniversary mp3 issue not found on the CD, a separate electric version was on two later compilations (Tilting the Mirror), two different versions of varying lengths from 1979, the Rockpalast version, Dr. Pepper version, the smoking release from Rick Derringer and Friends, a 1989 release, and finally one from 2004. 

Ian Hunter On Track for Sonicbond Publishing, TheDoctorOfDigital@pm.me

At 36:50 the song starts on the Derringer version:

https://youtu.be/NvQ79Bx26rs

Just Another Night

(Ian Hunter/Mick Ronson)

Oh no, the fuzz, all in a line
My oh my, I think I'm gonna die
And it's just another night
It's just another night

Got a long black face; Who goes there?
All the reefer madness put a poor kid in jail
And it's just another night
Yeah, it's just another night

Oh take it easy boy or it's DOA
Chrome on my body and a lot of folks say
That it's just another night
Hey, it's just another night
Oh, it's just another night on the other side of life

Head one's a saw-bones and he wrecked my chair
Said "How'd you like to do it in a room downstairs"
And it's just another night
Oh, just another night

Hey now, Papa Joe, Don't you pull my hair
All this intrigue, it gets me out of my league
And it's just another night
It's just another night

His old man spent a fortune just to get him in
But baby boy growed up just as stupid as him
And it's just another night
It's just another night
It's just another night on the other side of life

Just another night, hung down slow
I don't like the hotel let me go
Hells bells! Give me a chance!
This rock 'n' roller don't wanna dance
Just another night
Just another night
Well, it's just another night on the other side of life

I never felt so bad; Where's my shades?
It's gonna be a long one getting crazed
A head spoutin' noodles said, "What do you plead?"
I said "You ain't got to touch a man to make a man bleed"

'N' it's just another night (on the other side)
It's just another night (on the other side)
It's just another night (on the other side)
It's just another night (on the other side)
It's just another night (on the other side)
It's just another night (on the other side)
It's just another night (on the other side)
It's just another night (on the other side)
It's just another night (on the other side)
It's just another night (on the other side)
It's just another night (on the other side)
It's just another night (on the other side)
It's just another night (on the other side)
It's just another night!

Just Another Night (electric)

5:14

An early download-only version of Just Another Night is on the 30th Anniversary mp3 issue of You're Never Alone With a Schizophrenic (download only - not on CD). This is (as of June 2019) unavailable elsewhere.

The Other Side of Life

4:42

This early version of Just Another Night was originally released on the 2009 (30th anniversary) and 2016 (box set) issues of You're Never Alone With a Schizophrenic. It can also be found on From the Knees of My Heart.

Ian Hunter LP/CD: "You're Never Alone With a Schizophrenic"

Sleeve and track listing

CHRX 1214 / 50999 698134 2 9. 

Disc 1

1. Just Another Night
2. Wild East
3. Cleveland Rocks
4. Ships
5. When the Daylight Comes
6. Life After Death
7. Standin' In My Light
8. Bastard
9. The Outsider
10. Don't Let Go (demo)¹
11. Ships (take 1)¹
12. When The Daylight Comes (early version)¹
13. Just Another Night (early version)¹
14. Whole Lotta Shakin' Goin' On¹
15. Ships (early version)²
16. Just Another Night (electric)²

Disc 2

1. FBI³
2. Once Bitten Twice Shy³
3. Life After Death³
4. Sons And Daughters⁴
5. Laugh At Me⁴
6. Just Another Night⁴
7. One Of The Boys⁴
8. Letter To Brittania From The Union Jack⁵
9. Bastard⁵
10. All The Way From Memphis³
11. Cleveland Rocks³
12. All The Young Dudes⁴
13. When The Daylight Comes³
14. Sweet Angeline³

¹Bonus track on 30th Anniversary 2-CD issue

²Download only (eg from Amazon) - not on the physical CD!

³Live, Agora Ballroom, Cleveland OH 18th June 1979

⁴Live, Hammersmith Odeon, London 22nd November 1979

⁵Live, Berkeley Community Theatre, Berkeley CA 7th July 1979

Sleeve variations

The US CD sleeve

The original UK sleeve

Review

Ian came back after a two-year absence in 1979 with this album. Mick Ronson was back on guitar, and Bruce Springsteen's E-Street Band were the backing musicians (they had just worked on Meat Loaf's Bat Out of Hell album).

This is a brilliant album, and the yardstick by which all his other work is judged. From the opening beat of Just Another Night to the closing strains of The Outsider there isn't a bad track on here. Mixing full-tilt rockers (Cleveland Rocks, Life After Death) with sensitive ballads (Ships) the album is well-paced and leaves the listener wanting more.

This was issued on CD on Chrysalis in the UK in 1994, and on Razor & Tie in the USA in 1995. The UK release was a limited-edition "25th Anniversary" edition, in a long (blue) box, with a blue jewel-case and booklet (which was about Chrysalis generally, not Ian). Sound quality is very good. No bonus tracks.

1999 saw this CD reissued in the UK, this time on the EMI label as part of their "Classic Rock" series. It boasted new sleeve notes, and improved (remastered) sound quality.

2009 saw a 2-CD issue with a wealth of bonus tracks and a second disc of previously-unreleased live material. As a live document the second disc works very well, despite being recorded at a variety of venues.

Of the bonus material on the first disc perhaps the most interesting is the early version of Just Another Night which features radically different lyrics, showing how such a classic song can develop from the initial germ of an idea to the finished product.

Just Another Night	4:36	Originally released on You're Never Alone With a Schizophrenic, also on the compilations The Best of Ian Hunter, The Collection, From The Knees Of My Heart, The Golden Age 1969-1997, Old Records Never Die and Shades of Ian Hunter. See also The Other Side of Life.
Just Another Night (electric)	5:14	An early download-only version of Just Another Night is on the 30th Anniversary mp3 issue of You're Never Alone With a Schizophrenic (download only - not on CD). This is (as of June 2019) unavailable elsewhere.
Just Another Night (electric)	4:29	Another 'electric' version of Just Another Night can be found on From The Knees Of My Heart and Tilting The Mirror - Rarities (box set only). This is significantly different from the download-only version.
Just Another Night (live 5-11th November 1979)	5:39	This live version (recorded at The Roxy, Los Angeles CA) was released on Welcome to the Club, and on the compilation From The Knees Of My Heart. The original LP and 1994 CD are longer (at 6:03) due to extended crowd noise between Just Another Night and Cleveland Rocks.
Just Another Night (live 22nd November 1979)	7:51	This live version (recorded Hammermith Odeon, London England) is on the 30th Anniversary issue of You're Never Alone With a Schizophrenic, and on If You Wait Long Enough For Anything, You Can Get It On Sale (box set only). The version on If You Wait Long Enough... is longer (at 7:51) than the version on Schizophrenic... (at 5:30) due to the entire middle section (where the audience, lead by Ian, sings "just another night... on the other side...") being omitted from the latter.
Just Another Night (live 19th April 1980)	7:24	This live version (recorded Rockpalast TV Show, Grugahalle, Essen Germany) was originally issued on Live At Rockpalast (not on the box set)
Just Another Night (live 11th September 1981)	7:04	This live version (recorded Dr. Pepper Music Festival, Pier 84, New York NY) was originally issued on the Ian Hunter Rocks video (VHS/Laserdisc only). The video (DVD) can also be found on It Never Happened (box set only); the audio can be found on From The Knees Of My Heart (not on the box set).
Just Another Night (live 13th September 1981)	6:33	This live version (with Rick Derringer, recorded at The Palladium, New York NY) is on Rick Derringer And Friends.
Just Another Night (live 15th February 1989)	5:41	This live version (recorded The Dominion, London England) was released on BBC Live in Concert.
Just Another Night (live 28th May 2004)	5:36	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 and Greatest Hits Live In London. Not on the box set.

Junkman (Joe Droukas) Ian Hunter with Genya Ravan, from the Once Bitten Twice Shy CD

This song was recorded with Genya Ravan when Ian sat in as the last minute replacement for Van Morrison who couldn't make the session while touring. Ravan’s manager reached out to Bruce Springsteen cause he may have been tough enough and had the swagger to match Ravan’s fierceness. While Springsteen dawdled, Mick Ronson wandered into the studio suggesting Hunter. 

First, we hear the acoustic strums of Ronson’s guitar lulling us into a quiet moment, drawing us closer, then comes the plaintive, sexy voice of Ravan. She sings the first chorus as if a gentle rebuke, “should’ve listened to the junkman…it’s a sin that takes a love and loses.”

Hunter’s voice responds with the perfect combination of British cockiness and world-weariness, telling her, “You’ve been confusing lust with love/I think I’m gonna let you go.”

The song rises on Ronson’s guitar and swirling keyboards and those voices, growing more powerful as the truth of their longing overwhelms their coolness. Next thing you know, Ravan’s singing, “I sweep away that shattered heart that one time got away.”

The song builds to a crescendo of Ronson’s guitar licks and the full-lunged wailing of Ravan and Hunter venting their irresistible longing and regret, their voices transcending the lyrics to full-throated cries of love.

This explosion of desire generates real passion that comes to life in the perfect pairing of Ravan and Hunter’s voices. He swings low, damning himself while she whirls and flies above, each burned and giving voice to the anguish of their desire.

Van Morrison was supposed to provide the male voice, but a tour kept him from the recording session. Ravan’s manager reached out to Bruce Springsteen cause he may have been tough enough and had the swagger to match Ravan’s fierceness. While Springsteen dawdled, Mick Ronson, lead guitarist for Mott the Hoople wandered into the studio. He had a natural suggestion: Mott’s front man, Ian Hunter. Is there anyone who does the combination of jaded and vulnerable better than Ian Hunter? He’s the ultimate cad who turns out to have a heart. One listen and you know that Hunter and Ravan made the perfect pairing for this song.

Play “Junkman” now and you’ll wonder how this didn’t become a monster hit; why isn’t it a hit now? After a few listens, you’ll have the song floating round your cranium and you’ll be repeating, “Should’ve listened to the junkman.” Forget those lists of run-of-the-mill power ballads (“November Rain” indeed), cause this here’s the real thing: a song that starts small and intimate and grows to a raging wall of sound and emotion, singers who make us believe and performances the that tear the paint off the walls.

First, we hear the acoustic strums of Ronson’s guitar lulling us into a quiet moment, drawing us closer, then comes the plaintive, incredibly sexy voice of Ravan. “The Southside girls they told me/That you were hot as fire.” Her voice is constrained, but you know it won’t be for long, you can feel the pent-up longing and lust. “And I remember every word you said/When you told me I’d get burned/I said don’t worry baby/I’ll just live and learn.” And she meant it, you know she did, even if remorse already drenches the line.

She sings the first chorus as if a gentle rebuke, “should’ve listened to the junkman…it’s a sin that takes a love and loses.”

Ian Hunter’s voice responds with the perfect combination of British cockiness and world-weariness, telling her, “You’ve been confusing lust with love/I think I’m gonna let you go.”

There they are: the girl who won’t get burned and the been-around-the-block guy who never falls in love. You know where this is headed. “Oh, baby we play these games/I’d never thought we’d do it/But we done it just the same.”

The song rises on Ronson’s guitar and swirling keyboards and those voices, growing more powerful as the truth of their longing overwhelms their coolness. Next thing you know, Ravan’s singing, “I sweep away that shattered heart that one time got away.”

The song soars with combination of desire and loss and the revelation that these hidebound creatures couldn’t help themselves. Call it love, call it lust, all the reasons in the world couldn’t keep them apart. The chorus repeats, “You should’ve listened to your junkman,” but the voices make clear the disbelief as to how far each went. “I don’t want to beg,” they sing over and over, begging for one more time. The song builds to a crescendo of Ronson’s guitar licks and the full-lunged wailing of Ravan and Hunter venting their irresistible longing and regret, their voices transcending the lyrics to full-throated cries of love.

Melodrama comes when a song reaches for emotions it doesn’t deserve, but this near six-minute explosion of desire generates real passion that comes to life in the perfect pairing of Ravan and Hunter’s voices. He swings low, damning himself while she keens, whirls and flies above, each burned and giving voice to the anguish of their desire.

We often connect people with songs, especially people who introduce us to new music. When this album came out in 1979, I hosted a college radio show and a friend turned me on to Genya Ravan and “Junkman.” I was immediately smitten with the song – as this small appreciation clearly indicates – and played it as often as I did Neil Young’s “Thrasher,” Graham Parker and the Clash. Genya Ravan wasn’t a household name – no one else at our less than edgy station had heard of her – so it took some explorations and special knowledge to find her music and a particular person to become a fan. Which brings me to Carol, the woman who did the exploring and the experimenting and had the combination of toughness to like Ravan enough to own two of her albums. It turns out that Carol knew a lot more music than just Genya Ravan, in fact, she knew a lot more about a lot of things, and that combination of riskiness, daring and high standards added to her charms. I was a fool back then, still am, but I knew enough to follow that friend and still do, since Carol became my bride. You might have seen her recently shaking her hips to Sharon Jones and the Dap Kings cause she still has a thing for tough women and a weak spot for fools like me.

Ian Hunter CD: "Once Bitten Twice Shy"

Sleeve and track listing

Sony/Columbia 496284 2. 

Disc 1: Rockers

1. Once Bitten Twice Shy (single version) (3:53)
2. Who Do You Love (single version) (3:17)
3. Colwater High (3:12)
4. One Fine Day (2:19)
5. The Truth, The Whole Truth, Nuthin' But The Truth (5:58)
6. All American Alien Boy (single version) (3:52)
7. Common Disease (3:53)
8. Justice Of The Peace (single version) (3:00)
9. When The Daylight Comes (single version) (3:45)
10. Cleveland Rocks (3:48)
11. Bastard (6:34)
12. Gun Control (3:11)
13. Speechless (3:39)
14. Traitor (single b-side) (3:57)
15. (I'm The) Teacher (4:00)
16. Great Expectations (You Never Know What To Expect) (3:54)
17. Good Man In A Bad Time (3:41)
18. Women's Intuition (single version) (4:22)
19. Ain't No Way To Treat A Lady (4:32)
20. All The Young Dudes (live with Def Leppard) (4:00)

Running time: 78m 58s

Disc 2: Ballads

1. Shades Off (poem) (1:37)
2. Boy (6:25)
3. Letter To Britannia From The Union Jack (3:47)
4. You Nearly Did Me In (single version) (3:30)
5. (God) Advice To A Friend (5:28)
6. Shallow Crystals (3:57)
7. Ships (single version) (4:09)
8. Standing In My Light (4:34)
9. The Outsider (5:58)
10. Junkman (with Genya Ravan) (5:52)
11. Old Records Never Die (4:15)
12. All Of The Good Ones Are Taken (3:44)
13. Seeing Double (4:23)
14. Bluebirds (4:18)
15. Sunshine Eyes (4:21)
16. Ill Wind (3:22)
17. All Is Forgiven (3:14)
18. Michael Picasso (live) (6:52)

Running time: 79m 56s

Review

This 2-CD set has been a long time coming. Once Sony released a 3-CD Mott The Hoople Anthology, it was inevitable they would issue a similar "box set" covering Ian Hunter's solo career. Comparisons with that set are therefore inevitable, although somewhat unfair.

This set attempts to include all the rarities: single A-sides, B-sides, movie soundtracks, a few outttakes and demos as well as the great/classic album tracks. Lovingly put together by Campbell Devine, Ian's input was, I'm told, minimal: recording vocals on two or three otherwise unfinished tracks, a handful of demos, and a request the set be split into "Rockers" and "Ballads".

Colwater High is an early highlight on the Rockers disc. An outtake from Ian's first album, it is very keyboard-oriented since Mick Ronson never laid down a guitar part for it. As such, it would not be out of place on the Hoople album. Common Disease is an outttake from the Alien Boy sessions, and is more up-tempto than other tracks on the album. Otherwise, it is a worthy song and I'm surprised it has taken so long to see the light of day.

Traitor (b-side to the Good Ones single) has never worked for me. It starts strongly, with powerful keyboard playing from Tommy Mandel, then it suddenly changes tempo and just sort of plods along. Three of the four movie soundtracks Ian recorded in the 80's are here (Wake Up Call being the one missing), the highlight for me being Great Expectations which has a good riff and a great chorus. I'd love to see Ian do this live some time.

Ain't No Way To Treat A Lady is an outtake from the Artful Dodger sessions, and takes a couple of listens to appreciate. I'd have put it on the "Ballads" disc, but then what do I know? The "Rockers" disc finishes with a live version of ATYD by Def Leppard (with Ian as special guest, of course).

The "Ballads" disc continues in a similar vein, mixing rare singles with alternate versions and previously-unreleased material. Shades Off is a spoken version of the track on Ian's first album, while Advice To A Friend is an alternate take of God (Take One) from the Alien Boy sessions. Don't ask me to chose which one is the better version, as both work for me.

Bluebirds is the highlight of this disc - an outtake from the Good Ones sessions, it is a power ballad - starts quietly but keeps building. Stylewise it is close to something Meat Loaf would do (when Jim Steinman is producing).

Both Sunshine Eyes and All Is Forgiven are demos, recorded in Ian's home studio and as such are true solo recordings. They are certainly interesting, and demonstrate the breadth of styles Ian is capable of. But demo quality is all they are, and Ian didn't see fit to record them on any of his albums.

The set comes complete with 32-page booklet featuring a short biography, track-by-track notes from Ian, and many rare and previously-unpublished photos.

As a compilation of Ian Hunter solo material, this is certainly the best so far, covering as it does both CBS and Chrysalis material. However, my main complaint concerns the balance of material presented. We get no fewer than six tracks from Schizophrenic, but only one from YUI Orta (heck, there are two tracks from Overnight Angels, Ian's least favourite album), and nothing at all from Dirty Laundry or Artful Dodger.

Ian says (in the sleeve notes) that this compilation will go a long way to answering the question "what have you done since 1975?". This compilation answers the question concerning Ian's 1970's and 1980's work, but the question of Ian's output in the 1990's remains unanswered here.

Terms and conditions.

Junkman

5:22

A duet with Genya Ravan and originally released on Genya's album And I Mean It. Also available on the compilation Once Bitten Twice Shy. Not on the box set.

Junkee Love, (Matheson/Casino Steel) Ian Hunter, Ian Hunter's Dirty Laundry.

This is not a song composed by Ian but appears on Ian Hunter's Dirty Laundry CD.  

Ian Hunter On Track for Sonicbond Publishing, TheDoctorOfDigital@pm.me

Junkee Love

(Matheson/Casino Steel)

Give me magic misery
Give me two shots - first one is free
Watch me cover - watch me grin
Jump for the juice in your syringe
You're the poison - you're the pain
You're the needle in my vein
Come on jab it - come go quick
The only habit I can't kick
Junkee see - junkee do
Junkee me - junk is you
Pusher comes to shove
Junkee love

ooh...I've got my trembles - I got the shakes
I'm a slave to my mistakes
Dial doctor on the phone
Get me on methadone
Give me magic misery
Give me two shots - first one is free
Watch me cover - watch me cringe
All from using your syringe
Junkee see - junkee do
Junkee me - junk is you
Pusher comes to shove
Junkee love

Ian Hunter CD: "Ian Hunter's Dirty Laundry"

Sleeve and track listing

Cherry Red CDM RED 321. 

1. Dancing on the Moon (5:24)
2. Another Fine Mess (3:28)
3. Scars (5:04)
4. Never Trust a Blonde (5:19)
5. Psycho Girl (2:48)
6. My Revolution (4:08)
7. Good Girls (4:01)
8. Red Letter Day (5:11)
9. Invisible Strings (3:53)
10. Everyone's a Fool (2:41)
11. Junkee Love (2:46)
12. The Other Man (5:23)

Running time: 50m 12s

Review

This 1995 album is an oddity. Not quite a full solo album, but more than just a collaboration. It started life as a project by Norwegian keyboardist Casino Steel with Ian invited to sit in in the studio. It soon became much more than that, with Ian writing a number of songs (some of which were written in the studio) and contributing to a few others. More importantly, it marked the return of Ian to the recording studio following the death of his long-time friend Mick Ronson.

With vocal duties shared as well this has something of a "band" feel to it. Despite being recorded at a number of studios, it also has a good live feel to it, which is no bad thing. Dancing On The Moon opens things up nicely, while Another Fine Mess looks back to life on the road with Ronson. My Revolution is another standout track, this time looking back to Ian's Mott days - fans will appreciate the reference to "a revolution for fun", while Ian acknowledges the advancing years in the next line with "you'd better lock up yer mums!" Sheer brilliance.

Darrel Bath's Never Trust a Blonde is great fun, as is Honest John Plain's Psycho Girl and Good Girls. All have a good, earthy 1950's rock n roll feel to them. The album ends with a trademark Ian weepie, this time the great The Other Man in which he forgives his lady but not the guy who shagged her.

This album originally came out with little fanfare in 1995 on a small Norwegian label, with the US label Cleveland International also picking it up. In the days before Amazon, etc, it meant getting hold of copies in the UK was difficult (but not impossible). This release on Cherry Red, therefore, makes it the first time this album has been available in the UK. This time round you also get a good booklet, explaining the background to the recording of the album.

This is a fun album. Not Ian's best but by no means his worst and certainly worthy of consideration.

Junkee Love

2:46

Originally issued on Ian Hunter's Dirty Laundry.

The Journey, Ian Hunter, (live 28th May 2004, Originally a Mott The Hoople track. 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.

The Journey is an Ian Hunter song from the Mott The Hoople Brain Capers LP this live recording release is from 2004. The epic introspective song about London's Archway known as Suicide Bridge had been a concert favorite for Mott but due to its length was cut from the set; we only have this one solo live cut. The lyrics are unsettling and vague enough to hint at madness and mayhem as the biblical forty days and forty nights unfold while the "angel screamed in my nightmare ride" concluding that: 

Everybody's got a journey

Ian Hunter On Track for Sonicbond Publishing, TheDoctorOfDigital@pm.me

The Journey

(Ian Hunter)

All the changes they will take their time
In the morning dust they'll begin to rise
Halfway to a borderline
Well I can see the end
For the very first time

Well I know I lost just a little bit on the journey
When my mind's been split by little things that didn't fit on the way
Oh I know I lost just a little bit on the journey
'Cos I'm trying so hard to get going

There's a man on a bridge called suicide
And he hides his head while the coast is dark
And the river drags and the water sways
Oh his rags've seen better days

And I guess he lost just a little bit on the journey
For his mind was split by little things that didn't fit on the way
(Oh) Yes I know he lost just a little bit on the journey

For every gift he had to give
For every life (yeah) he had to live
Well they meant nothing without her to guide him on his way

Well he told her he was a leader
Of a well respected [load]
But when he tried to leave her
Well she looked right down her nose
Many times he tried to make her believe in herself
But she wouldn't listen to a word he said

Well he followed her though the darkness
All the chances I take
He followed her though the wilderness
Her mystery to break
Many times he tried to make her believe in herself
But she wouldn't listen to a word he said

So for 40 days and for 40 nights
Well they tied my hands made see the light
And the angel screamed in my nightmare ride
And the changes left (yeah) but they will take their time

And I guess I lost just a little bit on the journey
Yes I know I lost just a little bit on the way
I know I lost just a little bit on the journey
Oh I know I lost just a little bit on the journey
Yes I guess I lost just a little bit on the way
Yes I know I lost just a little bit on the journey
(Everybody's got a journey)

Mott The Hoople LP/CD: "Brain Capers"

Sleeve and track listing

Angel Air SJPCD160. 

1. Death May be Your Santa Claus (4:55)
2. Your Own Backyard (4:13)
3. Darkness Darkness (4:32)
4. The Journey (9:15)
5. Sweet Angeline (4:53)
6. Second Love (3:46)
7. The Moon Upstairs (5:01)
8. The Wheel of the Quivering Meat Conception (1:21)
9. Midnight Lady¹ (3:33)
10. The Journey¹ (9:37)

Running time: 51m20s.

¹Bonus track on the 2003 CD (on Angel Air).

Sleeve variations

Atlantic CD sleeve

Review

Mott's last album for Island is a belter. Needing an injection of craziness that was lacking on Wildlife they reluctantly joined forces with Guy Stevens once again and the result is a raw, heavy metal punk album six years ahead of its time.

Of the pre-Bowie albums, this is easily the fans' favourite. Like Mad Shadows, this was recorded live in the studio, and all the tracks were laid down in about four days. Live tapes from the time show just how well this album captured their live sound.

Opener Death May Be Your Santa Claus is frantic (check out the exuberant "Wooo!" at the end). Darkness Darkness features Mick Ralphs on vocals and is a guitar-driven rocker and noteworthy for not featuring Verden at all. The Journey is one of Ian's epic ballads and it is an interesting exercise to compare this to the alternate version recorded a few weeks earlier (included as a bonus track).

Sweet Angeline is another rocker, one that would remain in the live set to the end. Second Love is interesting - the first of Verden Allen's compositions Mott recorded and beautifully sung by Ian. The Moon Upstairs is another full-tilt rocker with is in part a message of defiance to Island: "We ain't bleeding you, we're feeding you, but you're to f***ing slow".

The LP closed with The Wheel Of The Quivering Meat Conception, with is another end-of-session-jam tape reclamation job, this time as an earlier take of The Journey descends into complete chaos.

Bonus tracks here are the non-LP single Midnight Lady and an earlier version of The Journey (which is more acoustic than the LP version).

Sleeve notes as always are excellent, as is the sound quality. The CD also reproduces the original LP cover (albeit in miniature).

The Journey (live 28th May 2004)

5:22

Originally a Mott The Hoople track. 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

Isolation (John Lennon), (live 8th October 2012 version (recorded at the John Dee, Oslo Norway) was released on Bag Of Tricks (Vol 3) (box set only).

The John Lennon track Isolation was recorded as Hunter prepared for a Lennon show supposedly to be held in NYC in 2011. Ian learned this song and Stand By Me by Ben E. King since John had recorded both. Andy York suggested Isolation as compatible with Ian's voice but when the shows were cancelled Ian still played both songs live just to have a fresh change. Although the lyrics were not written by Ian there is a similar theme to several Hunter songs about feeling out of place; when I heard it live with Ian on piano it did cross my mind that lyrically it fits easily into an Ian set. Trudi does not seem similar to Yoko Ono though. It was recorded at John Dee, Oslo Norway 8th October 2012. 

Ian Hunter On Track for Sonicbond Publishing, TheDoctorOfDigital@pm.me

"Isolation"

People say we got it made.
Don't they know we're so afraid?
Isolation.

We're afraid to be alone,
everybody got to have a home.
Isolation.

Just a boy and a little girl,
trying to change the whole wide world.
Isolation.

The world is just a little town,
everybody trying to put us down.
Isolation.

I don't expect you to understand,
after you've caused so much pain.
But then again, you're not to blame.
You're just a human, a victim of the insane.

We're afraid of everyone,
Afraid of the sun.
Isolation

The sun will never disappear,
but the world may not have many years.
Isolation.

 Bag Of Tricks (Vol 3) (box set only).

Isolation (live 8th October 2012)

4:46

This live version (recorded at the John Dee, Oslo Norway) was released on Bag Of Tricks (Vol 3) (box set only).

Is Your Love In Vain (Bob Dylan), Ian Hunter, (live 26-28th October 1981, recorded at the Old Waldorf, San Francisco CA) If You Wait Long Enough For Anything, You Can Get It On Sale (box set only).

This Bob Dylan song for some reason does not have the question mark after it as does the original but it was recorded live in 1981 with bassist, harmony singer, and arranger Mark Clarke. Ian liked it at the time but has gotten disillusioned with it as too polished. It was not released until the If You Wait Long Enough For Anything, You Can Get It On Sale (box set only).

It was 2013 when fans were first teased with "coming soon... the ultimate Ian Hunter box set". Well, over three years in the making and what was originally going to be a 24-disc set is now a 30-disc whopper. And yes, it has been worth the wait.

OK, so what's in the box? Well there's every (regular) album that Ian has ever released, with the exception of 2016's Fingers Crossed and 2004's live double The Truth...Every album has been remastered, in some cases with bonus tracks (eg single edits) that haven't appeared on previous issues. Each is presented in a mini-LP replica sleeve, complete with an inner sleeve (for the CD itself) and a booklet. Sound quality is excellent throughout.

In addition, there are a further nine discs of rare and previously-unreleased material. There is an acoustic gig (Acoustic Shadows) from 2008, which is an interesting contrast to the (also acoustic) Live In The UK 2010 disc (also included here). Two discs of rarities (Tilting The Mirror) gather together bonus tracks that have appeared on "bonus CDs" on previous releases. Bag Of Tricks gather together various live tracks recorded over the years, including the 2002 Manchester gig that was previously thought to be "lost". It neatly showcases the last 30 years of live shows, from Toronto in 1987 through to Sheffield in 2013 and Tokyo in 2015. Fascinating.

Then there's If You Wait Long Enough... which included for the first time the 1979 Hammersmith Odeon gig. OK, an hour of this show was broadcast on BBC Radio One but this is the full show (nearly two hours!) and an improvement on the original BBC mix. We also get a 1981 show recorded in San Fransisco. This is interesting because it features Robbie Alter on guitar and Mick Ronson - on keyboards!

Experiments is fascinating. These are demos and (complete) unreleased tracks from the past thirty or so years. Look Before You Leap is a great power ballad (is that Ronno on guitar?), while Salvation (written in 1997 but not recorded until 2008) is a great way to close the collection. Ian has said it would be on his last record, and Proper's track listing has Experiments as the last disc... if this is really the last one (and Ian says it's not) then there's no finer way to finish.

Then there's two DVDs. The first is a motley collection of promo films, TV appearances and concert clips from the past 40 years. Disc 2 includes the 1979 Rhyerson Theatre show from Toronto which was broadcast on TV and has circulated amonst fans for years. There's also the Ian Hunter Rocks show from 1981, previously only issued on VHS (and Laserdisc). Then there's the Strings Attached show from Oslo in 2002. This has two tracks not included on the original DVD and a great way to round off a fascination collection. The 'Strings Attached' show is also in real-time sequence (unlike the original).

There is also a lavish hard-cover book which presents a biography of Ian's career so far, together with a track-by-track run-down of all the material in this collection, with Ian's (at times) brutally honest opinion. The book ends with tributes from a whole host of fellow musicians, all of whom are unstinting in their praise. Whorrabloke!

There is also a replica music paper, which contains reproductions of album and gig reviews from the past forty years. Finally, there is an Alien Boy-era lithograph (why don't they call it a photo?), signed by Ian.

The whole is presented in a large presentation case, complete with Escher-inspired artwork.

The whole collection is limited to just 2500 copies and Proper have stated that none of the (extra) discs will be available separately. So if you want any of these extras, you need to buy this box!

The cost is a whopping £250. This collection, therefore, is not aimed at the casual fan but the dedicated Ian Hunter fan (albeit one with very deep pockets). Given that such a fan will already own most if not all of the regular discs, this works out at £250 for the just nine "new" CDs and two DVDs. Whether this is worth the cost is a question for the individual fan to answer.

Ian has said his career isn't yet finished (he turned 77 in 2016!), but if it were to end now this set is an excellent way to bring the curtain down on the career of one of Britain's finest-ever rock stars.

Is Your Love In Vain (live 26-28th October 1981)

5:58

This live version (recorded at the Old Waldorf, San Francisco CA) was originally issued on If You Wait Long Enough For Anything, You Can Get It On Sale (box set only).

Pavlov's Dog, Ian Hunter, Defiance Vol. 1

Who writes a dog about a security dog at JFK Airport? Well, Ian Hunter of course. Hunter writes Pavlov's Dog from the perspective of a dog sniffing canine just doing its job. 

The title comes from Pavlovian conditioning (aka classical conditioning) which was discovered accidentally. Ivan Petrovich Pavlov (1849–1936) found the conditioning during the 1890s. Pavlov researched salivation in dogs in response to being fed. He inserted a small test tube into the cheek of each dog to measure saliva when the dogs were fed (with a powder made from meat).

Pavlov predicted the dogs would salivate in response to the food placed in front of them, but he noticed that his dogs would begin to salivate whenever they heard the footsteps of his assistant who was bringing them the food, i.e., Pavlov's dog!

At the airport the dogs are trained to respond to stimulus and if a person is suspicious they sense it and alert their handlers for a dog day afternoon. The lyrics reference the 1975 film Dog Day Afternoon which is about three amateur bank robbers who plan to hold up a bank. A nice simple robbery: walk in, take the money, and run. Unfortunately, the supposedly uncomplicated heist suddenly becomes a bizarre nightmare as everything that could go wrong does. The song then is about a dog doing its job but if you try to sneak something in your day will be miserable. 

Ian Hunter On Track for Sonicbond Publishing, TheDoctorOfDigital@pm.me

Pavlov's Dog

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Wx_sH3E-kuQ

Behind the Song

https://youtube.com/shorts/UlwqHfL9Unw?feature=share

Fun fact the instrumentalists from Stone Temple Pilots are playing the backing track

A drug-sniffing dog at JFK. Not many songs about that, but having heard this one, maybe there should be more. Somehow I think Ian is referring to a broader perspective here. It's not the person in front of you's fault. Cool it. Just guessing.

Pavlov's Dog · Ian Hunter · Eric Kretz · Dean DeLeo · Robert De Leo Pavlov's Dog ℗ 2023 Sun Label Group, LLC Released on: 2023-03-17 Producer: Andy York Producer: Ian Hunter Composer Lyricist: Ian Hunter