Wednesday, June 21, 2023

Good Samaritan, Ian Hunter, Rant, Reality, Vol. 1

Excerpt:

This song with a biblical title and sexual undertones appeared all together. The song is almost haunting featuring a strong lyric, vocal performance, and now band, rocks. The female character is torn as she is somewhat committed to marrying a rich man but she meets the Good Samaritan who needed more than he could give and not her superficiality. The theme is similar to Ian's sentiment in Bastard. Here the singer and the woman could not meet again as he asks rhetorically:

And I don't know what possessed you, was I just a one night stand
And not your good Samaritan, good Samaritan, good Samaritan, good Samaritan.

A live version exists from 2002 as well.

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.

Upcoming Podcast Appearances! More details soon:
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

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

Good Samaritan

(Ian Hunter)

The sun shone through the window as I lay down on your carpet
Staring at the speakers - pretending to be tortured
And I never moved a muscle
No, I never moved a muscle

The sunlight turned to shadows, and the minutes turned to hours
Somebody turned the lights on, there was conversation, laughter
And you know just what I'm after - you know just what I'm after
You will look at me, and your curiosity is gonna get the better of you, will get the better of you

Standing next to me now - she's in the air I breathe
She says, "I'm marrying a rich man but he still thinks I'm a virgin
So I need a little action, I need a little fun
I need a good Samaritan, good Samaritan, good Samaritan, good Samaritan"

We raged around our cages until all the doors lay open
Then we fell upon each other in the fury and the frenzy
And we fought like Gods of Thunder - and we played like fives 'n under
And the only screams that mattered turn to whispers in my ear
You're my good Samaritan, you're my good Samaritan, you're my good Samaritan, you're my good Samaritan

Walking down the street - they make such a lovely couple
And she freezes when she sees me - but she don't have to worry
Cos I needed something deeper - I needed something longer
She said, "People who are weaker, need people who are stronger"
And I don't know what possessed you, was I just a one night stand
And not your good Samaritan, good Samaritan, good Samaritan, good Samaritan.

Ian Hunter CD: "Rant"

Sleeve and track listing

Fuel2000/True North TND 235.

Still Love Rock 'n' Roll (4:34)
Wash Us Away (3:57)
Death of a Nation (5:35)
Morons (5:32)
Purgatory (4:46)
American Spy (4:30)
Dead Man Walkin' (Eastenders) (6:20)
Good Samaritan (4:07)
Soap & Water (5:18)
Ripoff (4:50)
Knees Of My Heart (3:35)
No One (3:37)

Running time: 56m 47s

Sleeve variations

UK sleeve

Review

Ian's first studio album since The Artful Dodger finds him in a determined mood with a lot to say. Always at his best when he feels he has something to say, Ian is on the warpath with this one, his most politically charged in over 25 years. And boy has he delivered, an album that will stand the test of time mixing belting rockers with poingant ballads.

Opening track Still Love Rock 'n' Roll is a nod to the music that inspired Ian in the first place, a great mid-tempo rocker, Chuck Berry meets Little Richard covering all points in between but with a fresh perspective. I can see this being in the live set for years to come. Wash Us Away is a great slower number that grows on you, you'll soon find yourself humming the tune when you're busy doing something else.

Death Of A Nation is next, some of you may remember it from last year's tour. Almost folkish in places with acoustic guitar, Ian laments the decline of the England that (WW2 leader) Churchill would have known, and has a message for the politicians responsible for it all: "But you've been getting away with it for far too long/Your promises ain't worth the paper they're written on". In terms of pace and delivery it is reminiscent of God (Take 1), I can see it becoming another live favourite.

Morons is an up-tempo rocker, with plenty of piano, reminiscent musically of Marionette and lyrically Crash Street Kidds where Ian positively spits venom at the politicians and media for treating people like... well, morons: "Read moron newspapers, watch moron television... Etonians, Harovians think they're the chosen ones", and later "Look at those morons! They do nothing but whine and they're slow all the time... We can leave 'em behind, while we're dumbing them down we'll be robbing them blind!"

The subject of the high cost of living in England crops up again later, like in American Spy where Ian notes "Always in the red, never in the black/You make a bit of money and they take it all back/This ain't no way to spend the rest of my life" and in the more obvious Ripoff: "I really don't know why England's such a ripoff" and, he notes, "Some day you might win the lottery/Some day you might win the pools/But that's all you've got to live for" which for an awful lot of people isn't to far from the truth.

But it isn't all political, as Ian shows time and again he can write beautiful ballads that hit the emotional nail right on the head, such as Knees Of My Heart ("Slipped the ring on your finger/It's still there to this day" and "Honest and faithful, loyal and true/Where would I be if it were not for you".

Soap 'n' Water is direct and to the point, being directed at someone else entirely: "I can't believe what you did, you know how to hurt/All you do is drag old memories through the dirt".

This is a CD that takes a couple of plays to hit you (Ian never makes it easy for his fans!). But believe me, there is quality and depth here that will reward repeated playing. The (US) CD comes with an insert that folds out to reveal full lyrics and musician credits - I can only assume the UK CD will do likewise. All in all, highly recommended.

Good Samaritan	4:07	Originally issued on Rant.
Good Samaritan (live 19th May 2002)	5:45	This live version (recorded Life Cafe, Manchester England) can be found on Bag Of Tricks (Vol 1) (box set only).

Tuesday, June 20, 2023

Good Man In A Bad Time, Ian Hunter, Compilation Once Bitten Twice Shy

The song was originally released on the film Fright Night, written by Marc Tanner and Jon Reede, performed by Hunter and produced by Hunter and Mick Ronson. The song plays in the club as Amy notices Jerry Dendrige stalking her and it is an effective addition that perfectly fits the visual. The lyrics are along the lines of a horror which is appropriate for the film. The song was subsequently included on Hunter's 1996 anthology Once Bitten Twice Shy. Not only is the song released in an unusual way during Hunter's career it is also more pop oriented than rock sounding as is his usual production values.

Fright Night

Written by Marc Tanner and Jon Reede
Performed by Ian Hunter

Use in the Film

The song plays in the club as Amy notices Jerry Dandrige stalking her.

Releases
The song appeared on the soundtrack album but it was never issued as a single. Its was subsequently included on Hunter's 1996 anthology Once Bitten Twice Shy.

Good Man In A Bad Time

Producer – Ian Hunter, Mick Ronson

Written-By – J. Reede*, M. Tanner*

Good Man In A Bad Time

(Ian Hunter)

Inside, closed quarters
Night's calling under blood red skies
This madness, starts burning
The victim of a strange desire
Mistaken, we follow
Restless emotions take you down
Unwilling, still hunger
For lustful pleasures I have found
He's a good man in a bad time
He's a good man in a bad time

Soft voices, seduce you
A butterfly in a spider's web
Infectious, behavior
You're damned to do it all again (and again and again and again...)
He's a good man in a bad time
He's a good man in a bad time

Don't cry, darling
I'll be with you
All night, darling
Deep within you
He's a good man in a bad time
He's a good man in a bad time
He's a good man in a bad time
He's a good man in a bad time
He's a good man in a bad time

Good Man In A Bad Time

3:41

Originally a movie soundtrack; it can be found on the compilation Once Bitten Twice Shy. It can also be found on Tilting The Mirror - Rarities (box set only).

Monday, June 19, 2023

Good Girls (Honest John Plain), Ian Hunter, Ian Hunter's Dirty Laundry.

Excerpt:

Cleveland International released Good Girls and it scored highly on several US radio charts.

One behind the scenes note about On Track since this was not a Hunter track I still added more information in the book. The publisher requested a full track review for each song.

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. 

Upcoming Podcast Appearances! More details soon:
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

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

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

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

Good Girls

(Honest John Plain)

It's cold outside - it looks like rain
To make matters worse, I missed me last train
Now I was thinking she'd show me a bed
To my surprise got shown the door instead
Whoa-oh where have all the good girls gone?
Whoa-oh where have all the good girls gone?

She said she wants a fella with a GTI
Always home on time, steak and kidney pie
She made it quite pretty, it was plain to see
There's no place here for a rocker like me
Whoa-oh where have all the good girls gone?
Whoa-oh where have all the good girls gone?

Girls like Peggy-Sue, Maggie-May and Sheena too
Where have all the good girls gone?
Girls like my dear old Mum, who never stopped me having fun
Where have all the good girls gone?
Whoa-oh where have all the good girls gone?
Whoa-oh where have all the good girls gone?
Where've they gone?
Where have all the good (3) girls gone? (2)

So she throws me out in the pouring rain
Girls like that give girls a bad name
Why can't I find a girl just like Betty D.
With an hourglass figure like Norma Jean
Whoa-oh where have all the good girls gone?
Whoa-oh where have all the good girls gone?
Whoa-oh where have all the good girls gone?
Where 've they gone?

Honest John Plain's Psycho Girl and Good Girls. All have a good, earthy 1950's rock n roll feel to them.

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

Sleeve and track listing

Cherry Red CDM RED 321.

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

Good Girls

4:01

Originally issued on Ian Hunter's Dirty Laundry.

Sunday, June 18, 2023

Golden Opportunity, Ian Hunter, Overnight Angels, 3rd LP

Excerpt:

The production and management issues notwithstanding lyrically Golden Opportunity is a fine track about England. Live this curtain raiser commenced with a meandering instrumental overture with twists and turns that featured a killer riff with Slick's guitar, Oxendale's on target staccato piano, and great bass runs by Rawlinson.

The target is subtle but he is attacking not the people but the elites who run the country. Hunter actually hates the people running the country yet the lyrics are positive. Ian's guitar got him the opportunity he was looking for otherwise he's said he'd be in jail. In short, it's a really positive and upbeat song about taking chances as a golden opportunity. This song is unfortunately one of those good songs that got buried because of music business issues. And, it was not the LP that put Ian back in the limelight after All American Alien Boy.

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. 

Upcoming Podcast Appearances! More details soon:
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

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

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

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

Golden Opportunity

(Ian Hunter)

The kids are OK
They're telling you now
But you're letting them down
Cause you just don't know how
And it's a golden opportunity

I'm spinning in space
I'm laughing away
Your so pathetic
I can just hear them say
It's like a golden opportunity

You better hear it
See hear it
It's a golden opportunity
You better hear it
Get near it
It's a golden opportunity

We reckon they're rats
Now see how they run
My house is so common
And we're dumb we're so dumb
And it's a golden opportunity

Scream all you suckers
Scream all you can
I'm losing my bluff
It's a scam its a scam
And it's a golden opportunity

You better hear it
You better hear it hear it
It's like a golden opportunity
You better hear it
You better hear it hear it
It's like a golden opportunity
Alright!
You better hear it hear it
Hear it hear it It's a golden opportunity
Hear it
Hear it
It's a golden opportunity
You better hear it
You better hear it
It's a golden opportunity
You better hear it
You better hear it
It's a golden opportunity
(fade)

After receiving (and turning down) several offers in 1976, Ian realised he wanted to be in a band again. After the less than commercial success of Alien Boy, he went in to the studios wanting to record fast songs again (having recorded Alien Boy never wanting to do a fast song again!). With Roy Thomas Baker producing (he had produced several Queen albums), this should have been a monster.

The result could almost be described heavy metal - it is certainly not a typical Ian Hunter album. The rockers are certainly there, but the production is too thin - everything is at the same level in the mix (up front!), with Ian's voice almost drowned out at times.

Released when punk was at its height, the album and subsequent tour received mixed reviews. Columbia in the States was more forthright - they refused to release it (although a few test pressings exist). Ian would soon part company from CBS/Columbia and Fred Heller (his manager), and soon disowned the album, describing it as "that horrible album" and "a mistake", and hasn't played any track from it in concert since.

Ian Hunter LP/CD: "Overnight Angels"

Sleeve and track listing

Sony/Columbia 474781-2.

Golden Opportunity (4:31)
Shallow Crystals (3:58)
Overnight Angels (5:12)
Broadway (3:46)
Justice of the Peace (3:01)
(Miss) Silver Dime (4:34)
Wild n' Free (3:08)
The Ballad of Little Star (2:32)
To Love a Woman (3:54)
England Rocks¹ (2:53)

Running time: 37m 33s

¹bonus track on the remastered CD.

Review

Golden Opportunity

4:31

Originally issued on Overnight Angels, also on the compilations The (MTH) Collection and Shades of Ian Hunter: The Ballad of Ian Hunter and Mott the Hoople.

Saturday, June 17, 2023

The Golden Age of Rock 'n' Roll, Ian Hunter, Welcome to the Club, Wait

Excerpt:

There are several songs that Ian has written that celebrate rock 'n' roll and as on The Hoople they work well as opening tracks and The Golden Age of Rock 'n' Roll also opened their live shows whereas in his solo career the song appears mid-set. In 1973 there was a furor about noise levels at rock concerts, the 96 decibel freaks, about the time the song was written. As performed during Ian's solo career the song celebrated the fun times he had as a singer with a band. Hunter resurrected this tune since on the 1979 tour it was very much a band effort reminding Ian of the Mott The Hoople days.

Ian wrote and recorded this originally as the opening track on Mott The Hoople's 7th LP, The Hoople. During his solo career it appears on Welcome to the Club in November 1979 and another recording from the same month a previously unreleased version on If You Wait Long Enough for Anything, You Can Get It On Sale (box set only). For these November releases you can hear the band on both sides of the pond, in LA and London respectively.

Great news! Advance copies of On Track Ian Hunter have reached the publisher and will be available soon! 

Upcoming Podcast Appearances! More details soon:
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

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

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

If You Wait Long Enough For Anything, You Can Get It On Sale (box set only).

The Hoople

The Golden Age of Rock 'n' Roll

(Ian Hunter)

Ladies and Gentlemen,
The golden age of rock and roll....

Everybody hazy, shell-shocked and crazy.
Screaming for the face at the window.
Jeans for the genies, dresses for the dreamies,
Fighting for a place in the front row.

Ohhh, Ohhh, Ohhh
(It's good for your body, it's good for your soul)
Ohhh, Ohhh, let's go!
(It's the golden age of rock and roll).

Well you getta little buzz, send for the fuzz,
Guitars getting higher and higher.
The dude in the paint thinks he's gonna faint,
Stoke more coke on the fire.

Ohhh, Ohhh, Ohhh
(You gotta stay young, you can never grow old)
Ohhh, Ohhh, Whoooa
(It's the golden age of rock and roll).

The golden age of rock and roll will never die,
As long as children feel the need to laugh and cry.
Don't wanna smash - want a smash sensation,
Don't wanna wreck; just recreation,
Don't wanna fight - but if you turn us down
We're gonna turn you around gonna mess with the sound.

The show's gotta move, everybody groove
There ain't no trouble on the streets now.
So if the going gets rough,
Don't you blame us
You ninety-six decible freaks

Ohhh, Ohhh, Ohhh
(Its good for body, its good for your soul)
Ohhh, Ohhh, Whoooa
(It's the golden age of rock and roll).

Ohhh, Ohhh, Ohhh
(You gotta stay young, you can never grow old)
Ohhh, Ohhh, Whoooa
(Its good for body, its good for your soul)
Ohhh, Ohhh, Whoooa
(It's the golden age of rock and roll).

Ohhh, Ohhh, Ohhh
(You gotta stay young, you can never grow old)
Ohhh, Ohhh, Whoooa
(Its good for body, its good for your soul)
Ohhh, Ohhh, Whoooa
(It's the golden age of rock and roll).

That's all

The Golden Age of Rock 'n' Roll (live 5-11th November 1979)	4:01	Originally a Mott The Hoople track. This live version (recorded at The Roxy, Los Angeles CA) is on the CD version of Welcome to the Club and on the compilation From The Knees Of My Heart.
The Golden Age of Rock 'n' Roll (live 22nd November 1979)	4:34	This live version (recorded Hammermith Odeon, London England) was originally issued on If You Wait Long Enough For Anything, You Can Get It On Sale (box set only).

Friday, June 16, 2023

God (Take 1), Ian Hunter, All American Alien Boy.

Excerpt:

The song was originally issued on All American Alien Boy but there is also (God) Advice To A Friend (Alternate Version) and (God) Advice To A Friend which is a session out take with Jaco Pastorius on bass and guitar. Both the alternate and the out take can be found on later releases.

This is a witty and thought-provoking dialogue between writer and the Almighty with God explaining good, evil, faith, superstition, and life. This was a deliberate parody of Bob Dylan as Hunter imitated him. The goal is to be considerate in life and the actual target is the money and power that often comes with religious institutions. Hunter said: "It's one of the best things I've written."

Lyrically the song is about the eternal battle between good and evil within us all. There is no preaching but just questions and speculation about the forces of good and evil, the composition of the universe, and the nature of religion. Although God is about a weighty subject matter Hunter finishes the song simply and positively "behave yourself," and in an off-hand way God appears to respond "see you around." The message seems to be that it's all going to be ok.

Great news! Advance copies of On Track Ian Hunter have reached the publisher and will be available soon!

Upcoming Podcast Appearances! More details soon:
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

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

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

God (Take 1)

(Ian Hunter)

God said to me "Gonna kick your ass - 'cos all you do is ask ask ask 
All that energy looking for me when I'm sitting here inside you - plain to see 
How I built you cell for cell gave you sights to see - gave you tales to tell 
Even let you help yourself for a while - to take some weight off this busy child"

I said to God "I found you out - I know what this world is all about!"
God said "Stop - don't scramble your brain - 
my opponent's been messing you around again
See him and me are enemies and we play little games for galaxies
And he's inside you - 'n I am too - so here we are - just the three of you"

"Oh we made mistakes - too many cards - but making human beings can be hard
A God gets tired of playing so much chess - 
he wishes his God would get him out of his mess"
I said to God "What's it like to die" He said "It's as plain as the sea and sky
Conception was him and me and you - when your batteries fade we all just move on"

I said to God "Who's winning this game - is the devil in front" 
He said "Is that his name
You know I've been so busy I never asked - 
I never looked up from this awesome task"
I said to God "What's good 'n bad" 
He said "It's just something you've got to have
It don't mean nothing to us up here - 
but your primitive people - you gotta have fear"

I said to God "Do I think for myself" 
He said I told you once you just help yourself
Don't forget you're composed of three, your thinking comes from him and me"
I said to God "How big are you, is there a religion - is it true
How big's the universe - is time - the same for you as my life is to mine"


God said "If all the things that made worlds float - 
were all to part - then you would note
The size of him and the size of me - and that's how big we both shall be"
He said "The universe is small - just like some fortune-teller's ball
And we both sit down - and we play the game - 
when somebody wins it all starts again"

"There's no religion - you did that - it helps to keep your little leaders fat
Like faith 'n superstition stay - to help you pass the time away
But when you talk of time and life - it makes me think of circles, heights
Expansion is the clue - your dreams - are nearer than you've ever been"
"You see my little toy to think - is from two bowls of wine to drink 
Don't take too much or you may drown - behave yourself - see you around..."

Ian Hunter LP/CD: "All American Alien Boy"

Sleeve and track listing

Sony BMG 82876 769432.

Letter to Britannia From the Union Jack
All American Alien Boy
Irene Wilde
Restless Youth
Rape
You Nearly Did Me In
Apathy 83
God (Take 1)
To Rule Britannia From Union Jack (session outtake)¹
All American Alien Boy (early single version)¹
Irene Wilde (Number One) (session outtake)¹
Weary Anger (session outtake)¹
Apathy (session outtake)¹
(God) Advice To A Friend (session outtake)¹

¹ Bonus track on the 2006 reissue

Sleeve variations

The 1998 UK sleeve

The original sleeve

Review

Ian recorded his second solo album in NYC, and this finds him in an altogether softer mood - there are none of Ian's trademark rockers on this album. Management differences meant that Mick Ronson was absent ("I'll never work with Mick again so long as Tony DeFries is his manager" - Ian), so Ian brought in Chris Stainton on keyboards to act as a balancing force in the studio ("I need someone who'll argue with me").

Highlight of the album is Irene Wilde (which Ian maintains is a true story), and You Nearly Did Me In(which features Queen's Freddie Mercury, Brian May and Roger Taylor on backing vocals).

The 2006 reissue sees excellent sound quality, and a host of bonus tracks none of which have been released before. It also comes with an excellent booklet written by Campbell Devine. The original version of Rape has been restored, which some may see as a disappointment compared with the rare intro on the previous 1998 CD.

This is the third release of this album on CD. This album was previously available on a USA CD. Sound quality was good, considering that by all accounts the master tapes were not in good shape. No bonus tracks. In 1998 this album was issued in the UK as part of Sony's Rewind series. Sound quality was excellent, audibly better than the USA CD. The 1998 CD also came with a previously-unavailable version of Rape, which had the Singin' In The Rain intro. This version was previously available only on a few US test pressings and had never been issued officially before!

God (Take 1)	5:44	Originally issued on All American Alien Boy. It can also be found on the compilation Gold.
(God) Advice To A Friend (Alternate Version)	5:28	An alternate version of God (Take 1) can be found on the compilation Once Bitten Twice Shy.
(God) Advice To A Friend (Session Outtake)	5:31	Another alternate version of God (Take 1) is on the 2006 and 2016 CD reissues of All American Alien Boy.

Thursday, June 15, 2023

Girl From The Office, Ian Hunter, Man Overboard.

Excerpt:

This early youthful years tale Girl From The Office is a story of lust and bravado. The song is delivered with acoustic and bouzouki instrumentation about an actual incident. Ian worked on the factory floor and he relates a working-class roots romance tale with this song. He was a "16-year old apprentice covered in filth." It is reminiscent of the Kinks and feels English. The older men wolf-whistle and the boys just drool. The girl worked at Sentinel in Shrewsbury and her name is Margaret Oliver and you can imagine the scene with these grungy guys and the clean looking girl. Ian seized this opportunity and learning that she enjoyed dancing he enrolled in the Sabrina Dancing Academy as his way to be a somebody; yes, a juvenile dream. Nonetheless, it has a happy ending (he gets the girl) so clearly this tale is just the opposite of Irene Wilde. Ian did become a "happening dude" and it is a true story. For a juvenile story Ian's was quite the gentleman because when he is pressed for information about the particulars he says:

I feel bad 'cos she's so sweet and I'm sick of everybody asking me

A clever rhyme is really genius pairing "office" with "stand-offish." The song was Hunter's fun song for this release and is simply sweet.

Upcoming Podcast Appearances! More details soon:
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

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

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

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

The Girl From The Office

(Ian Hunter)

Everybody says that the girl from the office is the best-looking girl they've ever seen
And everybody smiles at the girl from the office when she walks across the factory floor

And everybody says that the girl from the office is a little stand-offish when they talk to her
And everybody thinks that the girl from the office isn't keen on hanging out with the boys from work

Oh what a hero I would be if the girl from the office went out with me

What's she like... What's she like...
What's she like... What's she like...
What's she like... What's she like...
Everybody says
What's she like... What's she like...
What's she like... What's she like...
What's she like... What's she like...
What's she like in bed?

No one seems to know where the girl from the office goes in her spare time, well I found out
She visits the Sabrina Dancing Academy, I just got my membership card filled out

Oh what a hero I would be if the girl from the office went out with me

Everybody knows - their lives are going nowhere
Everybody dreams - 'n she's a breath of fresh air
Everybody's eyes - are gazing at the software
Yeah yeah yeah yeah
Yeah yeah yeah yeah
Yeah yeah yeah yeah

Everybody says that the girl from the office is the best-looking girl they've ever seen
And everybody smiles at the girl from the office when she fetches me a coffee from the staff canteen
Now I'm the hero of the factory
Mr Popularity
But I feel bad 'cos she's so sweet and I'm sick of everybody asking me

Everyone's in love with the girl from the office

Ian Hunter CD: "Man Overboard"

Sleeve and track listing

New West NW6167

The Great Escape
Arms And Legs
Up And Running
Man Overboard
Babylon Blues
Girl From The Office
Flowers
These Feelings
Win It All
Way With Words
River Of Tears

Review

After two albums that were somewhat political in nature (2001's Rant and 2007's Shrunken Heads), 2009 find Ian in a more mellow frame of mind. After a long and successful career he has time to look back on his life and say "Yeah... I've no complaints..."

The album opens strongly with The Great Escape, which tells of the singer's narrow escape after a "lack of respect" for a local thug. Indeed, several songs seem to be telling tales of the rougher side of life, such as the title track which informs us "They say crime doesn't pay, well take a walk down my way..."

Ian doesn't forget his working-class roots either, with the delightful Girl From The Office, which is reminiscent of the Kinks at their best and has a very English feel to it, and tells the story of a factory-floor romance. As always with Ian's songs of this nature, it has a happy ending (he gets the girl).

Ballads have always been a strong point with Ian, and these are prominent especially on the second half of the album. Not all work, however, with These Feelings being a particular weakness.

More up-tempo songs are on the first half of the album. I hesitate to say "rockers", as medium-pace is about the best we get these days (I did say Ian is more mellow these days) and guitars, although present, are rarely high in the mix any more. Those expecting another Just Another Night or Cleveland Rocks should perhaps look elsewhere. That was then and this is now... That said, Arms And Legs is a strong guitar-led song that will really work well in a live setting, as is the next track Up And Running.

Ian hopes to tour with the album both in the USA and UK, so we will wait and see how the songs work in a live setting. Reports from the two gig so far (at the time of writing, end July '09) are positive. As for where this album fits in Ian's extensive back catalogue time only will tell. It is more immediately likeable than its predecessor (sometimes it takes a few plays to "get" an Ian Hunter album, but I liked this straight away), but ulimately I feel it may end up a notch or two down from his very best.

Girl From The Office

4:35

Originally issued on Man Overboard.

Reading since summer 2006 (some of the classics are re-reads): including magazine subscriptions

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Accelerate: Technology Driving Business Performance;
ACM Queue: Architecting Tomorrow's Computing;
Adkins, Lesley and Roy A. Adkins, Handbook to Life in Ancient Rome;
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Ali, Tariq, The Clash of Fundamentalisms: Crusades, Jihads, and Modernity;
Allawi, Ali A., The Crisis of Islamic Civilization;
Alperovitz, Gar, The Decision To Use the Atomic Bomb;
American School & University: Shaping Facilities & Business Decisions;
Angelich, Jane, What's a Mother (in-Law) to Do?: 5 Essential Steps to Building a Loving Relationship with Your Son's New Wife;
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Armstrong, Karen, A History of God;
Arrian: Anabasis of Alexander, Books I-IV (Loeb Classical Library No. 236);
Atkinson, Rick, The Guns at Last Light: The War in Western Europe, 1944-1945 (Liberation Trilogy);
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Austen, Jane, Pride and Prejudice;
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Barnett, Thomas P.M., The Pentagon's New Map: War and Peace in the Twenty-First Century;
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Baseline: Where Leadership Meets Technology;
Baur, Michael, Bauer, Stephen, eds., The Beatles and Philosophy;
Beard, Charles Austin, An Economic Interpretation of the Constitution of the United States (Sony Reader);
Benjamin, Daniel & Steven Simon, The Age of Sacred Terror: Radical Islam's War Against America;
Bergen, Peter, The Osama bin Laden I Know: An Oral History of al Qaeda's Leader;
Berman, Paul, Terror and Liberalism;
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Brown, Ashley, War in Peace Volume 8 The Marshall Cavendish Illustrated Encyclopedia of Postwar Conflict;
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CIO Decisions: Aligning I.T. and Business in the MidMarket Enterprise;
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Defense Systems: Information Technology and Net-Centric Warfare;
Defense Systems: Strategic Intelligence for Info Centric Operations;
Defense Tech Briefs: Engineering Solutions for Military and Aerospace;
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Dennett, Daniel C., Consciousness Explained;
Dennett, Daniel C., Darwin's Dangerous Idea;
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Drug Discovery News: Discovery/Development/Diagnostics/Delivery;
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Goodwin, Doris Kearns, Team of Rivals: The Political Genius of Abraham Lincoln;
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Grumberg, Orna, and Helmut Veith, 25 Years of Model Checking: History, Achievements, Perspectives;
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Hanson, Victor Davis, Ripples of Battle: How Wars of the Past Still Determine How We Fight, How We Live, and How We Think;
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Hanson, Victor Davis, The Soul of Battle: From Ancient Times to the Present Day, How Three Great Liberators Vanquished Tyranny;
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Hitchens, Christopher, God Is Not Great: How Religion Poisons Everything;
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Humphrey, Caroline & Vitebsky, Piers, Sacred Architecture;
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Info World: Information Technology News, Computer Networking & Security;
Information Week: Business Innovation Powered by Technology:
Infostor: The Leading Source for Enterprise Storage Professionals;
Infrastructure Insite: Bringing IT Together;
Insurance Technology: Business Innovation Powered by Technology;
Integrated Solutions: For Enterprise Content Management;
Intel Premier IT: Sharing Best Practices with the Information Technology Community;
Irwin, Robert, Dangerous Knowledge: Orientalism and Its Discontents;
Jeffrey, Grant R., The Global-Warming Deception: How a Secret Elite Plans to Bankrupt America and Steal Your Freedom;
Jewkes, Yvonne, and Majid Yar, Handbook of Internet Crime;
Johnson, Chalmers, Blowback: The Costs and Consequences of American Empire;
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Judd, Denis, The Lion and the Tiger: The Rise and Fall of the British Raj, 1600-1947;
Kagan, Donald, The Peloponnesian War;
Kansas, Dave, The Wall Street Journal Guide to the End of Wall Street as We Know It: What You Need to Know About the Greatest Financial Crisis of Our Time--and How to Survive It;
Karsh, Efraim, Islamic Imperialism: A History;
Kasser, Rodolphe, The Gospel of Judas;
Katz, Solomon, The Decline of Rome and the Rise of Medieval Europe: (The Development of Western Civilization);
Keegan, John, Intelligence in War: The Value--and Limitations--of What the Military Can Learn About the Enemy;
Kenis, Leo, et. al., The Transformation of the Christian Churches in Western Europe 1945-2000 (Kadoc Studies on Religion, Culture and Society 6);
Kepel, Gilles, Jihad: The Trail of Political Islam;
Kiplinger's: Personal Finance;
Klein, Naomi, The Shock Doctrine: The Rise of Disaster Capitalism;
KM World: Content, Document, and Knowledge Management;
Koestler, Arthur, Darkness at Noon: A Novel;
Kostova, Elizabeth, The Historian;
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Leffler, Melvyn P., and Jeffrey W. Legro, To Lead the World: American Strategy After the Bush Doctrine;
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Lifton, Robert J., Greg Mitchell, Hiroshima in America;
Limberis, Vasiliki M., Architects of Piety: The Cappadocian Fathers and the Cult of the Martyrs;
Lipsett, B. Diane, Desiring Conversion: Hermas, Thecla, Aseneth;
Livingston, Jessica, Founders At Work: Stories of Startups' Early Days;
Livy, Rome and the Mediterranean: Books XXXI-XLV of the History of Rome from its Foundation (Penguin Classics);
Louis J., Freeh, My FBI: Bringing Down the Mafia, Investigating Bill Clinton, and Fighting the War on Terror;
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Majno, Guido, The Healing Hand: Man and Wound in the Ancient World;
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McCullough, David, John Adams;
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McManus, John, Deadly Brotherhood, The: The American Combat Soldier in World War II ;
McMaster, H. R., Dereliction of Duty: Johnson, McNamara, the Joint Chiefs of Staff, and the Lies That Led to Vietnam;
McNamara, Patrick, Science and the World's Religions Volume 1: Origins and Destinies (Brain, Behavior, and Evolution);
McNamara, Patrick, Science and the World's Religions Volume 2: Persons and Groups (Brain, Behavior, and Evolution);
McNamara, Patrick, Science and the World's Religions Volume 3: Religions and Controversies (Brain, Behavior, and Evolution);
Meacham, Jon, American Lion: Andrew Jackson in the White House;
Mearsheimer, John J., and Stephen M. Walt, The Israel Lobby and U.S. Foreign Policy;
Meier, Christian, Caesar: A Biography;
Menzies, Gaven, 1421: The Year China Discovered America;
Metaxas, Eric, Bonhoeffer: Pastor, Martyr, Prophet, Spy;
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Military & Aerospace Electronics: The Magazine of Transformation in Electronic and Optical Technology;
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Müller, F. Max, Chips From A German Workshop;
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Napoleoni, Loretta, Terrorism and the Economy: How the War on Terror is Bankrupting the World;
Nature: The International Weekly Journal of Science;
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Network Computing: For IT by IT:
Network World: The Leader in Network Knowledge;
Network-centric Security: Where Physical Security & IT Worlds Converge;
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Nietzsche, Friedrich Wilhelm, The Nietzsche-Wagner Correspondence;
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Optimize: Business Strategy & Execution for CIOs;
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Pausanius, Guide to Greece 1: Central Greece;
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Perrottet, Tony, The Naked Olympics: The True Story of the Olympic Games;
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Phillips, Kevin, American Dynasty: Aristocracy, Fortune, and the Politics of Deceit in the House of Bush;
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Pimlott, John, The Elite: The Special Forces of the World Volume 1;
Pitre, Brant, Jesus and the Jewish Roots of the Eucharist: Unlocking the Secrets of the Last Supper;
Plutarch's Lives, X: Agis and Cleomenes. Tiberius and Gaius Gracchus. Philopoemen and Flamininus (Loeb Classical Library®);
Podhoretz, Norman, World War IV: The Long Struggle Against Islamofascism;
Posner, Gerald, Case Closed: Lee Harvey Oswald and the Assassination of JFK;
Potter, Wendell, Deadly Spin: An Insurance Company Insider Speaks Out on How Corporate PR Is Killing Health Care and Deceiving Americans;
Pouesi, Daniel, Akua;
Premier IT Magazine: Sharing Best Practices with the Information Technology Community;
Price, Monroe E. & Daniel Dayan, eds., Owning the Olympics: Narratives of the New China;
Profit: The Executive's Guide to Oracle Applications;
Public CIO: Technology Leadership in the Public Sector;
Putnam, Robert D., Bowling Alone : The Collapse and Revival of American Community;
Quintus of Smyrna, The Fall of Troy;
Rawles, James Wesley, Patriots: A Novel of Survival in the Coming Collapse;
Red Herring: The Business of Technology;
Redmond Channel Partner: Driving Success in the Microsoft Partner Community;
Redmond Magazine: The Independent Voice of the Microsoft IT Community;
Renan, Ernest, The life of Jesus (Sony eReader);
Richler, Mordecai (editor), Writers on World War II: An Anthology;
Roberts, Ian, The Energy Glut: Climate Change and the Politics of Fatness in an Overheating World;
Rocca, Samuel, The Army of Herod the Great;
Rodgers, Nigel, A Military History of Ancient Greece: An Authoritative Account of the Politics, Armies and Wars During the Golden Age of Ancient Greece, shown in over 200 color photographs, diagrams, maps and plans;
Rodoreda, Merce, Death in Spring: A Novel;
Romerstein, Herbert and Breindel, Eric,The Venona Secrets, Exposing Soviet Espionage and America's Traitors;
Ross, Dennis, Statecraft: And How to Restore America's Standing in the World;
Roth, Jonathan P., Roman Warfare (Cambridge Introduction to Roman Civilization);
SC Magazine: For IT Security Professionals;
Scahill, Jeremy, Blackwater: The Rise of the World's Most Powerful Mercenary Army [Revised and Updated];
Schama, Simon, A History of Britain, At the Edge of the World 3500 B.C. - 1603 A.D.;
Scheuer, Michael, Imperial Hubris: Why the West Is Losing the War On Terror;
Scheuer, Michael, Marching Toward Hell: America and Islam After Iraq;
Scheuer, Michael, Osama Bin Laden;
Scheuer, Michael, Through Our Enemies Eyes: Osama Bin Laden, Radical Islam, and the Future of America;
Scholastic Instructor
Scholastic Parent & Child: The Joy of Family Living and Learning;
Schopenhauer, Arthur, The World As Will And Idea (Sony eReader);
Schug-Wille, Art of the Byzantine World;
Schulze, Hagen, Germany: A New History;
Schweizer, Peter, Architects of Ruin: How Big Government Liberals Wrecked the Global Economy---and How They Will Do It Again If No One Stops Them;
Scott, Sir Walter, Ivanhoe;
Seagren, Eric, Secure Your Network for Free: Using Nmap, Wireshark, Snort, Nessus, and MRTG;
Security Technology & Design: The Security Executive's Resource for Systems Integration and Convergence;
Seibel, Peter, Coders at Work;
Sekunda N., & S. Northwood, Early Roman Armies;
Seneca: Naturales Quaestiones, Books II (Loeb Classical Library No. 450);
Sewall, Sarah, The U.S. Army/Marine Corps Counterinsurgency Field Manual;
Sheppard, Ruth, Alexander the Great at War: His Army - His Battles - His Enemies;
Shinder, Jason, ed., The Poem That Changed America: "Howl" Fifty Years Later;
Sidebottom, Harry, Ancient Warfare: A Very Short Introduction;
Sides, Hampton, Blood and Thunder: The Epic Story of Kit Carson and the Conquest of the American West;
Simkins, Michael, The Roman Army from Caesar to Trajan;
Sinchak, Steve, Hacking Windows Vista;
Smith, RJ, The One: The Life and Music of James Brown;
Software Development Times: The Industry Newspaper for Software Development Managers;
Software Test Performance;
Solomon, Norman, War Made Easy: How Presidents and Pundits Keep Spinning Us to Death;
Song, Lolan, Innovation Together: Microsoft Research Asia Academic Research Collaboration;
Sophocles, The Three Theban Plays, tr. Robert Fagles;
Sound & Vision: The Consumer Electronics Authority;
Southern, Pat, The Roman Army: A Social and Institutional History;
Sri, Edward, A Biblical Walk Through the Mass: Understanding What We Say and Do In The Liturgy;
Sri, Edward, Men, Women and the Mystery of Love: Practical Insights from John Paul II's Love and Responsibility;
Stair, John Bettridge, Old Samoa; Or, Flotsam and Jetsam From the Pacific Ocean;
Starr, Chester G., The Roman Empire, 27 B.C.-A.D. 476: A Study in Survival;
Starr, John Bryan, Understanding China: A Guide to China's Economy, History, and Political Culture;
Stauffer, John, Giants: The Parallel Lives of Frederick Douglass and Abraham Lincoln;
Steyn, Mark, America Alone: The End of the World As We Know It;
Strassler, Robert B., The Landmark Herodotus: The Histories;
Strassler, Robert B., The Landmark Thucydides: A Comprehensive Guide to the Peloponnesian War;
Strassler, Robert B., The Landmark Xenophon's Hellenika;
Strategy + Business;
Streete, Gail, Redeemed Bodies: Women Martyrs in Early Christianity;
Sullivan, James, The Hardest Working Man: How James Brown Saved the Soul of America;
Sumner, Graham, Roman Military Clothing (1) 100 BC-AD 200;
Sumner, Graham, Roman Military Clothing (2) AD 200-400;
Suskind, Ron, The One Percent Doctrine: Deep Inside America's Pursuit of Its Enemies Since 9/11:
Swanston, Malcolm, Mapping History Battles and Campaigns;
Swiderski, Richard M., Quicksilver: A History of the Use, Lore, and Effects of Mercury;
Swiderski, Richard M., Quicksilver: A History of the Use, Lore, and Effects of Mercury;
Swift, Jonathan, Gulliver's Travels;
Syme, Ronald, The Roman Revolution;
Talley, Colin L., A History of Multiple Sclerosis;
Tawil, Camille, Brothers In Arms: The Story of al-Qa'ida and the Arab Jihadists;
Tech Briefs: Engineering Solutions for Design & Manufacturing;
Tech Net: The Microsoft Journal for IT Professionals;
Tech Partner: Gain a Competitive Edge Through Solutions Providers;
Technology & Learning: Ideas and Tools for Ed Tech Leaders;
Tenet, George, At the Center of the Storm: The CIA During America's Time of Crisis;
Thackeray, W. M., Vanity Fair;
Thompson, Derrick & William Martin, Have Guitars ... Will Travel: A Journey Through the Beat Music Scene in Northampton 1957-66;
Tolstoy, Leo, Anna Karenina;
Trento, Joseph J., The Secret History of the CIA;
Twain, Mark, The Gilded Age: a Tale of Today;
Ungar, Craig, House of Bush House of Saud;
Unterberger, Richie, The Unreleased Beatles Music & Film;
VAR Business: Strategic Insight for Technology Integrators:
Virgil, The Aeneid
Virtualization Review: Powering the New IT Generation;
Visual Studio: Enterprise Solutions for .Net Development;
VON Magazine: Voice, Video & Vision;
Wall Street Technology: Business Innovation Powered by Technology;
Wallace, Robert, Spycraft: The Secret History of the CIA's Spytechs, from Communism to al-Qaeda;
Wang, Wallace, Steal This Computer Book 4.0: What They Won’t Tell You About the Internet;
Ward-Perkins, The Fall of Rome and the End of Civilization;
Warren, Robert Penn, All the King's Men;
Wasik, John F., Cul-de-Sac Syndrome: Turning Around the Unsustainable American Dream;
Weber, Karl, Editor, Lincoln: A President for the Ages;
Website Magazine: The Magazine for Website Success;
Weiner, Tim, Enemies: A History of the FBI;
Weiner, Tim, Legacy of Ashes: The History of the CIA;
West, Bing, The Strongest Tribe: War, Politics, and the Endgame in Iraq;
Wharton, Edith, The Age of Innocence;
Wilcox, Peter, Rome's Enemies (1) Germanics and Dacians;
Wise, Terence, Armies of the Carthaginian Wars 265 - 146 BC;
Wissner-Gross, What Colleges Don't Tell You (And Other Parents Don't Want You To Know) 272 Secrets For Getting Your Kid Into the Top Schools;
Wissner-Gross, What High Schools Don't Tell You;
Wolf, Naomi, Give Me Liberty: A Handbook for American Revolutionaries;
Wolf, Naomi, The End of America: Letter of Warning to a Young Patriot;
Woodward, Bob, Plan of Attack;
Woodward, Bob, The Agenda: Inside the Clinton White House;
Wright, Lawrence, The Looming Tower: Al-Qaeda and the Road to 9/11;
Wright-Porto, Heather, Beginning Google Blogger;
Xenophon, The Anabasis of Cyrus;
Yergin, Daniel, The Prize: The Epic Quest for Oil, Money, & Power;