Ian Hunter unofficial CD: "Live In 1975"

Sleeve and track listing

Rock 'n' Roll Circus #6.

Review

Another release in the seemingly endless Rock n Roll Circus series, this time featuring a Hunter-Ronson show from 1975. After splitting from Mott The Hoople in late 1974, the duo formed a new band and toured the UK in the spring of 1975 before jetting across the Atlantic to play some shows in the USA. A mere handful of tapes have surfaced from these shows, this CD being sourced from one of the later (USA) shows.

Both men had new albums to promote (Ian's Ian Hunter and Mick's Play Don't Worry), so the set is crammed full with new material. Angel No 9 is blistering, while after a frantic White Light/White Heat the pace is turned down for the sensitive Boy. Ian doesn't forget the older fans, playing a smattering of the later Mott The Hoople classics, but is already beginning to stamp his authority with different arrangements from those Mott The Hoople played live.

Roll Away The Stone is slower than Mott's version, while The Golden Age of Rock 'n' Roll segues nicely into All The Way From Memphis. Slaughter On 10th Avenue is beautiful, but still a few notches down on the showcase it was to become in Ronson's repertoir. The set closes with a frantic version of The Gril Can't Help It.

This CD is sourced from an audience recording, but distortion is minimal as is compression. I get the impression the source tapes have been cleaned up somewhat, and the result is something that is eminently listenable. Fans of Ian as well as the uncommitted fan won't go far wrong investing in this CD. Recommended.