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About The Battalion. (College Station, Tex.) 1893-current | View Entire Issue (April 24, 1980)
OftGI ‘MT ‘9 »B»c1 Ian Hunter was the lead vocalist and driving force behind one of the best obscure British bands of the 70s, Mott the Hoople. Since Mott’s demise five years ago, Hunter has tried to put together a solo career that possessed his old band’s drive and more of Hunter’s initiative. With the help of former “Spiders From Mars” guitarist Mick Ronson, Hunter has re leased four solo albums. None of them, save last years “You’re Never Alone With a.Schi zophrenic,” have been popular successes. “Schizophrenic” garnered Hunter more of the audience he was looking for. With FM hits like “Just Another Night,” “Bastard” and “When the Daylight Comes,” Hunter gave his listeners a taste of what we’ve sorely missed since Mott the Hoople. His latest album, “Ian Hunter Live/Welcome to the Club,” ties the best of Mott the Hoople together with the cream of his solo career. After seeing Hunter last summer at Cullen Au ditorium in Houston, I can attest to the fact that this new recording captures the Ian Hunter live show as faithfully as possible. Of the old Mott the Hoople songs, Hunter has included some bona fide classics. “All the Way From Memphis,” “I Wish I Was Your Mother” and David Bowie’s “All the Young Dudes" sound new and vibrant, like they were written yesterday, instead of eight years ago. “I Wish I Was Your Mother,” with it’s haunt- ingly beautiful lyric, is a gem in itself. Ronson’s mandolin helps to strike the chord between the passion of the vocal line and the power of the instrumental tracks. Four “... Schizophrenic” tracks appear on this new one: the aforementioned “Just Another Night” and “Bastard,” plus “Standin’ in My Light” and “Cleveland Rocks.” "Cleve- Review land Rocks,” with the audience answering the chorus, is one of the album’s high points. The effect Hunter has on an audience is amazing. Armed with only his wit and a guitar, and occasionally a piano, Hunter makes the crowd not only witnesses, but participants in a gran diose rock ’n’ roll show. Also, the fact that this was recorded in Los Angeles’ Roxy (seating only 3,000) makes for the intimate live recording that Hunter’s per formance necessitates. “Bastard" sounds better here than on “Schi zophrenic” because the hoarse ravings at the end are allowed to come through without stu dio overdub. The power with which lan sings makes this cut a standout. Of Hunter’s earlier solo material, "Once Bit ten, Twice Shy" and “Irene Wilde” are the killers. “Once Bitten, Twice Shy" has an old time rock n’ roll charm that raises it above the nor mal. “Irene Wilde" can bring tears to the eyes when Hunter sings, “... I'm gonna be some body, someday." Definitely a song for the everyone. On side four there are three cuts that were recorded in the studio. They are “Silver Nee dles," “Man o’ War” and "We Gotta Get Out of Here." The latter features backing vocal per formances by Ellen Foley, whose debut album was produced by Hunter and Ronson. lan Hunter is an innovator, and the epitome of a rock 'n' roll star. His work, no matter how publicly unnoticed, has always shown that ex tra degree of originality and spunk that sets him apart from others. He rocks, and "Wel come to the Club" shows every bit of that awe someness. Hunter is a real pro. And listening to lan Hunter in his natural element, the concert hall, proves it. Geoff Hackett Best Sellers United Press International Nonfiction Fiction The Bourne Identity — Robert Ludlum No Love Lost — Helen Van Slyke Princess Daisy -Judith Krantz The Devil’s Alternative — Frederick Forsythe Portraits — Cynthia Freeman Whip Hand — Dick Francis Man, Woman and Child — Eric Segal Glitter and Ash — Dennis Smith The Dead Zone — Stephen King There’s No Such Place As Far Away — Richard Bach Men in Love — Nancy Friday Jim Fixx’s Second Book of Running — Jim Fixx How to Become Financial ly Independent in Real Estate — Albert L. Lowery The Third Wave — Alvin Toffler All You Need to Know Ab out the IRS — Paul Strassels Donahue — Phil Donahue Free to Choose — Milton Friedman Nothing Down — Robert Allen How to Invest Your Money and Profit from Inflation — Morton Shulman The Brethren — Bob Woodward and Scott Arm strong Bill Murray, who first came to prominence through NBC TV’s “Satur day Night Live," is at it again in another zany comedy entitled “Where The Buffalo Roam." In It, Murray portrays Dr. Hun ter S. Thompson, an out rageous Journalist who travels the world and gets sidetracked into impossi ble situations while work ing on his stories. JIM KING, BOOKSELLER "Selling good books and atmosphere" FICTION, ARCHITECTURE, SCIENCE, WOMEN’S STUDIES, NATURAL HISTORY, POETRY AND MORE. SPECIAL ORDERS WELCOME. 693-1883 OPEN 10-6 MON.-SAT. 1-5 SUNDAYS WOODSTONE COMMERCE CENTER