Customer Reviews

Artful Dodger

5 star:		(5)
4 star:		(3)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(3)

 

 

The album itself is great; the one star is meant for Citadel Records, and only because I'm not allowed to choose a negative rating. Citadel (and this means you, Kris Grey) has absolutely no license to sell this album. So if you're an Ian Hunter fan, and would like to see the man actually paid the royalties he's owed for his work, I recommend you pass on the Citadel print of "The Artful Dodger".

Ian Hunter's solo albums have frequently been hit or miss affairs. I'm happy to report that Ian't lastest album is an outstanding return to form. Like IAN HUNTER, ALL AMERICAN ALIEN BOY and YOU'RE NEVER ALONE..., this album still showcases Ian's Dylan influences filtered through Hunter's unique, "shaded" view of life.

RESURRECTION MARY is probably the most Dylan influenced(think BLOOD ON THE TRACKS)and also one of the outstanding songs on the album. Of the eleven tracks, only the title song is weak. It comes off as a pale imitation of other Hunter rockers(i.e., I GET SO EXCITED, JUST ANOTHER NIGHT, ETC.)

And while Ian's voice is rougher and less well defined than in previous years, it has added character that brings many of the albums ballads to life. Ian's singing here reflects the dry mixture of cyncism and compassion that is reflected in many of his contempoaries(Mark Knopfler, Bob Dylan)latest work, but with the Hunter trademark of hopefullness in a we! ! ary and dark world.

Ian's tribute to frequent collaborator Mick Ronson is both touching and true.

A fine return to form for Ian Hunter and an album that bodes well for Ian's future growth as an artist.

One review, eh? Looks like we are in the badlands of Amazon where only the true believers dwell. Listen mate, don't worry if this album doesn't sell. You've produced another absolute ripper and you and I know how good it is...and isn't that all that matters ? I've got all ten of your solo albums and I love every one of them. "The Artful Dodger"is damn near as good as that crunching debut of yours and Micks all those years ago. It's just a beautifully recorded album full of the wit and sensitivity I have come to expect over the past quarter of a century. I reckon you should be really proud of it. How can radio ignore songs like "Too Much" (what a magnificent introduction that song has), "Something to Believe In" (so damn catchy) and 23A Swan Hill. And I almost feel privelaged to be able to listen in on your touching dedication to your best friend Mick Ronson, one of the most beautiful tunes you have ever come up with. Look Ian, I could go on and on about how much I love this album and the other nine as well. So just a simple request...Please keep making music and stuff the accountants. They'll probably never know the thrill of singing along to the chorus of the title track. You have given me more pleasure than you can ever know. So...thank you.

following mick ronsons death, ian released this soft, introspective honey of an album. michael picasso is probably the best song ever written about death, period. listening to it tells you how much ronson meant to him. if you are used to hunter the rocker, this is much softer than his normal m.o. nonetheless, this is one fine set. lyrically, some of his strongest stuff. a must for all hunter fans!

The album itself is great; the one star is meant for Citadel Records, and only because I'm not allowed to choose a negative rating. Citadel (and this means you, Kris Grey) has absolutely no license to sell this album. So if you're an Ian Hunter fan, and would like to see the man actually paid the royalties he's owed for his work, I recommend you pass on the Citadel print of "The Artful Dodger".

I'm a long time Ian Hunter fan and I love this cd. That being said, it is very difficult to obtain. I'm not familiar with the history of this release but all I know is that is was released in Norway on the Polydor label. That is the one to get. I was fortunate to obtain a copy of the Polydor release and I'm glad I did. A friend of mine has the version on Citadel and there's no comparison. The sound quality on the Polydor issue is superior in everyway.

The music is subdued, but the songs are great. I consider this an important release in the Ian Hunter catalogue and I highly recommend this to any Ian Hunter fan. "23A, Swan Hill" and "Michael Picasso" (his tribute to the late/great Mick Ronson), make this an essential purchase alone. The version of "Michael Picasso" is much different than the version released on the Ian Hunter retrospective "Once Bitten, Twice Shy". Where that one has a more rock arrangement, the version here is just Ian on acoustic guitar with strings. Very emotional indeed. The overall feeling of the cd has that emotional subdued feeling about it.

Ian's songwriting is top notch. Can't say enough about it. It may not be his best, in comparison to his entire body of work, but this is one of his best latter day releases. This would lead to a resurgence that would give us "Rant" and "Shrunken Heads" (both excellent releases in their own right). Hopefully, this will get a proper reissue and re-released someday so more people can discover how good this cd really is. I'm glad that Ian is still with us and making great music. Shine on Ian!!

this cd is almost impossible to find, I don't really know why the songs are great full of depth "Something to Beleive In", Now is the time, Michael picasso,Walk on water etc. yes ian distrubutes some of his humor in the title track and skelotons in your Closet. Lets hope that this does get a stateside release along with his All of the good Ones are taken. Find it online ,download it just get it.

Track Listing:

1. Too Much
2. Now Is the Time
3. Something to Believe In
4. Resurrection Mary
5. Walk on Water
6. 23A Swan Hill
7. Michael Picasso
8. Open My Eyes
9. The Artful Dodger
10. Skeletons
11. Still the Same

I've got the original norwegian-polydor- release of this album, and the sound quality is very good, (For those who is complaining about that in these reviews) and I've got a very nice stereo system too! I like the songs on "Dirty Laundry" better, but the sound quality is better on this one. Alll in all a nice album.

This album was recorded shortly after "Dirty Laundry" and features many of the same musicians. However, this time it is all Ian. "Michael Picasso" is clearly the highlight, but this is a strong set of songs, the work of a mature artist. It's a shame this album has not really seen a proper release anywhere but Norway of all places.

My only complaint is that the songs all seem to fall into the same midtempo groove and the running times seem just a bit long. This album needs a few of Hunter's patented frantic rockers for texture (although the title track and "Skeletons" do help a bit in this regard).

This is a very good album that seems to have initiated a creative rebirth for Hunter. On "Rant" he would combine the mature themes of "Artful Dodger" with some good rockin' to come up with a masterpiece.