British Lions [Import]

British Lions | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Audio CD (June 2, 2009)
• Number of Discs: 1
• Format: Import
• Label: ANGEL AIR
• ASIN: B00004SULI
• Also Available in: Audio CD  |  MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 4.6 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (5 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #127,995 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)

Editorial Reviews

This is 1977. PUNK is happening and MOTT have ceased to exist. Former MEDICINE HEAD frontman, songwriter and singer extraordinaire JOHN FIDDLER joins MORGAN FISHER, DALE GRIFFIN, RAY MAJORS and OVEREND WATTS and BRITISH LIONS are born! Having recorded ""British Lions"" in the time allocated for 3 singles and 3 B sides the ""Lions"" were roaring. Support gigs in the UK were arranged supporting AC/DC and STATUS QUO but the musical atmosphere in the UK at the time was very much against bands of the Lion's type. Even though the Lions felt they were tinted with their linage of previous success as MOTT THE HOOPLE and Medicine Head. The ""suits"" decided that USA was right for this band and in the summer of 1978 British Lions were supporting the likes of BLUE OYSTER CULT and UFO. All did not go well so British Lions hot footed it back to the UK to record ""Trouble With Women"" but the ""suits"" were underwhelmed and by the end of 1978 it was all over. British Lions were no more! At last released on CD!

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

8 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars WILD IN THE STREETS, February 9, 2002

By 

Michael Courtney "exiled01" (San Antonio, Texas United States) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: British Lions (Audio CD)

It's good to have this in my CD player for the first time. I liked the album, but this sounds so much better. I'm sure most of you that are familiar with British Lions realize they are, or, were what was left of Mott the Hoople after the departure of Ian Hunter. After a couple albums as Mott they moved on and became British Lions and released two albums, of which this was the first. The band for those of you who are less familiar is John Fiddler(vocals & guitar), Overend Watts(Bass), Morgan Fisher(Keyboards), Dale Griffin(Drums), and Ray Major(Guitar). The whole band actually provides vocals, too!

The original disc is accompanied by 8 bonus tracks that were recorded live or were demos. The quality of the 4 live tracks isn't the best, but shows how good the band actually was live. I saw them open for Rainbow and Blue Oyster Cult. They put on a hell of a show for an opening act; it was hard to believe they weren't headlining. The capabilities of this band at that time(1978) seemed endless. But, unfortunately they seemed to stand still in their tracks!

The music here, at least the first 9 songs, are all great recordings and atypical of most 70's music. The quality of this music is such that it sounds as fresh today as it did 24 years ago. John Fiddler handles most of the song writing chores and did an excellent job with the selections here. The playing of all the musicians is flawless and energetic. One of the better songs is a great rendition of Garland Jeffrey's "Wild in the Streets". My personal favorites are "One More Chance to Run", "My Life's In Your Hands", "Big Drift Away", and "Eat the Rich". Most of these songs are fun and take me back to my youth, which is still good in my memories.

The only thing of note is that two of the tracks here are listed in reverse order, or, at least on the disc I got. #3-"Break This Fool" and #5-"Fork Talking Man" are actually #5 and #3. All of the tracks here are good listening; there are no duds. If you like surprizes buy this disc with the 8 bonus tracks and see if you can figure out why these guys didn't become "International Heroes".

7 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars At Last !, June 6, 2000

By 

Richard Martin (FLORIDA USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: British Lions (Audio CD)

Hi Kids! Turn on the wayback machine to the 1970's. Ian Hunter leaves legendary Rock N Roll band Mott the Hoople. While Ian was the driving force behind that band, the remaining band members stay together and recruit guitarist Ray Major and singer John Fiddler. The result was the British Lions and after all these years their masterful debut is available on CD. From the opening classic "One More Chance To Run" on through "Wild in the Streets" & "International Heroes" The Lions prove that they were indeed a world class rock n roll band. While they never achieved the lofty status of Mott the Hoople, this disc should bring smiles to those who remember what good old fashioned rock n roll was all about!

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars This is the one!, July 2, 2001

By 

Richard Crooker "Hambone" (Clinton Township, Michigan USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: British Lions (Audio CD)

After the release of Live and Rare, (which wasn't that good), this is the release to get. If you are a fan of Mott the Hoople and Ian Hunter, this would be a great addition to your collection. Also check out (2) releases from Mott (minus Ian Hunter), Shouting and Pointing and Drive On, they are both excellent and worth the price.