Customer Reviews

Just Like This

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

 

 

"Just Like This" is a good name for this classic lost album. There wasn't anybody out there who could play rock and roll in it's pureist form like Mick. He may not have had quite the technical skills of the big name guitar players of the time, but he could teach them a thing or two about pizazz and the ability to give the people every little pleasing guitar hook their hearts desired. Not releasing "Just Like This" in 1976 when Ronson recorded this material may have been the biggest mistake that I've ever seen out of a record company. Supposedly his 2 previous solo efforts didn't sell well enough for his label, and so this material was sentenced to the vaults for 25 years, or until somebody gave it a reprieve and had the good taste to dust these tapes off and give them a hard listen. As it turned out, the third time was the charm. If your a guitar lover, this album wins hands down over anything that he did before or since. This music might me from the 70's, but the first time I listened to it, it felt so fresh and uncluttered by any kind of modern day effects. It's just straight up no-frills rock and roll. But his guitar work on songs like "I'd give anything to see you", "Hard Life", and "Crazy Love" makes these instant classics. The album doesn't let up at all. Every song here has some great hooks, and it has kind of a live feel to it like there wasn't very many overdubs or production work involved in the recording. I'm sure if this had been released at the time there would have been some more polishing up on this album, but I really like this raw feel, and the remastered sound is great here. I was lucky enough to get one of the early copies of this cd, that offered a second disc of these same songs with Ronson doing what was probably first takes. He also does an alternate ballad version of "Hard Life" and another killer version of "Id Give Anything To See You". And the last song on this disc "Ronno's Bar And Grill" is pretty much what sounds like a very tired Ronson reaching the end of the recording session with just a guitar in hand fiddling around with some old rock and roll tunes. I hope they're still offering the 8 song second disc. It's well worth having. If your a lover of 70's rock, don't pass this one up. It's a very satisfying listen from beginning to end. And a timeless classic.

This album suprised me. Mick's voice is much more melodic here than the earlier solo stuff, and his fretwork is amazing. As the liner notes describe, Mick was a "one take" sort of player. When he was on form, he could improvise truly extraordinary licks.So they needed a tape cued up in case he came up with something. "I'd give anything to see you" has a very dramatic buildup. This is a really good guitar based rock album, which sounds fresh even today, because it is free of cliches, musically.The glam pretense is gone, and in it's place is straight up Mick. Hang on to your socks!If you were lucky enough like me to get the bonus disc of out-takes and alternate takes, you've really got your money's worth.

FIrst off, I don't write many reviews so bare with me. I am the type of individual who listens to a wide variety of music styles but I truly enjoy guitar rock (Hendrix, Trower, Travers, Thin Lizzy, Nugent, Vaughn, Marino - you get the idea). I came upon this guitar player listening to the "new" Bowie BBC set and thought "you know that guitar player seems to have some serious chops". I read the booklet and got the name Mick Ronson???? Never heard of him. I decided to take a chance and make my first purchase this album (based upon previous reviews)...Needless to say WOW, blew me away. This album is just straight ahead rock-n-roll. All of the songs are very melodic yet allow time for ample soloing. He is a very tasteful guitar player in that he doesn't overplay as many 70's based players do (which is not always bad). I have seen other reviewers downplay his voice but I didn't have a problem with it..sorta Pat Traversish - not alot of range but who cares. It is unbeleivable that he did not get his "just rewards" but I guess many people are just like me - just now finding out about him. Normally I like to comment on all the songs but I will instead end with YOU CANNOT MAKE A MISTAKE WITH THIS ALBUM...IF YOU LIKE ANY OF THE ARTIST MENTIONED ABOVE PURCHASE THIS AND GO FROM THERE. I will now begin the task of picking my next album to purchase. Oh yes and the 2nd disc is just an added bonus - a very good buy.

This Music was recorded in 1976-77. Because of legale problems the album sat in the can at Bearsville studio vault. Now available as a double album with out takes THIS ALBUM ROCKS! Musicaly this cd is a much harder hitting disk than Micks previous solo albums. Band mates Mick Baraken, Jay Davis and Bobby Chen do a great job backing Mick. The tracks Hard Life And I"d Give Anything To See You Are just amazing. Ronsons songwriting are on a high level here. The guitar playing from Mick is just Some of the best from this former Bowie cohort. All budding players should take note of the tone and melodic playing. The 20 page book gives detail on the band and full story plus comments from band members and great Mick Rock fotos to boot! This is it JUST LIKE THIS.

it was a travesty that "just like this" was kept from rock and roll fans for as long as it was. mick ronson lost his life to cancer on april 29, 1993, but not before he gave us this, until recently, unheard masterpiece. "just like this" is rock and roll. mick's guitar playing is nothing short of inspiring. the first time i heard this release i was awestruck. "crazy love" and "hard life" are two of the greatest rock songs that haven't had an extensive audience. but the gem on this release is "i'd give anything to see you". it is my opinion that this song is the purest rock and roll song of all time. it is so complete. mick's lead goes to places that just boggle the mind. his extended solo is the most incredible playing i've ever heard. if you really get into rock and roll, this is one raw powered, high octane jam must have. i dare anyone to listen to "i'd give anything to see you" and walk away without having this infectious tune playing in your head, and chomping at the bit to hear it again and again. for straight forward rock and roll buy "just like this" and crank it up. mick ronson always played "just like this". enjoy.

if this album had been released during mick ronson's lifetime his legacy as a solo artist may have been quite different. this is the guitar album many of micks' fans have been waiting for for years. an album of solid tunes, highlights include takin a train, crazy love, the title tune and a remake of moby grape's hey grandma. the backing band is energetic and mick proves himself a fine singer as well. for the casual or uninitiated fan this is an excellent starting point. for bowie/mott fanatics this is a must add cd.

Back in the 1970's I grew up listening to Mick play guitar for DavidBowie in TheSpidersFromMars band and then on to support Ian Hunter, plus several other projects including Dylan's RollingThunderRevue. Having Mick's first two albums, we only heard of a third record that sadly, due to record company stupidity, never came to light. What a shame. Now this, what a f/n fantastic record!! Finally having a copy of this record makes my day, since Mick always was and still is one of my all time guitar heroes! See the picture? Buy this record, the picture says it all.....rock'n'roll at it's finest. If this record doesn't leave you on your knees with a tear in your eye, it will at least satisfy your hunger for some excellent rock guitar that we just don't hear anymore.

I knew only of Mick Ronson thru the music of others, especially David Bowie. This was the first CD I bought of his and it won't be the last. (In fact I am waiting for "Heaven and Hull" and "Play Don't Worry" to arrive).

The purchase I made was of the "Just Like This" two disc set, and I am glad it was. My rating is actually based on the second disc. I really enjoyed the song versions on the second disc more than the first. They just sound more honest to me. The first disc just sounds kind of "middle of the road". And the songs that are omitted from the first disc are (IMO), not missed.

I have been listening to the second disc for the past couple of weeks, and I can't seem to eject the disc out of the player yet. The melodies/lyrics of "Crazy Love", "I'd Give Anything To See You", are currently stuck in my head. And I was unaware that Mick was the lead singer on most of the songs. Great stuff, looking forward to hearing the other releases.

This is a smashing CD. Ronson is a totally under rated guitar player, and is utterly fantastic. If you are a fan of great guitar playing, do yourself a huge favor and purchase this album immediately! You will be amazed at just how good Ronson was. It has been said before, but it is very true--this is the album Mick should have released a long time ago.