Mad Shadows [Extra tracks, Import, Original recording remastered]

Mott the Hoople | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Audio CD (January 12, 2009)
• Number of Discs: 1
• Format: Extra tracks, Import, Original recording remastered
• Label: ANGEL AIR
• ASIN: B0000AJ5T8
• Also Available in: Audio CD  |  Vinyl  |  MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (11 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #78,296 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)

Editorial Reviews

2003 remastered reissue of 1970 sophmore album, that's unavailable domestically, features 9 tracks including 2 bonus tracks, 'It Would Be A Pleasure' & 'How Long? (Death May Be Your Santa Claus)'. Includes 20-page booklet. Angel Air.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

10 of 11 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars The Light & Dark of Mott, October 11, 2006

By 

PHILIP S WOLF (SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, CA. USA) - See all my reviews
(TOP 1000 REVIEWER)    (REAL NAME)   

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Mad Shadows (Audio CD)

Mott the Hoople had gone through some changes since Forming in June 1969. They recorded the 1st Album, were introduced to their Producer-To-Be: Guy Stevens. And played ton's of Live Gigs in England and Europe to live out the Rock 'N Roll Dream to ever increasing Crowds. The Recording sessions for "Mad Shadows" began in Feb 1970. Well, the First MTH Record was quite good, and Mott The Hoople showed the promise of greater things to come, and one of the Greater things that happened was this Second Album: "Mad Shadows".

Things begin with "Thunderbuck Ram" one of the best songs ever written by Guitarist Mick Ralphs. This opener sets the tone for the album as an whole, as they had already shown on stage Mott came to Rock and they Rock hard here with a million electric guitars, in a word POWER...Next up Ian Hunter's Ballad "No Wheels To Ride" with that BIG organ of Verden Allen and Punchy Bass Guitar of one Mr. Pete Overend Watts and the Fade-Out Solo by the Ralpher is KILLER...Track No. 3 is the uplifting Hunter Ditty "You Are One Of Us" and Great Piano & a bit of Acoustic Guitar are heard as well as are those Power Guitars...Nice. To End the first side comes "Walkin' With A Mountian" the Best known tune on "Shadows" it's just a Rock 'N Roll song, and was a Highlight of MTH Concerts for the next four years...Classic, Mott the Hoople...Classic.

"I Can Feel" a Mick Ralphs tune gently opens side two, with Ian singing at his best here, this is holds up well after all these years. This is CHURCH kids...real pretty, and has some real sweet Guitar by the Ralpher thrown in to Boot. For just a Second Record this Band was Really on Top Of Their Game! Then comes "Threads Of Iron" a haunting number featuring Ian & Mick sharing Vocal Duties, it goes and goes and gets crazy towards the end and then we are left to: "When My Minds Gone" . Welcome to Stoner's Hell, Ian sounds like he is having a nervious breakdown on this one, and I believe HE DID... This Great Song STILL gives me Shivers....Great Closer to a Great Record, Now Remastered and sounding Bigger & Clearer. As a Bonus to this Re-Issue of this Classic, Two Extra Tracks have been added: "It Would Be A Pleasure" a Country Romp from Mick Ralphs that would've sounded good on the Third Album "Wildlife". "How Long" is an early take of "Death May Be Your Santa Claus" that turns up on "Brain Capers" the Fantastic Fourth Release: "Brain Capers".

Mott the Hoople was one of the best in an era of Greats, (1969-1974) and this little CD called "Mad Shadows" is Evidence of that in Spades...Four Stars.

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Mad Shadows, November 25, 2006

By 

Greg N "Chaosmönger" (Sewell, NJ) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Mad Shadows (Audio CD)

Mott The Hoople have always been one of the best rock bands out there, despite being overlooked and this album proves it. Mott's debut album was very good, but had dissappointing album sales unlike that of their live shows, which gave then producer Guy Stevens the idea to record a "live in the studio" album. The result is this, the very dark, yet powerful Mad Shadows. It gets off to a great rocking start with Thunderbuck Ram, one of the best songs Mick Ralphs has ever written (He also sings lead here). From there we move into another powerful song, No Wheels To Ride, featuring some great organ from Verden Allen, which is then followed nicely by You Are One Of Us. The album then moves into the live concert staple and other out and out rocker Walkin With A Mountain. From there we have I Can Feel, a bit of a slower song, but still excellent, and then into Threads Of Iron, another Ralphs penned song that shines among his best work. The album closes out with When My Mind's Gone, a stream of consciousness song Ian Hunter was prompted by Guy Stevens to make up on the spot, the result is a great closer. Overall, the album features some excellent playing from all members here, whether it be Mick's beautiful guitar playing, Overend's crunchy bass, Buffins thundering drums, Verden's harmonic organ, or Hunters pounding piano, and raw powerful vocals. Despite what many think, I love the feel this album has to it and I think Hunters vocals here are great. My only complaint would have to be Stevens letting a few songs fade out to early, after all its not like this album is very long, for instance on No Wheels To Ride, they sound like there really getting into a jam, and it cuts off, makes me wonder what the rest of it sounded like. Another thing that makes this great is that all the songs are originals by the band themselves, no covers here, and it makes it flow great (although, every cover Mott did always came out excellent). If you don't have it, go out and get this album!

7 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars I've always been disappointed that this early rock group has been under-rated., July 26, 2005

By 

Carole B. - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Mad Shadows (Audio CD)

I borrowed this LP from my sister in 1970, and I've been searching for it ever since she demanded it back. Thanks to Wounded Bird Records for this faithful digitization. This is great listening from start to finish (a mere 36 minutes). This is pre-David Bowie-inspired/glam rock Mott the Hoople - I think that I would call this mainly an album of excellent early, electric-rock ballads. One of my all-time favorites is "No Wheels to Ride." ("Can't get enough, can't get enough, can't get enough, I can't get enough of your love..."). This album sounds somewhat old-fashioned nowadays, but I'm really enjoying getting into it again. This is the original band, with piano and strong and emotive lead vocals from Ian Hunter (yes, his gravely voice does sound a bit like Bob Dylan at times). Supportive organ by Verden Allen, a great wailing guitar by Mick Ralphs (also provides vocals) and bass by Overend Watts, and Dale "Buffin" Griffin's drums. All songs by Hunter or Ralphs. (Ralphs moved on to Bad Company around 1974, bringing Mott the Hoople's song "Ready for Love" with him). (They almost appear to be backed up by gospel singers on "You Are One of Us" and especially on "I Can Feel.") If you're into early electric rock, I don't know why you wouldn't like this album. It's very energetic, a little noisy, and smooth.