Customer Reviews

Mad Shadows

5 star:		(6)
4 star:		(4)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

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.

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!

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.

Mott's producer Guy Stevens was a bit of a loon. For "Mad Shadows" he pushed the band to the edge recording them live without any overdubs, had Ian Hunter make up a song for the album on the spot ("When My Mind's Gone")and didn't catch the fact that one of the drummer's pedals squeaked throughout the entire session. In other words, another typical Mott album experience.

Despite all of this, "Mad Shadows" is a worthy and frequently powerful follow up to the band's debut. While the band hated Stevens fly-by-the-seat of the pants production style here (in fact they hated it so much they produced their next album themselves), he was their Phil Spector. His unique production sound fit the band perfectly.

The album opens with the blast of Mick Ralphs' "Thunderbuck Ram". "No Wheels to Ride" and "You are One of Us" catches Hunter eschewing his Dylan fixation and developing his own voice as a singer/songwriter. The single that never was (and there's one on every Mott the Hopple album) is the excellent "Walkin' with a Mountain" written by Hunter and inspired by guitarist/singer Leslie West of Mountain one of the band's favorites and a major influence. "I Can Feel" wouldn't have sounded out of place on a John Lennon solo album and Ralphs' second song "Threads of Iron" features a blistering Hunter vocal. "When My Mind's Gone" is pure balderdash but powerful nevertheless. The sound quality is exceptional and the booklet notes very comprehensive.

The Angel Air edition of the album features two bonus tracks that haven't been available before except their appearence on the MOTT THE HOPPLE boxed set from 1998. Both fit in well with the album. We get Ralphs' demo for "It Would be a Pleasure" and an early verison of the Hunter/Allen co-write "How Long" which would, ultimately, be called "Death May Be Your Santa Claus" and appear on "Brain Capers".

probably the most undistinquished album of their careers. thunderbuck ram is is baffling, yet beautiful. no wheels is classic hoople. you are one of us an anthem. walkin' just middle of the road rock, while i can feel is ian in a zone. threads is o.k. and my minds gone speaks for itself. a must for mott fans, anyone else wouldn't understand anyway.

God, I love Mad Shadows, my second or third favorite Mott the Hoople record. Mott being my favorite (thank you), and either Brain Capers or Mad Shadows next. If you are in your teens, check this out and know what the word "angst" really means. When My Mind's Gone done extemporaneously by Ian. Incredible. Also, listen for the notorious bass drum pedal squeek. Once you hear it, you'll always hear it.

Are you downtrodden by today's compressed, digital rock. Could you, like me, use a little 1970s arena bombast in your sad little I-pod life?

Well, here we both go. Mad Shadows is the best at what made Mott The Hoople so cool: big guitars, songs that go a little too long, big sounds for 1973 kids ready to put away their big siblings love beads and peace signs and just rock out.

Sure the tracks over extend. Of course it gets a little histrionic at times. But these guys were in areanas with ELP and Glam-Bowie-- that is what this stuff is here for

Let's you and I get some headphones that cover the whole ear--you know, with the coiled telephone cords and the big metel jack. Lets crank the black and green-lit Maranz up to seven. Let's hear mad shadows.

I got the bell bottoms. Ya' got any platform shoes?

After Mott the Hoople's first album had been recorded before the band had even played a live concert this diamond of a rock collection was recorded in 1970, after some nearly 200 concerts, including their first tour of America (putting this into perspective is the fact that it was released 11 months after their debut, can you imagine any of today's so called bands equalling this work rate)

By now Mott the Hoople were one of the most popular working bands on the British Circuit (Playing such diverse gigs as Friday - Hartlepool Grammer School, Saturday - Kirklevington Country Club... where is Kirklevington? Know where it is? I can't even spell it! Sunday - Oswald Hotel Scunthorpe) causing riots wherever they went, with their outrageous brand of rough tough Rock `n' Roll, a year later when the band played London's prestigious Albert Hall, the crowd reaction was so great that in fear the hall's management cancelled all rock concerts for the next sixteen years.

By now Mott the Hoople were a great Rock `n' Roll band, capable of taking on anybody, on their night the best Rock `n' Roll band in the world.

"Mad Shadows" captures a lot of what Mott were about live on stage ("Mad Shadows" was originally going to be called "Sticky Fingers", but the story goes that Mott the Hoople's producer and mentor Guy Stevens gave it to the Rolling Stones who were using the same studio, hence the coda of "Jumpin Jack Flash" at the end of "Walkin With A Mountain" as Mick Jagger was in the studio when Mott laid this one down)

The album opened with Mick Ralphs stunning "Thunderbuck Ram" a song that was going to became the cornerstone of the middle of Mott the Hoople's live set for the next couple of years. Although stamped like a stick of rock with Mott the Hoople all the way though it, this song showed the way that Ralphs was leaning and would later be showed to it's full effect in "Bad Company". Second song "No Wheels To Ride" the first of three Ian Hunter songs that filled up the original first side of the Vinyl edition of "Mad Shadows" shows off all the facets of Mott the Hoople as it builds from its gently piano led opening until its dramatic closing section with Verden Allen putting up a wall of sound that became Mott the Hoople's trademark. Tracks three is the jaunty "You Are One Of Us", followed by the ultimate Rock `n' Roll track "Walkin With A Mountain" recorded in one take in a crowded studio, this little rocker breaths fire, during it's nearly four minute duration, Overend Watts breaks two of his bass strings, but carries on regardless, Buffin drops a drumstick, but Producer Guy Stevens was so excited by the end result he refused to allow any re-takes or overdubs, insisting it stay as it is, capturing the genuine excitement of Rock `n' Roll. Until Mott the Hoople's demise four years later Walkin With A Mountain was to be the final encore, driving the fans into a frenzy, Ariel Bender joined the band in 1973 and took "Walkin With A Mountain" to new heights making it his own despite Ian Hunter writing it.

Side two of the L.P.Contained potent and powerful material. The gospel tinged "I Can Feel" written by Ian Hunter was dramatic and majestic with fine bass, tasteful Ralphs lead guitar with Hunter laying the black side of his soul bare singing
"So Buy Me Alone
You Can Take Your Flowers Home
For There Ain't No Peace In This World That I Know
But I Can Feel"
Mick Ralphs manic riffing on "Threads Of Iron" with lead vocals shared between Mick and Ian, is possibly the closest Mott the Hoople ever got to playing heavy metal, starting out at a jaunty rate, as the song builds towards its climax the band play harder and harder, the rhythm section playing with hammers, Verden Allen using his keyboards to put up that solid wall of Mott the Hoople sound, Mick Ralphs playing lead guitar as if the devil himself is chasing his fingers, Ian Hunter's vocals, scream at the end to be heard above it all, frantic music, that leaves you exhausted at its conclusion as it gently leads into the albums final song "When My Mind's Gone". This was supposed to be a spontaneous composition and stream of consciousness song, credited to Ian Hunter, according to legend recorded by Hunter under a spell put on him by Guy Stevens. Whatever it's a disturbing piece of music, with Verden Allen laying down some eerie keyboards to fill out the sound behind Hunter's, vocals and piano. Every time this dog hears "When My Minds Gone" the hair on the back of his shoulders stick up.

"Mad Shadows" was Mott the Hoople's white album, a bleak and sometimes chilling document enhanced by its cover (which received an award at the Art Directors Club of New York 50th Annual Exhibition) and an extract from Charles Bowdelaivies Flowers of Evil on the back sleeve which I leave you with.

Descend the way that leads to hell infernal plunge in a deep gulf where crime's inevitable flagellated by a wind driven from skies eternal. Where all your torments, and for all the ages Mad Shadows never at the end of your desires shall never satisfy your furious rages, and your chastisement be born of loveless fires.

Mott the Dog.

This is fantastic! Not a bad track on this album. After listening to this one I changed my mind about Mott and purchased their first 4 albums. Some of the best music from the end of sixties and beginning of seventies.
I thought they were glam rock band and my disgust was based on their glam rock phase starting with All the Young Dudes... and other trash.

First off , I'll tell you Mott / Ian Hunter are one of my personal faves. That being said , note for note , this is my fave MTH disc. Frantic , manic , schizophrenic and VERY dark , "Mad Shadows: , the sophomore recording from MTH holds up 37+ years after release. For people just discovering MTH , chose "Mott" or "All The Young Dudes" first , then you will be able to truly appreciate what a GREAT work this is.