Customer Reviews

Strings Attached

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

 

 

Ian Hunter is, in my opinion, one of the finest songwriters of his generation.

But it has largely been a case of out of sight, out of mind in Britain since the former Mott The Hoople vocalist left to base himself in the USA almost 30 years ago.

A loyal fan base remains, however, for a man whose 'Diary of a Rock n Roll Star' is still rated by many as the best book ever written about life on the road.

Unwilling to simply rake in the bucks like some of his contemporaries via Hits of the 70s tours, Hunter remains a genuine creative force - his last album 'Rant' was arguably the best of his career.

And well before Jon Bov Jovi hit on the idea of re-arranging old favourites for strings, he travelled to Oslo in January 2002 to perform two concerts backed by a five-piece band and the Trondheimsolistene (Trondheim Soloists) to be recorded for a special DVD and CD.

Why did it take the best of two years to release them? Only a record label presumably more concerned with promoting lesser, but perhaps more commercial, talents knows the answer.

As a career retrospective it works better than expected, and there is also a sprinkling of new songs including Twisted Steel, an outsider's view of the events of 9/11 - "This wasn't sacred, this was profane. You took off, and you took aim".

Insightful, occasionally funny and above all else honest, Hunter has never been afraid to lay his feelings bare in his lyrics.

Waterlow concerns divorce and its effects on children, Ships and 23A Swan Hill deal with his turbulent relationship with his father and Michael Picasso - a tribute to former partner Mick Ronson - is one of the most moving songs ever written about bereavement.

The strings, arranged by Kjetil Bjerkestrand, add a new dimension to All The Young Dudes, David Bowie's gift to Mott.

Hunter found his own voice after that hit the charts - and it's one which is always worth hearing.

Ian Hunter has always been one of the unsung heroes of the rock era. This british poet rocked onto the seen in the early seventies as lead singer of Mott The Hoople, before embarking on a fantastic and critically acclaimed solo career, that wasn't always recognized by the masses. This live cd "Strings Attached", along with a complete orchestra is nothing short of a gem. Recorded in Oslow Norway in the winter of 2002, Ian Hunter has never sounded better. There is a haunting quality to this live show, in which Hunter's english accent adds an emotional touch, that makes this performance one of the great live recordings in recent memory. He has been called thr british Dylan, and with good reason. His written material is all quality, but unlike Dylan, Ian talks up a storm and jokes around with his audience, and often offers biographical data to many of his songs performed. Some of the Mott The Hoople classics are here. like "All The Young Dudes", "All The Way From Memphis", and "Roll Away The Stone". His moving tribute to former colleague, the late Mick Ronson is especially noted. If His ballads "Ships" and "Irene Wilde", doesn't move you, nothing will. The addition of strings on these ballads, make them all that more powerful. It is quite obvious that lots of care went into the making of this cd, as the sound quality and Ian Hunter's voice is as close as you get to near perfection. As he stated in "Irene Wilde", "I am going to be somebody someday"! He certainly is somebody. Masterful is all I can say about this effort.

I picked this cd based on the ratings and after reading his website. As a first time listener to his music I was shocked that I never fell upon his greatness before. With the orchestra backing him the songs came out very mature and crisp. From the popular "Once Bitten Twice Shy" to "Rest In Peace" and on this album is a great companion for those evenings when a dark room and a great whisky come together! Strongly reccomend...

Wow is it great being an Ian Hunter fan or what?? I mean how talented and under rated is this guy??? He is one of the greats and no one has heard of him... what a crime but I love it!! Awesome CD... one of the best of the last 10 years. One of the greatest song writers of the rock era. Get this CD, sit back, turn it up and enjoy!!! Thanks Ian!!!

If you like Ian Hunter, you will love this double cd set. Live, from Oslo Norway, you get some beatiful ballads, some rock and roll, accompanied by a stringed orchestra, and most of all, some classic Ian Hunter. He speaks to friends in the crowd, talks about his father, and his "mum". Take a chance, BUY THIS CD, you will not be sorry.

If you love ian hunter's music like I do, you'll love this dvd. He and the band, and an 18 piece orchestra put on a great show. The arrangements kind of threw me at first, but the songs, especially the ballads, lend themselves to orchestration. I was just so used to hearing "All the Way from Memphis" one way. It's not THAT different, but it took a couple of listens to appreciate it, and now I love it. I had also forgotten what a great showman ian is. He has a real way with the crowd as well as the orchestra in general; especially on Saturday Gigs. This dvd is not slick. It has an intimacy about it. It's Ian performing for a bunch of friends, which he is. The camera pans the crowd, and everybody is having a great time,including the orchestra.For me,the extras were good for one viewing only(interviews with Ian, Joe Elliott, three fans...) It's the great music, Ian, the crowd, and the orchestra obviously enjoying themselves that make it wonderful. It has a real warmth. It makes me wish I had been there.