Wildlife [Extra tracks, Import]

Mott the Hoople | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Audio CD (January 12, 2009)
• Number of Discs: 1
• Format: Extra tracks, Import
• Label: ANGEL AIR
• ASIN: B0000AJ5T9
• Also Available in: Audio CD  |  Vinyl  |  MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 4.1 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (14 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #31,112 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)
  • #99 in Music > Imports > Classic Rock

Editorial Reviews

'Wildlife' was released by Island Records on 19th March 1971 in a gatefold sleeve. (At an early stage the album was to have been titled 'Original Mixed Up Mott'.) It entered the UK album charts on the 17th April, where it stayed for two weeks, peaking at number 44. The album's inner gatefold was a live colour photo of MOTT THE HOOPLE from the Croydon show, while the front and back of the album was another colour photo of the band looking windswept and interesting in woodland up in County Durham. I guess the concept , if there was one, was that both photos showed 'wildlife' in its natural habitat. Following the release of the album , the band quickly returned to what they knew best - the road. Although a couple of the quieter songs from 'Wildlife' were included in the set, they were very soon replaced by newer, harder edged material. Again, there was that strange paradox: live, the band were a huge success, playing to sell-out venues all over the country. The stage was set for the recording of what was to become Mott The Hoople's swansong for Island Records, the flawed but essential 'Brain Capers'. Musicians: DALE GRIFFIN, IAN HUNTER, MICK RALPHS, OVEREND WATTS and VERDEN ALLEN.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

7 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Excellent Remaster of the Band's 3rd Album, September 29, 2005

By 

James L. Viland "Jim V." (Detroit, MI) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: Wildlife (Audio CD)

Somebody has to be a Gemini, here. Listen to "Home Is Where I Want To Be", an interesting Ralphs composition with intricate interlacing organ and piano plus folk guitar, mellow, laid back and friendly. The next piece is the live remake of Little Richards', "Keep 'A Knockin". Here for the first time on the first three MTH albums you get an inkling of the full firepower of MTH live on stage. A real rush turned up loud as they were in concert, full chaos controlled beautifully (and the crowd loves it); very striking contrast! This displays perfectly the two sides MTH was capable of. Ralphs' guitar work as always impeccable, ranging from traditional riffs to harmonious patterns to nice flashing and crashing lead lines. Then he turns it up another notch and goes into tree sawing mode; quite a work ethic. Also, excellent rendition of Melanie's hit, "Lay Down" and the solemn orchestral "Waterlow", by Hunter. This album the band produced themselves, with inconsistent help from engineers, due to falling out with Guy Stevens after he pushed them over the edge on Mad Shadows and wanted to fire organist Verden Allen. Instead, the band stuck with Verdie and told Guy to take a walk. They missed him, although eccentric he was at least consitent, and teamed again on the next album, Brain Capers.

Other nice songs on this album; Hunter's "Angel of Eighth Avenue", and the bonus track of Mountain's, "Long Red". This was a tribute to the bands' friend, Leslie West, and a fine rendition indeed. The live version on Tale of Two Cities is also breathtaking. Great booklet here and composition by drummer Dale (Buffin) Griffin, as with all four of MTH's remastered first albums. You won't be dissappointed with the sound quality of this import CD, a must have and well worth the investment. Kudos to the Angel Air lable for getting these remastered historic discs into the market. They sound as good today as they did live, 30 years ago.

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Much better than one might think, July 11, 2003

By 

T. H McClellan (Tampa, FL USA) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: Wildlife (Audio CD)

I love this album. Reviewers who complain about this album cite poor vocals by Mick Ralphs, and in a way that's justified. But in the greater scheme of things, the vocals add a quirky atmosphere that stylistically place the band's sound somewhere between Ummagumma era Pink Floyd, and early Wishbone Ash. Two albums later, their sound would change dramatically, when they became leaders of the glam-rock scene and the enchanting atmophere was exchanged for heavy riffs. Don't get me wrong -- All the Young Dudes and Mott are terrific albums, but the first four albums work together as a seamless whole (Mott the Hoople and the fourth, Brain Capers were critically very well received, but Mad Shadows and this album, Wildlife, fell on deaf ears, both critically and commercially) This album is for more than just completists, and if you're a fan of early Pink Floyd and Wishbone Ash, you just might find the vocals enchanting. Don't expect this to sound like David Bowie or T. Rex -- it sounds as nothing else. I spot the album one star for having so much heart, and for having the tenacity to record Melanie's "Lay Down" that sounds like "Madman" era Elton John, complete with gospel chorus! Get this album -- you might just run into someone who will spot it as a winner.

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Under rated gem from Mott, April 13, 1999

By 

WTDK "If at first the idea is not absurd, the... (My Little Blue Window, USA) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: Wildlife (Audio CD)

Wildlife was a transitional album for the band, but a daring one. After clearly creating a "sound" for themselves they moved into a totally different country rock area.

Hunter's "Angel of 8th Ave" and Ralphs' "Whisky Women" are two of the best tracks on the album. In fact, Ralphs is in top form here contributing four excellent songs. Ignored upon release, this is one of the band's most interesting offerings.