Post by South-Punk Admin on Oct 7, 2009 13:35:54 GMT
I remember leaving Hammersmith Odeon in a state of euphoria once 20 odd years ago, after witnessing brilliant performances of ‘Roll Away The Stone’, ‘All The Way From Memphis’ and many more. So it was maybe 20 years later. The first time was when I saw Ian Hunter with Mick Ronson, and the recent occasion was the Mott The Hoople show on Saturday October 3rd.
The sense of anticipation beforehand was immense, and from the moment the strains of Jupiter from The Planets suite ebbed away and the band hit the stage and went straight into Hymn for The Dudes, the years truly were rolled back, and indeed almost rendered irrelevant. This was now, the music was transcendent and the whole evening seemed to pass in a flash of brilliant riffs, heartfelt lyrics, tumultuous drumming, effervescent keyboards and solid bass playing.
Indeed, for me in many ways it was Pete ‘Overend’ Watts whom almost made me smile the most – he may not wear the silver platform boots anymore, but striding the stage with his low slung pink Thunderbird kept the spirit alive, and combined with the solid rhythm of Martin Chambers on drums (Drummer Buffin came out for the encores, as sadly ill health had attacked his physical being, although it couldn’t diminish his spirit or will to be on that stage, with his friends, playing that music), the rhythmic underpinning was immense. Verden Allen filled out the sound with his fantastic organ playing and added spectacular flourishes, and Mick Ralphs would add moments of brilliance transmitted through his ‘six string razor’. Ian Hunter of course led the band through the evening’s journey, and, as ever, sung the songs in that beautiful way that goes straight to the heart.
Its said a good song never dies and I believe this utterly, and tonight certainly exemplified this – so many highlights, but for me the acoustic version of ‘Original Mixed Up Kid’, then ‘Born Late’58’, ‘Angeline’, ‘Golden Age of Rock ‘n’ Roll’, ‘All The Way From Memphis’, ‘Honaloochie Boogie’, ‘Roll Away The Stone’ & ‘All The Young Dudes’ were all truly magnificent. Then the exceptional number – ‘Saturday Gigs’. The entire audience were singing as one to this fantastic lament and said their own ‘goodbye’ to an evening celebrating that very special band, Mott The Hoople…
The sense of anticipation beforehand was immense, and from the moment the strains of Jupiter from The Planets suite ebbed away and the band hit the stage and went straight into Hymn for The Dudes, the years truly were rolled back, and indeed almost rendered irrelevant. This was now, the music was transcendent and the whole evening seemed to pass in a flash of brilliant riffs, heartfelt lyrics, tumultuous drumming, effervescent keyboards and solid bass playing.
Indeed, for me in many ways it was Pete ‘Overend’ Watts whom almost made me smile the most – he may not wear the silver platform boots anymore, but striding the stage with his low slung pink Thunderbird kept the spirit alive, and combined with the solid rhythm of Martin Chambers on drums (Drummer Buffin came out for the encores, as sadly ill health had attacked his physical being, although it couldn’t diminish his spirit or will to be on that stage, with his friends, playing that music), the rhythmic underpinning was immense. Verden Allen filled out the sound with his fantastic organ playing and added spectacular flourishes, and Mick Ralphs would add moments of brilliance transmitted through his ‘six string razor’. Ian Hunter of course led the band through the evening’s journey, and, as ever, sung the songs in that beautiful way that goes straight to the heart.
Its said a good song never dies and I believe this utterly, and tonight certainly exemplified this – so many highlights, but for me the acoustic version of ‘Original Mixed Up Kid’, then ‘Born Late’58’, ‘Angeline’, ‘Golden Age of Rock ‘n’ Roll’, ‘All The Way From Memphis’, ‘Honaloochie Boogie’, ‘Roll Away The Stone’ & ‘All The Young Dudes’ were all truly magnificent. Then the exceptional number – ‘Saturday Gigs’. The entire audience were singing as one to this fantastic lament and said their own ‘goodbye’ to an evening celebrating that very special band, Mott The Hoople…
