‘Mott’ was Mott the Hoople’s
seminal album released just after they
had cut the safety belts from David Bowie’s
writing and arranging.
Opening with “All The Way From Memphis”,
it is a ‘Rock ‘N’ Roll’ chronicle of the
frought and fragmented journey to Memphis
that culminated in Mott the Hoople’s triumphant
end of tour gig and their subsequent assault
on Elvis Presley’s Gracelands mansion.
(For more details of this please read
Ian Hunter’s “Diary of a Rock ‘N’ Roll
star”). When this dog first heard the
opening line of “Memphis”, “Forgot my
six string razor and hit the sky”, it
taught him a whole new way to growl.
Next up is “Whizz Kid”, with Ian Hunter’s
reflections on a certain persistent groupie,
a lovely slab of Glam Rock.
The pivotal song on ‘Mott’ is “Hymn For
The Dudes”, with Ian Hunter directing
his lyrics at his young and enthusiastic
audience, whilst warning his contemporaries
about the pedestal they were setting themselves
upon:
“Correct your heads, for there’s a new
song rising
High above the waves
Go write your time, go sing it on the
street
Go tell the world, but you go brave
You ain’t the nazz….
Your just a buzz….
Some kinda temporary….."
Eleven months after the release of “All
The Young Dudes”, which was written by
David Bowie, Mott the Hoople unleashed
“Honaloochie Boogie”. This was a smash
hit and a perfect piece of writing that
was to establish Ian Hunter’s pop credentials.
Ian Hunter showed that he was capable
of astonishing flashes of percipience
and with “Violence” he brilliantly foretold
the coming and the mood of the Punk generation.
This song culminated with insane violin
and a fight scene in a blazing fadeout.
“Drivin’ Sister” with its hard, raunchy
riffs and lyrics due to Mott the Hoople’s
fascination with fast cars was the perfect
opener for their live set at the time.
“The Ballad of Mott the Hoople” referred
to the time when the band temporarily
split in disillusionment, before their
triumphant return after linking up with
David Bowie.
“I’m A Cadillac / El Camino Dolo Roso”
is the chink in Mott’s armour. Although
Mick Ralph’s guitar playing is exemplary
throughout this album, his singing and
songwriting do not live up to that of
Ian Hunter at this time. This song was
included to placate egos, which is a shame
as they had already recorded two Hunter
written songs, “Rose” and “Roll Away The
Stone”, either of which would of strengthened
this collection.
The songs conclude with “I Wish I Was
Your Mother”, which is a heavily Dylan-flavoured
piece addressing the matter of heavy jealousy
and this brings the album to a fine close.
Mott went top 10 in the U.K. and top 40
in the U.S. Notably, however, it was voted
‘Album of the Year’ in U.S. magazines
“Rolling Stone” and “Creem”.
Surprisingly, this album and band were
not named after Mott the Dog but Wilard
Manus’s excellent novel “Mott the Hoople”.
Pawed by Mott The Dog
Remastered by Ella Crew
E-mail: review@mott-the-dog.com
