After The Spiders From Mars, Mick Ronson released two records for RCA. "Slaughter On Tenth Avenue" and "Play Don't Worry" both featured some Spiders, Ian Hunter and even Ziggy himself on "Slaughter." The records were a bit uneven, with Ziggy-centric originals and some glammy, oddball covers. I actually really like both, warts and all.
Ronson recorded a third record, but due to poor sales of the first two, RCA refused to release it. After Ronson's death, the vaults opened and in 1999 a record called "Just Like This" was released, purported to be that third album.
Again, it's uneven and features more Ziggy-esque originals and a few covers, including a pretty good take on the Grape's "Hey Grandma." I didn't think much of it then, but something made me listen to it last week. I'm glad I did. I won't say the songs themselves are anything to write about, though they certainly aren't bad. But Ronson's playing is outstanding. Honestly, as much as I loved his playing with Bowie and with Ian Hunter, I think "Just Like This" was where he truly broke out.
Check out these tracks and wait for the solos. I included the Moby Grape track, too, because, why not?
12 comments:
Maybe not the best singer, but it's hard not to like that version of Hey Grandma. The Grape were such a great band.
Sounds like he learned Hey Grandma from The Move. Robitussen > blossom.
Wow, never knew about this - these tracks sound pretty good.
Sal, what's your take on the '76 Spiders From Mars album w/o Mick?
Randy
Randy, it's been years since I heard it and I guess that's because I didn't really like it back then.
Don't sleep on 1994's "Heaven and Hull" which includes a lot of support from artists who Ronson inspired.
I had no idea the Move did Hey Grandma. Not as good as Ronson, which is not as good as Moby Grape, but OK I guess.
Haven't listened to that album in an age, and agree most of his solo stuff sadly underrated, so thanks for the reminder. Noticed here and in your SOTW posting, the phrase "don't sleep on...." and had to look up its meaning as unfamiliar to me. Oh, the language you young people use nowadays!
Recall a BBC series Dancing In The Street ( each episode chose a genre and delved in ) and Ronno, looking very smart in a suit, guitar in hand, was interviewed in an empty cinema and he explained the thinking behind a few Bowie numbers then casually proceeded to crank out Panic In Detroit..cool as fuck... what a man.
just listened to Move's version last week
Underrated, he even made the rolling thunder a better band. He's guitar playing got me into music and I wish he was still here as he had loads to offer and what a producer he could have been.
"Only After Dark" will likely be on the next Weekend Wreckerd Mix.
I so disliked early Bowie back in the day that I tended to undervalue Ronson's talents as well. Hey -- I was young.
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