I'm pretty sure I've read that Ian Hunter hates this record. One of the reasons cited was that all of the songs were written in a higher key than what he was comfortable singing, so every song sounds like he's fighting to reach notes. (Well whose fault is that, Sir?) It never got a U.S. release, aside from an advance test pressing promo, and it would be Hunter's last for Columbia, after a solid six year run. But "Overnight Angels" deserved more, if only because it featured the slick Earl Slick on guitar. (Dennis Elliott, who had just played on Foreigner's debut was on drums, but no one really knew or cared at that point.)
So what's the problem...aside from what I mentioned above?
It's not the music.
After the left turn of the keyboard and Jaco Pastorius heavy "All American Alien Boy," a fine album indeed, but not quite the rocker I was looking for after Ian's Mott-like debut with Mick Ronson, "Overnight Angels" pushed all the right buttons. The combination of rockers and big dramatic ballads like the ones found on earlier Mott records, seemed like this could have been the follow-up to The Hoople's swansong, "The Hoople."
So what's the problem?
Still not the music.
Maybe not releasing it in the U.S. had something to do with it. Or maybe it was the short ill-fated tour. (I don't have details, but someone must know what went wrong. Slick? Are you reading? Probably not.) All I know is, this record rocks. And those aforementioned ballads would make Phil Spector proud. (Or more likely just pissed off, which as we know, ain't a good thing.)
Anyway, let's focus.
The extended instrumental opening of "Golden Opportunity" is like an overture. It's brash and it's gaudy. And it works, setting the table for what is to follow. This record is not short on hooks, or reminders of those Mott records you loved just a few years back. "Broadway" is...well...so very Broadway! And how about "Wild N Free?" I'm thinking early Who. "Justice Of The Peace" is a glammy blast. Plus, you get the original, superior "England Rocks." Sorry, Cleveland.
I don't think it would be unfair to say that "Overnight Angels" is a lost gem. And to be honest, when I reach for an Ian Hunter record, it's not always the one that catches my eye. But when it does, it never disappoints.
11 comments:
i picked up a copy of Shades of Ian Hunter (a compilation of the CBS years) a couple weeks ago and I was surprised that the Overnight Angels side was the strongest. I'm partial to Alien Boy, tho, for the sheer variety.
I'm no singer, but that pushing on the title track makes *my* vocal chords hurt just listening to it!
Back in the 90s, he used to have dinner occasionally at my then Upper West Side watering hole. Tried to buy him a drink once, but he declined. 😎
As I'm quite fond of saying, Ian is the single most highly under-regarded singer and songwriter of the entire rock era.
In a perfect world, Mr. Hunter would be as popular as (dare I say it?) Springsteen. He can rock just as hard, and I think his ballads are some of the best ever written. I haven't heard Overnight for a few years now, time for a listen.
I’ve only listened to the album a few times, so I gave it another spin a short while ago. (Miss) Silver Dime, The Ballad of Little Star, and England Rocks are the best of the bunch for me. There aren’t as many great hooks or catchy choruses on this set. Too often the chorus is a one line repeated several times. But mostly what hurts the album most of the sound quality. It sounds like they didn’t have much budget. The drums and especially the cymbals sound compressed and weak. Ronson’s guitar sounds great. Ian’s voice sounds strained. Both All-American Alien Boy and Schizophrenic have much better sound.
- Paul in DK
It's not Ronson. It's Earl Slick.
Love anything Ian Hunter. I have to take him of my playlist every once in awhile as a lyric, his voice, or music will keep me awake all night cycling through my Swiss cheese brain.
I bought the album when it came out and remember being indifferent and as a result played it rarely. I do remember loving Broadway though. Thanks for lifting the cobwebs,
I do hear his voice pushing in the first song, but don't know if I would have noticed if you hadn't mentioned it, so whose fault is that, sir? (KIDDING!) "Golden Opportunity" is fantastic! I love everything about it. It's definitely not the music that was the problem. Thanks for posting!
ronson...slick...bah..bowie leftovers..mick ralphs was coolest guitarist he ever worked with..only by that time he was makin huge $$$ with bad co!
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