SPILL ALBUM REVIEW: MOTT THE HOOPLE – ALL THE YOUNG DUDES (50th ANNIVERSARY EDITION)

MOTT THE HOOPLE
ALL THE YOUNG DUDES (50th ANNIVERSARY EDITION)
MADFISH RECORDS

When Mott The Hoople released their fifth studio album, All The Young Dudes, they had hoped for a hit, but they had no idea that the album would go on to be as influential and important as it has become. At the time Mott The Hoople consisted of Ian Hunter (lead vocals, piano, guitar), Mick Ralphs (lead guitar, vocals), Peter Overend Watts (bass and backing vocals), Dale ‘Buffin’ Griffen (drums, backing vocals) and Verden Allen (organ, backing vocals). Of course, they had some help from two very famous musicians, Mick Ronson and David Bowie. Bowie also produced it and gave them one of their biggest hits, the title track “All The Young Dudes”. Although the album was not as big as hoped, it was a major release at the time and continues to win over new fans today.

The album kicks off with their take on Velvet Underground’s “Sweet Jane”. They stick close to The Velvet Underground’s arrangement, and yet make it sound like a Mott The Hoople song. By this time, they had established their sound and that comes across in their covers and own songs. And although the band wrote some classics for the album (“One Of The Boys”, “Ready For Love/After Lights”, and “Sucker”), it is Bowie’s “All The Young Dudes” that steals the show.  Bowie, himself, can be heard on the track and it shows how strong of a producer Bowie was, especially when working with other artists.

The new remaster of the album sounds great, and the songs have not been remixed. The overall sound is sharper, cleaner and the album sounds great. However, it is the bonus tracks that the fans will be wanting to hear. There are some great outtakes from the Island Records session (Mott The Hopple was signed to Island then moved to Columbia/CBS). All The Young Dudes was their first album for Columbia, so it is interesting to hear the original Island version of “One Of The Boys”. Here is a little rougher than the Bowie produced version. There are also outtakes such as “Black Scorpio” (an early version of Momma’s Little Jewel”) or “Ride On The Sun” (which would become “Sea Diver”). These Island demos/recordings have been released before, but it is nice to have them all together in this collection.

Perhaps it is the cover versions that are bonus cuts, such as “So Sad (To Watch Good Love Go Bad)” and “Shakin’ All Over”. Both interesting, and one can only wonder how they would have sounded fully realised. Finally, the single edits are well worth the time and effort. It is interesting that the label thought a shorter version would attract more attention.

The set is beautifully put together, and available on vinyl or CD. For Mott The Hoople fans, this is a wonderful addition to their collection. Perhaps there could have been more material included, but what is here is brilliant. All The Young Dudes has grown in stature over the years. It is recognized now as the classic and innovative album that it is. Mott The Hoople would release other stunning albums, but none had the same impact as this one did.

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