Ian Hunter is a rock hero, no doubt. From hitting the scene with Mott the Hoople in 1969, the singer of ‘All the Young Dudes’ has a long and memorable history as a songwriter, multi-instrumentalist and vocalist collaborating with David Bowie, Mick Ronson (leading to the top 40 hit, ‘Once Bitten Twice Shy’) and touring with Ringo Starr and his all-Starr band. More recently he’s had a resurgence, touring and releasing albums with his Rant Band. First conceived during the Covid epidemic, Defiance Part 1, featuring a star-studded line-up, and produced by Ian Hunter and his long-term collaborator Andy York will be released via Sun Records on Friday 21st April.
As soon as the title track, ‘Defiance’ begins you know it’s Slash playing guitar. A classic rock track with Slash riffing and Robert Trujillo on bass. Hunter’s voice is mature at 83 but he hasn’t lost it, it’s clear that this album is going to be a treat for fans of the genre. This song has an instantly memorable chorus and echoes of glam rock.
‘Bed of Roses’, the first single (already released) features Ringo Starr on drums, Mike Campbell of Tom Petty, and the Heartbreakers. An epic track with a nostalgic theme, plenty of Hammond (never amiss on a track like this) and a cracking chorus. The pace slows for ‘No Hard Feelings’ featuring Johnny Depp & the late, much-missed Jeff Beck. A country blues feel with slide guitar contributes to a classic slow track. Beck’s solo work is superb and mind-blowing as always.
‘Pavlov’s Dog’ featuring Eric Kretz and Dean and Robert DeLeo of Stone Temple Pilots growls and snarls through a cracking rock track, followed by ‘Don’t Tread on Me’ with music legend Todd Rundgren, a complex and powerful rock ballad. Another slow track, a grandiose blues rock epic, ‘Guernica’ features Mike Campbell again along with Def Leppard’s Joe Elliot.
‘I Hate Hate’ then ups the pace. A collaboration with former Mott the Hoople bandmate Dennis Debrizzi and Jeff Tweedy of Wilco gives us a singalong chorus reminiscent of the Glam Rock years. The late Taylor Hawkins of the Foo Fighters, Duff McKagan of Guns n Roses and Brad Whitford of Aerosmith join Ian on “Angel”, another slow but sincere track with glorious solos.
Billy Gibbons of ZZ Top is featured in ‘Kiss N’ make Up’ along with Billy Bob Thornton on percussion and vocals with Taylor Hawkins once more on the drums. Understandably, this track has a bit of a ZZ Top feel, short and sweet. The album closes with the triumphant boogie blues ‘This is What I’m Here For’, again featuring Taylor Hawkins and Joe Elliot, this time adding in the session and touring guitarist Waddy Wachtel.
For a Classic Rock fan, this is a superb example of the genre and a great listen for anyone with a fondness for AOR, glam rock or the blues. Looking forward to Defiance Part Two!
Defiance Part 1 is out Friday, April 21st courtesy of Sun Records.
PRE-ORDERS AVAILABLE HERE
Dave Smith Price
IAN HUNTER
DEFIANCE PART 1
(Sun Records)
TRACKLIST
1. Defiance
Dane Clark: Drums
Robert Trujillo: Bass
Slash: Electric, Rhythm and Lead Guitars
Dennis Dibrizzi: Background Vocal
Andy York: Background Vocal
Ian Hunter: Electric Guitar
2. Bed Of Roses
Ringo Starr: Drums
Tony Shanahan: Bass
Mike Campbell: Acoustic and Electric Rhythm Guitars, Slide Guitar, Mandolin
Andy Burton: Organ
Rich Pagano: Tambourine
Andy York: Background Vocals
Ian Hunter: Piano
3. No Hard Feelings
Dane Clark: Drums and Percussion
Johnny Depp: Acoustic and Electric Rhythm Guitars, Slide Guitar, Background Vocals
Jeff Beck: Lead Guitar
Andy York: Electric Guitar, Bass
Ian Hunter: Piano
4. Pavlov’s Dog
Eric Kretz: Drums
Dean DeLeo: Electric Rhythm and Lead Guitars, Acoustic Guitar, Slide Guitar
Robert DeLeo: Bass
Dennis Dibrizzi: Background Vocal
Andy York: Background Vocal, Maracas
Ian Hunter: Piano
5. Don’t Tread On Me
Rich Pagano: Drums, Congas, Percussion
Todd Rundgren: Rhythm and Lead Electric Guitars, Background Vocals
Andy Burton: Organ
Andy York: Bass
Ian Hunter: Piano
6. Guernica
Dane Clark: Drums and Percussion
Mike Campbell: Electric Rhythm and Lead Guitars
Joe Elliott: Background Vocals
Andy Burton: Harmonium
Andy York: Bass, Baritone Guitar, Background Vocal
Ian Hunter: Piano
7. I Hate Hate
Dane Clark: Drums
Andy Burton: Keyboards
Dennis Dibrizzi: Background Vocals
Andy York: Baritone Guitar, Tambourine, Background Vocals
Ian Hunter: Piano
8. Angel
Taylor Hawkins: Drums, Electric Guitars, Electric Piano, Background Vocals
Duff McKagan: Bass
Brad Whitford: Slide Guitar
Waddy Wachtel: 12-String Acoustic Guitar, Lead Electric Guitars
Ian Hunter: Piano
9. Kiss N’Make Up
Taylor Hawkins: Drums
Billy Bob Thornton: Percussion, Lead and Backup Vocals
Billy F Gibbons: Electric, Rhythm and Lead Guitars
J.D. Andrew: Bass
James Mastro: Electric Guitar
Rich Pagano: Congas
Andy Burton: Keyboards, Vibes
10. This Is What I’m Here For
Taylor Hawkins: Drums
Waddy Wachtel: Electric Rhythm and Lead Guitars
Joe Elliott: Background Vocals
Paul Page: Bass
Andy Burton: Organ
Andy York: Baritone Guitar
Ian Hunter: Piano
11. I Hate Hate (Alternate Version)
Dane Clark: Drums
Jeff Tweedy: Electric Guitars and Bass
Andy Burton: Keyboard
Dennis Dibrizzi: Background Vocal
Andy Burton: Organ
Andy York: Tambourine and Background Vocal
Ian Hunter: Piano
All Songs Written By Ian Hunter
Produced By Andy York and Ian Hunter
Mixed By James Frazee
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