Mott the Hoople were about to disband, frustrated with poor sales and an inability to capture their live energy on record, when David Bowie, just about to launch into his “Ziggy Stardust” phase, offered to produce their next album, penning the title track that became one of the glam rock era’s most identifiable anthems.
Bowie not only caught the band’s energy, but also produced a definitive album that best represents early ‘70’s rock’s strongest assets: tough guitars, spirited rockers, a singer in Ian Hunter who comes across as one of rock’s true believers, and a sense of fun and mischief that future punk groups would take to heart. The album begins with a light and swinging version of “Sweet Jane,” a then-obscure track by the Velvet Underground whose singer, Lou Reed, Bowie was also producing an album for in 1972 (Transformer). The band’s originals were among their most fully realized as “Momma’s Little Jewel” and “One of the Boys” displays the band’s loose, funky street-swaggering side. “Ready for Love / After Lights” showcases a tune that guitarist Mick Ralphs would bring with him to his next group, Bad Company. The expanded edition contains seven bonus cuts, including a version of “Dudes” with David Bowie singing lead, a live “Sweet Jane” and “Sucker” from a successful night at the Hammersmith Odeon, along with several worthy demos.
01 – Sweet Jane.mp3
02 – Momma’s Little Jewel.mp3
03 – All the Young Dudes.mp3
04 – Sucker.mp3
05 – Jerkin’ Crocus.mp3
06 – One of the Boys.mp3
07 – Soft Ground.mp3
08 – Ready for Love _ After Lights.mp3
09 – Sea Diver.mp3
10 – One of the Boys (Demo Version).mp3
11 – Black Scorpio (Demo Version).mp3
12 – Ride On The Sun (Demo Version).mp3
13 – One of the Boys (Single Verison).mp3
14 – All the Young Dudes (David Bowie & Ian Hunter Vocal).mp3
15 – Sucker (Live at the Hammersmith Odeon, London, UK – 1973).mp3
16 – Sweet Jane (Live at the Hammersmith Odeon, London, UK – 1973).mp3