Record Label: Sun Records Release Date: April 21st
Legendary singer/songwriter Ian Hunter has been a household name for an incredible seven decades, since his humble beginnings with Mott the Hoople.
Defiance: Part One is the first of two releases featuring a star-studded lineup, due for release this Friday, April 21st via Sun Records. Ian Hunter brings all the talent to help tell his stories in the best way. Produced by longtime collaborator Andy York, the album features stars as diverse as Billy F Gibbons (ZZ Top), Slash (Guns 'N' Roses), Todd Rundgren and the late Jeff Beck.
Hunter recorded the album in 2020 during the lockdown in Hunter's Connecticut Basement with the help of a computer, V5 Piano and 'A very small keyboard'.
The album begins with the ferocious guitar leads of Slash and grooves of Metallica bassist Robert Trujillo on 'Defiance' Trujillo borrowed the fretless bass used by the late Jaco Pistorius on Hunter's second release, 1975's All American Alien Boy. Next up is the poignant tribute to, I think, Hunter's father on 'No Hard Fellings' featuring stellar guitar work from Jeff Beck and the Hollywood star Johnny Depp on slide guitar.
Ian Hunter shows maturity beyond his years with his compromising voice and ability to convey stories through his lyrical play. He also shows a willingness to select talented musicians to adapt to his affable singer/songwriter style. There is the rebellious rocker 'Pavlov's Dog' featuring the remaining members of Stone Temple Pilots- The Deleo Brothers on Guitar and Bass and drummer Eric Kretz, as well as the melodic songs 'Guernica' with Def Leppard vocalist Joe Elliot and 'Angel' featuring the late Foo Fighter drummer Taylor Hawkins appearing on two tracks.
And without forgetting the playful lead single 'Bed of Roses' with Ringo Starr and Mike Campbell (Tom Petty) providing listeners with an upbeat reminiscent throwback to Hunter's Mott the Hoople days.
Overall, Ian Hunter produces ten tracks of True Defiance with solid rock songs full of catchy choruses, feel-good tunes, and a tale of a veteran with enough life than all those young dudes rocking the system these days.
Rating: 9.5/10 Words by Anselm Anderson
'Defiance: Part One"' is available this Friday, April 21st via all streaming platforms and retail outlets.
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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
CONNECT WITH IAN HUNTER
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