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Album Review- Ian Hunter: Defiance Part One


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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