Share the post "Album review: IAN HUNTER – Overnight Angels"
Rock Candy Records [release date: 07.10.22]
Ahhh… the sweet smell of excess. In 1977, Ian Hunter’s third solo effort came off the back of two albums that were critical successes, but commercial failures.
Clearly built on strong foundations, Overnight Angels had a lot going for it : Earl Slick on guitar and cowrites; Roy Thomas Baker engineering and producing, and various members of Chicken Shack and Foreigner in the studio band.
The studio sound: It’s as if Baker and Hunter had recruited a bunch of musicians, let them choose their own instruments, given them a quick run through of each song, turned everything up to 11, then recorded the album in one take.
And so a lot of it doesn’t work. But amazingly, a good chunk of it does. Such was the strength of Hunter’s robust songs, and thanks to the professionalism and heavy duty firepower of the studio band, several tracks here truly aspire to be something extraordinary.
The electrifying, breathless opener ‘Golden Opportunity’ launches after a pub rock piano intro, blazing through four and half minutes of popified rock, gathering momentum bar by bar.
Hunter dons his highly entertaining diamond geezer persona for another standout, ‘Justice Of The Peace’, then switches roles and styles for ‘Miss Silver Dime’. It’s a moving piece of composition, unexpectedly elegiac, written with Earl Slick, and is arguably the album’s most memorable track.
The bonus track ‘England Rocks’ might be one of the best songs Hunter has written. Originally a B side, then resurrected as ‘Cleveland Rocks’ for a subsequent album, it has since deservedly elbowed its way into the Ian Hunter Canon.
Elsewhere, at best it’s uneven. But the good stuff, as indicated, is outstanding. ***
Review by Brian McGowan
Featured Artist: JOSH TAERK
Since early 2020 Josh has been entertaining us with exclusive monthly live sessions, streamed via Facebook.
In 2023 he signed a recording deal with Sony in Canada and released a new single on 15 September.
Latest session: Sunday 14 April
Check out videos here: https://www.facebook.com/getreadytorockradio
David Randall presents a weekly show on Get Ready to ROCK! Radio, Sundays at 22:00 GMT, repeated on Mondays and Fridays), when he invites listeners to ‘Assume The Position’. The show signposts forthcoming gigs and tours and latest additions at getreadytorock.com. First broadcast on 14 April 2024.
UK Blues Broadcaster of the Year (2020 and 2021 Finalist) Pete Feenstra presents his weekly Rock & Blues Show on Tuesday at 19:00 GMT as part of a five hour blues rock marathon “Tuesday is Bluesday at GRTR!”. The show is repeated on Wednesdays at 22:00, Fridays at 20:00). This show was first broadcast 9 April 2024.
How to Listen Live?
Click the programming image at the top of the page (top right of page if using desktop)
Listen via Windows Media Player. Click or tap here and “open file”
Listen via other media player (eg. VLC) Click or tap here and “open file”
Get Ready to ROCK! Radio is also in iTunes under Internet Radio/Classic Rock
Listen in via the Tunein app and search for “Get Ready to ROCK!” and save as favourite.
More information and links at our radio website where you can listen again to shows via the presenter pages: getreadytorockradio.com
Power Plays w/c 29 April 2024
BRIGITTE PURDY Sugar Fried Candy (Dirtshack Records)
ATTIC THEORY The Legacy (indie)
THE HOWLERS I Need Your Love (indie)
VELVETEEN QUEEN Bad Reputation (indie)
WILLS AND THE WILLING Scuffed Knees (Smash & Grab Music Ltd)
READY THE PRINCE Still Believe (indie)
Featured Albums w/c 29 April 2024
09:00-12:00 PRAYING MANTIS Defiance (Frontiers)
12:00-13:00 The Best of 2003-2023
14:00-16:00 The Best of 2003-2023
To see our Tweets you need to be logged in to an X (Twitter) account
Popular (last 10 days)
Share the post "Album review: IAN HUNTER – Overnight Angels"
PDF - you can delete unwanted sections
