Ian Hunter

by Pavlis 16 June 2017

Take That are in the city and playing the second of two nights at Carrow Road. Traffic is at a near stand-still and there are hordes of Barlowites clogging up the pavements of this fine city. A few hundred yards away, a legend - and I know just how overused that word is but Ian Hunter is a genuine, 100%, LEGEND - is playing the Waterfront. I know where I'd rather be tonight and it ain't at a football stadium...

Openers The Worry Dolls aren't an obvious match for Hunter. Dressed like escapees from the original Woodstock or the Laurel Canyon of the early 70s, theirs is a roots Americana with a bluegrass tinge. There are hints of Rainbow Girls but I keep comparing them to a gutsier, less polished (and consequently far more enjoyable) take on what Ward Thomas are doing. The songs are decent and bordering on very good. There are some sublime harmonies and thoroughly enjoyable guitar/banjo interaction from two main Worry Dolls themselves, Rosie and Zoe. The star of the show though may just be the touring drummer, Gemma (I hope) with her understated and seemingly simple but clever and inventive drumming. So, not an obvious opener for Hunter but these ladies won over a fair proportion of the crown and I will certainly be looking out for them.

And so to Ian Hunter & The Rant Band. I certainly never saw Mott The Hoople first time around, nor did I manage to see the reunion shows a few years back. Hunter may not exactly be an idol for me but he certainly has been for a fair few of my idols. It is fair to say that I have been really looking forward to this. You know those shows you can't wait for but then turn out to be a disappointment? Well, this certainly was NOT one of those.

Mr Hunter celebrated his 78th birthday this month but still has those rock 'n' roll star moves from Mott's heyday. The voice might not quite have the range it used to but it is still strong and instantly recognisable and Hunter works with what he still has rather than stretch and strain. It is a lesson that the likes of Paul McCartney could learn from!

The Rant Band aren't exactly youngsters either but by the gods these guys can play. Other than an extended funky jam late in the set, there is no flab or fat in the music on show and no extraneous flash-for-its-own-sake moments. There is a tight-but-loose groove here that is thoroughly enjoyable.

With a career stretching back half a century, Hunter has a huge back catalogue to choose from. Opening with That's When The Trouble Starts, and this set takes in everything from 2016's Fingers Crossed LP, the set takes in songs from Mott's heyday through to the present day.

There are some truly golden oldies in Once Bitten Once Shy, Roll Away The Stone and Sweet Jane but the more recent When I'm President and the title track of Fingers Crossed. And then there is the encore of that song. Yep, it is All The Young Dudes and it sounds just as vital as it ever did.

I never thought I'd see Hunter playing in a club in Norwich and I doubt I'll see him here again. That may colour my views of this but this has to be one of the gigs of the year.