TIMES TO REMEMBER 39

MOTT THE HOOPLE: "All The Young Dudes"

Original released on LP 

Columbia KC 31750 (US) and CBS 65184 (UK)

(September 1972)

Just at the moment Mott the Hoople were calling it a day, David Bowie swooped in and convinced them to stick around. Bowie spearheaded an image makeover, urging them to glam themselves up. He gave them a surefire hit with "All the Young Dudes," had them cover his idol's "Sweet Jane," and produced "All the Young Dudes", the album that was designed to make them stars. Lo and behold, it did, which is as much a testament to Bowie's popularity as it is to his studio skill. Not to discount his assistance, since his production results in one of the most satisfying glam records and the title track is one of the all-time great rock songs, but the album wouldn't have worked if Mott hadn't already found its voice on Brain Capers. True, "Dudes" isn't nearly as wild as its predecessor, but the band's swagger is unmistakable underneath the flair and Ian Hunter remains on a songwriting roll, with "Momma's Little Jewel," "Sucker," and "One of the Boys" standing among his best. Take a close look at the credits, though - these were all co-written by his bandmates, and the other highlight, "Ready for Love/After Lights," is penned entirely by Mick Ralphs, who would later revive the first section with Bad Company. The entire band was on a roll here, turning out great performances and writing with vigor. They may not be as sexy as either Bowie or Bolan, but they make up for it with knowing humor, huge riffs, and terrific tunes, dressed up with style by Ziggy himself. No wonder it's not just a great Mott record - it's one of the defining glam platters. (Stephen Erlewine in AllMusic)

TIMES TO REMEMBER 38

JOAN ARMATRADING Debut Album

Original released on LP Cube HIFLY 12

(UK, November 1972)

Joan Armatrading's debut album is all but co-credited to Pam Nestor, who co-wrote 11 of the 14 songs and whose picture and bio appear on the album jacket. (She doesn't perform on the record, however.) Since Armatrading dispensed with the collaboration on later albums, a comparison is instructive. On these relatively short songs (averaging about 2:45), Armatrading is more outward-looking than on her later songs. Much of her work is done in close-ups, but many of the songs on "Whatever's for Us" pull back from the "I-you" focus of subsequent efforts to take in the family, especially, and the world at large. Granted, neither is viewed positively, at least in the formal sense. The title character in "Head of the Table" is "stern and strong," although the less traditional grouping in "My Family" is viewed more benevolently. The world in general, meanwhile, is "semi-mad" ("Mean Old Man") and contains "such a lot of pretense" ("City Girl"). In this context, the best the singer can do is to be wary in looking for love. For the album, Armatrading used some of Elton John's brain trust, including producer Gus Dudgeon, guitarist Davey Johnstone, and percussionist Ray Cooper, and especially when she plays piano, the resulting sound is not unlike an early John album such as "Tumbleweed Connection", albeit with Armatrading's choked alto in place of John's husky tenor. Dudgeon adds occasional string and horn charts, but wisely keeps the focus on the singer and her songs. "Whatever's for Us" is a promising debut that, nevertheless, does not include any material that has proven to be memorable. (William Ruhlmann in AllMusic)

MARY HOPKIN LIVE

Original released on CD MHM001

(UK, September 2005)

TIMES TO REMEMBER 37

TIMES TO REMEMBER 36

The GODFATHER Trilogy

Rato Records gives you the opportunity to collect all the original soundtrack albums from the greatest trilogy ever made in the History of Film, Francis Ford Coppola's The Godfather. So hurry to download all the three parts (1972, 1974 and 1990) and enjoy, once more, the magnificent score signed by Nino Rota and Carmine Coppola. It's about two hours of listening (31:38 + 38:36 + 54:24), that probably will give you the desire of seeing again the entire and fabulous saga of the Corleone family (in that case, prepare yourself for more 9 hours of pure cinema delight).

(VER COMENTÁRIO SOBRE A TRILOGIA AQUI)

TIMES TO REMEMBER 35

TIMES TO REMEMBER 34

Os NIGHT STARS e Outros Conjuntos Moçambicanos (1965 >>> 1972)

TIMES TO REMEMBER 33

TIMES TO REMEMBER 32

TIMES TO REMEMBER 31