Rest In Peace, Mick
Brent | Ohio | 09/29/2001
(3 out of 5 stars)
"Well...I suppose this could have been worse, what with the inclusion of "performances" by The Rats, Glen (ex-Sex Pistol) Matlock, Mick Jones & BAD, & Steve Harley, whoever he is. But then, wait...Mick Ronson did so much for SO many people, whether production or performance...and they're all represented here, too. (Thank God Johnny C Mellonbrain wasn't represented). There's Gray Brooker doing a quiet, acoustic piano version of his own/Procol Harum's "Whiter Shade of Pale," which segues into Bill Wyman's post-Stones Willie & The Poor Boys, "Mystery Train," the very same song Elvis did 40 years earlier. There's Roger Taylor doing Queen's "It's A Kind Of Magic," (which HE wrote, but his vocals are nowhere in the same league as - duh - Freddie's), and then a performance by the Spiders From Mars, the group that, with Mick, was David Bowie's band during his Ziggy days - although it's kind of an insult to drag out Def Leppard's singer & "lead" guitarist to fill in for Mick & Dave. And what show either by or about Mick Ronson would be complete without Ian Hunter? Ian does a creditible version of "Once Bitten," but his tribute to Mick, "Michael Picasso" WILL bring tears to the eyes of even the most jaded listener. Then Roger Daltrey (!) performs "Baba O'Riley,"& "Summertime Blues." And, of course, the show's "grand finale" is yet another version of "All The Young Dudes." There's also a CD-ROM showing Tayor's "Magic" and, of course, "Dudes." All in all - still: a great tribute to a GREAT Man. RIP, Mick."
It's the music
THE Uncle Todd | Cleveland | 12/22/2005
(4 out of 5 stars)
"I had been leary of getting this CD only for the fact that I thought the sound quality would suck---it doesn't. But what it does do is pay tribute to one of the most underated guitarists/producer/arranger in my rock realm. This CD is fantastic on a number of levels. Sure Bowie is missing from this (on tour perhaps but a slight nonetheless), but the other musicians make up for it.
CD1 is the weak part--I'll be honest. That's why I gave it 4 instead of 5 stars. Some great artists--Gary Brooker, Mick Jones, Bill Wyman, Steve Harley and Dana Gillespie (the years have not been kind to her --sorry) but the music just doesn't fit with what I thought the show could've been.
CD2, though, is worth the price of admission! The Spiders From Mars segment is the best of the bunch (except for Ian--more later).
Who knew that Bill Nelson from Be-Bop Deluxe was a fan?!?! They motor through Width, Ziggy, Moonage, White Light, Suffragette, and a great Angel #9. Find Pure Praire League's second album that has Amie on it and you'll find Angel #9 and Mick Ronson all over the LP.
Ian is also one of my musical heroes, and he doesn't fail. A live version of Resurrection Mary (only on the Artful Dodger CD--out of print) is a great treat. Michael Picasso WILL bring you to tears or close to it. It's the same version as on Ian's double best-of CD except for the intro which is priceless and so moving--talking to 'Mick's Mum' in the audience. Dudes ends it (fittingly) in a Mott style free for all. The back photo says it all-- Ian, his daughter Traci, Joe Elliott, Maggie Ronson and her daughter Lisa and bunch of others.
Should Bowie have been there---yes
Is the Cd any worse without him--no
Buy it!"
Track Listings (8) - Disc #1