|
The Ballad Of Mott The Hoople DVD Competition FLAT OUT ROCK AND ROLL, 110%, The Ballad of Mott The Hoople is a feature length documentary that tells the story of one of England’s The Ballad of Mott The Hoople brings the band’s story to life through a stunning combination of rare and unseen archive footage, the band’s magnificent music and the testimony of band members Ian Hunter, Mick Ralphs, Verden Allen, Dale ‘Buffin’ Griffin, Ariel Bender and Morgan Fisher, plus numerous other associates and witnesses – including Mick Jones of The Clash and Queen’s Roger Taylor. Filming started back in early 2008, in and around the bands former home town of Hereford and was ongoing periodically over the next couple of years - culminating with the bands triumphant reunion shows at the Hammersmith Apollo in October 2009. The Film premiered at the London Film Festival in October 2010 and in 2011 at the Chicago International Movies & Music Festival and the New York Film Festival in the US. The DVD is released in the UK and Europe on October 3rd and November 14th in the US Here at Leicester Bangs, we liked it very much. Our review: The Ballad of Mott the Hoople DVD (Start Productions) The story has been told before of course, in Ian Hunter’s acclaimed ‘Diary of a Rock and Roll Star’ and the epic ‘Ballad of Mott’, probably the best song of its kind ever written; but Chris Hall and Mike Kerry’s film (with extra Hammersmith footage and DVD liner notes from long-time fan Morrissey) is a welcome addition which will both re-kindle old memories and hopefully consolidate the status of one of the ‘70s most inventive and passionate rock bands for posterity. Enterprisingly assembled, archive footage interspersed with insightful interviews with band members and awe-struck admirers (Mick Jones, Roger Taylor, Kris Needs, etc.) is curated into a comprehensive account of the band’s Herefordshire roots, early development in the hands of Guy Stevens and Island records, and all-too-brief period of stardom, suits and platform boots. Band members themselves emerge as grounded, approachable and likable even on the cusp of commercial success; a fair reflection of the blue-colour earthiness of their sound, this was nonetheless a rare quality among early 1970’s rock luminaries and one to be rightly admired. There’s no denying the frustration and disappointment still felt about the breakdown of the band’s relationship with Stevens, their failure to attract radio play, and the indignities of playing Switzerland’s toilet circuit; but as expected, Bowie emerges as saviour with his timely and generous gift of ‘Dudes’, heralding the purple patch Mott are best known for. Even hit records and a new home at EMI didn’t make life appreciably smoother however; and the extent to which Hunter’s emergence as band leader was as destabilising to the band’s cohesion as it was essential to their creative progression remains a contentious issue all these years on. Interestingly it is late-period guitarist Ariel Bender (former Spooky Tooth member, Luther Grosvenor) who tells it most positively, even though he was eventually ditched for Mick Ronson and didn’t feature in the recent revival shows. In all it’s an engaging tale well told, the core strength being the openness with which interviewees engage with the project, supplying lively anecdotes and laying feelings bare. The all-too-few examples of concert footage, supplemented with action stills and recorded soundtrack, confirm Mott as both a pre-curser of the nascent punk scene and as musicians of enduring quality whose profile should at least equal that of any of their contemporaries. The great news is those lovely folk at Start Productions have given us a copy of the DVD and a limited edition Ballad Of Mott The Hoople London Film Festival Quad Poster to give away to one very lucky reader. For a chance to win, just answer the following question: Which track performed by Mott The Hoople features in the movie, Alice Doesn't Live Here Anymore? Send your answer (and your name and address) to leicesterbangs(at)hotmail.co.uk with “Mott The Hoople Competition” in the subject field. The last date for entry is 18-11-2011. The winner will be the first name out of the hat. The boring bits: Prize Draw Rules GOOD LUCK! To read more Leicester Bangs reviews, click here. www.startproductions.co.uk
|
greatest and most cherished rock ‘n’ roll bands.