Ian Hunter – Short Back N' Sides

Ian Hunter coulda played it safe, he could have sold out and created YNAWAS Part 2, but he didn’t - thankfully.
Here he knew that it was time to take a risk, and if that risk didn’t pay off.... ?
History has shown that Hunter fans were not ready for the injection of Punk Rock cool, in the form of producer Mick Jones.
It didn’t sell, and Hunter’s gamble did not work. Sadly.
I think it is a beautiful quirky masterpiece, showcasing a long-in-the-tooth musician going “what the fuck - let’s just see what happens” and creating something that absolutely captures the zeitgeist of the moment.
That is was not pitched to Hunter’s audience correctly, nor the The Clash fans either - frustratingly - cos they would have loved it (No major annoucement around The Clash production & performances - why?!?!).
It totally “clicked” for me at that point, and STILL does.
Sure, some of the songs/ arrangements don’t quite sit well from the 21st century perspective - but this was FRESH and NEW, unlike what much of Hunter’s releases prior to this LP, which trod the well-worn Mott path.
Full marks for bravery to Ian Hunter.
Now it’s time for the die-hards to re-evaluate.

This edition is much fun. Excellent mastering, insightful, witty liner notes, and some fab tunes. Oh yeah, some crap too.

Great songs, great production. Takes me right back to those hot August nights in `81 - Love it!