Having recently release his latest album Fingers Crossed, Ian Hunter is set to perform at Manchester’s Royal Northern College of Music.
His latest album comprises of ten new, self-penned songs including his homage to David Bowie, Dandie. Recorded at HOBO Studios in New Jersey, and co-produced by Hunter and Andy York, the record features his Rant Band and is the follow-up to 2012’s When I’m President.
As leader of ‘70s British rock legends Mott the Hoople and as a hugely influential solo artist, Ian Hunter is widely revered as one of rock’n’roll’s most compelling performers and one of its most articulate songwriters. As author of such immortal anthems as, All The Way From Memphis, Once Bitten, Twice Shy and Cleveland Rocks and the voice of such landmark albums as, All The Young Dudes, Mott, Ian Hunter and You’re Never Alone With A Schizophrenic, he remains a hero to fellow musicians and fans around the world.
The compositions on Fingers Crossed see Hunter covering typically wide-ranging subject matter. Dandy, his fond tribute to David Bowie reflects on a relationship cemented in 1972 when Bowie produced Mott’s album All the Young Dudes and provided its hit title track. “I think Dandy might be my favourite track on the album,” Ian admits “I like the line – ‘and then we took the last bus home’. David was an incredible artist with an insatiable curiosity for everything.”
Ghosts was inspired by a November 2014 visit to Union Avenue in Memphis where Ian and the Rant Band were invited to jam in rock ‘n’ roll pioneer Sam Phillips’ legendary Sun Studio. Title track ‘Fingers Crossed’ is a 1750’s sea-faring tale of impressment, when men were taken into the Navy by compulsion and forced recruitment.
“Fingers Crossed was not inspired by a book” Ian comments, “actually it wasn’t inspired by anything material. I’ve no idea where it came from as I simply woke up one day with the line – ‘I was pressed into service, through no fault of my own’ – and from there the song took its own course. It could only go one way. It’s great when you get a strong opening line!”
Ian Hunter performs at Manchester’s Royal Northern College of Music on 9 November 2016.
