Two Miles from Heaven
Encyclopedia
Two Miles From Heaven is a compilation album of tracks recorded by British underground
rock band Mott the Hoople
during their period with Island Records
from 1969 to 1972. It features the original band line-up of Ian Hunter
(vocals, piano, guitar), Mick Ralphs
(guitar, vocals), Peter Watts
(bass guitar, vocals), Dale Griffin
(drums) and Verden Allen
(organ). Incomplete tracks from original sessions were supplemented by overdubs of vocals, keyboards (by later Mott the Hoople and Mott member Morgan Fisher
) and guitar (including contributions from Mott guitarist Ray Majors).
Of significance to followers of the group were the inclusion of alternative versions of extant Mott the Hoople songs ( a vocal version of "You Really Got Me", the discarded mix of "Thunderbuck Ram" and early demo tapes of songs that were later recorded for their All the Young Dudes
album once the band had left Island and signed to Columbia Records
: "One of the Boys", "Ride on the Sun" (better known as "Sea Diver") and "Black Scorpio" (Momma's Little Jewel). "Until I'm Gone" was an otherwise unreleased Ralphs track of note.
The initial vinyl release was on Island's German label (202 429-270), in 1980, but it has subsequently been re-released on Angel Air
SJPCD 161 in 2003 with additional bonus tracks.
Underground music
Underground music comprises a range of different musical genres that operate outside of mainstream culture. Such music can typically share common values, such as the valuing of sincerity and intimacy; an emphasis on freedom of creative expression; an appreciation of artistic creativity...
rock band Mott the Hoople
Mott the Hoople
Mott the Hoople were a British rock band with strong R&B roots, popular in the glam rock era of the early to mid 1970s. They are popularly known for the song "All the Young Dudes", written for them by David Bowie and appearing on their 1972 album of the same name.-The early years:Mott The Hoople...
during their period with Island Records
Island Records
Island Records is a record label that was founded by Chris Blackwell in Jamaica. It was based in the United Kingdom for many years and is now owned by Universal Music Group...
from 1969 to 1972. It features the original band line-up of Ian Hunter
Ian Hunter (singer)
Ian Hunter Patterson is an English singer-songwriter. He was the lead singer of the English rock band Mott the Hoople from its inception in 1969 to its dissolution in 1974, and he again fronted them at the time of their 2009 reunion. Hunter was a musician and songwriter before Mott The Hoople, and...
(vocals, piano, guitar), Mick Ralphs
Mick Ralphs
Michael Geoffrey "Mick" Ralphs is an English guitarist and songwriter, who was a founding member of rock bands Mott the Hoople and Bad Company.-Career:...
(guitar, vocals), Peter Watts
Peter Watts (musician)
Peter Overend Watts is a bass guitar player and founding member of 1970s rock band, Mott the Hoople....
(bass guitar, vocals), Dale Griffin
Dale Griffin
Dale "Buffin" Griffin is an English drummer and founding member of 1970s rock band, Mott the Hoople....
(drums) and Verden Allen
Verden Allen
Verden Allen is an organ player and founding member of 1970s rock band, Mott the Hoople...
(organ). Incomplete tracks from original sessions were supplemented by overdubs of vocals, keyboards (by later Mott the Hoople and Mott member Morgan Fisher
Morgan Fisher
Morgan Fisher is an English keyboard player / composer, and is most known for being a member of Mott the Hoople in the early 1970s. However, his career has covered a wide range of musical activities, and he is still highly active in the music industry...
) and guitar (including contributions from Mott guitarist Ray Majors).
Of significance to followers of the group were the inclusion of alternative versions of extant Mott the Hoople songs ( a vocal version of "You Really Got Me", the discarded mix of "Thunderbuck Ram" and early demo tapes of songs that were later recorded for their All the Young Dudes
All the Young Dudes
All the Young Dudes is an album by Mott the Hoople, released in 1972. Their initial album for the CBS Records label , it was a turning point for the then-struggling British band. They were about to break up when David Bowie stepped in and gave them the song "All the Young Dudes"...
album once the band had left Island and signed to Columbia Records
Columbia Records
Columbia Records is an American record label, owned by Japan's Sony Music Entertainment, operating under the Columbia Music Group with Aware Records. It was founded in 1888, evolving from an earlier enterprise, the American Graphophone Company — successor to the Volta Graphophone Company...
: "One of the Boys", "Ride on the Sun" (better known as "Sea Diver") and "Black Scorpio" (Momma's Little Jewel). "Until I'm Gone" was an otherwise unreleased Ralphs track of note.
The initial vinyl release was on Island's German label (202 429-270), in 1980, but it has subsequently been re-released on Angel Air
Angel Air
Angel Airlines, trading as Angel Air, was an airline based in Bangkok, Thailand, which was operational between 1997 and 2006.-Fleet:Over the years, Angel Airlines operated the following aircraft types:...
SJPCD 161 in 2003 with additional bonus tracks.
Track Listing (2003 Re-issue)
- "You Really Got MeYou Really Got Me"You Really Got Me" is a rock song written by Ray Davies and performed by his band, The Kinks. It was released on 4th August 1964 as the group's third single, and reached Number 1 on the UK singles chart the next month, remaining for two weeks...
" (Ray DaviesRay DaviesRay Davies, CBE is an English rock musician. He is best known as lead singer and songwriter for the Kinks, which he led with his younger brother, Dave...
) 3.08 - "The Road to Birmingham" (Ian HunterIan Hunter (singer)Ian Hunter Patterson is an English singer-songwriter. He was the lead singer of the English rock band Mott the Hoople from its inception in 1969 to its dissolution in 1974, and he again fronted them at the time of their 2009 reunion. Hunter was a musician and songwriter before Mott The Hoople, and...
) 3.30 - "Thunderbuck Ram" (Mick RalphsMick RalphsMichael Geoffrey "Mick" Ralphs is an English guitarist and songwriter, who was a founding member of rock bands Mott the Hoople and Bad Company.-Career:...
) 4.41 - "Going Home" (Ralphs) 3.00
- "Little Christine" (Ralphs) 3.06
- "Keep a Knockin'" (Richard Penniman) 3.25
- "Black Hills" (Ralphs) 1.32
- "Movin' On" (Ralphs) 2.44
- "Ride On the Sun" (Hunter) 3.38
- "Growin' Man Blues" (Hunter) 2.46
- "Until I'm Gone" (Ralphs) 3.14
- "One of the Boys" (Ralphs, Hunter) 4.19
- "Surfin' U.K." (Ralphs) 2.37
- "Black Scorpio" (Hunter, Peter "Overend" WattsPeter Watts (musician)Peter Overend Watts is a bass guitar player and founding member of 1970s rock band, Mott the Hoople....
) 3.36 - "Ill Wind Blowing" (Hunter) 3.53
- "The Debt" (Hunter) 4.15
- "Downtown" (Danny WhittenDanny WhittenDaniel Ray Whitten was an American musician and songwriter best known for his work with Neil Young and Crazy Horse, and for the song "I Don't Want To Talk About It", a hit for Rita Coolidge, Rod Stewart and Everything but the Girl.- Biography :Whitten was born on May 8, 1943, in Columbus, Georgia....
, Neil YoungNeil YoungNeil Percival Young, OC, OM is a Canadian singer-songwriter who is widely regarded as one of the most influential musicians of his generation...
) 3.03