Wildlife (album)
Encyclopedia
Wildlife is the third album by the band Mott the Hoople
.
It was originally released in 1971; in the UK by Island Records
(catalogue number ILPS 9144) and in the US by Atlantic Records
(cat. no. SD 8382). After the edgier rock of their first two albums this record has a softer feel (leading to its nickname "Mildlife" among band members). Even Ian Hunter
's trio of compositions are introspective, though disarmingly beautiful. For the first (and only) time Mick Ralphs
' contributions predominate, leading to an almost country-rock feel.
"Keep a Knockin'" is a shambolic live version, all that was deemed salvageable at the time from a prospective live album
recorded at Croydon's Fairfield Halls
in 1970. During this song the band also plays "What'd I Say
" by Ray Charles
, which singer Ian Hunter
incorrectly introduces as being written by Jerry Lee Lewis
.
(*) This track is a rock and roll medley that, besides of Keep A Knockin', it includes snippets of a) I Got A Woman, b) What I'd Say and c) Whole Lotta Shakin' Goin' On.
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...
.
It was originally released in 1971; in the UK by 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...
(catalogue number ILPS 9144) and in the US by Atlantic Records
Atlantic Records
Atlantic Records is an American record label best known for its many recordings of rhythm and blues, rock and roll, and jazz...
(cat. no. SD 8382). After the edgier rock of their first two albums this record has a softer feel (leading to its nickname "Mildlife" among band members). Even 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...
's trio of compositions are introspective, though disarmingly beautiful. For the first (and only) time 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:...
' contributions predominate, leading to an almost country-rock feel.
"Keep a Knockin'" is a shambolic live version, all that was deemed salvageable at the time from a prospective live album
Live album
A live album is a recording consisting of material recorded during stage performances using remote recording techniques, commonly contrasted with a studio album...
recorded at Croydon's Fairfield Halls
Fairfield Halls
Fairfield Hall is an arts centre in Croydon, London, England and opened in 1962. It contains a concert hall, the Ashcroft Theatre , the Arnhem Gallery civic hall and an art gallery....
in 1970. During this song the band also plays "What'd I Say
What'd I Say
According to Charles' autobiography, "What'd I Say" was accidental when he improvised it to fill time at the end of a concert in December 1958. He asserts that he never tested songs on audiences before recording them, but "What'd I Say" is an exception...
" by Ray Charles
Ray Charles
Ray Charles Robinson , known by his shortened stage name Ray Charles, was an American musician. He was a pioneer in the genre of soul music during the 1950s by fusing rhythm and blues, gospel, and blues styles into his early recordings with Atlantic Records...
, which singer 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...
incorrectly introduces as being written by Jerry Lee Lewis
Jerry Lee Lewis
Jerry Lee Lewis is an American rock and roll and country music singer-songwriter and pianist. An early pioneer of rock and roll music, Lewis's career faltered after he married his young cousin, and he afterwards made a career extension to country and western music. He is known by the nickname 'The...
.
Track listing
- "Whiskey Women" (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:...
) - 3.42 - "Angel Of Eighth Avenue" (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...
) - 4.33 - "Wrong Side Of The River" (Ralphs) - 5.19
- "Waterlow" (Hunter) - 3.03
- "Lay Down" (Melanie SafkaMelanie SafkaMelanie Anne Safka-Schekeryk is an American singer-songwriter. Known professionally as simply Melanie, she is best known for her hits "Brand New Key", "Ruby Tuesday" and "Lay Down ".-Early career:...
) - 4.13 - "It Must Be Love" (Ralphs) - 2.24
- "Original Mixed-Up Kid" (Hunter) - 3.40
- "Home Is Where I Want To Be" (Ralphs) - 4.11
- "Keep a Knockin'Keep A-Knockin'"Keep A-Knockin' " is a popular song from the late 1920s, possibly written by Perry Bradford. Variations were recorded by James "Boodle It" Wiggins in 1928, Lil Johnson in 1935, Milton Brown in 1936 and Louis Jordan in 1939...
(Live)" (Richard Penniman) - 10.10 (*)
(*) This track is a rock and roll medley that, besides of Keep A Knockin', it includes snippets of a) I Got A Woman, b) What I'd Say and c) Whole Lotta Shakin' Goin' On.
2003 CD bonus tracks
- "It'll Be Me" (Clement) - 2.58
- "Long Red" (WestLeslie WestLeslie West is an American rock guitarist, singer and songwriter.-Biography:Originally named Leslie Weinstein, West was born in New York City, grew up in Hackensack, New Jersey, and in East Meadow, Forest Hills and Lawrence. After his parents divorced, he changed his surname to West...
/PappalardiFelix PappalardiFelix A. Pappalardi Jr. was an American music producer, songwriter, vocalist, and bass guitarist.- Early life :Pappalardi was born in the Bronx, New York...
/Ventura/Landsberg) - 3.47
Personnel
- 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...
- vocals, guitar, piano - Verden AllenVerden AllenVerden Allen is an organ player and founding member of 1970s rock band, Mott the Hoople...
- organ - 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:...
- guitar, vocals - Pete "Overend" WattsPeter Watts (musician)Peter Overend Watts is a bass guitar player and founding member of 1970s rock band, Mott the Hoople....
- bass - Dale "Buffin" Griffin - drums
- Gerry Hogan - steel guitar
- Brian Humphries - engineer
- Andy JohnsAndy JohnsAndy Johns is an engineer and producer who worked on well-known rock albums such as Led Zeppelin's IV and The Rolling Stones' Exile on Main Street. His sound is exemplified by Free's album Highway, which he engineered and produced....
- engineer - Stan Tippens - vocals
- Jess RodenJess RodenJess Roden is an English rock singer and guitarist.-Biography:Roden's first band was The Raiders followed by The Shakedown Sound which also included the guitarist, Kevyn Gammond, and keyboard player August Eadon ....
- background vocals - Stan Tippins - background vocals
- Michael Gray - string arrangements
- James Archer - violin