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Verden Allen
Long Time No See Bonus Tracks SJPCD036 All tracks written by Verden Allen except "Death May be Your Santa Claus", written by Hunter/Allen. Musicians playing on this album: Additional guest musicians: Musicians playing on track 15, "Hypnotized": Tracks 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 13 and 14 recorded at Broad Oak Studios, Herefordshire, ENGLAND. Engineered by DAve Wood. Arranged and Produced by Verden Allen. Mixed by Verden Allen and Dave Wood. Track 15 recorded at Trident Studios, Wardour Steet, London, ENGLAND. Engineered by Dennis Mackay. Mixed by Verden Allen and Jerry Smith on 22nd OCtober 1975. Tape operator Geoff. Tracks 6 and 12 recorded at AM-PRO Studios, London, ENGLAND. Engineered by Rob Keylock on 11th February 1981. Tracks 16 and 17 recorded at Chapel LAne Studios, Hampton Bishop, Hereford, ENGLAND. engineered by Rob Andrews. Arranged and Produced by Verden Allen. Mixed by Verden Allen and Rob Andrews. Remastered at SRT, Cambridge, ENGLAND during August 1998 by Nick Watson. Special Thanks to: Front cover artwork is a reproduction of the second Mott the Hoople album "Sticky Fingers", which became "Mad Shadows". The Rolling Stones then went on to use the title "Sticky Fingers" for their then forthcoming LP thanks to the consent of record producer Guy Stephens. Licensed from Verden Allen
Readers of these pages may have picked up that I am an admirer of Verden Allens contribution to Mott the Hoople and it is satisfying to see, via the pages of Campbell Devines official biography, that his former Hoople colleagues too recognise his worth to the original quintet. For my money, his Hammond sound was the underpinning of much that the band did and was one of their x-factors in separating them from their contemporaries; for example, I found the Who to be flat and hollow in sound in comparison. So, it is with some anxiety that I listen to this CD, originally a release under his then band Thunderbuck Rams name and now with a Cheeks track and a couple of other newies. Currently, 'Son of the Wise Ones' is my whistling favourite; I have really caught it bad and it is also no surprise to find that this was originally written for Mott the Hoople. On subsequent listenings you feel the track cry out for Buffins sticks and also the hand of Ralpher, especially as the song rises to a formidable crescendo. That's not to say the playing here is bad, it isn't and the guitarist (Graham Masters) even has sympathetic touches of Mick Ralphs here and there. But it all depressingly proves that no matter how competent and even with a name (as Verden is/was) a record like this is only available through the insight of companies like Angel Air and there are thousands of bands up and down the country playing stuff as good as this week in and week out. Oh for a national rock show... However, I feel that this is above average as the songwriting is top drawer. The aforementioned 'Son of...', 'Fine Time to Love', 'Knocking on those old Back Doors', 'Wine Ridden Talks' -- great title and another made-for-Mott song -- 'Hold on to this' 'Carry On', 'Hypnotised' and 'This Way Now' which features Watts and Griffin, are all great tracks. And the rest is good too. Finally, for Mott-ness sake, there are two tracks here that are alternatives to his former bands takes. 'Death May be Your Santa Claus' has taken me some time to get used to (it is one of my Mott faves) and lacks the lunacy and power of the original but 'Soft Ground' is a gem. It is truly wonderful and when it comes on I have to stop what I am doing. It will be difficult to listen to the Dudes version now. This is a record I am playing quite frequently and has that certain human touch of Mott that endeared them to us all and is a great showcase for Verdens writing. Easily worth fifteen of your quid. Terry Burgess November 1998.
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Last update 26th July 2008 ©2008 Half Moon Bay
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