Ian Hunter shares new song 'Precious' ft. Taylor Hawkins, Brian May and Joe Elliott
Lifted from his new album 'Defiance Part 2: Fiction'
by Scott Colothan
Ian Hunter Getty. Mott the Hoople's Ian Hunter
Mott the Hoople legend Ian Hunter has unveiled the star-studded line-up for his new studio album 'Defiance Part 2: Fiction.'
Just like last year's 'Defiance Part 1', Hunter has drafted in rock royalty for the 10-track album of original compositions.
Contributors include Def Leppard's Joe Elliott and Phil Collen, Queen's Brian May, Billy Bob Thornton, Hollywood Vampires' Johnny Depp, Pearl Jam's Mike McCready and Matt Cameron, The Black Crowes' Chris Robinson and Rich Robinson, Cheap Trick's Robin Zander, Rick Nielsen and Tom Petersson, and Stone Temple Pilots' Dean DeLeo, Robert De Leo, and Eric Kretz.
Poignantly, 'Defiance Part 2: Fiction' also features Taylor Hawkins and Jeff Beck, in what was among their final studio performances before their untimely deaths.
As a taster for the record, Ian Hunter has premiered the lead single 'Precious', which features Joe Elliott on backing vocals, Brian May on guitar and the late-great Taylor Hawkins on drums.
Listen to Ian Hunter's new single 'Precious':
Commenting on working with Brian May, Ian Hunter said: "(Mott the Hoople) got on really well with Queen.
"When you're in a band you can get really bored with each other but they were just normal blokes, it was like being on the road with nine guys instead of just five. Freddie was hilarious and I've kept up with Brian to this day."
Alongside the raft of big names, 'Defiance Part 2' comes with artwork painted by Hunter's good friend Johnny Depp.
Thematically, Hunter says the album does tackle some of the weighty goings on in the world today.
"I was trying to avoid all that on PART 1," Hunter says, "but on PART 2, it caught up with me. Most of those were written two or three years back, so I wanted to get it all out before whatever takes hold in November. It would be dated after the fact."
He continues: "I'm neither left nor particularly right. I'm just straight down the middle. And so I tried to write from that point of view. An eagle has two wings and if one falls off it perishes. That's what I'm trying to get at. A bit of common sense, you know, Thomas Paine stuff."
Ian Hunter - Defiance Part 2: Fiction
'Defiance Part 2: Fiction' is released on standard vinyl, CD, and digital download on Friday 19th April 2024 via Sun Records.
A limited edition 2LP vinyl edition of 'Defiance Part 2: Fiction' featuring the bonus tracks will be available exclusively on Record Store Day, on Saturday 20th April 2024.
Ian Hunter's 'Defiance Part 2: Fiction' track-listing:
1) People
Dane Clark: Drums Tom Petersson: Bass Robin Zander: Keyboard, Background Vocals Robin-Sailor, RTZ: Background Vocals Rick Nielsen: Electric Rhythm and Lead Guitars Mark Bosch: Electric Guitar Joe Elliott: Background Vocals Ian Hunter: Piano
2) Fiction
Dane Clark: Drums, China Cymbal Steve Holley: Tambourine, Toms, Cymbal Swell David Mansfield: Strings and String Arrangement Morgan Fisher: Piano Solo and Organ Andy York: Bass, 12-String, Baritone and Electric Guitar Ian Hunter: Piano
3) The 3rd Rail
Dane Clark: Drums Tony Shanahan: Bass Jeff Beck - Lead Guitar Johnny Depp: Acoustic and Electric Rhythm Guitar Ian Hunter: Piano
(Dedicated to Jeff)
4) This Ain't Rock And Roll
Dane Clark: Drums Tony Shanahan: Bass Phil Collen: Background Vocals Andy York: Slide and Electric Guitar Ian Hunter: Piano
5) Precious
Taylor Hawkins: Drums Brian May: Electric Rhythm and Lead Guitars, Bass Joe Elliott: Background Vocals James Mastro: Sax Abuse Ian Hunter: Piano
6) Weed
Eric Kretz: Drums Robert De Leo: Bass Dean DeLeo: Electric Rhythm and Lead Guitars, Slide Guitar Andy Burton: Organ Dennis DiBrizzi: Background Vocals Ian Hunter: Piano
7) Kettle Of Fish
Taylor Hawkins: Drums Dane Clark: Drums and Snare Section Tom Petersson: Bass Robin Zander: Background Vocal Rick Nielsen: Electric Rhythm and Lead Guitars Steve Holley: Tambourine Tommy Mandel: Organ Andy York: Baritone Guitar, Background Vocal Ian Hunter: Electric Guitar
8) What Would I Do Without You
Dane Clark: Drums Lucinda Williams: Lead and Background Vocals Benmont Tench: Organ Tony Shanahan: Bass Andy Burton: Electric Piano Andy York: Baritone Guitar Ian Hunter: Piano
9) Everybody's Crazy But Me
Taylor Hawkins: Drums Waddy Wachtel: Electric Rhythm and Lead Guitars Benmont Tench: Organ Steve Holley: Maracas, Tambourine Paul Page: Bass James Mastro: Electric Guitar Dennis DiBrizzi, Andy York: Background Vocals Ian Hunter: Piano
10) Hope
Taylor Hawkins: Drums, Bass Lucinda Williams: Harmony Vocal Billy Bob Thornton: Background Vocals Benmont Tench: Synth Steve Holley: Maracas, Tambourine J.D. Andrew: Electric Guitar Andy York: Acoustic Guitar, Electric Guitar Ian Hunter: Piano
Record Store Day vinyl bonus tracks:
11) Normal Service Will Be Resumed As Soon As Possible
Kevin Hupp: Drums, Percussion Frank Gagliardi: Bass Rick Tedesco: Electric Guitars, 12-String Acoustic, Background Vocals John Liguori, Michael Tedesco: Background Vocals Ian Hunter: Acoustic Guitars
12) Needle Park
Dane Clark: Drums Rich Robinson: Electric Guitar, Acoustic Guitar Chris Robinson: Background Vocals, Harmonica Tony Shanahan: Bass Mark Bosch: Electric Guitar, Solo Steve Holley: Shaker Ian Hunter: Piano
13) How'd Ya Like To Meet Henry
Matt Cameron: Drums, Percussion Mike McCready: Electric Guitar Joe Elliott: Background Vocals Mark Bosch: Electric Guitar James Mastro: Resonator Guitar Andy York: Bass Ian Hunter: Piano
