London to Memphis

Performer: Mott the Hoople
Distributor: Bayside Record Dist.

Notes: As a definitive overview of Mott the Hoople's seminal glam years, Sony Music Special Products' London to Memphis comes up short, but what is surprising is what a good sampler it is, considering that it's a budget-priced collection. All of the truly major songs are here -- "All the Way from Memphis," "Sweet Jane," "Honaloochie Boogie," "All the Young Dudes," "Ballad of Motto the Hoople," "Roll Away the Stone," "The Golden Age of Rock 'n' Roll" -- along with such great album cuts as "One of the Boys," "Ready for Love/After Lights" and "Jerkin' Crocus." For many casual listeners, that will be enough, since they won't notice "Sucker," "Violence," "Whizz Kid" and "I Wish I Was Your Mother" are missing -- and the kind of fan who will miss those songs shouldn't even be considering acquiring a disc like this in the first place. As a result, London to Memphis is a worthwhile budget-priced sampler that will satiate some curious listeners while whetting the appetites of others. ~ Stephen Thomas Erlewine

While most rock fans remember Mott The Hoople as a thriving early-'70s glam band, they were also one of the first British bands to serve as a mouthpiece for the working class (predating both The Sex Pistols and The Clash by several years). Led by singer Ian Hunter and future Bad Company guitarist Mick Ralphs, Mott could rock out and pose with the best of 'em.

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