Coming Up: Mott The Hoople - Mental Train - The Island Years 1969-71 Box Set


What they’re saying:
Legendary English rock band Mott The Hoople’s entire output for Island Records is set to be released as a new 6-CD box set, Mental Train on 2 November.

The band were signed to Island from 1969-1971 and this new box brings together all of their studio albums from the period, in addition to a wealth of bonus material including BBC sessions and live concerts. The studio albums have all been remastered from the original tapes (where available) by renowned engineer Andy Pearce and have been complemented by bonus tracks selected by Mott the Hoople expert, Kris Needs.

Disc 5 comprises more unheard and, in some cases, unreleased music from the Island archive and Disc 6 rounds everything off with live material recorded at Fairfield Hall, Croydon on 13 September 1970 plus a BBC Radio One In Concert from the Paris Theatre, London on 30 December 1971. The CDs are housed in a shoe box style package with a 50-page booklet designed by Phil Smee who scoured the archives for rare photos and memorabilia, tracing the evolution of the band. It is completed with comprehensive sleeve notes by Kris Needs.

Mott the Hoople were one of the most prolific and important British rock bands of the early 1970s and have been cited as a major influence by members of a raft of subsequent groups, including Queen, Def Leppard, Oasis, R.E.M., Kiss, Motley Crue and The Clash.

“Mott would swing relentlessly and unstoppably into their show every night, like a marauding band of outlaws and every night there was something close to a riot – the kids couldn’t get close enough; they simply couldn’t get enough,” says Queen’s Brian May of the band. “Ian Hunter – the unwritten boss – would plant himself centre-stage behind his shades and dare anyone to remain seated.”

Mott The Hoople continue to perform, in their current line-up, with Ian Hunter at the helm.

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