Five nights at Hammersmith are behind us, and we're all wondering if that was the end for Mott the Hoople.
I wasn't able to get definitive answers. I don't think there are any.
There's no doubt the band will get offers in the immediate aftermath. The shows were extremely well-received. How much of that was based on pure nostalgia is a matter of opinion, but there must be short-term demand for more.
I still say the most likely course is a two- or three-day residency at a mid-sized New York venue such as Nokia Theatre at Times Square. Nothing larger, or smaller, would make financial sense. And I could see this happening in May, the same month as the 1974 Broadway shows. I don't think we're talking years of wait this time.
Here are the issues -- remember, I know nothing:
The drums: Buffin is out of the question. And with the reunion buzz done, he probably wouldn't even appear at subsequent performances. I thought the way they handled his situation was classy and appropriate. I thought they should have given him an introduction on Friday and Saturday, but then I realized they didn't introduce Verden Allen either.
Martin Chambers would be the ideal replacement, but complications with his own management or the Pretenders might scotch that idea. The Great Pretender (I stole that, it's great) was listed as a support musician on these shows and probably got less of a cut, but I can't see that happening again. If he plays again, he's a member of MTH. Martin's role in these shows is being applauded across the board. MTH fans love him now.
Steve Holley would be another capable choice.
Pete Watts: He's saying he doesn't know if he wants to do anymore. All I can say is, fans loved seeing him up there again, he looked great and can still perform. Pete, you haven't got another 35 years to play the Hamlet role. Get on board. If it's just Ian, Mick and Verden calling themselves MTH, my interest meter is way down.
(But when Ian said Tuesday that "Pete's still undecided," the implication is that the other three are decided).
Ian Hunter: One thing I missed in my stay in London was this interview with Ian and Joe Elliott in the Independent. So Joe was everywhere -- a fan, a journalist, a support act, a backup vocalist. Where does it end? But he did get Ian to say a few interesting things.
One of them was Ian's admission that Man Overboard had been "obliterated" by the MTH shows, an opinion I gave earlier on this blog. So again, what does the MTH pursuit do to the solo career of a 70-year-old man? He can't work year-round. A U.S. tour for Man Overboard was a casualty of these MTH shows.
Tour or no?: Mott the Hoople won't tour. Ian said as much in the Joe Elliott interview. Again -- a residency in New York. Maybe a couple of nights in Glasgow.
My conclusion: We'll see them again before the end of 2010. And it should really end there.
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
Totally agree. Although a festival or two, like Glastonbury might work and be attractive to them now they have an act again. Another set of gigs won't take as much effort as this did starting from scratch.
ReplyDeleteI think Pete will do it again - he and Mick were very tired last night and not in the right frame of mind to commit. But give it a few weeks/months even and let's see what happens in 2010.
But for now, we got what we all wanted - the impossible - and it's not going to be as exciting next time. Not after the 35 years wait. But once more in the States will be nice and I'll be there.
Can’t see them holding a big festival crowd like Glastonbury in thrall. Mott were and still are it seems endearingly rough around the edges when it comes to live performance. Part of the magic. Add to that their age, and the fact that they are still a bit rusty, and they would not really hit it off at big fests, that, whilst do have a mix of ages, are predominantly made up of younger punters.
ReplyDeleteWhat should they do next? Nothing. They have just said an amazing ‘Goodbye’ to their fans at their old stomping ground the Odeon. And surpassed expectations in doing so. That should be it.
Can't argue with that. It's just that, as a fan, when you've reunited with something that was lost for 35 years, it's hard to let it go again.
ReplyDeleteThey should quite while they're WAY ahead. I totally agree.
ReplyDeleteI saw them twice on the Isle of Man in 1974 and I went to the reunion at the Odeon in October.I agree with John It's hard to let go again when you've been a lifelong fan.
ReplyDeleteAs an American fan who couldn't get to England, I am hoping that MTH will come to NYC and play a couple of shows. PLEASE!!!!!!
ReplyDelete