Mick Ronson - Heaven Hull (10 tracks) +Album Reviews

"...a smile on your face as you floated thru space..."

Brent | Ohio | 05/22/2003

(5 out of 5 stars)

"I never was into "glam," being southern/redneck/homophobic, your choice. So I had to be literally restrained in the fall of 1972 to listen to "Ziggy Stardust." And still, to this day, all I could/can think is "WHO'S PLAYING THAT GUITAR?" OK, I've been obsequious about Ronno in my review of his Memorial set (GET THAT if you don't own it!) And I have to say, Mick had a lot of 'nads to produce/perform a work like "Heaven & Hull" while he was in his final illness. You've read the other reviews: "intense version of Like A Rolling Stone with Bowie"...Chrissie Hynde...Mellonhead...and Ronno's final live performance at the Freddie Mercury concert of "All the Young Dudes" with both Ian Hunter and David Bowie. But for my money, this CD's shining moment is the transcendant track,"Colour Me," which affects me - to TEARS - on two levels: the initial level, of course, is the astounding guitar. Indeed, if you listen closely, you can hear Bowie murmer "play that guitar" during the second lead break. On another level, when I'm concentrating on the words, it brings to mind the inevitibility of mortality. I asked a doctor friend of mind what was so..."important" about "color" that prompted Mick to write, perhaps, the strongest song in the CD, and I was told that "color therapy" is an "alternative treatment" for cancer. Which explains, "color me...a dangerous magenta," et al. But for me, the price of the CD is justified for that one line, "...colour me...and as I'm floating thru space/you'll see a smile on my face." Nothing else need be said. RIP, Mick."

A last chance listen

patrick j. martinez | los angeles, ca United States | 03/30/2002

(5 out of 5 stars)

"everything in life is temporary, including life. mick ronson's life ended too early, but he did leave behind many musical masterpieces, "heaven and hull" being one of them. his guitar playing remained raw and edgy, as evidenced in the explosive "color me", "don't look down", and "life's a river" to name but a few tracks from his last studio release. after listening to this i can't help but always ask, what if. it's like when tommy bolin released "private eyes" and then died within six months. you were left wanting more and wondering what if. mick's guitar is silent now, but thankfully we have his swan song preserved for all that have the ability to listen and the desire to hear one of the very best guitarists of all time. his gorgeous music can be heard from "heaven and hull"."

Thank You Mick and Crew

Clinton Desveaux | 09/04/2005

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Well the lead off track "Don't Look Down" is very cool because it rocks hard and rides free thanks to Joe Elliott who seems to have helped give the music a modern edge. Ian Hunter/Elliott on "Take A Long Line" thunders with rage and anger!

Hyde from the Pretenders is great as well. BUY THIS ALBUM!!"

A nice parting gift to a talented guitarist

Sal Nudo | Champaign, Illinois | 11/23/2007

(4 out of 5 stars)

"Before buying "Heaven and Hull," I knew little about Mott the Hoople, and even less about the band's later-added guitarist, Mick Ronson. In fact, the main reason I picked up this album in the first place was because Joe Elliott of Def Leppard contributed vocals and played a big part in getting it recorded. There are several other worthy artists who make "Heaven and Hull" special: Chrissie Hynde of the Pretenders, John Mellencamp and David Bowie to name a few. This album was dedicated to Ronson, who died of cancer and seemed to have many dear friends in the rock `n' roll world who were intent on carrying on his name.

I like the workmanlike, old-fashioned feel to these songs that contains elements of both sturdy rock and roll and a touch of glam to give them sparkle. Of the ten tunes, Ronson had a hand in writing six of them. One of the best songs on the CD is the first one, "Don't Look Down," where Elliott's double-tracked vocals are refreshingly understated. Right off the bat one gets a sense of Ronson's fluid, shimmering guitar playing that seems to melt off his ax like butter. Ronson was also a good singer, and his vocals are paired well with Sham Morris, Hynde and Mellencamp on three different songs. Hynde offers her tough-as-nails voice on the bluesy, down-to-earth song "Trouble With Me," while Mellencamp's equally hardy vocals help qualify the inspirational rocker "Life's a River" as one of the best tunes on the CD. Another cool tune is the gritty but poppy "Colour Me," where Elliott and Bowie each lend their talented background vocals. Toward the end of the CD, "Take a Long Line," featuring gritty vocals by Elliott, Ian Hunter and Ronson, takes the award for the CD's most rollicking, rocking tune.

Overall, "Heaven and Hull" comes off as soulful, completely noncommercial, spontaneous and endearingly benevolent. All these characteristics meld together on the final track, the Bowie-penned "All the Young Dudes," which was recorded live at the The Freddie Mercury Tribute Concert in 1992. "Dudes" is a popular classic, but this tuneful performance, which includes Hunter, Elliott, Bowie and Phil Collen of Def Leppard contributing background vocals, betters the more stilted original studio version. It must be heard to be believed.

A few of Ronson's beautiful guitar instrumentals on this album are to be treasured, but it's the camaraderie and care displayed by his friends after his passing that is even more touching. Pick this one up if you just enjoy solid rock `n' roll by timeless artists."

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