Mott the Hoople

Sony Germany's Original Album Classics box sets are an inventory clearance method to move classic albums as well as lesser ones off the shelves by packaging them together in a slipcase. Great Britain's Mott the Hoople existed between 1969 and 1976, and recorded for two labels: their earliest recordings were with Atlantic between 1969 and 1971, and their best known were cut between 1972 and 1974 for Columbia, while there were two additional later dates -- both of them included here -- for the latter imprint. Mott's great trilogy of albums -- All the Young Dudes (their commercial breakthrough), Mott, and The Hoople -- are here, and these three recordings alone are worth the price of the box. While only the first two of these feature guitar genius Mick Ralphs -- who would, with Paul Rodgers, later blast Bad Company into rock & roll glory (BC's big hit "Ready for Love" was originally recorded on All the Young Dudes) -- all three heavily showcased the brilliant songwriting and emerging super glam god status of frontman Ian Hunter at center stage. Hunter departed after The Hoople, leaving Morgan Fisher in charge of the band, and that's the lineup represented by the two latter albums in this box. ~ Thom Jurek, All Music Guide