Ian Hunter
The Palace Theatre
Danbury, CT
September 2010
Review & Photos By Cary Doll
(SugarBuzz New York)
SugarBuzz Magazine
Mr. Hunter stepped onstage at Danbury’s Palace Theatre, looking every bit the rocker that we all love, yet humble, and sporting his signature shades. While the once regal theatre once brought performers like Louis Armstrong and Chuck Berry to this venue, the theatre unfortunately fell into disrepair, and is very slowly being refurbished to its former grandeur. Approximately 200 fans filled this intimate setting, and it was like being reunited with an old friend one hadn’t seen in years when he walked onstage.This was a benefit show for Mr. Steven Buccini, a friend of Ian's who passed away earlier this year. Organizing the event, and playing in the opening band, was Rick Tedesco, Steven's brother-in-law. The Doug Wahlberg band has
been a fixture on the scene around here for years, opening for many well-known bands, and they sang both originals and covers with finesse and a heavy guitar presence.
Opening the show with “Once Bitten, Twice Shy”, Ian launched into a few familiar old favorites from his earlier solo albums such as “Who Do You Love?” and “Central Park’N’West”. Next was a newer one, “Man Overboard” from his most recent release (same name), on which Ian played a little harmonica. It’s a beautiful ballad.
A guy sitting behind me had been to see Ian with the “Mott reunion” in London, England last year, and some fans in the audience sported Mott t-shirts. One female fan shouted to Ian onstage “We love you, Ian!!” and he responded back “well I love you too!”
Ian has such a personal way of singing. It makes you feel like he and you are the only two in the room, and he’s talking heart-to-heart with you and you alone. He recalled his working with Mick Ronson, as well as memories of his dad in WWII.
He played many favorites from the Mott the
Hoople days, like “Sweet Angeline”, “I Wish I Was Your Mother”(a fave of this writer), a rousing, rocking version of Lou Reed’s “Sweet Jane”, and a signature hit of theirs, “All the Way from Memphis”. He then surprised the crowd with a rendition of “Somewhere” from West Side Story while on keyboards, and totally blew this writer away. Beautifully done!!
The band aside from Ian that performed with him were James Mastro on guitar, Mark Bosch on guitar, Paulie Page on bass, Andy Burton on keys, Steve Holley on drums. Guitarist Andy York came onstage toward the very end to play a few songs with the band as well.
It was so great to see Ian perform again after many years. Ian didn’t look his age, but I figure we’re all getting on in years, and who knows when might be the last time. It was good to see he is still slim, looking only slightly older than his
Mott days, and still performing/touring.
An encore with “Roll Away the Stone”, “Saturday Gigs’ and their best-known song “All the Young Dudes” concluded the show and brought the appreciative fans out of their seats and into the aisles.