After Ian Hunter had left Mott The Hoople with Mick Ronson, the remaining band members formed Mott, adding Nigel Benjamin on vocals and Ray Major on Guitar. They recorded two albums and they were really good. Very different to the Hunter led band, but Drive On in particular was a great listen. Major was a fine guitarist and Morgan Fisher is never less than interesting.
They were fairly well received and sold quite well in the UK, but faired badly in the States. Nigel Benjamin was replaced by John Fiddler of Medicine Head fame. Morgan Fisher had been working with the last incarnation of Medicine Head and suggested Fiddler joined British Lions.
The debut album here was released as Punk and New Wave had took off in 1978 and did little in the UK, but did surprisingly well in the States, a complete reversal of the Mott days. A cracking version of Garland Jeffrey's Wild In The Streets certainly helped.
Songs such as One More Chance To Run and Eat The Rich are equally excellent. The band were aided by an excellent Live reputation which is revealed here with the inclusion of the 11 live songs from the Old Waldorf show.
It is also worth noting the inclusion of Pretty Vacant in a medley. Wild In The Streets is really anthemic live. Also added are 4 demos. The follow up, Trouble With Women was turned down by both the UK and US labels, eventually getting a UK Release on Cherry Red in 1980.
Despite containing the excellent title track. Trouble With Women is a much heavier affair and the album to have is this one. Prof. Stoned has done a magnificent remaster of the album and British Lions are another fine addition to Roger Houdaille's Think Like A Key label.
You can buy the album everywhere and particularly directly from the TLAK site here.
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