Heaven & Hull [Bonus Track]

by Mick Ronson

Overview

Rightly hailed as David Bowie's high-flying guitar ace, the self-effacing Ronson had been recording only his third solo album in a 30-year career when he died of liver cancer in 1994. Undaunted, his surviving colleagues completed the project, which stands as a forceful reminder of his wide-ranging talents. Ronson's gleeful, anything-goes eclecticism holds true here. The recipe extends to bluesy pop ("When the World Falls Down"), brooding soundscapes ("You and Me"), an unlikely rearrangement of Giorgio Moroder's "Midnight Love," and even rock-funk ("Colour Me"). Aficionados of Ronson's strangled, Jeff Beck-style string-bending won't be disappointed -- especially on the thunderous "Don't Look Down" and on "Life's a River," where he squarely addresses his imminent mortality. Not surprisingly, every track boasts a different lineup, yet two key factors provide continuity. Ronson wrote or co-wrote five of the ten songs. Additionally, guitarist-keyboardist Sham Morris -- like his famous collaborator a native of the English industrial city of Hull -- provides key instrumental and production support. The all-star lineup attests to Ronson's appeal and influence. Old co-conspirator Bowie lends suitably jittery vocals to a giddy trashing of the Bob Dylan standard "Like a Rolling Stone." Additional reinforcement comes from Def Leppard vocalist Joe Elliott, Pretenders singer-guitarist Chrissie Hynde, and rustic rocker John Mellencamp -- whose 1982 hit, "Jack and Diane," benefited from Ronson's arranging prowess. The closing spot naturally falls to ex-Mott the Hoople frontman Ian Hunter, Ronson's longest-serving partner during the '70s and '80s. Hunter leads a rousing take on "All the Young Dudes," the Bowie-penned number that his band made famous. The latter track hails from Ronson's last major public appearance, at the 1992 all-star tribute to Queen's late vocalist, Freddie Mercury, which closes the circle nicely. The back cover features a shot of the Humber Bridge, in Ronson's hometown of Hull. Part of the proceeds were intended for the T.J. Martell Foundation, to help the fight against cancer. ~ Ralph Heibutzki

Product Details

Release Date:	06/28/2011
Label:	Lemon
UPC:	5013929779327

Album Credits

Performance Credits

Mick Ronson   Primary Artist,Bass,Guitar,Vocals,Multi Instruments
John Mellencamp   Primary Artist,Guest Artist,Vocals
David Bowie   Primary Artist,Guest Artist,Vocals,Vocals (Background)
Joe Elliott   Primary Artist,Guest Artist,Vocals,Vocals (Background)
Sham Morris   Primary Artist,Bass,Guitar,Vocals,Keyboards,Drum Machine,Guitar (Acoustic)
Chrissie Hynde   Primary Artist,Guest Artist,Vocals
Ian Hunter   Primary Artist,Guest Artist,Vocals
Roger Taylor   Guest Artist,Drums
Brian May   Guest Artist,Guitar
John Deacon   Bass
John Webster   Keyboards
Phil Collen   Vocals
Martin Chambers   Drums
Keith Scott   Guitar
Martin Barker   Drums
Rene Wurst   Bass
Peter Kinski   Bass
Mick Curry   Drums
Martin Bakker   Drums
Peter Noone   Bass

Technical Credits

Ted Jensen   Mastering
Steve Popovich   Executive Producer
Bob Dylan   Composer
Ian Hunter   Liner Notes
Colin Allen   Composer
Frankie La Rocka   Mixing
Erwin Musper   Engineer
David Leonard   Engineer
David Richards   Mixing
John Holbrook   Mixing,Engineer
Justin Shirley-Smith   Mixing Assistant
Peter Denenberg   Mixing
Mick Ronson   Mixing,Composer,Producer,Instrumentation
Bob Rock   Mixing
Mike Wanchic   Engineer
Joe Elliott   Mixing
David Bowie   Composer
Bruce Fairbairn   Producer
Giorgio Moroder   Composer
George Cowan   Photography
Sham Morris   Mixing,Composer,Engineer,Producer
Pennie Smith   Photography
Sam Lederman   Executive Producer
Timothy Manteau   Design Assistant
Penny Smith   Photography
Linda Woods   Photography
Wayne Maser   Photography
John Lappen   Executive Reissue Producer
Andre Gauchat   Mixing,Mixing Assistant
Peter Gabriel   Photography
Mick Rock   Photography
Sheila Rock   Photography
George Corsillo   Hand Tinting
Ross Halstand   Photography
Suzanne Ronson   Composer,Photography,Executive Producer
KK   Mixing,Engineer
Francesca Restrepo   Design,Art Direction
Ken Regan   Photography