Ian Hunter/Mick Ronson-Y U I Orta (1989)
Artist: Ian Hunter/Mick Ronson
Title: Y U I Orta
Year of Release: 1989
Country and Year of Edition: UK 1989
Sell Price: $9.42
Sell Date: 2/17/26
Condition: VG+/VG+
Discogs Last Sold: 1/17/26 M/M $13.50
Low: $3.98
Median: $10.00
Average: $9.93
High: $15.66
Current low price: $9.44
Current Number on Sale at Discogs:25
Have/Want: 202/36
Where Sold: Hixon, TX
Time It Took To Sell: 2 years
Where and When Bought: Facebook $2 lot
Gwiz-gau Letter Grade: C
Sad To See It Go: No
I was going to say this was an album of decenct songs ruined by the 80's production. Bernard Edwards of Chic was the culprit. When old British guys want some R&B bonafides there is none more credible than Chic alum but this ain't Let's Dance and Y U I Orata didn't really set the world ablaze. Hunter & Ronson knew this and tacked on two Mick Ronson tracks. "How Much More Can I Take" and the slow burn instrumental b-side of a 1971 single issued as Ronno called "Power of Darkness" as a bonus for the fans that slogged through this. Both those tracks have more life than anything on the main album. It certainly raised the grade up a peg. But you still have to contend with the meat of the record.
Y U I Orta kicks off with an ode to "American Music," which I guess makes a little more sense with Bernard at the helm. It's buried in 80's with some doo wop background vocal underpinnings. A little bit of sentimental sounding mush even if Hunter's heart is in the right place. You also hear a U2 sort of thing in a song like "Sons 'n Lovers." This is what I like to call "David Letterman Rock."
Since it's impossible for Hunter to be all terrible all the time there are a couple standouts. "Livin' In A Heart" is probably the best, stripped down ballad with a solo. It overcomes the sentimentality because this one sounds redemptive reflecting on down and outism. The other good song comes right after that one, "Big Time" has a feel of early rock 'n' Roll although filtered through the blues and veteran rock establishment circuit all the way down to what the lyrics sing about. This is victory lap music for someone on their way down and never gonna bottom out but one could've wondered if there was gonna be comeback juice. With Hunter definitely yes, unfortunately Ronson passed only 4 years after this way back in 1993. He still had something in the tank with his guitar work as the little lick in "Following In Your Footsteps" brings some live into the song.
Sometimes there is a bit of cliche in American music. Getting on your knees in "Beg A Little Love." Watching children grow in a sentimal mood. Expressing "Pain" of either love lost or a headache. It's life I guess.
Sometimes life, lived out like the trajectory of stardom is a cliche.
FOR FURTHER REVIEW:
Ian Hunter-Rant (2001)
Ian Hunter-All Of The Good Ones Are Taken (1983)
Mick Ronson-Slaughter on 10th Avenue (1974)
Pure Prairie League-Bustin' Out (1972)
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