Mott The Hoople: Live 2013

The golden age of rock’n’roll rides again.

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The last time Mott The Hoople released a live album it proved to be their original swansong 40 years ago. This latest brings closure of a different sort, presenting a show from last year’s tour on a beautifully shot DVD and two CDs.

After the triumph of 2009’s unexpected reunion, Mott’s return last year ruffled some feathers by switching from Hammersmith to the soulless O2, but also gave other UK cities the chance to witness a genuine legend. No intimate warm-up gig or even much rehearsal, but it was still glorious seeing the original line-up (with Martin Chambers guesting for drummer Dale Griffin) powering through the Island years then the hits with ebullient gusto.

The ballads provide the most moving moments, although those goodbyes at the end of Saturday Gigs could be for real this time, making this release both essential souvenir and last shout for this most waywardly special of UK rock pioneers.

Kris Needs

Kris Needs is a British journalist and author, known for writings on music from the 1970s onwards. Previously secretary of the Mott The Hoople fan club, he became editor of ZigZag in 1977 and has written biographies of stars including Primal Scream, Joe Strummer and Keith Richards. He's also written for MOJO, Record Collector, Classic Rock, Prog, Electronic Sound, Vive Le Rock and Shindig!