Short Back 'n' Sides explained

Short Back n' Sides
Type:	studio
Artist:	Ian Hunter
Cover:	Short_Back_%27n%27_Sides_album_cover.jpg
Released:	August 29, 1981
Genre:	Rock
Length:	44:55 (Original release) 105:38 (2CD edition)
Label:	Chrysalis
Producer:	Mick Jones, Mick Ronson
Prev Title:	Welcome to the Club
Prev Year:	1980
Next Title:	All of the Good Ones Are Taken
Next Year:	1983

Short Back 'n' Sides is the fifth studio album by Ian Hunter. He collaborated with Mick Jones, Topper Headon, Todd Rundgren, and Ellen Foley.^[1]

In 1995, Chrysalis released a 2 CD set with a remastered version of the album and bonus CD with outtakes of the Chrysalis period.^[2] The track "Noises" is an experimental track with many samples used as part of the song and "Theatre of the Absurd" is Ian's only reggae song, inspired by the Ladbroke Grove area of London.

Track listing

All songs written by Ian Hunter; except where indicated

1. "Central Park n' West" – 4:00
2. "Lisa Likes Rock n' Roll" – 3:56
3. "I Need Your Love" – 3:34
4. "Old Records Never Die" – 4:18
5. "Noises" (Ian Hunter, Tommy Morrongiello) – 5:51
6. "Rain" – 5:54
7. "Gun Control" – 3:12
8. "Theatre of the Absurd" – 5:49
9. "Leave Me Alone" – 3:29
10. "Keep on Burning" – 4:46

1995 Bonus CD (Long Odds and Out-takes)

1. "Detroit" (rough mix – instrumental) – 3:42
2. "Na Na Na" – 4:13
3. "I Need Your Love" (rough mix) – 3:46
4. "Rain" (alternative mix) – 5:50
5. "I Believe in You" – 4:15
6. "Listen to the Eight Track" – 6:08
7. "You Stepped Into My Dreams" – 4:41
8. "Venus in the Bathtub" – 4:29
9. "Theatre of the Absurd" – 6:08
10. "Detroit" (out take 5 – vocal) – 4:00
11. "Na Na Na" (extended mix) – 4:29
12. "China" (Mick Ronson vocal) – 4:36
13. "Old Records Never Die" (version 1) – 4:18

Personnel

• Ian Hunter - lead vocals, guitars, piano
• Mick Ronson - lead guitar, keyboards, vocals
• Tommy Mandel - keyboards
• Tommy Morrongiello - bass, vocals
• Martin Briley - bass
• Eric Parker - drums
• George Meyer - keyboards, vocals
• Mick Jones - guitars, vocals
• Topper Headon - drums, percussion
• Tymon Dogg - violin
• Ellen Foley - vocals
• Miller Anderson - vocals
• Mick Baraken - guitar on "Gun Control"
• Wells Kelly - drums on "Gun Control"
• John Holbrook - bass on "Gun Control"
• Gary Windo - alto saxophone on "I Need Your Love"
• Roger Powell - backing vocals on "I Need Your Love"
• Todd Rundgren - bass, backing vocals on "I Need Your Love"

Technical

• Mixed by Bob Clearmountain; David Tickle on "Rain"
• Lynn Goldsmith - photography

Notes and References

1. News: Niester . Alan . Short Back N' Sides Ian Hunter . The Globe and Mail . 22 Aug 1981 . F6.
2. Web site: Ian Hunter LP/CD: "Short Back 'n' Sides" . Hunter-mott.com . 9 March 2012.