Best of British (Ian McLagan album)
Best of British is the third solo album by British keyboardist Ian McLagan.[5] It was his first in nearly twenty years.[2] Recorded in his adopted hometown of Austin, Texas, with his "Bump Band," then consisting of vocalist and keyboardist McLagan, drummer Don Harvey, bassist Sarah Brown, and guitarists Gurf Morlix and "Scrappy" Jud Newcomb, it featured twelve songs by McLagan, two previously released on his 1985 extended play, Last Chance to Dance.
Best of British | ||||
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Studio album by Ian "Mac" McLagan and The Bump Band | ||||
Released | 7 March 2000 | |||
Recorded | April to June 1998 | |||
Genre | Rock and roll, roots rock, boogie rock | |||
Length | 47:28 (Gadfly and Maniac), 52:05 (Dreamsville) | |||
Label | Gadfly Records (original) Maniac Records (re-release)[1] Dreamsville Records (Japanese edition) | |||
Producer | Gurf Morlix[2] | |||
Ian "Mac" McLagan and The Bump Band chronology | ||||
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Review scores | |
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Source | Rating |
AllMusic | [3] |
The Austin Chronicle | [4] |
The Encyclopedia of Popular Music | [1] |
The album was financed by his former bandmate, Ron Wood, who is featured on three tracks, including "She Stole It!" (the cautionary tale of a man, his woman and his record collection) and the ode to their departed Face Ronnie Lane, "Hello Old Friend." The album in dedicated to Lane.[6]
Critical reception
The Austin Chronicle called Best of British "an album of infectious yet personal tunes, permeated with the deep reflection of a man who's lived long enough to see a lot of life and death."[4] AllMusic wrote that "Best of British is an enjoyable album that sounds like what it is -- a busman's holiday by a talented sideman."[3]
Track listing
All tracks composed by Ian McLagan; except where indicated
- "Best of British" (3:47)
- "I Only Wanna Be With You" (3:36)
- "She Stole It!" (3:46)
- "Warm Rain" (4:32)
- "Hope Street" (McLagan, Jorge Calderón) (3:29)
- "Hello Old Friend" (3:10)
- "Big Love" (4:48)
- "Don't Let Him Out of Your Sight" (5:25)
- "Suzie Gotta Sweet Face" (3:35)
- "Barking Dogs" (McLagan, Calderón) (3:56)
- "I Will Follow" (3:51)
- "This Time" (McLagan, Calderón) (3:33)
- "Last Chance to Dance" (3:37) - bonus track on Dreamsville edition
Personnel
- Ian McLagan: vocal, Hammond organ, piano, rhythm guitar
- Don Harvey: drums, percussion
- Sarah Brown: basses, vocal
- "Scrappy" Jud Newcomb: guitars, vocal
- Gurf Morlix: guitars, vocal
with
- Ron Wood: guitars, dobro, vocal (3, 6, 12)
- Deborah Kelly: vocal (4, 7, 8, 12)
- Amy Boone: vocal (4, 8, 12)
- Billy Bragg: vocal (1)
- Akwana Nflembele & The Jumbahkum Singers: vocals (7)
References
- Larkin, Colin (2006). The Encyclopedia of Popular Music. Volume 5: MUZE. p. 659.CS1 maint: location (link)
- "Ian McLagan & The Bump Band - Best of British". No Depression.
- "Best of British - Ian McLagan". AllMusic.
- "Ian McLagan & the Bump Band Best of British (Gadfly)". austinchronicle.com.
- "Ian McLagan | Biography & History". AllMusic.
- Fricke, David (8 December 2014). "Remembering Ian McLagan, the Small Face With a Big Heart". Rolling Stone.