"From The Knees Of My Heart - The Albums 1979-1981" by IAN HUNTER – Includes Four Albums Plus Bonuses - "You're Never Alone With A Schizophrenic" (April 1979, Studio LP), "Ian Hunter Live/Welcome To The Club" (April 1980 2LP Live Set), "Short Back N' Sides" (August 1981, Studio LP) and "Ian Hunter Rocks" (1983 Video-Only Set Released Here For The First Time On CD - September 1981 Recordings at the Dr. Pepper Festival in New York) - Featured Musicians Include Mick Ronson, Mick Jones of The Clash and Max Weinberg of Bruce Springsteen's E-Street Band ad Songs From The Mott The Hoople Era (February 2019 EUROPE-Only Reissue on Chrysalis in a Clamshell Box Set with Mini LP Repro Card Sleeves – Based on the October 2012 UK issued EMI/Chrysalis 4CD Fat Jewel Case Set of Peter Mew Remasters called "From The Knees Of My Heart: The Chrysalis Years 1978-1981") - A Review by Mark Barry...

Photos above are the 2019 EU-Only Chrysalis Reissue 

Of a 2012 UK-Only EMI/Chrysalis 4CD Compilation in a Fat Jewel Case 

(see photos below for images of the original) 

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Knees-My-Heart-Albums-1979-1981/dp/B07KLCY9CP?crid=2F1ZHT8ZG92BD&dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.YZKC4beHqvtfKbUe8PsscQ.N53RZz5FpELd3PD6GeZy00SIPIjim2XrB4HGsHgpq8Y&dib_tag=se&keywords=5060516091256&nsdOptOutParam=true&qid=1727109257&sprefix=5060516091256%2Caps%2C86&sr=8-1&linkCode=ll1&tag=mabasreofcdbl-21&linkId=70ada24ce1bb582c956bdf0d5d76b6dd&language=en_GB&ref_=as_li_ss_tl

"…Standing In My Light…"

Originally released October 2012 in the UK as "From The Knees Of My Heart: The Chrysalis Years 1978-1981" in a 4CD Fat Jewel Case – I much prefer the EU only reissue of February 2019 as it comes in a Clamshell Box Set with four of those natty-looking Mini LP Card Repro Sleeves. 

Renamed as "From The Knees Of My Heart: The Albums 1979-1981" for 2019, the reissue retains the same 63-Tracks (full Bonus compliment), Peter Mew Remasters and the Campbell Devine 16-Page Booklet. I just love that artwork and it can be found for prices that vary between £22 and £30. 

A vaults-haul through Ian Hunter's LP stay at Chrysalis Records with guests like Mick Ronson, Todd Rundgren and Roger Powell of Utopia, Mick Jones and Topper Headon of The Clash, Martin Briley of Brinsley Schwarz, Roy Bittan, Gary Tallent and Max Weinberg all of Bruce Springsteen's E-Street Band – you get two studio albums, one live double and a Video-Only release making its debut on CD as the fourth offering. There's a lot to get through – so here are the Cleveland Rocks…

EU-only released 22 February 2019 - "From The Knees Of My Heart: The Albums 1979-1981" by IAN HUNTER on Chrysalis CRB1074 (Barcode 5060516091256) is a REISSUE of an October 2012 UK 4CD set. The original was UK issued as "From The Knees Of My Heart: The Chrysalis Years 1978-1981" on EMI/Chrysalis 5099923270121 (Barcode 5099923270121) as a 4CD set of remasters in a Fat Jewel Case. This EU-Only Reissue comes with a slightly different title ("From The Knees Of My Heart: The Albums 1979-1981") and is presented in a Clamshell Box Set with Four Mini LP Repro Artwork Card Sleeves and breaks down as follows:

CD1 (77:06 minutes):
1. Just Another Night [Side 1]
2. Wild East 
3. Cleveland Rocks
4. Ships
5. When The Daylight Comes
6. Life After Death [Side 2]
7. Standin' In My Light
8. Bastard 
9. The Outsider 
Tracks 1 to 9 are the album "You're Never Alone With A Schizophrenic" - released April 1979 in the UK and USA on Chrysalis CHR 1214. Produced by MICK RONSON and IAN HUNTER – it peaked at No. 49 in the UK and No. 35 in the USA on the LP charts. Featured Musicians included Mick Ronson on Guitars and Duet Vocals, John Cale of The Velvet Underground on Keyboards, Ellen Foley on Harmony Vocals with Roy Bittan (Keyboards and Harmony Vocals), Garry Tallent (Bass) and Max Weinberg (Drums) of Bruce Springsteen's E-Street Band.

BONUS TRACKS ("Schizophrenic" Outtakes):
10. Don't Let Go (Demo Version)
11. The Other Side Of Life (Outtake)
12. Ships (Early Version) - was a download only track
13. When The Daylight Comes (Early Version)
14. Just Another Night (Version No. 3)
15. The Outsider (Early Version)
16. Alibi 
NOTES: 
Tracks 10 and 11 first appeared on the 2009 on the '30th Anniversary Special Edition' 2CD reissue of "You're Never Alone..."
Track 12 is PREVIOUSLY UNRELEASED on CD
Tracks 14, 15 and 16 are PREVIOUSLY UNRELEASED

CD2 (79:37 minutes):
1. FBI [Side 1]
2. Once Bitten Twice Shy
3. Angeline
4. Laugh At Me 
5. All The Way From Memphis
6. I Wish I Was Your Mother [Side 2]
7. Irene Wilde
8. Just Another Night
9. Cleveland Rocks 
10. Standin' In My Light [Side 3]
11. Bastard
12. Walkin' With A Mountain/Rock And Roll Queen
13. All The Young Dudes 
14. Slaughter On 10th Avenue
Tracks 1 to 14 are the 2LP live set "Ian Hunter Live/Welcome To The Club" - released April 1980 in the UK on Chrysalis CJT 6 and in the USA on Chrysalis CHR2 1269. Produced by MICK RONSON and IAN HUNTER – it peaked at No. 61 in the UK and No. 69 in the USA LP charts. Band included Ian Hunter on Vocals, Mick Ronson and Tommy Morrongiello on Guitars, Tommy Mandel and George Meyer on Keyboards (Meyer also Sax and Vocals), Martin Briley of Brinsley Schwarz on Bass, Eric Parker on Drums with Ellen Foley on Backing Vocals.

NOTES: Regarding Side 4 of the live double-album "Welcome To The Club" - see also Tracks 11, 13 and 14 on CD4 and an Alternate Version as Track 12

BONUS TRACKS:
15. One Of The Boys
16. The Golden Age Of Rock 'n' Roll
NOTES: Tracks 15 and 16 were BONUS TRACKS on the 1994 CD reissue

CD3 (77:09 minutes):
1. Central Park 'N' West [Side 1]
2. Lisa Likes Rock 'n' Roll
3. I Need Your Love 
4. Old Records Never Die
5. Noises 
6. Rain [Side 2]
7. Gun Control
8. Theatre Of The Absurd 
9. Leave Me Alone
10. Keep On Burning
Tracks 1 to 10 are the album "Short Back N' Sides" - released August 1981 in the UK and USA on Chrysalis CHR 1326. Produced by MICK JONES (of The Clash) and IAN HUNTER – it peaked at No. 79 in the UK and No. 62 in the USA on the LP charts. Produced by IAN HUNTER and MICK RONSON (John Holbrook Engineer)  – Featured Musicians Included Mick Ronson on Guitars and Vocals, Tommy Mandel on Keyboards, Mick Jones (Guitar and Vocals) and Topper Headon (Drums) of The Clash, Ellen Foley and Miller Anderson on Harmony Vocals, Gary Windo (ex-Centipede) on Saxophone, Todd Rundgren (Bass and Backing Vocals) and Roger Powell (Backing Vocals) of Utopia.

BONUS TRACKS:
11. Na Na Na
12. I Believe In You
13. Listen To The Eight Track
14. You Stepped Into My Dreams 
15. Venus In The Bathtub
16. Detroit (Take 1)
17. China (Rough Mix with Ronson Vocal)

NOTES: Tracks 11 to 15 were BONUS TRACKS on the 1994 CD reissue
Tracks 16 and 17 are PREVIOUSLY UNRELEASED

CD4 (78:13 minutes):
1. Once Bitten Twice Shy (Live)
2. Gun Control (Live)
3. Central Park 'N' West (Live)
4. Medley: All The Way From Memphis/Honky Tonk Women (Live)
5. I Need Your Love (Live)
6. Noises (Live)
7. Just Another Night (Live)
8. Cleveland Rocks (Live)
9. Irene Wilde (Live)
10. Medley: All The Young Dudes (includes excerpts from Honaloochie Boogie, Roll Away The Stone and Ships)
Tracks 1 to 10 are "Ian Hunter Rocks" recorded live at Dr. Pepper Festival, New York in September 1981. It was originally released on Video in 1983 and is presented here for the first time as PREVIOUSLY UNRELEASED on CD. Band included Ian Hunter on Guitar and Vocals, Robbie Alto on Guitar, Tommy Mandel on Keyboards, Mark Clarke on Bass with Mark Kaufman on Drums.

BONUS TRACKS:
11. Sons And Daughters (Live)
12. We Gotta Get Out Of Here (Alternate Version)
13. Silver Needles (Live)
14. Man O' War (Live)

NOTES: Tracks 11, 13 and 14 are from the original "Welcome To The Club" Live Set
Track 12 is a rare version from the 1980 2LP retrospective "Shades Of Ian Hunter" (included on the 1988 American CD reissue). See CD2 for the rest of the double-LP. 

Photos of The Original 2012 UK 4CD Set on which this 2019 EU Reissue is Based

Still Available on Amazon (UK) - Follow The Link Below

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Knees-My-Heart-Chrysalis-1979-1981/dp/B009CZO3W0?crid=30P3G5HBDCKIZ&dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.qDPoOBUzHmmw4Bv44pIM1A.JFCAepXHluzGvpL7X02-AqOVfD2cvfT-wVV78gcYpTY&dib_tag=se&keywords=5099923270121&nsdOptOutParam=true&qid=1727109319&sprefix=5099923270121%2Caps%2C83&sr=8-1&linkCode=ll1&tag=mabasreofcdbl-21&linkId=b870a5c98c964b139cc0c9742ba7ffde&language=en_GB&ref_=as_li_ss_tl

The four Mini LP Repro Card Sleeves of the reissue are all singular (see photos) and their front cover artwork clear enough (they clip the right side of the title on "Short Back N' Sides" just a little too close). But disappointingly these are not Japanese attention to detail so they do not show the rear artwork (or the gatefold of "Welcome To The Club - Live") – instead simply giving boring track lists and naught else. Still, I like them and have grown to seriously dislike those Fat Jewel Case clumps.

The 16-page info-packed booklet with liner notes by CAMPBELL DEVINE is the same as the 2012 version (pictures, all of it) – so no changes there. It sports track-by-track comments from Ian Hunter himself and recording details/musician credits for each set. There are some live photos, 7" picture sleeves from varying areas, small shots of the album covers. It’s hardly knicker-wetting – typical of these sets (what they could get away with). But as ever the big news is with the sound. 

The 2012 remasters (repeated here) were carried by long-time Abbey Road associate and engineer PETER MEW who has handled hundreds of these reissues – and his touch here is typically superb. The tracks rock with real power – but when they need to be subtle and sensitive like the beautiful piano Demo of "Don't Let Go". Same goes for the organ-and-synth driven New York City smoocher "Listen To The Eight Track" and even the Previously Unreleased Rough Mix to "China" with Mick Ronson on Lead Vocals – it is so clear - Mew allowing all of it to breathe without over-trebling everything.

"Schizophrenic" must be a fan-favourite for many – "Ships", "Just Another Night" and "Cleveland Rocks" were all lifted as singles – all of them with a joyful old-time Rock 'n' Roll. "Life After Death" has always weirded me out with its echoed eerie vocal and "Bastard" is a blindingly good bit of riffage that turns up in his live set even now. But my poison is the stunning yet ever so slightly bitter ballad "Standin' In My Light" - an epic synth driven piece that impresses bit time. The "You're Never Alone..." LP ends on the six-minute piano-ballad "The Outsider" - a confessional about life, music and all points in between - our Ian sounding world-weary and near breaking as he sings "...looking for water...there's sweat everywhere...I ain't tasted coffee for days..." And Mick Ronson tears up the guitar in the final minutes while Roy Bittan of Springsteen's E-Street Band plinks away on the old Joanna...

The two live sets feature a lethal mix of Mott and Solo stuff - the Mott Medley on the "Ian Hunter Rocks" new-to-CD rocking like a monster. The lesser-heard "Irene Wilde" and the perennial thriller "Once Bitten Twice Shy" show why fans love Ian Hunter live – he delivers in that ye-olde English Rock & Roll fashion that seems engrained in his DNA. I kind of wish though that they had somehow found a way to transfer the Video of "Ian Hunter Rocks" on as a DVD Disc 5 – but alas. Still, the Box Set hits as a cool cross-representation of studio vs. live - fantastic stuff…

Still rocking but relevant on the studio front – Hunter joined forces with Mick Jones and Topper Headon of The Clash (roping in Ellen Foley and Todd Rundgren and Roger Powell of Utopia too) for the hugely enjoyable "Short Back N' Sides" LP. His lament for Lennon (an old hero blown away) on "Old Records Never Die" always moved me more than a hundred other tributes. "Noises" could be Bowie and was a brilliant departure for him.

But away from the rockers - the track that sent me most was the Side 2 opener "Rain" which I still find magical. A warbling almost shimmering backing track courtesy of The Clash anchors the song that is filled with touching lyrics about his lost mates in Northampton back in the 60Ts. I bought the album off the shelves when I was visiting New York and I played it into the floor. Still gets me after over 40 years. "Gun Control" may as well be a Clash outtake (and in 2024 – more than four decades after the event – is more bloodily relevant than ever) and the sheer pop of "Leave Me Alone" is kind of cool and shocking at one and the same time. Todd Rundgren provides Backing Vocals on "I Need Your Love". But it ends on a typically huge Hunter ballad that lingers and won't leave – "Keep On Burning". 

I'm kind of shocked at how good the Bonus Tracks are – especially the new stuff. Mick Ronson and Weinberg fans won't believe their luck with 'Version 3' of "Just Another Night" rocking like a proper monster - Ronson adding that magic guitar touch and Max whacking those drums like only he can. Although it's easy to see why the all-over-the-place "Alibi" was left off everything. "Detroit" on Disc 3 is a bit of a mess too - but "China" with Ronson on Lead Vocals is lovely and will thrill fans. And the beautiful piano outtake "Don't Let Go" is in my mind better than some of the tracks that were eventually picked for "You're Never Alone... " – mournful, real and uncluttered too. And amongst the bonus tracks – the sax-driven mania of "Na Na Na" is so Ian Hunter in its 50ts Rock and Roll homage – whooping and wailing as he taps his inner Little Richard. "I Believe In You" first appeared in 1994, but it is a nugget worth re-hearing in 2024. And on it goes – pick and mix.

EMI-UK released two Robin Trower sets in these 4CD Fat Jewel Cases - they did Frankie Miller too, Ten Years After, Donovan and Barclay James Harvest – all superb 3 to 4CD Remastered Anthologies. But as the years have passed to here in 2024 - Chrysalis out of Europe have reissued 'three' of them in these cool Clamshell Box Sets. This is right up there with the best. I've also reviewed the Robin Trower Clamshell and the Frankie Miller one too - peaches (see separate entries). 

I would admit, I look at these Ian Hunter albums through rose-tinted bifocal specs nowadays (2024) 'cause there is much that hasn't dated well or might even elicit yawns amongst newer listeners. But I love it and as Alan Freed would say (sampled by Hunter on "Cleveland Rocks") - King of the Moondoggers! Recommended...