2009 UK five CD set containing a quintet of albums from the British rockers: 'All The Young Dudes' (1972), 'Mott' (1973), 'The Hoople' (1974), 'Drive On' (1975) and 'Shouting & Pointing' (1976).

While Sony's Original Album Classics box sets are generally very good and representative - even if they are an inventory clearance method to move classic albums as well as lesser ones off the shelves by packaging them together in a slipcase - occasionally there are problems, and this set, by one of the worthiest bands the label ever recorded, is one of them. Great Britain's Mott the Hoople existed between 1969 and 1976, and recorded for two labels: their earliest recordings were with Atlantic between 1969 and 1971, and their best known were cut between 1972 and 1974 for Columbia, while there were two later dates - both of them included here, unfortunately - for the latter imprint that should never have seen the light of day. Mott's great trilogy of albums - All the Young Dudes (their commercial breakthrough), Mott, and The Hoople - are all included here. While only the first two of these feature guitar genius Mick Ralphs - who would, with Paul Rodgers, later blast Bad Company into rock & roll glory (BC's big hit "Ready for Love" was originally recorded on All the Young Dudes) - all three albums heavily showcased the brilliant songwriting and emerging super glam god status of frontman Ian Hunter at center stage. These three recordings alone are worth the price of the box. Sadly, Hunter departed after The Hoople, and left Morgan Fisher in charge of the band. Ugh. The two latter albums in this box are simply horrific, making the purchase of the entire thing rather useless when the other three are available for less money. Sadly, this is one to avoid. There was a great live record after The Hoople that could have easily been subbed here, making this box set a less dastardly purchase.



CD1: All The Young Dudes (1972)
Tracklist:

01. Sweet Jane (04:21)
02. Momma's Little Jewel (04:26)
03. All The Young Dudes (03:32)
04. Sucker (05:03)
05. Jerkin' Crocus (04:00)
06. One Of The Boys (06:46)
07. Soft Ground (03:17)
08. Ready For Love / After Lights (06:47)
09. Sea Diver (02:55)
10. One Of The Boys (Demo / Bonus Track) (04:18)
11. Black Scorpio (Demo / Bonus Track) (03:35)
12. Ride On The Sun (Demo / Bonus Track) (03:36)
13. One Of The Boys (UK Single Version) (04:21)
14. All The Young Dudes (David Bowie / Ian Hunter Vocal - Bonus Track) (04:25)
15. Sucker (Edit / Live - Bonus Track) (06:27)
16. Sweet Jane (Live - Bonus Track) (05:00)

CD2: Mott (1973)
Tracklist:

01. All The Way From Memphis (05:02)
02. Whizz Kid (03:25)
03. Hymn For The Dudes (05:24)
04. Honaloochie Boogie (02:43)
05. Violence (04:48)
06. Drivin' Sister (03:53)
07. Ballad Of Mott The Hoople (05:25)
08. I'm A Cadillac / El Camino Dolo Roso (07:50)
09. I Wish I Was Your Mother (04:53)
10. Rose (Bonus Track) (03:58)
11. Honaloochie Boogie (Bonus Track) (03:08)
12. Nightmare (Bonus Track) (03:38)
13. Drivin' Sister (Live Hammersmith Odeon / Bonus Track) (04:30)

CD3: The Hoople (1974)
Tracklist:

01. The Golden Age Of Rock 'N' Roll (03:25)
02. Marionette (05:08)
03. Alice (05:20)
04. Crash Street Kidds (04:31)
05. Born Late '58 (04:00)
06. Trudi's Song (04:26)
07. Pearl 'N' Roy (England) (04:31)
08. Through The Looking Glass (04:37)
09. Roll Away The Stone (03:10)
10. Where Do You All Come From (Bonus Track) (03:26)
11. Rest In Peace (Bonus Track) (03:55)
12. Foxy Foxy (Bonus Track) (03:31)
13. (Do You Remember) The Saturday Gigs (Bonus Track) (04:20)
14. The Saturday Kids (Bonus Track) (06:03)
15. Lounge Lizzard (Bonus Track) (04:19)
16. American Pie / The Golden Age Of Rock 'N' Roll (Bonus Track) (04:15)

CD4: Drive On (1975)
Tracklist:

01. By Tonight (03:46)
02. Monte Carlo (04:42)
03. She Does It (03:29)
04. I'll Tell You Something (04:26)
05. Stiff Upper Lip (04:39)
06. Love Now (02:50)
07. Apologies (00:50)
08. The Great White Wail (05:11)
09. Here We Are (05:30)
10. It Takes One To Know One (04:32)
11. I Can Show You How It Is (02:52)

CD5: Shouting And Pointing (1976)
Tracklist:

01. Shouting And Pointing (04:33)
02. Collision Course (03:26)
03. Storm (05:29)
04. Career (No Such Thing As Rock 'N' Roll) (05:26)
05. Hold On, You're Crazy (04:30)
06. See You Again (04:20)
07. Too Short Arms (I Don't Care) (03:59)
08. Broadside Outcasts (03:18)
09. Good Times (03:55)
10. Too Short Arms (I Don't Care) (Eddie Kramer / Electric Lady Mix - Bonus Track) (04:15)