You're Never Alone With a Schizophrenic

by Ian Hunter

Overview

This classic album from 1979 is considered by many to be the high point of Ian Hunter's solo career. Although its sales never matched up to the enthusiastic critical reaction it received, this polished hard rock gem has held up nicely through the years and is definitely deserving of its strong cult reputation. You're Never Alone with a Schizophrenic also marked the reunion of Hunter with his finest creative ally, Mick Ronson, who had been forced to sit out of Hunter's last few albums due to management problems. Together, the reunited duo put together an album that matches Hunter's literate lyrics to a set of catchy, finely crafted tunes brimming with rock & roll energy. Two of the finest tracks are "Cleveland Rocks," an affectionate, Mott the Hoople-styled tribute to an unsung rock & roll city that later became the theme for The Drew Carey Show, and "Ships," a heartrending ballad built on a spooky and ethereal keyboard-driven melody that was later covered with great success by Barry Manilow. Elsewhere, the album features plenty of tunes that soon became mainstays of Hunter's live show: "Just Another Night" is a rollicking rocker with an infectious, piano-pounding melody reminiscent of 1970s-era Rolling Stones, and "Bastard" is a pulsating rocker that features guest star John Cale contributing to its ominous hard rock atmosphere. However, the unsung gem of the album is "When the Daylight Comes," a beautifully crafted mid-tempo rocker that balances a soulful, organ-driven melody with rousing guitar riffs and surprisingly vulnerable lyrics about romance. It should also be noted that You're Never Alone with a Schizophrenic benefits from a sterling mix by Bob Clearmountain, who gives the sound a muscular quality that makes it leap out of the stereo speakers. In the end, You're Never Alone with a Schizophrenic is not only Ian Hunter's finest and most consistent album but one of the true gems of late-'70s rock & roll. ~ Donald A. Guarisco

Product Details

Release Date:	10/25/2024
Label:	Chrysalis
UPC:	0810098501866
Rank:	26613

Album Credits

Performance Credits

Ian Hunter   Primary Artist,Organ,Piano,Guitar,Vocals,Percussion,Vocal Harmony,ARP Synthesizer,Moog Synthesizer
Ellen Foley   Guest Artist,Vocals,Vocal Harmony
Max Weinberg   Guest Artist,Drums
Garry Tallent   Guest Artist,Bass
Roy Bittan   Guest Artist,Keyboards
George Young   Guest Artist,Saxophone,Sax (Tenor)
Mick Ronson   Guest Artist,Guitar,Vocals,Percussion,Vocal Harmony
John Cale   Guest Artist,Piano,Keyboards,ARP Synthesizer
Roy Brittan   Organ,Piano,ARP Synthesizer,Moog Synthesizer
Eric Bloom   Vocals
Lew Del Gatto   Saxophone,Sax (Baritone)
Rory Dodd   Vocals,Vocal Harmony

Technical Credits

Bill Scheniman   Assistant Engineer
Don Berman   Engineer
Georgina Karvellas   Photography
Rod Dyer   Design,Illustrations
Sunny David   Composer
Bob Clearmountain   Engineer
Ian Hunter   Arranger,Composer,Producer
Roy Brittan   Arranger
Rick Ronson   Composer
Marvin Welch   Composer
Jeff Hendrickson   Assistant Engineer
Scott Litt   Engineer
Mick Ronson   Arranger,Composer,Producer
David "Curly" Williams   Composer
David Bowie   Composer,Producer
George Marino   Mastering
Raymond Willhard   Assistant Engineer
Mott the Hoople   Producer