I HAD fallen in love with Ian Hunter’s world-weary, Dylan-esque voice long before Mott The Hoople hit the jackpot with a unique version of Bowie’s All The Young Dudes.

Neglected pre-Dudes classics such as At The Crossroads and No Wheels To Ride are the lasting achievements of a great pre-punk band, and Hunter, now 76, is harking back to those early Mott days with this excellent new album.

While the intensity of the voice may be fading, his lyrics are as urgent and as relevant as ever. Standout track is Dandy, a heartfelt tribute to David Bowie (see how many titles of Bowie records you can spot), while White House and Fingers Crossed are full of those majestic guitar chords and sweeping, swirling organ passages, so beloved of young Mott.

Hunter’s lyrics are typically wide-ranging, from Greek gods (Morpheus) to 18th century vigilantes (Bow Street Runners) and, as always, are underpinned by a keen understanding of the vagaries of life. It’s great to see the grand old rocker at peace with himself.