Mr. Love Pants
Encyclopedia
Mr. Love Pants is a 1998 album by Ian Dury
and the Blockheads, released on East Central One under Dury's own label Ronnie Harris Records (named after his accountant).
. It was his first studio album for six years following The Bus Driver's Prayer & Other Stories
in 1992 and his first studio album with The Blockheads for 18 years since Laughter
in 1980 (though they had produced a live album Warts 'n' Audience in 1991) and is considered by many to be the true successor to his seminal 1977 album New Boots and Panties!! - on his BBC
documentary Dury dismissed all of the albums between Do It Yourself and Mr. Love Pants as inferior.
The album took around five years to complete and the writing commenced at Acre Farm, Twyford (near Reading, Berkshire
) in 1993. Initially Chas Jankel
worked with Ian Dury after returning from living in America
for most of the eighties, but arguments between the two and soundman Ian Horne lead to Jankel leaving, at least two songs "Itinerant Child" and "Bed O' Roses No. 9" were written before he did however. Deserted Dury called Merlin Rhys-Jones who had been in the Music Students (Ian Dury's band for the album 4,000 Weeks' Holiday
) they wrote ten songs together there, two would eventually make the album - "Jack Shit George" and "Cacka Boom" before arguments over money caused Rhys-Jones to leave.
It is generally considered that Ian Dury's first bout with cancer is what prompted him to reform The Blockheads and work with them solely, which he would do for the rest of his life. Ian Dury's new minder Derek Hussey aka Derek the Draw who managed to get Jankel and Dury talking again only for a bizarre phonecall from Ian involving touring America and a fictitious uncle of Jankel's lead to Chas having his solicitor write to Dury and Mickey Gallagher saying he would never play with the band again, though he relented after discovering Dury had cancer.
The album was recorded at Air Studios, which was also being used by Michael Jackson
and was surprisingly trouble free compared to the troublesome recording sessions usually caused by Ian Dury, again his personality changes are attributed to his first bout with cancer - the only major incident being Dury randomly deciding to replace new drummer Steve Monti with Bernard Purdie
but after constant opposition from his band Dury relented.
"Itinerant Child" was to be released as Ian Dury & The Blockhead's first single in 18 years (since 1980's "Sueperman's Big Sister
") and a video was recorded but East Central One nixed the idea, in the end "Mash it Up Harry" was released instead on both CD and 12" record. The album is named after a song written by a friend of Steve Monti called Dean, Dean was furious and thought that the band had stolen his song.
Produced by the Blockheads, Engineered by Kevin Paul, Juw & Eon, Mixed by Laurie Latham
with assistance from John Bailey
Ian Dury
Ian Robins Dury was an English rock and roll singer, lyricist, bandleader and actor who initially rose to fame during the late 1970s, during the punk and New Wave era of rock music...
and the Blockheads, released on East Central One under Dury's own label Ronnie Harris Records (named after his accountant).
History
The album would be the last studio he would make before his death in 2000 of colorectal cancerColorectal cancer
Colorectal cancer, commonly known as bowel cancer, is a cancer caused by uncontrolled cell growth , in the colon, rectum, or vermiform appendix. Colorectal cancer is clinically distinct from anal cancer, which affects the anus....
. It was his first studio album for six years following The Bus Driver's Prayer & Other Stories
The Bus Driver's Prayer & Other Stories
The Bus Driver's Prayer & Other Stories is the 7th solo album by Ian Dury. Despite being recorded after the successful live reunion of Ian Dury and The Blockheads inspired by the death of their drummer Charley Charles the album is not a Blockheads record, however all of the band bar bassist Norman...
in 1992 and his first studio album with The Blockheads for 18 years since Laughter
Laughter (album)
Laughter is an album by Ian Dury & The Blockheads; released in 1980, it was the last studio album Dury made for Stiff Records. It was also the last studio album he made with The Blockheads, until 1998's Mr...
in 1980 (though they had produced a live album Warts 'n' Audience in 1991) and is considered by many to be the true successor to his seminal 1977 album New Boots and Panties!! - on his BBC
BBC
The British Broadcasting Corporation is a British public service broadcaster. Its headquarters is at Broadcasting House in the City of Westminster, London. It is the largest broadcaster in the world, with about 23,000 staff...
documentary Dury dismissed all of the albums between Do It Yourself and Mr. Love Pants as inferior.
The album took around five years to complete and the writing commenced at Acre Farm, Twyford (near Reading, Berkshire
Reading, Berkshire
Reading is a large town and unitary authority area in England. It is located in the Thames Valley at the confluence of the River Thames and River Kennet, and on both the Great Western Main Line railway and the M4 motorway, some west of London....
) in 1993. Initially Chas Jankel
Chas Jankel
Charles Jeremy Jankel professionally known as Chaz Jankel, is a musician best known as the keyboard player and guitarist with Ian Dury and the Blockheads...
worked with Ian Dury after returning from living in America
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
for most of the eighties, but arguments between the two and soundman Ian Horne lead to Jankel leaving, at least two songs "Itinerant Child" and "Bed O' Roses No. 9" were written before he did however. Deserted Dury called Merlin Rhys-Jones who had been in the Music Students (Ian Dury's band for the album 4,000 Weeks' Holiday
4,000 Weeks' Holiday
-Ian Dury & The Music Students:* Ian Dury – Vocals * Michael McEvoy – Bass, Keyboards, Synthesizers, Brass Arranger* Merlin Rhys-Jones – Guitar* Tag Lamche – Drums...
) they wrote ten songs together there, two would eventually make the album - "Jack Shit George" and "Cacka Boom" before arguments over money caused Rhys-Jones to leave.
It is generally considered that Ian Dury's first bout with cancer is what prompted him to reform The Blockheads and work with them solely, which he would do for the rest of his life. Ian Dury's new minder Derek Hussey aka Derek the Draw who managed to get Jankel and Dury talking again only for a bizarre phonecall from Ian involving touring America and a fictitious uncle of Jankel's lead to Chas having his solicitor write to Dury and Mickey Gallagher saying he would never play with the band again, though he relented after discovering Dury had cancer.
The album was recorded at Air Studios, which was also being used by Michael Jackson
Michael Jackson
Michael Joseph Jackson was an American recording artist, entertainer, and businessman. Referred to as the King of Pop, or by his initials MJ, Jackson is recognized as the most successful entertainer of all time by Guinness World Records...
and was surprisingly trouble free compared to the troublesome recording sessions usually caused by Ian Dury, again his personality changes are attributed to his first bout with cancer - the only major incident being Dury randomly deciding to replace new drummer Steve Monti with Bernard Purdie
Bernard Purdie
Bernard Lee "Pretty" Purdie is an American session drummer, and is considered an influential and innovative exponent of funk...
but after constant opposition from his band Dury relented.
"Itinerant Child" was to be released as Ian Dury & The Blockhead's first single in 18 years (since 1980's "Sueperman's Big Sister
Sueperman's Big Sister
Sueperman's Big Sister is a song and a 1979 single by Ian Dury & The Blockheads. Its title purposefully misspells 'Superman' with an extra 'e' to avoid any copyright issues with DC Comics....
") and a video was recorded but East Central One nixed the idea, in the end "Mash it Up Harry" was released instead on both CD and 12" record. The album is named after a song written by a friend of Steve Monti called Dean, Dean was furious and thought that the band had stolen his song.
Track listing
All tracks composed by Ian Dury and Chas Jankel; unless otherwise stated- "Jack Shit George" (Dury, Merlin Rhys-Jones) - 4:23
- "The Passing Show" - 4.24
- "You're My Baby" - 3:30
- "Honeysuckle Highway" - 4:49
- "Itinerant Child" - 4:46
- "Geraldine" (Dury, Mickey Gallagher) - 3:37
- "Cacka Boom" (Dury, Merlin Rhys-Jones) - 4:49
- "Bed O. Roses No. 9" - 5:19
- "Heavy Living" - 5:08
- "Mash It Up Harry" - 5:55
Personnel
- Ian DuryIan DuryIan Robins Dury was an English rock and roll singer, lyricist, bandleader and actor who initially rose to fame during the late 1970s, during the punk and New Wave era of rock music...
- Vocals - Chas JankelChas JankelCharles Jeremy Jankel professionally known as Chaz Jankel, is a musician best known as the keyboard player and guitarist with Ian Dury and the Blockheads...
- Guitar, Keyboards - Mick Gallagher - Keyboards
- Davey PayneDavey PayneDavid 'Davey' Payne is an English saxophonist best known as a member of Ian Dury's backing band The Blockheads, and his twin saxophone solo on their 1978 UK #1 single "Hit Me with Your Rhythm Stick"....
- Saxophones, Flute - John Turnbull - Guitar
- Norman Watt-RoyNorman Watt-RoyNorman Watt-Roy is the bassist for The Blockheads, previously known as Ian Dury & the Blockheads.In November 1954 the Watt-Roy family, including Norman, his older brother Garth and his sister, moved to England...
- Bass - Steve Monti - Drums
- The Breezeblocks - Backing Vocals
Produced by the Blockheads, Engineered by Kevin Paul, Juw & Eon, Mixed by Laurie Latham
Laurie Latham
Laurie Latham is a British rock producer who worked with Glenn Tilbrook, Paul Young and others.He has produced albums by Echo & the Bunnymen, Squeeze and Slapp Happy.-Career:...
with assistance from John Bailey
Additional personnel
- Storm ThorgersonStorm ThorgersonStorm Thorgerson is an English graphic designer, known for his work for rock bands such as Pink Floyd, Led Zeppelin, Black Sabbath, 10cc, Dream Theater, The Mars Volta, Muse, The Cranberries, and Biffy Clyro.-Biography:...
, Sam Brooks, Hannah Evans - Cover Design - John Crossland - Graphics and illustrations
- 'Duncan Poundcake' - Band Photographs
- Rupert Truman, Sam Brooks - Dog photographs
Sources
- Sex And Drugs And Rock And Roll: The Life Of Ian Dury by Richard Balls, first published 2000, Omnibus Press
- Ian Dury & The Blockheads: Song By Song by Jim Drury, first published 2003, Sanctuary Publishing.