Listening this week to the first time in years to tracks by both Mott the Hoople (remember All the Young Dudes?) and Bad Company (Can’t Get Enough, anyone?) I realised that I probably still know the last three Mott albums and the first three Bad Company albums note for note.
Similarly, it occurred to me that the guitar playing of the little known by name, but well known by sound, Mick Ralphs – who passed away this week – was one of the keys to my teen years and my obsession with rock ’n’ roll.
The music all sounds rather light these days, but then the period and transition from Mott’s glam to Bad Company’s hard rock was one of kickass musical ecstasy. While Ian Hunter was Mott’s star, and blues vocalist Paul Rogers was at the centre of Bad Company, or Bad Co as many call them, it was the guitars and musicality of Mick Ralphs that drove both bands.
Ralphs could harmonise guitar parts, adding a sweetness to his pentatonic rock stylings. If you’re inclined, check out his intro, track playing and outro on Mott’s cover of the Velvet Underground’s Sweet Jane.
However, this weekend, listen to Feel Like Making Love from Bad Company’s Straight Shooter. The lyrics? Well the less said about them the better, but musically, it’s an electric/acoustic guitar shindig.
Ralphs’ guitars rock and ring, while the bass and drums are the bedrock that hold it down. Listen to the jangle behind the verses, the sudden, switched-on, fat Les Paul sound behind the chorus vocal and then – after the familiar descending bass note which indicates the start – Ralphs’ short, structured solo.
It’s all economy, picking chiming acoustic and electric notes to capture feel rather than technique for an indelible 22 seconds. Yes he wails and chops with rock machismo as the song closes, but don’t let that detract from a player who wrote riffs that cut through the muddle and melodies which stuck like superglue.
Today’s track was a family favourite 20 years ago, so fitting too, as I wish my son Matt a happy birthday this Friday and to the rest of you, a great weekend!
I started a music WhatsApp group in 2023. I send one song a week on a Friday, with links to both Apple and Spotify, and an accompanying narrative/capsule piece. You’ll read it here on a Sunday. If you want to engage about a song, get a playlist or just get in touch, email me on [email protected].
Listen to Feel Like Making Love on Spotify here and on Apple Music here.
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