Keyboardist/singer John Hunter is the member who went on to further his career beyond the Hounds, picking up a solo career and releasing two solo albums during the mid 80’s.
Written by: gdmonline
ARTIST: John Hunter
ALBUM: Famous At Night
LABEL: Private I Records
SERIAL: BZT 39626
YEAR: 1984
CD REISSUE: Discogs Reissue List
COUNTRY OF ORIGIN: USA
LINEUP: John Hunter – vocals, keyboards * Don Griffin – guitars * Glen Rupp – guitars, backing vocals * Joe Cuttone – bass, backing vocals * Art Baldacci – keyboards, synthesizer, drums, percussion * John Kontol – keyboards, drums, backing vocals * Hank Guaglianone – drums, percussion * Bill Needham, Ken Zemanek – synthesizers * Barry Sperti – sax * Cynthia Harrell, Kitty Haywood, Mary Ann Stewart – backing vocals
TRACK LISTING: 01 Tragedy * 02 Crimes Of Passion * 03 Take Your Chance * 04 She Advertises * 05 This Is Forever * 06 Valentine * 07 Losin’ You Again * 08 Put Yourself On The Line * 09 Horses * 10 Sad Songs On The Radio
WEBLINKS: NA
John Hunter Background
Chicago residents may have fond memories of 70’s rockers The Hounds. A raucous blend of Rolling Stones meets The Boyzz styled rock was their dog tag.
Keyboardist/singer John Hunter is the member who went on to further his career beyond the Hounds, picking up a solo career and releasing a couple of albums during the mid 80’s.
The first of these was 1984’s ‘Famous At Night’. John bought along a couple of his Hounds band-mates, namely Glen Rupp, Joe Cuttone and Don Griffin for the ride. However, the music is nothing like his previous outfit. Instead John trades up to a very commercial hybrid of 80’s pop and new wave/new romantic leanings.
Sure, the Mick Jagger‘isms are still apparent, but the sound has cleaned all the grit out of the speaker cabinets. It’s been smoothed over by the legendary Chicago based producer; the late Phil Bonanno. The use of female backing vocals is quite noticeable throughout the album, and fills out the sound quite well.
The Songs
Leading off with ‘Tragedy’, this was John’s most successful track, making an entry into the Billboard Top 40. It’s a bit laid back for my tastes, much better are the rockier tracks. This kicks off with ‘Crimes Of Passion’ with its brash drum work and stabbing synths occupying the spaces.
‘She Advertises’ is a nifty and quirky pop tune. ‘Take Your Chances’ on the other hand, is filled with saxophone, funky bass lines and a breezy sort of attitude.
‘This Is Forever’ takes the ballad route. It staggers along with stop/start regularity, piano/synths, percussion fills and female vocal backing prominent in the mix.
The synth dependent ‘Valentine’ is quite different thus far. It’s a measured introduction but breaks out into rock mode soon after. The sax solo adding to the unusual flavour.
There’s more sax and funky bass to be found on ‘Losin’ You Again’, don’t be put off, it has its moments.
There are shades of modern day Zapapcosta on ‘Put Yourself On The Line’. It displays a jazzy theme and use of sax in a rock context.
‘Horses’ written by Joe Cuttone, has a more rockier edge. It’s probably the track that would appeal to the hard rockers here. This track has been recorded previously by the Hounds.
The finale ‘Sad Songs On The Radio’ aims for the mainstream audience. It’s quite likeable, in the vein of a guy like Gary Myrick for instance, with nice piano and synth work.
In Summary
John went on to release a second album for Private I Records (which was a subsidiary of major label CBS). This was 1986’s ‘More Than Meets The Eye’, which practically has the same personnel involved.
‘Famous At Night’ is very much an 80’s product, with all the distinctive attributes from that era. Hounds fans might not get into this album as it is distinctly different from that band’s two albums. Though there is no discounting the talent of Mr Hunter in either venture.
John Hunter on Video
Click to go to YTM album page.
