Is it any wonder that one of Ian Hunter's sly songs is called "Standin' In My Light"? Over a music career that stretches back to fronting British glam legends Mott the Hoople, Hunter has consistently been eclipsed. His biggest hit with Mott, "All the Young Dudes," was written by David Bowie; his solo classic, "Once Bitten Twice Shy," became the signature song for Great White; and finally, when the Hunter-penned "Cleveland Rocks" became the theme for The Drew Carey Show, it was a cover version by Presidents of the United States.
Hunter has doggedly handled the inevitable career indignities of a rock star pushing 60 who isn't in the Rolling Stones. When there was a tiny smattering applause after Hunter announced the only new song of the night, "Twisted Steel," he noted, "You haven't heard it yet." It sounded like a classic Hunter rocker.
Still with the curly hair and the shades, Hunter started out with bottled water but soon was swapping it out with gulps of beer. His voice hasn't weakened a bit: Blonde On Blonde-era Dylan grafted to Oliver Twist's Artful Dodger. And though few ever noticed, Hunter has an incredible catalogue of songs to draw from. Though the band was not particularly tight, Hunter's performance shined on his powerful ballads, including "Saturday Gigs," "I Wish I Was Your Mother," and of course, "All the Young Dudes." But the audience was more excited by the rockers in the set like "Roll Away the Stone." After emerging with a slice of pizza and a beer for the encore, Hunter obliged in earnest with the double-punch of "Just Another Night" and "All the Way to Memphis."
Opener Steve Wynn is best known for his recordings with the Dream Syndicate, but that may change—his touring unit is among the hottest live bands I've seen in years. A recent anthology, What I Did After My Band Broke Up, highlights how his songwriting has grown significantly since the Dream Syndicate's feedback excursions without losing an inch of his former band's ferocity.