Brain Capers
Encyclopedia
Brain Capers is the fourth album by the band Mott the Hoople
.
It was originally released in November 1971 in the UK by Island Records
(catalogue number ILPS 9178) and was reissued in 2003 by Angel Air
(cat. no. SJPCD160). It was released in the US on Atlantic Records
(cat. no. SD 8304) in January 1972.
The album marked a return to the harder, heavier style of Mott's first two albums, with several songs recorded live in the studio. (A close listen to "The Moon Upstairs," for example, will reveal two instances where Dale Griffin's drumsticks clatter to the floor upon his losing them.) The album was not initially a commercial success, and was the only Mott the Hoople album that failed to chart in either the UK or US.
Its working title was "AC/DC" though this was abandoned in favour of either "Brain Damage" or "Bizarre Capers" before a compromise was settled on. Earlier sessions, self-produced by the band, were also abandoned when svengali Guy Stevens
was called in to rescue the album but a number of these recordings have resurfaced on All the Young Dudes: The Anthology and as bonus material on Angel Air's re-issues of Mott the Hoople albums.
"The Wheel of the Quivering Meat Conception" is essentially part two of "The Journey," beginning with a fade-in at the point where "The Journey" was earlier faded out.
On original Atlantic Records U.S. pressings of Brain Capers, the running time of "The Journey" is incorrectly listed at 8.31, and "The Wheel of the Quivering Meat Conception" is listed at 2.07.
Mott the Hoople
Mott the Hoople were a British rock band with strong R&B roots, popular in the glam rock era of the early to mid 1970s. They are popularly known for the song "All the Young Dudes", written for them by David Bowie and appearing on their 1972 album of the same name.-The early years:Mott The Hoople...
.
It was originally released in November 1971 in the UK by Island Records
Island Records
Island Records is a record label that was founded by Chris Blackwell in Jamaica. It was based in the United Kingdom for many years and is now owned by Universal Music Group...
(catalogue number ILPS 9178) and was reissued in 2003 by Angel Air
Angel Air
Angel Airlines, trading as Angel Air, was an airline based in Bangkok, Thailand, which was operational between 1997 and 2006.-Fleet:Over the years, Angel Airlines operated the following aircraft types:...
(cat. no. SJPCD160). It was released in the US on Atlantic Records
Atlantic Records
Atlantic Records is an American record label best known for its many recordings of rhythm and blues, rock and roll, and jazz...
(cat. no. SD 8304) in January 1972.
The album marked a return to the harder, heavier style of Mott's first two albums, with several songs recorded live in the studio. (A close listen to "The Moon Upstairs," for example, will reveal two instances where Dale Griffin's drumsticks clatter to the floor upon his losing them.) The album was not initially a commercial success, and was the only Mott the Hoople album that failed to chart in either the UK or US.
Its working title was "AC/DC" though this was abandoned in favour of either "Brain Damage" or "Bizarre Capers" before a compromise was settled on. Earlier sessions, self-produced by the band, were also abandoned when svengali Guy Stevens
Guy Stevens
Guy Stevens worked in a number of different roles in the British music industry including producer and manager. He gave the rock bands Procol Harum and Mott the Hoople their distinctive names....
was called in to rescue the album but a number of these recordings have resurfaced on All the Young Dudes: The Anthology and as bonus material on Angel Air's re-issues of Mott the Hoople albums.
Side A
- "Death May Be Your Santa Claus" (Ian HunterIan Hunter (singer)Ian Hunter Patterson is an English singer-songwriter. He was the lead singer of the English rock band Mott the Hoople from its inception in 1969 to its dissolution in 1974, and he again fronted them at the time of their 2009 reunion. Hunter was a musician and songwriter before Mott The Hoople, and...
, Verden AllenVerden AllenVerden Allen is an organ player and founding member of 1970s rock band, Mott the Hoople...
) 4.55 - "Your Own Backyard" (Dion DiMucciDion DiMucciDion Francis DiMucci , better known as Dion, is an American singer-songwriter whose work has incorporated elements of doo-wop, pop oldies music, rock and R&B styles....
) 4.13 - "Darkness, DarknessDarkness, Darkness"Darkness, Darkness" is a song written by Jesse Colin Young in 1969 which has been covered by many artists. It initially appeared on The Youngbloods album Elephant Mountain...
" (Jesse Colin YoungJesse Colin YoungJesse Colin Young is an American singer / songwriter / folksinger and a founding member of the group The Youngbloods.-Early life:...
) 4.33 - "The Journey" (Hunter) 9.15
Side B
- "Sweet Angeline" (Hunter) 4.53
- "Second Love" (Allen) 3.46
- "The Moon Upstairs" (Hunter, Mick RalphsMick RalphsMichael Geoffrey "Mick" Ralphs is an English guitarist and songwriter, who was a founding member of rock bands Mott the Hoople and Bad Company.-Career:...
) 5.07 - "The Wheel of the Quivering Meat Conception" (Hunter, Guy StevensGuy StevensGuy Stevens worked in a number of different roles in the British music industry including producer and manager. He gave the rock bands Procol Harum and Mott the Hoople their distinctive names....
) 1.21
2003 CD bonus tracks
- "Midnight Lady" (Hunter, Ralphs) 3.33
- "The Journey" (Hunter) 9.47
"The Wheel of the Quivering Meat Conception" is essentially part two of "The Journey," beginning with a fade-in at the point where "The Journey" was earlier faded out.
On original Atlantic Records U.S. pressings of Brain Capers, the running time of "The Journey" is incorrectly listed at 8.31, and "The Wheel of the Quivering Meat Conception" is listed at 2.07.
Personnel
- Verden AllenVerden AllenVerden Allen is an organ player and founding member of 1970s rock band, Mott the Hoople...
– Keyboards - Dale "Buffin" Griffin – Drums
- Ian HunterIan Hunter (singer)Ian Hunter Patterson is an English singer-songwriter. He was the lead singer of the English rock band Mott the Hoople from its inception in 1969 to its dissolution in 1974, and he again fronted them at the time of their 2009 reunion. Hunter was a musician and songwriter before Mott The Hoople, and...
– Guitar, Keyboards, Vocals - Andy JohnsAndy JohnsAndy Johns is an engineer and producer who worked on well-known rock albums such as Led Zeppelin's IV and The Rolling Stones' Exile on Main Street. His sound is exemplified by Free's album Highway, which he engineered and produced....
– Engineer - Richard Polak – Photography
- Jim PriceJim Price (musician)Jim Price was, together with Bobby Keys and Jim Horn, one of the most in demand horn session players of the 1970s. He toured extensively with The Rolling Stones from 1970 until 1973, including their 1972 American Tour, and appears on the albums, Sticky Fingers, Exile on Main St. and Goats Head Soup...
– Trumpet - Mick RalphsMick RalphsMichael Geoffrey "Mick" Ralphs is an English guitarist and songwriter, who was a founding member of rock bands Mott the Hoople and Bad Company.-Career:...
– Guitar, lead vocal on "Darkness, Darkness" - Zal Schreiber – Mastering
- Guy StevensGuy StevensGuy Stevens worked in a number of different roles in the British music industry including producer and manager. He gave the rock bands Procol Harum and Mott the Hoople their distinctive names....
– Piano, Producer - Pete WattsPeter Watts (musician)Peter Overend Watts is a bass guitar player and founding member of 1970s rock band, Mott the Hoople....
– Bass