I just received Ian Hunter‘s new record, When I’m President, in the mail. I’m going to see him in Chicago at the end of the month at a new venue, called Chicago Winery, located at 1200 W. Randolph. I splurged on “VIP” tickets for the show, which seem to mean that I’ll have good sight lines close to the bar. (I’ll let you know after the show if this really came to be.)
As for the new record from the 73 yr. old? It is fantastic. The Portland Mercury declares Hunter is in “shockingly excellent voice, howling like an angry young man” and “the envy of every living songwriter.”
The title song, with the refrain of “I’m gonna lean on the 1% – When I’m president/ I wanna 28th Amendment – When I’m president” is an instant classic. The Rant Band has tightened up this time round and sounds great. I’m thinking that “What For” and “Life” will be on the tour set list this year for sure, but guessing past that is tough.
Country music fans will love “Wild Bunch” (“Shall We Gather at the River” is the refrain at the end) and “Ta Shunka Witco” (Crazy Horse) too.
– Ron Swanson
Here are reviews and articles from NPR, No Depression, Village Voice and American Songwriter.
