You're Never Alone with a Schizophrenic [30th Anniversary Edition]

Personnel: Ian Hunter (vocals, guitar, piano, organ, keyboards, percussion); Mick Ronson (guitars, percussion, background vocals); George Young (tenor saxophone); Lew Delgatto (baritone saxophone); John Cale (piano, keyboards); Roy Bittan (piano, organ, keyboards, background vocals); Gary Tallent (bass); Max Weinberg (drums); Eric Bloome, Rory Dodd, Ellen Foley (background vocals).
Recorded at the Power Station, New York in 1979.
Personnel: Ian Hunter (vocals, guitar, harp, piano, organ, ARP synthesizer, Moog synthesizer, percussion); Mick Ronson (vocals, guitar); Ellen Foley (vocals); Lew Del Gatto (baritone saxophone); Roy Bittan (piano, organ, ARP synthesizer, Moog synthesizer); John Cale (piano, ARP synthesizer); Hilly Michaels, Max Weinberg (drums).
Audio Mixer: Brian Kehew.
Liner Note Author: Campbell Devine.
Recording information: The Agora Ballroom, Cleveland, OH (06/18/1979-11/22/1979); The Berkeley Community Theatre, Berkeley, CA (06/18/1979-11/22/1979); The Hammersmith, Odeon, London (06/18/1979-11/22/1979).
Illustrator: Rod Dyer.
Photographer: Georgina Karvellas.
Arrangers: Ian Hunter; Mick Ronson; Roy Bittan.
While former Mott the Hoople singer/songwriter Ian Hunter's solo career started out strong, he stumbled on his third album, OVERNIGHT ANGELS. One of the reasons might have been the absence of longtime guitar foil/fellow Mott man Mick Ronson, who happily reappeared on the follow-up, YOU'RE NEVER ALONE WITH A SCHIZOPHRENIC. Perhaps not coincidentally, Hunter's fourth solo effort features some of the strongest (and most beloved) songs in his catalog. "Cleveland Rocks" is a hard-charging, Mott-like tune (many years later it would have a second life as the theme of TV's Drew Carey show), while "Ships" is a sweeping, romantic ballad, one of Hunter's loveliest (it would eventually be covered by none other than Barry Manilow). From poignant down-tempo tunes to tough-sounding rockers, SCHIZOPHRENIC is one of Hunter's most consistent solo albums.