In 1975 Ronson was still being touted as solo artist, and a second solo album was again rushed out to keep up with demand. For his second solo album ‘Play Don’t Worry’. Once again Bowie also chipped in, donating a version of ‘White Light, White Heat’ from the recordings Ronson had worked on for Bowie’s seventh album ‘PinUps’, as with his debut, it was a rushed process, with Ronson throwing in more covers, with ‘Angel No.9’ by American rock band Pure Prairie League being a gloriously uplifting 70s rock gem with waling solos, and multi-layered vocals (a 70s rock staple!) adding to the classic rock feel. Glimpses of his own songwriting still shone through on tracks like ‘Billy Porter’, and the title tune ’Play Don’t Worry’ which sounds Bowie-esque ,with Ronson’s signature wailing guitar riffs and melodies shining through.
Ronson’s solo endeavours shone brightly but briefly, as shortly after finishing recording ‘Play Don’t Worry’, he then joined Mott The Hoople, and never really promoted it fully. Although he continued to be the guitar man of choice for many other bands, he also went on to release various solo singles and tracks on albums throughout the 70s, many of which are compiled here, and it’s those kind tracks that always make these kind of compilations stand out – the rarities, the live versions, the unreleased stuff, and there’s a feast of them on here for any Ronson and even Bowie fan to get stuck into.
As Ronson was musical director for Bowie, arranging many of the tunes on his classic 70s albums, included in this boxset are glimpses into the early stages of some great tunes which made it on to Bowie’s albums –such as a demo version of ‘Soul Love’ which is more of an up-tempo stomper as opposed to the slower seductive version which made it on to the Ziggy album. There’s also a cheeky nod to Ziggy Stardust with a few refrains from that classic opening riff played in ‘Hard Life’, part of the 1976 sessions, which were meant to form Ronson’s third solo album. Plus there’s the unreleased stuff he recorded with Guam, who were Bob Dylan’s backing band for the legendary Rolling Thunder Revue Tour in 1975, as well as rare live tracks like ‘Slaughter On 10th Avenue’ live at The Rainbow London 1974, and ‘F.B.I’ recorded live In New York 1979, which has Ronson in full flow with guitar solos and riffs in abundance.
Ronson passed away in 1993, but this brilliantly compiled box set serves as a reminder that he was so much more than Bowie’s brilliant guitarist, and famed session guitar player, he was a talented songwriter and performer in his own right. A fitting tribute to Hull’s finest musician, and a must for any Ronson and Bowie fans!