Slaughter On 10th Avenue

Named after the 1957 Arnold Laven film, Mick Ronson’s 1974 solo debut was recorded and released following his work on five David Bowie albums. So hearing some Bowie influence seep out of Ronson’s vocal cords is understandable, even in the opening version of Elvis Presley’s “Love Me Tender.” Bowie cowrote the glam-touched “Growing Up and I'm Fine,” where Ronson’s prowess as a '70s guitar deity is more pronounced. And should “Only After Dark” seem to shift from glitter rock to Detroit garage, that’s because SRC’s Scott Richardson had a hand in penning this heavy riff-rocking standout. But Ronson’s work with Bowie and Mott the Hoople left an indelible trace of elegant sophistication in his performance style, as evidenced by “Music Is Lethal,” a breathtaking ballad forged for the top ranks of rock ‘n’ roll’s glamorous aristocracy. Bowie and Richardson join songwriting forces with Ronson for “Pleasure Man/Hey Ma Get Papa,” a mini rock opera that stretches for nearly nine minutes, replete with a Keith Emerson–inspired Arp solo that does battle with Ronson’s awesome six-string mastery.