Badfinger - The Very Best of Badfinger
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Free Music Notes for The Very Best of Badfinger
Free Music Review: If you want it, here it is, come and get it!
Hit: 5 Stars
Sometimes I wonder that if the Beatles had continued on as a group and evolved throughout the 70's, that they'd sound like Badfinger. Pete Ham did sound Beatle-ish, varying between John and George. The thing is, with the exception of John Lennon's murder, the Beatles didn't end as tragically as Badfinger. Originally an all-Welsh group on the Beatles' label, Apple Records, by the time they hit it with the Magic Christian soundtrack, guitarist Pete Ham and drummer Mike Gibbins were the only two from the original lineup, having added guitarist Joey Molland and bassist Tom Evans.
Three songs from The Magic Christian, the movie starring Peter Sellers and Ringo Starr, are included. The opening theme, the brisk "Come and Get It" penned and produced by Paul McCartney, was originally going to be sung by McCartney, and indeed it sounds like a Beatles song. Love that rhythm piano. This was their first Top Ten, peaking at #7. The other two songs from MC were the somber "Carry On Til Tomorrow," which is played during the opening credits showing the homeless Ringo down on his luck until Peter Sellers comes with his proposition. And the raucous "Rock Of All Ages" is a nod to Little Richard's "Long Tall Sally."
However, their debut single, produced by Tony Visconti (later of Bowie fame) was "Maybe Tomorrow" back when they were known as the Iveys. This nice ballad has a lush orchestra backing. It made it to #1 in the Netherlands. As for their other Top 40 hits, there was the light rocker "No Matter What," which reached #8, and sounded like something Paul McCartney would do solo. Then, with Leon Russell on piano and George Harrison on guitar solo with Ham and producing, was the reflective love song "Day After Day." Their highest charting single, at #4, has a melody that sometimes reminds me of Lulu's "To Sir With Love."
It was Ham and Evans who first did "Without You" before Harry Nilsson took it to #1 in 1972, where it spent 4 weeks on top. Others who have covered this include Heart on their Magazine album and Mariah Carey, who took it to #3 in 1993. While Badfinger were fully complimentary of Nilsson's rendition, it seems unfair that they were unable to take their own composition to the heights Nilsson did.
Two songs with distinct 60's stylings were "We're For the Dark" with its "Eight Days A Week" fade-in and stereo separation, and "I'd Die Babe," the latter which would be at home on any Beatles album from the White Album onwards. The tempo is very "Get Back."
If the Beatles had countrified "Eight Days A Week," they'd probably come up with "I'll Be The One." And "Love Time" has similar stylings to George Harrison's All Things Must Pass material. However, their link to McCartney and Harrison did cause frustrations, as did the music, which frustrated the band, who wanted to be seen as a group in their own right and not as a sequel of the Beatles. Add to this, the group was seeing none of the money they had earned, due to financial machinations of their management at Apple Records, still under Allan Klein, who had been the Beatles financial manager shortly before their implosion. This led Pete Ham to hang himself in 1975. An attempt to revive Badfinger in the 80s led to Tom Evans sharing the same fate following infighting within the surviving bandmembers.
Here is the oeuvre of a very talented band who deserved but didn't get the money and recognition they did when they were active. Hopefully, other bands and musicians will learn from them on how not to be exploited by greedy managers and record label honchos. As for the collection, well, "if you want it, here it is, come and get it."
Free Music Review: Oooh, how they sold their tunes without even trying !!!
Hit: 5 Stars
This album does indeed give us a generous sampling of what Badfinger could do. This CD amply proves that Badfinger was a great band; and they remain influential upon emerging artists today.
The track set begins with the famous hit "No Matter What." They harmonize to perfection and the electric guitars work really well! "No Matter What" rocks hard; I admire them for this ballad alone! "Name Of The Game" sports a somewhat slower tempo that almost reminds me of folk rock; the vocals are great and the guitars carry the bulk of the melody. Great! The strings bolster "Name Of The Game," too. In addition, "Come And Get It" sports a melody and vocals that remind me of The Beatles--and, of course, Paul McCartney himself both wrote and produced this fine number. "Come And Get It" lets the band singing of how their character's girlfriend needs to decide if she wants to spend life with him or not.
"I'll Be The One" boasts a great musical flourish; and when the band starts singing and playing guitars this number takes off for a high flying hit! The folk rock flavor for "I'll Be The One" enhances the beauty of this number. I think that you will like "I'll Be The One" very, very much. "Without You" starts with some relatively tame guitar and the vocals and guitar together create a beautiful rendition of this classic ballad. Badfinger makes their rendition of "Without You" the definitive rendition of this song using their sublime vocals, guitar--and a piano in the background at just the right time.
"I'd Die Babe" has that early 1970s rock flavor; and the band harmonizes to perfection! Awesome! Badfinger uses great electric guitar to bolster the number; and they handle the tempo changes like the professionals they always were. "It's Over" has great guitar and piano as the band harmonizes flawlessly at the beginning; this excellent tune rocks hard and slow at the same time as they sing of a love that has gone wrong.
"Love Time" is so sweet that it stuns me with its beauty; the band performs this without a superfluous note; the melody works well with its use of the guitars and drums. Love it! "Meanwhile Back At The Ranch/Should I Smoke" rocks hard with meaningful lyrics; this tune provides a strong ending for this album.
The liner notes include a lengthy, informative essay by Andy Davis; and the artwork impresses me. The notes list the years each song was recorded, too.
Badfinger will remain a great band amongst other less potent bands because of their thoughtful, careful harmonies; their singing and their many singularly beautiful rock ballads. I highly recommend this CD for Badfinger fans; and if you want to get acquainted with Badfinger this certainly would be a great choice.
Enjoy! Thank you, Badfinger!
Free Music Review: BADFINGER'S BURIED TREASURE
Hit: 5 Stars
I requested and received this CD from my Amazon Wish List for Christmas, and, three months later it's the only one I want to listen to. The fine song "Day After Day" often plays on the radio, and every time I would hear it I would think of getting this CD. As a diehard Beatle fan, I knew of Badfinger (first group signed to Beatles Apple Records) and that they recorded the McCartney-written song "Come And Get It", but besides "Day After Day" I was unaware of the other songs they recorded. I liken this CD to finding buried treasure, because each song is one gem after another. Hits like "No Matter What" and "Baby Blue" have been on the radio, but I never knew the artist was Badfinger. However, my favorite songs on this CD are ones that were never hits. I never realized the quality, diversity and depth of this band's writing, especially the primary songwriter Pete Ham. McCartney wrote "Come And Get It" for Badfinger merely to jumpstart their career because they clearly did not need anyone to provide material for them. Their first single (as The Iveys} "Maybe Tomorrow" is written and sung by the other primary songwriter, Tom Evans. It is lush, romantic and beautifully orchestrated; the type of song I was unaware Badfinger performed. I can listen to this with joy repeatedly, as it makes the heart soar. "Carry On Til Tomorrow", a song commissioned for the movie "Magic Christian" (Ringo Starr acted in this), has a very similar quality to "Maybe Tomorrow". Written by Pete Ham and Tom Evans, it is tender, with gorgeous building harmonies and orchestration (arranged by Beatles producer George Martin). Another surprise gem was the song "Without You"; yes, the lovely and poignant tune that was a monster hit for Harry Nilsson in the '70's and Mariah Carey in the '90's. I never knew that Pete Ham and Tom Evans wrote this incredible song as well! The song "Name of The Game" will carry you away with its insistent accoustic strumming guitars, powerful singing and vibrant orchestration. The story of Badfinger is so trajic and intriguing (Pete Ham and Tom Evans both committed suicide 8 years apart) that it lends an extra sensitivity when listening to these songs. I particularly enjoy Pete Ham's songs because of his soulful voice and meaningful songwriting. He often wrote about things happening in his life, such as a girl named Dixie he met and fell in love with on a US tour ("Baby Blue") and his girlfriend's son ("Dennis"). This collection of 19 Badfinger tracks are a goldmine to be explored and enjoyed.Free Music Review: The sad story of a great band
Hit: 5 Stars
It's almost worth giving this best of Badfinger five stars on the merits of the band's tragic history. Badfinger was probably the best, most talented band that the hapless Apple Records discovered. Paul McCartney was their guardian angel, handing them "Come and Get It." George Harrison was so awed by the song "Day After Day" that he volunteered his lead guitar skills. The late Harry Nilsson scooped up "Without You" and made it his signature song.
Yet the band became the victims of unscrupulous management. Money earned in the 70's while scoring top ten records vanished in litigation and alleged thievery. All the while, the band made great albums for Apple and Warners, all but defining what would be called power-pop. With this best of CD leading off with a triple score of "No Matter What," "Day After Day" and "Baby Blue," it's tough to argue against how amazing Badfinger was. With three superb songwriters in Pete Ham, Joey Molland and Tom Evans, they were able and willing to make songs that encompassed all the group's voices. It makes such lesser known tracks like "Maybe Tomorrow" or the free-wheeling "Rock of All Ages" stand out, as well.
Broke and despondent, Pete Ham finally gave up and committed suicide in 1975, Evans followed in 1983. Molland was reduced to laying carpet for a living in the mid-70's even as their music was played on classic rock stations. And it's obvious; these guys were classicists in the best sense. The remastering on this CD makes the sounds crisp and clear, bringing out the fine harmonies Badfinger had, as well as the tight song structures that made the songs so appealing. Even the late stuff, like "Love Time" or "When I Say" have the uniquely Beatlesque feel about them (and practically beg for rediscovery).
A unique band with a heartbreaking story, and a stunning musical legacy, "The Best Of Badfinger" is an essential celebration of music that maintains its greatness once the final scene is recorded.
Free Music Review: Music with great memories
Hit: 5 Stars
Maybe you would have had to be in high school in the early 70's to love this album as much as I do but I still maintain that this was a really great band. They always struggled to escape the shadow of Apple records. They were seen more as protégés of the greatest music phenomenon of the 60's and some considered them a lacluster substitute for their defunct Beatle parents. Just as Badfinger was starting to shine The Beatles were going separate ways and I think many thought the fabs were saying okay we're done, here's another Liverpool band (though I'm told they were from Wales) to keep you warm. Pete Ham's vocals are somewhat McCartneyisque and the early productions were steered by Paul and George themselves. But they weren't a substitute. It was just bad timing. I loved The Beatles as much as any Beatlemaniac alive but Badfinger was always seen as their grown offspring. I can't help but wonder how popular Badfinger would have been without any ties to the Fab Four and what their careers would have been like without a scheming manager.
Pete's vocals are beautiful. The guitar playing is gritty and sharp and the drumming is heavy and full. A couple of these tunes are taken from the time after their split from Apple and it's great stuff - especially Should I Smoke... Missing from this collection is their bittersweet dear John letter (pun intended) "Apple Of My Eye" which was a fine tune and a chord progression that has been pinched by both Stone Temple Pilots in "Lady Picture Show" and well as the Christian band Building 429 in "Glory Defined". Pete and Tom are tragically no longer with us and this music belongs only to history. But Badfinger deserves it's own place in rock history and I'm extremely thankful to them for these songs.