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Badfinger: Take It All- The Essential |
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Discography
By David W. Reynolds
Version 1.3, (c) 2003 |
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Badfinger were perhaps the very first purveyors of what would later become known as 'power pop'. They were also arguably the most successful Apple Records band outside the Beatles. While Badfinger is primarily known for their immortal radio hits ("Baby Blue", "No Matter What", "Day After Day", "Come and Get It"), they also recorded some outstanding albums. "Straight Up'', in particular is regarded as one of the all-time classic rock LPs. But tragedy has so tainted the bands story, with the suicides of Pete Ham (vocals, guitar) and Tom Evans (bass, vocals), that the music is sometimes overshadowed. Though Pete is now considered something of a songwriting genius (he wrote "Without You", later to become a smash for Nilson and Pariah Carey...),Tom, Joey Molland (vocals, guitars) and drummer Mike Gibbins also wrote for the group. The result was a glorious mish-mash of styles, ranging from the aforementioned guitar driven, melodic power pop ("Just a Chance"), to psychedelia ("Flying") to Liverpudlian hoe-downs ("I'll Be the One", "You're So Fine"). This article will perhaps entice you to try some of Badfingers CDs (or LPs!). After you've been charmed by them, you'll never give 'em up.
Notes: The content here will be (mostly) limited to the groups Apple and Warner Brothers LPs, and not include small label compilations. Also, as far as I can figure, only 2 Badfinger CDs are readily available in stores ("Straight Up" and "The Very Best"), so you may have to search hard for the others. Actually, as I am reminded by our friends from Brandos Badfinger Page, all but "Ass" can be found at the likes of Amazon.com. That is, if you shop the net, unlike me!
"Magic Christian Music"- Apple, Released Feb. 16, 1970. Apple SW-3364 |
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Tracks:
Come And Get It
Crimson Ship
Dear Angie
Midnight Sun
Beautiful And Blue
Carry On Till Tomorrow
I'm In Love
Walk Out In The Rain
Fisherman
Knocking Down Our Home
Give It A Try
Maybe Tomorrow |
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This album includes tracks from the (pretty much) aborted Iveys album "Maybe Tomorrow", as well as a few others produced by one James Paul McCartney. Even though original bassist Ron Griffith plays on most of the album, it is Joey Molland that is credited as a member of the band. Which is true, as he had joined the band before release, but he does not play a note on here. Tom Evans wound up playing bass on most of the McCartney tracks, with Griffiths out for the count with chicken pox. The album kicks off with the classic "Come and Get It", of course written by Beatle Paul for the "Magic Christian" movie. Paul was too busy working up "Abbey Road", so he chose Badfinger to record it. They did great there, so he gave them free reign on 4 other songs. "Rock of All Ages" is a great rocker from Tom, with Paul on piano and insane screaming in the background. "Crimson Ship" is a nod to McCartney, with lots of cute clues thrown in the lyrics. The highlight of the 'new' tracks is undoubtably "Carry On Til Tomorrow", with gorgeous orchestration from George Martin, and stunning harmonies, not to mention Petes stinging guitar solos. As far as the 'older' tracks, most don't hold up. "Maybe Tomorrow" is just TOO saccharine. It sounds like they are trying to be someone else thru the songs. Some, like "Knocking Down Our Home" are okay, but thats about it. They would do better next time.
CONCLUSION/RATING: 2 1/2 stars (out of 5). Not one to start your collection out with.
"No Dice"- Apple, released November,1970. ST-3367 |
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Side One:
I Can't Take It
I Don't Mind
Love Me Do
Midnight Caller
No Matter What
Without You
Side Two:
Blodwyn
Better Days
It Had To Be
Watford John
Believe Me
We're For The Dark
CD Bonus Tracks:
Mean Mean Jemima
Get Down
Friends Are Hard To Find (a.k.a. Photograph)
I'll Be The One |
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The whole chemistry of Badfinger changed with the addition of Joey Molland. It seemed they finally found their voice,and it starts to come out on "No Dice". Apple really never seemed to have much confidence in the band. After working with Beatles road manager Mal Evans on several tracks, Apple turned these down, not good enough, start over. These songs included "No Matter What", so, so much for Apples judgement. Badfinger soldiered on, Apple partially saw the light, and this LP was the result. Theres no wonder people saw Badfinger as excuse me, but 'Beatle rip-offs'. Why call a song "Love Me Do" if youre sensitive about being called the above, and you're on Apple records? If thats beyond you, then listen to "Believe Me'', then listen to the Fabs "Oh! Darling". The melodies are very close, but Pete said that was very unintended. Okay, complaints over, those songs are damn fun, and the best is yet to come. "No Matter What", well, you know. Those chords, those vocals. Best heard on an old scratchy Apple single. Badfingers "Without You" is actually kind of a blusey version, even the band admits they didn't realise its' potential. "Better Days" is a cool stomper. The whole album reeks of rawness and late night rock clubs. This is good. It would lead to the bands biggest success, album-wise. P.S., the bonus track "I'll Be The One" is a odd choice here, as it was intended for the original "Straight Up" LP. Not complaing though. See review of this track later.
CONCLUSION/RATING: 3 1/2 stars. Probably their 3rd best LP. Hard to find, but not impossible. Get the top two first, but don't forget "No Dice".
"Straight Up"- Apple Records, released December 13, 1971. SW-3387. |
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Side One:
Take It All
Baby Blue
Money
Flying
I'd Die Babe
Name Of The Game
Side Two:
Suitcase
Sweet Tuesday Morning
Day After Day
Sometimes
Perfection
It's Over
CD bonus tracks:
Money
Flying
Perfection
Name Of The Game
Suitcase
Baby Blue (US single mix) |
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Paydirt. Gold. Great. Classic. Anyway you cut it, this is one of the all-time classic rock LPs. That said, I'm gonna advise the Steve Hoffman engineered D.C.C.Gold CD, though if you can find an Apple LP, go for it!! Yes, its great, but Apples lack of faith showed here too. But it may have been a good thing.An album was recorded with Geoff Emerick, but ultimately rejected by the label. George Harrison was brought in to give the band a shot in the arm, and it worked, to a degree. He bettered some tracks ("Suitcase"),but didn't improve others. This is especially true with "Name Of The Game". The original version, included here as a bonus track, is perhaps the bands masterpiece. Matter of fact, it was almost a single, but dumped. More piano here,mostly courtesy of Pete Ham. After George left to save Bangladesh, Todd Rundgren was brought in to finish production and mixing. Todd made some strange choices though, speeding up both "Flying" and "Sweet Tuesday Morning". Never mind, "Sweet.." is stunning, Badfinger unplugged. Everyone makes a great showing here, especially Tom, with magnificent bass lines and growing songwriting chops; "It's Over" being particularly satisfying. Mike Gibbins really gets to branch out here too, and his drumming is quite impressive.The LP produced two classics, "Day After Day" (with Tulsas own Leon Russell on keys), and "Baby Blue", both huge smashes. The album did top 10 business too. Its interesting the compilers chose to include the US single mix of "Baby Blue" (remixed by Hendrix producer Eddie Kramer). It was probably the first hit with those loud, reverberated drums, something that became overdone by the 80s. The single mix also omits Toms huge sour note in the solo section! The other bonus tracks are the original recordings, you judge whether they're better or worse, but its pretty much half and half. Badfinger were poised for the heights of fame with this album. But it would never happen.
CONCLUSION/RATING: 4 1/2 stars. Most rock fans consider this the groups best album. Maybe, maybe not...it's sweet either way! Must have, pretty easy to find.
"Ass"- Apple Records, released November, 1973.Apple SW-3411 |
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Side One:
Apple Of My Eye
Get Away
Icicles
The Winner
Blind Owl
Side Two:
Constitution
When I Say
Cowboy
I Can Love You
Timeless
CD bonus track:
Do You Mind
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Oh dear. Another album where theres another version before it... lets skip that, shall we? You'd think the follow up to "Straight Up" would be super, but...its frankly kind of indifferent.Todd Rundgren started production on the LP, but split after a week. Good riddance Todd. In his place was Beatles engineer Chris Thomas. That particular artist/producer mix was unsteady at first (this LP.).Sure, there are good songs here, like Toms lovely "When I Say", featuring a surprising dual guitar solo, and Petes adios to their label, "Apple of My Eye". But the last track, "Timeless" is just haunting, lyric-wise, in light of later events. Business was already difficult, and the strain shows.
CONCLUSION/RATING: 2 1/2 stars. Okay. Its not bad at all, some fans love it, but not highly advised. Only for those hard core Badfinger-ites. Impossible to find.
"Badfinger"- Warner Brothers Records, released February, 1974 |
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Side One:
I Miss You
Shine On
Love Is Easy
Song For A Lost Friend
Why Don't We Talk?
Island
Side Two:
Matted Spam
Where Do We Go From Here?
My Heart Goes Out
Lonely You
Give It Up
Andy Norris |
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The first Badfinger album on Warner Brothers is an improvement, but they are still struggling. I normally like all of Joeys tracks, but "Love Is Easy" is just boring. "I Miss You" is quite pretty, but doesnt really go anywhere. What should have been the hit wasnt. "Lonely You" is just the gem of the LP, good lyrics and impassioned singing from Pete. "Andy Norris" is pretty fun, as is "Give It Up". All in all, not bad, but most importantly laid the ground work for the groups masterpiece. And how did Warners promote their new act (that they would soon abandon)? With an ad featuring their biggest star...Bugs Bunny. Or more exactly, a guy in a Bugs suit. Hmm. I have to wonder what Tommy thought about that.
CONCLUSION/RATING: 2 1/2 stars. Still not indispensable, but pretty good. Can be found as an import from a few years back, can be pricey tho'!
"Wish You Were Here"-Warner Brothers Records, released October, 1974. |
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Side One:
Just A Chance
You're So Fine
Got To Get Out Of Here
Know One Knows
Dennis
Side Two:
In The Meantime
Some Other Time
Love Time
King Of The Load
Meanwhile Back At The Ranch/
Should I Smoke |
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Yes, "Straight Up" is a great pop album, maybe Badfingers "Revolver". "Wish You Were Here" is their "Abbey Road". And its sad that this masterpiece was cruelly yanked by Warners over a dispute with Badfingers 'manager', who shall not be named. Under the gun to get another album done in a short amount of time, and with very little written, the group and producer Chris Thomas worked and played their Welsh and Liverpudllian asses off. The result, an album that any true rock fan should own. From the first power chords of "Just A Chance" you know this is gonna be good. What a fun song to drive down the highway with! If this had only been a single. Joeys "Youre So Fine" re-explores country stomp territory hinted at before, and it sparkles. Features a guitar riff ripped off for years afterward. I feel the band had been listening to Pink Floyd at this time, how else to explain "Got To Get Out of Here"? Very weary sounding, and telling of Joeys attitude then. "Know One Knows": not just a clever title, but a joyful tune too. And I never thought a song about a troublesome kid would be so good, but "Dennis" is very nice. And the hits just keep on coming... Two medleys on one side? Yep, "In The Meantime/Some Other Time" and "Meanwhile Back At The Ranch/Should I Smoke" are just that, though each song could have stood on its own. I actually dont care much for Joeys "Love Time", though it is lovely, and Toms "King of the Load", while a bad title, is a cool track. But what an ending, with "Meanwhile..." Its majestic, simply. And damned frustrating. What this album could have been...
CONCLUSION/RATING: 5 stars. A masterpiece. Sadly impossible to find in stores, but if I'm honest (and a journalist must be), it CAN be found on certain internet sites...A must have, you will not be dissapointed with this LP. Seek it out. Although I hear only a few thousand vinyl LPs ever existed.
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"Airwaves"- Elektra 6E-175. released March,1979
"Say No More"-Radio Records, released January,1981
"The Best of BADFINGER"-1995, Apple 7243 8 30129 2 3
"The Very Best of Badfinger"-September 12,2000; Apple 72435-26974-2-7.
"Head First"- released November 6, 2000 on Artisan Recordings (Snapper Music) SMADD 829
Just some cursory notes on these CDs. "Airwaves" was of course recorded long after Pete Hams death, and features only Joey and Tom from the original band, though Mike participated in rehearsals, but was fired by the producer! (seems his playing sounded too much like "Day After Day" !?!).The LP looked like it might do well, as "Love Is Gonna Come At Last" made a dent in the charts. Its OK, but overproduced. Joey and Tom thought the momentum produced by positive reviews of their comeback would make the next album a smash. After Radio Records released "Say No More" (what a fitting title in hindsight), the new band appeared on the at the time popular TV show "Solid Gold", and the LP was gaining some strength. But the Beatles struck again, sort of. When Radio records found they were having a much bigger hit with a new single, they dumped all promotion for the group, so they could push this single called "Stars on 45". Yes, the Beatles sound-alike medley with a disco beat. Tom must have been crushed. He died a few years later, a broken man.
Its ironic that the first 'new' CD released by the reconstituted Apple Records would be the much clamored for "Best of Badfinger". Bootleg 'greatest' LPs had been out, and selling well, for years. So it was only right that Apple make some cash of their own from their own group, right? Well, it was an OK start, but suffered from seemingly arbitrary track selection, not to mention Apple-only songs. Fans lived with this until the release of the much better "Very Best Of...". It truly was a best of, even featuring the 'unreleased' version of "Name of the Game" over the LP version, not to mention the incredible "I'll Be The One". This Tom/Joey collaboration was at one point considered for an Apple single after "No Dice", but, no dice. This would have been a smash, who couldn't love those Liverpool harmonies? So its' inclusion here was welcome, even if it is sped up from the "No Dice" bonus version. It does sound more natural this way though. But the odd ommissions here are striking: Why no "Sweet Tuesday Morning" or "Suitcase"? And it seems we were lucky to get what WB tracks we did; according to Dan Matovina, Warners barely wanted anything to do with the new CD or the songs. A bad taste in their mouths still? (P.S...there is a CD you may track down called "The Best of Badfinger Vol.2" from Rhino that featured more WB tracks.)
This brings us to "Head First". It was originally recorded after Joey quit, as a follow up to "Wish You Were Here". But it was basically mandated by management in order to rip off Warners. Bob Jackson was added as a keyboardist, and while "Lay Me Down" and "Hey Mr. Manager" are pretty good, as a whole, it is dissapointing. It was finally released a few years ago as a double CD with the second disc featuring demos. This leaves Badfinger fans still hoping Apple will eventually give us a box set, but it does not seem likely,as Apple/EMI do not feel theres a market for it. This must be why they keep Mary Hopkins CDs in print... Its also worth noting at this point the excellent Pete Ham CDs out there from Rykodisc. Both feature demos from Pete, including an early acoustic "No Matter What". The majority are songs Badfinger never attempted, and may not have even been presented with. Both "Golders Green" and "7 Park Avenue" are fine additions to any Badfinger fans collection..if you can find them! There are also MANY bootlegs around, including an apparent 'Badfinger Anthology' set that I would LOVE to see! A word to the wise as well: you may see some 'cut-rate' Badfinger CDs in your store. Don't buy these. They are, by and large, either re-recordings of the classics by Joey Molland and a Nashville band, or live performances also rendered unlistenable by Joey, who continues to tour to this day, sometimes still under the 'Badfinger' monicker. Mike Gibbins also continued to record original music, until his untimely passing in 2005.
In conclusion, Badfinger, in Dan Matovinas words, could have been the 'other' Fab Foursome. But as Dan wisely points out, maybe they were after all. Its all there for you to discover. Just give them a chance. |
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Some Badfinger Links: |
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Brandos Badfinger Page: One of the best and most insanely comprehensive Badfinger sites on the net. I'm not sure whats NOT there! And Thanks for the photos, BTW!
Dan Matovinas Page for the Book "Without You: The Tragic Story of Badfinger": Not just info on the book ( which is superb) but plenty else too, including the whole story on Pete/George Harrisons Gibson guitar, and the whole story behind the battle for "Very Best of Badfinger".Thanks Dan!
Tom Brennans Badfinger Library:And a library it is indeed! A wonderful study source.
"Wish You Were Here":
Morten Vindbergs great site, with plenty of info on how you may contribute to an official Badfinger Rarities project!
"Badfinger Boogie Club": Looking for somewhere to chat with other Finger-ites? Then you are invited to the (Yahoo) club!
Joey CAN be found on the web, but since the death of his wife is fairly difficult to come across, since Kathie ran the 'web' side of things for the family.
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Please Send Any Comments, Corrections or Suggestions About This Page to: [email protected] |
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