Here's a recently updated, old post from February 2009 about a very good classic rock album. It's been re-posted along with both of its original comments.Unfortunately, it seems most of the world has forgotten Badfinger. They're probably best known for recording Paul McCartney's "Come and Get It," from their first LP on which the sadly star-crossed band was correctly faulted for sounding too much like a Beatles clone.
To me, the Welsh quartet's third album - produced by both George Harrison and Todd Rundgren - is among the best British power pop records of all time. Straight Up is full of Beatlesque influenced pop and is still the biggest selling non-Beatle album ever released by Apple Records.
Badfinger's second album, No Dice (1970), maintained an obvious Beatles influence, but they were now writing their own songs and people were listening. The album featured the hit single "No Matter What," the original version of "Without You," - a tune that later became a huge hit for Harry Nilsson in 1972 - and "We're for the Dark," a track that could have been a hit if it had been released as a single.
Then came Straight Up. Featuring the big hits "Day After Day" and "Baby Blue" the album provided Badfinger with everything musicians wanted: popularity and critical acclaim. The band combined pleasant melodies, fine musicianship, great singing, and, best of all, a flair for original composition and arranging. Other top flight songs on this album include "Money" (not the Motown song later covered by the Beatles), "Suitcase," "Sweet Tuesday Morning," "Sometimes," and "Perfection."
Unfortunately, everything fell apart shortly afterward, not because of a lack of talent, but by the implosion of Apple and Badfinger's mismanagement of their own business affairs. They continued to make albums, but by 1975 the first of the quartet's two suicides - partially stemming from their business related problems - stopped the group in its tracks. A few years later they reunited but a second suicide effectively ended their career. As of last year all four members who made this album have passed away.
Badfinger's second album, No Dice (1970), maintained an obvious Beatles influence, but they were now writing their own songs and people were listening. The album featured the hit single "No Matter What," the original version of "Without You," - a tune that later became a huge hit for Harry Nilsson in 1972 - and "We're for the Dark," a track that could have been a hit if it had been released as a single.
Then came Straight Up. Featuring the big hits "Day After Day" and "Baby Blue" the album provided Badfinger with everything musicians wanted: popularity and critical acclaim. The band combined pleasant melodies, fine musicianship, great singing, and, best of all, a flair for original composition and arranging. Other top flight songs on this album include "Money" (not the Motown song later covered by the Beatles), "Suitcase," "Sweet Tuesday Morning," "Sometimes," and "Perfection."
Unfortunately, everything fell apart shortly afterward, not because of a lack of talent, but by the implosion of Apple and Badfinger's mismanagement of their own business affairs. They continued to make albums, but by 1975 the first of the quartet's two suicides - partially stemming from their business related problems - stopped the group in its tracks. A few years later they reunited but a second suicide effectively ended their career. As of last year all four members who made this album have passed away.
Straight Up should be heard by all who enjoy clever mainstream rock and roll with a distinctly English flavor. Although No Dice is also worth hearing, if you only buy one, Straight Up should be your choice.
Thanks for the ride on the Wayback Machine. Straight Up is and outstanding album!
ReplyDeleteEXCELLENT classic rock album! I am going to listen to it tonight, thanks!
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