No band in rock 'n' roll has quite the hard-luck story to match that of Badfinger. Despite abundant songwriting and performing talent, a Beatles connection and critical acclaim, the band ended up penniless, with two of its members committing suicide. These two records, cut for Warner Brothers in 1974 as the band was trying to extricate itself from the legal and financial mess at Apple Records, have held up remarkably well given the circumstances under which they were recorded. In fact, we're kind of in shock that the label let them go out of print and then let us license them! Again produced by Chris Thomas, this album is reckoned by many Badfinger fans to be their best, but its commercial prospects were killed when it was pulled from stores shortly after release due to the band's ever-ongoing legal and financial struggles. A flat-out power pop classic that should have been a hit!
Disc 1
- Track 1 - Just a Chance
- Track 2 -
- Track 3 - Got to Get out of Here
- Track 4 - Know One Knows
- Track 5 - Dennis
- Track 6 - In the Meantime/Some Other Time
- Track 7 - Love Time
- Track 8 - King of the Load
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Badfinger
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[+]
8.0
more brilliance from Pete Ham
Pete Ham was never content to simply step into the empty, spotlit stage remaining in the Beatles' wake. He shed any direct inclinations of being a Macca or Lennon clone years before - "Name of the Game" from Straight Up remains a defining statement of Pete's singular ability. While "Just a Chance" rocks like a mother and "Meanwhile Back at the Ranch" makes you want to put the top down and step on the gas, he takes another step forward in declaring his emerging songwriting genius with "Dennis". Simple, yet poetic in its lyric, the melody is as haunting and compelling as any in music. Sometimes when a song touches one so deeply, it is difficult to define what about the tune is so moving. Pick up this record and hear it for yourself. No rock fan should be without it. Incidentally, Joey Molland turns in one of his prettiest melodies in "Love Time" - silly title, beautiful tune.
This is perfect. Buy it. It will make you understand why we never needed Oasis in the first place.
It may take a listen or two to get used to the tracks, but once you do there is no looking back. Shades of the Beatles and ELO. This album is as good as Abbey Road. A tragic story about this talented band, but if you like their four hits heard all over 'oldies' radio then you will love all these new songs. 'Meanwhile Back at the Ranch- Should I smoke? will bring you back to that classic British sound. I can't put this CD away.
[+]
10.0
An Overlooked Gem
Nothing short of a pop/rock masterpiece. In my opinion, the band's best album. Unfortunately it was overlooked by just about everyone and received very little or no airplay in the US during a time when airplay was crucial to an album's sales and success.
[+]
10.0
Wish badfinger was still here
Wish you were here is one of the top 5-6 classic rock albums of the 1970's. And for my money the greatest Badfinger album EVER. It has the feeling of, "hey let's just let it all out, the hell with the record execs."
No pre-packaged ideas here. No let's try hard to write a top 40 single here (although there are a few gems). This is Straight Up on amphetamines. No Dice rolling lucky 7's!! This is classic rock at it's classic best. Breathtaking musicianship, some great orchestra arrangements and even the Average White Band horn section lending to the genius.
Wish you were here is a MUST buy for classic rock fans, or just fans of great music period. Obviously never straying too far from the nurturing tree, Wish You Were here, has that Beatles sound here and there, what do you expect " the Snoop Dog sound"?? But this is a powerful, passionate record that if you like the genre, you will like Badfinger's Wish you were here. Makes me wish the Band was still here. Sadly they are not, so don't miss this opportunity to purchase a piece of Rock history.
[+]
8.0
Great album by an overlooked band
I had this one on vinyl when it was first released, but misplaced it years ago so I hadn't listend to it in years. It's as good as I remembered it. "Just a Chance" should have been a hit, it rivals any of their earlier hits on Apple records. Highly recomennded
[+]
10.0
Badfinger Boogie
Possibly the best Badfinger album released. Brillant music and songwriting emerging from the shadows of the Fab Four.
[+]
10.0
Badfinger reissue well worth the money
Horay for Collector's Choice for reissuing this almost-long-lost classic. The remastering is very similar (if not identical) to the German import released a few years back. The CD booklet is just a gatefold (four pages, including the back cover and front cover) with some liner notes. No photos, but I'd take a great-sounding CD with a crisp printing job on the front and back artwork over a muddy release with more detailed liner notes anyday. Definitely worth it. Badfinger fans won't be disappointed. The same for Collector's Choice's reissue of "Badfinger," which in parts is just as strong as "Wish You Were Here." Pick 'em both up if you can ... :)
