|
And what hits they were. I basically bought this CD for Baby Blue. No Matter What, Day After Day and Come and Get It are the recognizable hits. But, the rest of the CD - so-so at best. Maybe the Badfinger freaks are into it, but not the casual listener.
This is a nice collection of their Apple/Warners stuff right up to the untimely death of Peter Ham. for a casual Badfinger fan like myself, this collection suits my needs. I've always enjoyed their singles and this one disc gets the job done. I was especially pleased with their original version of "Without You," too often ignored for Nilsson's more popular version but a classic in its own right. Obviously for a true fan of the band this would be nothing more than a sampler, but for me it hit the spot.
It was great. Arrived when promised, my husband listens to it constantly. Thanks.
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. 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. It's almost worth giving this best of Badfinger five stars on the merits of the band's tragic history. All the while, the band made great albums for Apple and Warners, all but defining what would be called power-pop. Even the late stuff, like "Love Time" or "When I Say" have the uniquely Beatlesque feel about them (and practically beg for rediscovery). The late Harry Nilsson scooped up "Without You" and made it his signature song.Yet the band became the victims of unscrupulous management. 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.
And it's obvious; these guys were classicists in the best sense. Badfinger was probably the best, most talented band that the hapless Apple Records discovered. Molland was reduced to laying carpet for a living in the mid-70's even as their music was played on classic rock stations. Money earned in the 70's while scoring top ten records vanished in litigation and alleged thievery. 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. 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. 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.
It may take awhile for you to really appreciate the songcraft. It takes just as long to get over the poor band name choice, despite their 70's context. However, Pete Ham provides enough divine moments in this wonderful collection. I can't imagine the individual albums miss much from these Beatles devotees, so this is the one to hold onto.
|
