Badfinger

[robertff]

A band who appeared out of step with their times and one remembered more for tragedy rather than some fine music, is that it? They produced some albums which are very easy to love, No Dice and Straight Up in particular, plus some of their later ones. Anyone else like them?


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[Rorschach]

I quite like what I've heard but it isn't that much. I have them on my list of bands that need a proper listen but I don't know when I'll find the time.

Maybe I'll try this evening when I'm walking the dog.

[robertff]

I quite like what I've heard but it isn't that much. I have them on my list of bands that need a proper listen but I don't know when I'll find the time.

Maybe I'll try this evening when I'm walking the dog.

If so, start with Straight Up it's a superb album.


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[Rorschach]

OK. I'll let you know how it goes.

[50 Shades Of Blue]

No getting away from it, the saddest story ever. I've always loved the well known singles.

[Walk In My Shadow]

Good topic.

Classic singles, great albums as well. Even the later ones.

I have one Pete Ham solo album but not really fond of that one.

Still, tragedies, bad managers...

They deserved a far better deal. And yes, I'm a fan.

[Charlie O.]

I'm inclined to think they're more than a tad overrated by their cult (but then, what band or artist isn't overrated by their cult?).

That said, Straight Up is one of the best albums of the '70s, so maybe they aren't.

[BARON CORNY DOG]

I'm inclined to think they're more than a tad overrated by their cult (but then, what band or artist isn't overrated by their cult?).

That said, Straight Up is one of the best albums of the '70s, so maybe they aren't.

Badfinger specializes in one of my kinds of music---so-called "power pop." When they nail it on something like, say, "Baby Blue," there isn't much I love more. I also echo the praise for Straight Up, it's a VERY STRONG LP. I wouldn't be without it and it might make my Top 20. But when I've ventured beyond that and the other big one (which I find to be shakier, but with some very high highs), I've been underwhelmed.

The same thing has happened to me with T-Rex. When people talk about their other records (the ones that aren't Slider or Electric Warrior), it always sounds really good, but when I go to those records on Spotify or Youtube or wherever, my attention drifts almost immediately.

So if someone has something strong to say about other Badfinger records, I'm definitely all ears. I think that's basically what this post amounts to.

[Mike Boom]

I like Wish You Were Here and No Dice both more than Straight Up.

[robertff]

Just been listening to Ass, which I haven’t played in a while, and Wish You Were Here, both very good albums. Think the only one I haven’t got is the last one Say No More.


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[robertff]

I like Wish You Were Here and No Dice both more than Straight Up.

Wish You Were Here is very strong and I can see why you might prefer it to SU. No Dice is really good as well but slightly less than SU in my view. All three are worth having though.


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[kath]

I like Wish You Were Here and No Dice both more than Straight Up.

i'm a major badfinger fan, and while straight up is my fave, i love wish you were here. it was the album i used to get reap into badfinger.

[Walk In My Shadow]

I only lack Say no more and Airwaves.

Have the BBC sessions as a bonus cd.

[Rorschach]

I listened to Straight Up and No Dice yesterday.
have to say that for the first two tracks of Straight Up I thought, 'Good lord, what is this crap?' I found it extremely plodding and hated the drums. After that I started to warm to it and definitely enjoyed a couple of tracks.
Like the Baron, I'm fond of power pop and a lot of this fits that description so I think I'll end up liking it.

But, does anyone else find the drumming to be a bit of a weak link?

[Charlie O.]

I always very much liked Mike Gibbins' drumming!

[Rorschach]

I always very much liked Mike Gibbins' drumming!

I'm listening to it again now and I must admit, the drumming doesn't sound anything like as bad as I thought it did the first time. Not sure what happened there.

I still think there are plodding sections.

I really like 'I'd Die Baby'.

[Walk In My Shadow]

Listened a couple of times to Straight Up yesterday. It probably is their best album.

Could've been competition to Rubber Soul albeit six years later.

[50 Shades Of Blue]

I'm inclined to think they're more than a tad overrated by their cult (but then, what band or artist isn't overrated by their cult?).

That said, Straight Up is one of the best albums of the '70s, so maybe they aren't.

Badfinger specializes in one of my kinds of music---so-called "power pop." When they nail it on something like, say, "Baby Blue," there isn't much I love more. I also echo the praise for Straight Up, it's a VERY STRONG LP. I wouldn't be without it and it might make my Top 20. But when I've ventured beyond that and the other big one (which I find to be shakier, but with some very high highs), I've been underwhelmed.

The same thing has happened to me with T-Rex. When people talk about their other records (the ones that aren't Slider or Electric Warrior), it always sounds really good, but when I go to those records on Spotify or Youtube or wherever, my attention drifts almost immediately.

So if someone has something strong to say about other Badfinger records, I'm definitely all ears. I think that's basically what this post amounts to.

Triggered by this thread I gave the albums a good listen for the first time in almost 40 years.

"Straight Up" is great but the one that surprised me was "Wish You Were Here".
Think the shitty cover made me avoid it as a kid.
Great album full of great tunes.
Track 4 "Know One Knows" sounds part Manic Street Preacher part Icicle Works. These bands must have spun this.
I can with confidence recommend listening to the album for yourself and Rorschach.

P.S. I listened to "Ass" for the 1st time ever having always been told to avoid it. Turns out it was good advice and Apple should probably have just filed it..

[50 Shades Of Blue]

P.P.S. There are also some very good songs on "Badfinger" that was released before "Wish You Were Here" so worth a listen if "WYWH" floats your boat.

[50 Shades Of Blue]

I only lack Say no more and Airwaves.

Have the BBC sessions as a bonus cd.

Have just listened to "Airwaves" and it sounds very middle of the road and by the numbers to me.
Will probably never listen to the whole album again.