Welcome Guest [Log In] [Register]
We hope you enjoy your visit.


You're currently viewing our forum as a guest. This means you are limited to certain areas of the board and there are some features you can't use. If you join our community, you'll be able to access member-only sections, and use many member-only features such as customizing your profile, sending personal messages, and voting in polls. Registration is simple, fast, and completely free.


Join our community!


If you're already a member please log in to your account to access all of our features:

Username:   Password:
Add Reply
The Feast of St. Peter; Or just general Badfinger discussion
Topic Started: Apr 23 2007, 01:13 PM (686 Views)
Thaddeus
Member Avatar
Kiss me like a beesting
This thread is dedicated to a band I'm very fond of that all of you probably know by now. It's Badfinger, the heir apparent to the Beatles but at the same time a power pop band trying to forge their own idendity. The members are as follows:

William Peter Ham - 1947-1975 (guitars, keyboards, vocals)
Thomas Evans - 1947-1983 (bass, vocals)
Joseph C. Molland - 1947- (guitars, vocals)
Michael G. Gibbins - 1947-2005 (drums, keyboards)

There are other members in this diamond in the rough, but they aren't considered part of the true and classic Badfinger. This is the lineup that churned out 6 albums that none of you would likely have heard of without a pest like me advertising it to all.

But the next few days are a special time to me. You might not follow these events (well, neither do I, but I can still follow things like these) but it just so happens that little Peter's date of death and birth are only 4 days apart. Gasp! So here's the plan.

The Feast of St. Peter April 24-27

Yes, they're my four favorite days of the year. During these days, I'll be doing nothing but quoting Badfinger (or engaging in general obcession) and listening to their music. I'll also try to convert you into fans, starting with copies of Wish You Were Here available through PM on sendspace. I'll post articles, videos, pictures, or anything related to God here.
And when this feast is over, well, it'll just be the general Badfinger thread. There would be a feast for all other two deceased members, but their birthdays/date of deaths aren't close enough to eachother.

Yeah. Also, try to go the whole feast eating just Ham. That would be so cool. If you're jewish, well, just eat your friend Pete.

Posted Image Go get him, Daffy!
Music 1Music 2Pictures 1Pictures 2
Offline Profile Quote Post Goto Top
 
JeorgeMcStarkey
Member Avatar
-.-- -.-- --..
He's not God. Even Geddy Lee smokes him, and he's Jewish.

(But I wouldn't mind getting Wish You Were Here, though.)

(By the way, check out my sig and... click it. Something cool happens.)
Click? VH
Offline Profile Quote Post Goto Top
 
Thaddeus
Member Avatar
Kiss me like a beesting
JeorgeMcStarkey
Apr 23 2007, 05:46 PM
He's not God. Even Geddy Lee smokes him, and he's Jewish.

(But I wouldn't mind getting Wish You Were Here, though.)

(By the way, check out my sig and... click it. Something cool happens.)

(I don't really think he's god. I mean, he left behind a pregnant wife with a son, essentially quit on a band that needed his support during the time of crisis, etc. This is just a fun thing I do to celebrate his music. And when you say stuff like "Geddy Lee smokes him" (I always thought Lee was the bassist and Alex Lifeson was the guitarist) it's all a matter of opinion, but you're probably right in terms of skill)

(And I finished downloading Moving Pictures a couple minutes ago. I'll listen to it when I'm done with Ram. I would have downloaded earlier, but I was at my Mom's house all weekend and I'm not allowed to download anything on her computer)

(And I'll send you a PM with Wish You Were Here. I doubt anybody will give it as much praise as I (or music critics) give it, but it's as good as anything the Beatles did in their latter years (another opinion, osnap!!!1!))

(Parenthesis are fun)

(Badfinger history video, for anybody interested)
Posted Image Go get him, Daffy!
Music 1Music 2Pictures 1Pictures 2
Offline Profile Quote Post Goto Top
 
JeorgeMcStarkey
Member Avatar
-.-- -.-- --..
Thaddeus
Apr 23 2007, 06:01 PM
And when you say stuff like "Geddy Lee smokes him" (I always thought Lee was the bassist and Alex Lifeson was the guitarist) it's all a matter of opinion, but you're probably right in terms of skill)

Geddy Lee is the bassist. I just said that because... nobody is cooler than Geddy Lee? Just me and my Rush plugs, that's all.
Click? VH
Offline Profile Quote Post Goto Top
 
GodNickSatan
Member Avatar
One of us cannot be wrong
Hey, sounds great. Maybe you could put the download link in your signature like JeorgeMcStarkey did so more people download it, meaning more people can have conversations with you about it. :thumbsup: It makes sense to me. I must admit they sound like a promising band from everything you say about them, and from what I've heard from them (like one song), they've got a good sound. Yes, I'll much appreciate it if I get a copy of Wish You Were Here. Thanks. :lol:
Offline Profile Quote Post Goto Top
 
Thaddeus
Member Avatar
Kiss me like a beesting
Posted Image

I came into school today wearing all black today. I'm so pathetic.
Posted Image Go get him, Daffy!
Music 1Music 2Pictures 1Pictures 2
Offline Profile Quote Post Goto Top
 
JeorgeMcStarkey
Member Avatar
-.-- -.-- --..
:lol: Did anybody say anything?

Kid: Why are you wearing all black today, Scott?
Scott: Pete Ham died.
Kid: Oh, I'm so sorry. Was he a friend of yours?
Scott: No. He was in Badfinger.
Kid: Where's that?


Anyway, I listened to Wish You Were Here, and from the first listen, I think it has potential to grow on me quite a bit. I just need a few more listens.
Click? VH
Offline Profile Quote Post Goto Top
 
Thaddeus
Member Avatar
Kiss me like a beesting
JeorgeMcStarkey
Apr 24 2007, 03:15 PM
:lol: Did anybody say anything?

Kid: Why are you wearing all black today, Scott?
Scott: Pete Ham died.
Kid: Oh, I'm so sorry. Was he a friend of yours?
Scott: No. He was in Badfinger.
Kid: Where's that?


Anyway, I listened to Wish You Were Here, and from the first listen, I think it has potential to grow on me quite a bit. I just need a few more listens.

My Science Teacher (because we were discussing Radiation transfer of heat energy on different colored surfaces) used me as an example for why I'd be hot on a hot day, but aside from that no.

And in the four days of these feasts I'll take one day to review a Badfinger album I own (it will be five if Leo picks up the hint that I want Ass).

Posted Image

No Dice (1970)

Being Badfinger's first official album with Joey Molland as the new guy, Badfinger strikes a strong very Beatle-esque blow. While none of the Individual performances are exactly special, and the lyrics after a while seem to be very uncreative and lacking depth, it's a fun power-pop album.

1. I Can't Take It 9/10
A decent opener, it has clever lyrics about apparently being fed up with love (or, as it always seems with this band, the music industry). Pete's vocals, teamed with Tommy's backing vocals, can be quite catchy. The driving guitars would make you think this band is a metalish type band, but the volume on this track seem to be too low. It would sound kind of hard-rockish if it weren't so quiet.

2. I Don't Mind 10/10
Evans and Molland team up for what will be the first of a few collaborative hits in Badfinger's career. This, unlike it's predecessor, is a soft song with a quiet guitar, a free piano (that delivers a very nice solo in the middle of the song) drums and Tom and Joey delivering superb harmony vocals. It sets a very relaxing vibe, switching from soft spoken words to bellows and yells.

3. Love Me Do 6/10
This is not to be confused with the early Beatles hit of the same name, because that version is far superior. This song is one of a couple filler songs on this album. Joey essentially sings "Love me love me love me love me do" thirty or fourty thousand times. It has driving (but again too quiet) guitars and lackluster lyrics. Just skip this one. The over-active drums get annoying after a while as well.

By now you'd think this album is a mediocre piece, but the next three songs are amongst the band's best.

4. Midnight Caller 10/10
This melodic piece is one of Pete Ham's greatest songs. It chronicle's a lonely woman seemingly shut into low spots in society and envying (or could it be hating?) seemingly normal people. Pete sings with sincere vocals while he plays along with his piano. There are no electric guitars, but an acoustic guitar duels with an excellent bassline in the background. Tom, ever the one to do so, is able to add in some needed high-harmonies to combat Pete's vocals at the chorus. It's a sad yet uplifting song.
"She locks the door, and there's no one there... nobody, nobody, nobody's gonna help you now

5. No Matter What 10/10
Possibly Badfinger's most popular song, it's loud guitars and rocky feeling (finally) make for a good show. It's often played live, and you can find many videos of it on YouTube (although none of them are able to live up to the aurora of this song). It drags you in from it's grinding opening riff and doesn't stop from there. Pete sings sweet and endearing lines about not wanting to leave his girlfriend, sound farmiliar? Pretty much every song the Beatles wrote. And for good measure, for this is the most Beatle-esque song you can find out there. It's probably Badfinger's most successful song.

6. Without You 9.5/10
In contrast with the last track, this is a sad sorrow filled piano medley. No, this is not a cover version of the Neillson song, it's actually the other way around. Neillson made a hit out of this song, and yet the original authors (Pete Ham and Tom Evans) still get no royalties for it. God damn the music industry. Anyways, Tom lays out a strong bass opening while a single bluesy guitar plays a little riff, and Pete starts off with his half of the song. "Well, I can't forget this evening, and your face when you were leaving. But I guess that's just the way the story goes. You always smile, but in your eyes your sorrow shows. Yes, it shows Then Evens comes in with him and Molland chanting his half, a simple but effective "I can't live, if living is without you, I can't live I can't live anymore,". Ironic, considering half the band would have commited suicide within 15 years.

7. Blodwyn 8.5/10
Most people consider this to be an awful waste of space on the album, but I kind of like it. It's a fun little tune to whistle, acoustic guitar based ditty with a winding floating lead guitar. Pete and Tom sing about being lonely and wanting to be alone with Blodwyn, a person who seems to aid this person in his sorrow. It's a lot like the Rolling Stones song "Dead Flowers", although that song came out I think a year later.

8. Better Days 9/10
This song seems to just float around and dally as well. Much like a few of the first tracks on this album, it's as simple as guitar, vocals, drum, bass. It's not particularly special, but it's a nice song to lay back and listen to. I'm just a good boy, working hard to get my pay. A little time, a little trouble, a better day. The lead guitar on this song is quite good.

9. It Had To Be 5.5/10
Easily the worst song on the album, written by the drummer (wow, looks like these guys were trying to be just like the Beatles). There's nothing there, just seemingly paradoxical lyrics and a guitar. You'd be better off to skip this one, it's just not interesting (although the guitar solo is nice)

10. Watford John 5/10
Oops, looks like the last one wasn't the worst track on the album. All four bandmembers essentially fall on their ass and write a lame song. It seems as if they're trying to give off an Early-Beatles free-style jazzy song. It drives a wedge into your ears with a loud piano and pretty much nothing else. It has a good screaming Hendrix-style guitar, but the track is so uninteresing chances are you won't remember it, so it doesn't leave a lasting impression. Better stick to powerpop, boys.

11. Believe Me 8/10
At least this song is marginally interesting. A nice lead guitar is layed down (I can't say by whom, because you can never tell with this band) and Tommy bellows and yells in a fashion that doesn't make you want to claw your eyes out. But the lyrics are just awful. They'd be better off reading bible verses or something, because the ones they have there are just not pulling it off. This is what people mean when they say this band is like the Beatles.

12. We're For the Dark 10/10
Described by some people as one of the finest acoustic ballads of the decade, this beauty caps off the album with a bang, it encapsulates it's "Poppy" feel. Pete, never failing to disappoint, writes an intriguing guitar line while delivering sweet and sincere vocals that make you feel warm on a chilly day. It fades into oblivion perfectly, with a soft horn blowing and some freestyle guitar riffs.

So essentially this isn't the best album for new fans. If you love early works by the Beatles, I suggest you buy this after Straight Up. While it contains a few classic songs, it takes a few listens to grow on you.

Average rating: 8.45

Recomended: Only if you own Straight Up and Wish You Were Here


Yeah, so I suck at writing reviews, bite me.
Posted Image Go get him, Daffy!
Music 1Music 2Pictures 1Pictures 2
Offline Profile Quote Post Goto Top
 
working_class_hero
Member Avatar
Captain ASR
I need something other than their greatest hits compilation Come and Get It
someday monkey won't play piano song, play piano song

---
Facebook
Last.fm

Offline Profile Quote Post Goto Top
 
Shminking Of Gin
Member Avatar
As if he's never seen one b4.
I love badfinger. I dont know a lot of their stuff, i will admit, but what i do know of it, i love.
<center>Posted Image</center>
Offline Profile Quote Post Goto Top
 
Thaddeus
Member Avatar
Kiss me like a beesting
Download link is in my signature, for anybody who wants Wish You Were Here.
Posted Image Go get him, Daffy!
Music 1Music 2Pictures 1Pictures 2
Offline Profile Quote Post Goto Top
 
working_class_hero
Member Avatar
Captain ASR
Thanks, Scott
someday monkey won't play piano song, play piano song

---
Facebook
Last.fm

Offline Profile Quote Post Goto Top
 
Thaddeus
Member Avatar
Kiss me like a beesting
I don't have the energy to write a review, so instead I'll post some videos.

Rehearsals for "Shine On", including kick ass (but barely audible) solo
Rock of All Ages, the closest they'll ever get to playing Zeppelin.
Simplistically beautiful.
This version of the song isn't that good, but Pete nails his guitar into oblivion.
A later re-incarnation of Badfinger doing a tribute song to Pete Ham

If anybody else can find a video of "Here Comes the Sun" from the Concert for Bangladesh, please post it here. The Bangladesh version is a guitar duet, George Harrison with Pete Ham. All four members of the band were there that night, three playing acoustic guitars you can hardly hear and the fourth in the back with tambourines.
Pete and Tom also sang backing vocals on Ringo Starr's "It Don't Come Easy"
Tom and Joey play guitars and sing on John Lennon's album "Imagine"

For anybody interested.
Posted Image Go get him, Daffy!
Music 1Music 2Pictures 1Pictures 2
Offline Profile Quote Post Goto Top
 
Aqueronte
Member Avatar
Helen Wheels
I got all their albums. I luv' em what more there is to say, they were plain and simple a fantastic band and in my top 20 of all time favourites.
Posted Image
Offline Profile Quote Post Goto Top
 
Thaddeus
Member Avatar
Kiss me like a beesting
Posted Image
Badfinger

After leaving their previous record label, Apple (who stole their money, rejected all their music, and didn't really give them a chance) the band signed onto Warner Brother, or whatever. But the new label seemed to be even worse. The original title for the album, For Love or Money reflecting the band's feelings about leaving their old label, was accidentally left off the album. It pretty much wasn't promoted at all and the label put out the album's shit songs as singles and got angry at the band when they didn't sell.
As for the music, it shows the situation. The lyrics seem to be angry at their new label and wishing to reconnect with their old. The band was feeling stressed, Ham had lost almost all of his confidence and the rest of the band was trying to keep up with other bands who were putting out more complex music. The result is less than spectacular. It's good but the band is willing to branch out and try new things, but they did it oh so wrong.
One good thing about the album is Evans' bass playing. He wasn't originally a bass player, instead playing rhythm guitar for the previous version of the band, but shows he has some juice in him on this album. His bass styles go from freestyle to funk to just hard rock. They're not as active and winding as John Paul Jones or Entwistle's bass lines, but they're catchy hooks and riffs reminiscent of McCartney. Gibbins' drumming is fun in some songs, but his druming is pretty good on most albums so it seems to go unnoticed. Now for the songs.

From the beginning the album seems to get off on the wrong foot. Pete Ham and Tom Evans wrote a soft little folkie tune called Shine On. The lyrics seem to be desperate but hopeful, which Pete delivers while he and Joey deliver some fun hooks and lines on a seemingly fluttering guitar. This was Pete and Tommy's obvious attempt to write a single, and it's a great and inspiring tune, which I give a 10/10, but Warner didn't think so.

Shine On is the second track on the album. Warner Brothers picked the shit songs before and after it to release as singles. I Miss You is a sappy syupy song Pete wrote on piano, without a single guitar. Just a piano, organ, high pitched vocals and a flute during the chorus. It has shmaltzy lyrics that don't amount to anything, and as far as I know didn't chart as a single. Joey Mollands' song after Shine On, Love Is Easy seems interesting in the first minute but soon turns to crap. It opens with a few nice chords played softly on guitar, soon joined by drums and Joey's gnasley vocals that seem to sing a stanza or so of lyrics about love. It sounds good, but one line that is just awful appears out of nowhere ("all I wanted was my chance, maybe I could learn to dance... wtf?) and it turns into a song of Joey grunting Love is Easy, Love is Eaaasy over and over again. Not even a guitar solo (or should I say a couple of notes) that was put through some odd effects or some of Tommy's freestyle bass at the end can save this pile of mediocraty. It's also poorly mixed.

While on the subject of Tom, let's go over the blunderous songs he wrote. Why Don't We Talk starts off with footsteps and somebody whistling, much like the intro to Yes' "South Side of the Sky", except this version is too quiet to hear or care about. Soon it turns into a rolling guitar and some backing vocals that repeat "Why Don't We Talk" over, and over, and over again. It's just tacky and poorly pulled off. There's a guitarsolo somewhere in there, but you can't here it behind a rolling electric guitar and, yes, tacky backing vocals! His other song, Where Do We Go From Here? is a little better, but still sub par. Tommy's voice is barely audible in this faux reggae-number, which seems to drown everything out. There is also a guitar solo somewhere in here, but you can't here it because it's drowned out by, get this, a steel pan drum solo! It's guitars seem to funk out and the bass is fab, but it leaves a lot to be desired.

Now that we have the four bad songs out of the way, let's get to the good stuff. Pete Ham's songwriting seems great after the dreaded I Miss You. He wrote "Song For a Lost Friend", which isn't really great but better than the four previously mentioned tracks. It has more swirling guitars here, but they're not loud enough to drown everything out here. That "everything else" would be active drumming and beatiful backing vocals, the latter something the band was very good at applying. Pete sings about a... lost friend, I guess. You had a dream, you know you dreamt so well... he sings with vigor. It isn't a spectacular song but somehow hits home in it's sincerity.
Matted Spam is a light bouncy track that most Badfinger fans don't like. Why? Well, Pete sings fun nonsensical lyrics about rock and roll and his little lady soulfully, the drums, once again, pretty good and Evans cranks out an excellent jazzy bassline. But most people think it is "marred" by the implementation of jazz horns, which I kind of like. The horns add a jazzy element to the song, even adding a dreamy solo to the song, but nobody but me seems to like it.
His last song on the album is Lonely You another sappy ballad played on a glossy piano, but somehow different from the album's opener. Because it doesn't suck. The high vocals, including beautiful backing vocals from the band seem to make it a thousand times better, it's just hard to explain. Did I mention this song actually has a guitar? It delivers a nice lick at the beginning and a magical (albiet short) solo in the middle. It's a fan favorite that you'll either hate or love. Most fans love it.
Mike Gibbins, the drummer also adds a song. Ironically, it's an all acoustic folk song (except for a reverbed electric keyboard) titled My Heart Goes Out. He, using his voice, not the ones of his bandmates, sings with little skill but in a heartcranking way, it just somehow seems more sincere and meaningful when he does it with his weaker voice. There's a nice acoustic solo in the middle to look out for as well.
Molland adds three other stellar songs to the album, all three of them rockers, incase you think this album was starting to sound dull. Island is a fast song with a shredding guitar and drums pouding away in the choruses. "When I love you, we're an island, you know it makes me happy when you say ok, when I love you we're an island" After about two minutes the song becomes a little repetitive, but the great guitar work makes it worth it. Give It Up is a light year better, going between the soft almost spoken verses and an almost metal-like choruses with screaming backing vocals and another shredding guitar solo. Molland goes from showing his best vocal performance at some parts to screaming in a sea of drenching guitars with the rest of the band. It's 4.5 minutes you'll also either love or hate.
Here's where Warner Brothers fucked the album again. You'd think with the fading drowning fade out at the end would make a perfect closer to the album, but Warner takes the highest energy and Zeppelin-esque song at the end. Why? God only knows. But Andy Norris, Molland's final song and probably the 2nd best on the album, closes the album. It's the hardest the band has ever or ever will rock, with it's double guitar solos and it's fun little hook. Evans sets an excellent pace with his rocking and rolling bass line, and Joey puts all his energy into singing the song, while he and Pete give birth to Page-like solos that should be praised, but for some reason aren't. It's a fun boogie woogie toon, but makes an awful closer to a forgettable album.

The band makes many mistakes, and so does the company putting it out. But from it's attempts at new music and expansion Badfinger's next album, Wish You Were Here is a timeless classic that wouldn't be there without it's lowly predecessor.

Recomended: No.

Ratings:
1. I Miss You: 4/10
2. Shin On: 10/10
3. Love Is Easy: 6.5/10
4. Song For A Lost Friend: 9/10
5. Why Don't We Talk?: 4/10
6. Island: 8.5/10
7. Matted Spam: 10/10
8. Where Do We Go From Here?: 5.5/10
9. My Heart Goes Out: 8/10
10. Lonely You: 9.5/10
11. Give It Up: 10/10
12. Andy Norris: 10/10

Average: 79.16
Posted Image Go get him, Daffy!
Music 1Music 2Pictures 1Pictures 2
Offline Profile Quote Post Goto Top
 
1 user reading this topic (1 Guest and 0 Anonymous)
DealsFor.me - The best sales, coupons, and discounts for you
Go to Next Page
« Previous Topic · Fear of Music · Next Topic »
Add Reply