CORRECTION: It is my delight to report that the Al Kooper mix of "Name Of The Game" is floating out there. Very interesting organ parts layered on top of the original mix released and discussed here. Hopefully it gets an official release someday too!
Great topic guys. Given the band was known for their Singles and that Apple first planned and signed off with Ringo's signature approval for 'Name of the Game/ Suitcase" 45 and then silence...George heads into studio with them to Produce a better album... I really like the sound of individual songs, but as a whole LP it doesn't flow - Tom's songs have energy, but don't sound finished in writing phase... Interesting that band had Joey's song Suitcase played at end of Badfinger's 1970 tour on a few gigs! Thank again for sharing the review! Please Apple get to releasing a boxset soon - Pete, Tom, Mike & Joey deserve it!!
Exactly! We'd also be really curious to learn exactly what happened during that silence... This was also around the time Pete & Tom backed Ringo and George on the "It Don't Come Easy" single, which was rumored to have been initially offered to Badfinger as their follow-up single. It seems like a lot of ideas were scrapped during this period. As much as we enjoy these tracks today, the truth is that many of us are fans because of the final sound that become part of "Straight Up". Sharing your hopes of Apple releasing a legacy boxset someday, and when they do I'll be the first in line to buy it!
"Sing for the song," is like a old British Pub singalong song, Very British, I like the fact that it was different another one was Joey Molland's song "Regular" that did not make it on the ASS album. You know If anybody at that time is going to sound influenced by the BEATLES it should be BAD FINGER, and that song predates The RUTLES so not to be compared. George shouldn't have stilfiled them. Even if the songs are a little different the band needs to be able to go and grow in different directions .
Loving You is fantastic love the stunning guitar and circular rhythm , this Suitcase is far better than the slide version , Baby Please is up there with Baby Blue .
Good point - I really do appreciate the slower rhythm and pauses in "Loving You" which let Pete to unleash some searing guitar work. It's a heavier continuation of the songwriting style from "It Had To Be."
"Suitcase", "Money", "Name of the Game" & "Perfection"' are much better on the Geoff Emerick original version. However, "Baby Blue" & "Day After Day" are undeniable classic gems on the released album. They also should have included "I'll Be the One" on Straight Up and released it as another single. I have the Apple vinyl album & the DCC Gold CD which is mind-blowingly great sounding, especially with the bonus tracks from the Emerick sessions.
I agree, the DCC Gold versions still sound the best to me too but hoping we get a remix in the future that might dethrone them in quality, similar to what is being done with the Beatles catalog.
The idea of "the original album" is so intriguing! Badfinger had 3 (this one, "Ass" and "Head First", which even after being released, didn't have the original running order), The Monkees had 3 ("Headquarters", "Pisces Aquarius..." and "The Birds, the Bees and the Monkees") and The Beatles had many version of "Let It Be/Get Back" as well through 1969-1970. As always, I enjoyed this review! After you talked about "I'll Be The One", I recalled hearing about George Harrison calling it "too Beatlesy", which makes sense (the chorus sounds similar to "Eight Days A Week"). Al Kooper on "Name of the Game" remains a mystery. Let's hope that bigger reissues (deluxe/super deluxe editions) will come out down the line, as many Badfinger-related projects were released recently. Personally, "Sing for the Song" is one of my favorite Tom songs. Such an emotional tune, though I agree with you about it as well. Arguably, "Mean Mean Jemima" could've worked as a single. There were (as you know) many popular "jam-like" rockers, so it's not out of the question. Also, Joey got the short end of the stick, singles-wise. Half a year ago, I tried to compile a combined album - one with the best songs/versions from each album version, but it FAILED. As you said, these 2 albums represent completely different sounds, though this version sounds more like the natural sequel to "No Dice". "Wish You Were Here" maybe (in retrospect), did the best job in combining both sounds - the rough-around-the-edges one and the fully-produced one. Keep on making fun videos!
We always appreciate your insights! Never heard the comment about the similarity of "I'll Be The One" but that makes sense. It always seemed suspect to me that they would have seriously considered it as the follow-up single to "No Matter What" with the volume of Beatle comparisons already. It seems like the Badfinger vault is starting to open up, but we haven't really received any additional Apple studio outtakes since the 2010 remasters. Of the three "original albums" you mentioned, I think this one is the most fascinating because it serves as the "Missing Link" in their studio evolution and many of the tracks here were lost in that transition.
@@TheVinylVerdict Yeah, this (with earlier outtakes) could've possibly been an album in-between ND and SU. The original "Ass" running order is on the library, and the "Head First" one is on wikipedia. I'll die on that hill - Joey had many singles-worthy songs. Heck, if this track listing were to be released, then "I'd Die Babe" would function as a decent single.
@@RockinAllDay Yes that's where it sits in my mind but it does still feel like it's lacking a bit of commercial direction without the "Baby Blue" and "Day After Day" hits and Joey's "I'd Die Babe" and "Sometimes" that really lifted the final album.
@@RockinAllDay Very true. From the songwriting standpoint, Tom and Mike were less present in the final released version although their musical influences were still huge
My understanding is that Mal did not work with Badfinger in the studio again after Emerick took over as producer for the 2nd half of "No Dice". The recent book on his life has a diary entry from Jan 1971, when the original versions of the songs mentioned here were being recorded, in which Mal expresses his frustration about not being able to produce the band: "[I] feel hung up about not producing Badfinger at the moment, having put so much time and effort and belief into them."
CORRECTION: It is my delight to report that the Al Kooper mix of "Name Of The Game" is floating out there. Very interesting organ parts layered on top of the original mix released and discussed here. Hopefully it gets an official release someday too!
I VERY MUCH prefer the original version of Name of the Game.
Great topic guys. Given the band was known for their Singles and that Apple first planned and signed off with Ringo's signature approval for 'Name of the Game/ Suitcase" 45 and then silence...George heads into studio with them to Produce a better album...
I really like the sound of individual songs, but as a whole LP it doesn't flow - Tom's songs have energy, but don't sound finished in writing phase...
Interesting that band had Joey's song Suitcase played at end of Badfinger's 1970 tour on a few gigs! Thank again for sharing the review!
Please Apple get to releasing a boxset soon -
Pete, Tom, Mike & Joey deserve it!!
Exactly! We'd also be really curious to learn exactly what happened during that silence... This was also around the time Pete & Tom backed Ringo and George on the "It Don't Come Easy" single, which was rumored to have been initially offered to Badfinger as their follow-up single. It seems like a lot of ideas were scrapped during this period. As much as we enjoy these tracks today, the truth is that many of us are fans because of the final sound that become part of "Straight Up".
Sharing your hopes of Apple releasing a legacy boxset someday, and when they do I'll be the first in line to buy it!
"Sing for the song," is like a old British Pub singalong song, Very British, I like the fact that it was different another one was Joey Molland's song "Regular" that did not make it on the ASS album.
You know If anybody at that time is going to sound influenced by the BEATLES it should be BAD FINGER, and that song predates The RUTLES so not to be compared.
George shouldn't have stilfiled them.
Even if the songs are a little different the band needs to be able to go and grow in different directions .
Both songs definitely would have added a lot of personality and character but the label probably figured the commercial cost of that was too high.
gracias great job guys as always thanks again ❤Tony king
Thanks for tuning in! Keeping the Badfinger flame alive always
Loving You is fantastic love the stunning guitar and circular rhythm , this Suitcase is far better than the slide version , Baby Please is up there with Baby Blue .
Glad others agree with me about "Suitcase". The piano intro/closer is menacing, but in a good way
Good point - I really do appreciate the slower rhythm and pauses in "Loving You" which let Pete to unleash some searing guitar work. It's a heavier continuation of the songwriting style from "It Had To Be."
@@TheVinylVerdict It's also possibly Badfinger's only song in 3/4 throughout!
@@RockinAllDay I'll have to think about this one but it is definitely an exception!
“Why Don’t We Talk” is another one 🙂
"Suitcase", "Money", "Name of the Game" & "Perfection"' are much better on the Geoff Emerick original version. However, "Baby Blue" & "Day After Day" are undeniable classic gems on the released album. They also should have included "I'll Be the One" on Straight Up and released it as another single. I have the Apple vinyl album & the DCC Gold CD which is mind-blowingly great sounding, especially with the bonus tracks from the Emerick sessions.
I agree, the DCC Gold versions still sound the best to me too but hoping we get a remix in the future that might dethrone them in quality, similar to what is being done with the Beatles catalog.
I disagree. I like joeys solo version way better. It’s a great driving song as he performs it on after the pearl.
Almost like 2 different songs with all the piano/brass production on After the Pearl. Glad we have both!
@@TheVinylVerdict yep it’s like Joey was in a different mood/place when he recorded after the Pearl
@@psp1921tsmgWell, considereing what ahppened in the reformed band that year, you're right.
The Name Of The Game would make a super single.
Extremely interesting.
The idea of "the original album" is so intriguing! Badfinger had 3 (this one, "Ass" and "Head First", which even after being released, didn't have the original running order), The Monkees had 3 ("Headquarters", "Pisces Aquarius..." and "The Birds, the Bees and the Monkees") and The Beatles had many version of "Let It Be/Get Back" as well through 1969-1970. As always, I enjoyed this review!
After you talked about "I'll Be The One", I recalled hearing about George Harrison calling it "too Beatlesy", which makes sense (the chorus sounds similar to "Eight Days A Week").
Al Kooper on "Name of the Game" remains a mystery. Let's hope that bigger reissues (deluxe/super deluxe editions) will come out down the line, as many Badfinger-related projects were released recently.
Personally, "Sing for the Song" is one of my favorite Tom songs. Such an emotional tune, though I agree with you about it as well.
Arguably, "Mean Mean Jemima" could've worked as a single. There were (as you know) many popular "jam-like" rockers, so it's not out of the question. Also, Joey got the short end of the stick, singles-wise.
Half a year ago, I tried to compile a combined album - one with the best songs/versions from each album version, but it FAILED. As you said, these 2 albums represent completely different sounds, though this version sounds more like the natural sequel to "No Dice". "Wish You Were Here" maybe (in retrospect), did the best job in combining both sounds - the rough-around-the-edges one and the fully-produced one. Keep on making fun videos!
We always appreciate your insights! Never heard the comment about the similarity of "I'll Be The One" but that makes sense. It always seemed suspect to me that they would have seriously considered it as the follow-up single to "No Matter What" with the volume of Beatle comparisons already. It seems like the Badfinger vault is starting to open up, but we haven't really received any additional Apple studio outtakes since the 2010 remasters. Of the three "original albums" you mentioned, I think this one is the most fascinating because it serves as the "Missing Link" in their studio evolution and many of the tracks here were lost in that transition.
@@TheVinylVerdict Yeah, this (with earlier outtakes) could've possibly been an album in-between ND and SU.
The original "Ass" running order is on the library, and the "Head First" one is on wikipedia. I'll die on that hill - Joey had many singles-worthy songs. Heck, if this track listing were to be released, then "I'd Die Babe" would function as a decent single.
@@RockinAllDay Yes that's where it sits in my mind but it does still feel like it's lacking a bit of commercial direction without the "Baby Blue" and "Day After Day" hits and Joey's "I'd Die Babe" and "Sometimes" that really lifted the final album.
@@TheVinylVerdict The thing is that even though most of the album songs were written by Pete and Joey, every one had single-worthy songs.
@@RockinAllDay Very true. From the songwriting standpoint, Tom and Mike were less present in the final released version although their musical influences were still huge
Were any of these, a Mal Evans mix?
My understanding is that Mal did not work with Badfinger in the studio again after Emerick took over as producer for the 2nd half of "No Dice". The recent book on his life has a diary entry from Jan 1971, when the original versions of the songs mentioned here were being recorded, in which Mal expresses his frustration about not being able to produce the band: "[I] feel hung up about not producing Badfinger at the moment, having put so much time and effort and belief into them."
@@TheVinylVerdict Thanks, keep up the good work