Post by Ken on Sept 23, 2003 12:20:53 GMT -5
Today's album of the Day is:
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www.cottageviews.com/album%20covers/Badfinger%20-%20No%20Dice.jpg
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Album - No Dice
Artist - Badfinger
Label - Apple Records
Release Date - 1970 - CD reissue - 1992
Singles released - No Matter What - Billboard Peak - #8
Many of you know I'm a huge fan of their music - I've been listening to it for as long as I can remember . This was one of four albums we had in the house while I was growing up
This was the band's first "proper" album as a group , their previous LP Magic Christian Music was a "mixed bag" of songs(including those that appeared in the movie The Magic Christian) from their earlier incarnation as The Iveys.
A name change to Badfinger as well as new member Joey Molland (who replaced Ron Griffiths late in 1969) and the band was on their way. No Dice had more of a Rock sound than it's predecessor but other styles such as Country , Blues and of course Pop can also be heard.
Pete and Tommy's songwriting skills were growing rapidly and Joey and Mike's contributions were also welcomed and excellent additons as well.
I Can't Take It - Written and sung by Pete - Those who thought they were just a pop band I think were very pleasantly suprised by this great opening rocker that includes some fantastic Lead Guitar work from Joey. Nice Saxaphone overdubs on the outro of the tune
I Don't Mind - Written and sung by Joey and Tommy -Pete also provides some background vocals as well as some very tasty piano playing. The song starts off very quietly with electric guitar and cymbals and slowly builds
up for the chorus. Nice "flanging" effect used on the vocals ( also used on The Small Faces' Itchycoo Park)
Love Me Do - Written and sung by Joey - This fine rocker once again features some blistering guitar between Joe and Pete and some very solid drumming by Mike. It chugs along nicely
Midnight Caller - Written and sung by Pete - This wonderful ballad was written about a close friend of the band named Sue Wing , sadly she passed away in 1973.The choir boy harmonies on the fade out are outstanding.
No Matter What - Written and sung by Pete. A huge hit for the band and their follow up to Come and Get It . When The band first presented the song to Apple they didn't like it!! (huh?
)
IMO one of the best pop singles ever recorded. Love the opening guitar riff (provided by Pete) , wonderful background vocals from Tom and Joey. Fantastic guitar solo from Joey as well , Mike holds it all together nicely. Love the handclaps and the false ending. This song along with Believe Me was produced by Former Beatle roadie and Badfinger buddy Mal Evans.
Without You - Written and sung by Pete and Tommy . It has been covered by many different artists over the years - Heart and of course Harry Nilsson and Mariah Carey .The song is a combination of two different tunes that both guys had been working on . Pete provided the verses and Tommy the chorus. The arrangment is awesome, Joey once again comes up with some very nice bluesy guitar riffs.
Blodwyn - Written and sung by Pete (with help from Tom and Joe on the chorus) . This has a very nice country feel to it complete with some nice guitar pickin' from Ham. Nice acoustic guitar work too.
Better Days - Written and Sung by Joey and it sounds to me like he sings the harmony vocal as well - I've always loved the way he sings this. Great dual guitar playing between Joey and Pete really drive the song along nicely. and Mike provides some great drum fills.
It Had To Be - Written by Mike - sung By Pete
Once again their harmonies really shine on this track. Awesome guitar work (I think by Pete) really complete's the song.
Watford John -Written by all 4 members and sung by Pete and Tommy. This has always been a real favorite of mine and a great one to crank up in the house or car. The Guitar work on this is simply terrific. Nice boogie woogie type piano playing too.
Believe Me - Written and Sung By Tommy - This guy could really sing (he could hit high notes with such ease)and his bass playing is wonderful as well. Pete provided back ground vocals. Love Mike's muted drum sound .
We're For the Dark - Written and Sung by Pete - Beautiful ringing acoustic guitars fade in on the opening. Nice drum work from Mike on muted Tom toms. Some fine bass playing from Tom and the string arrangement - done by Harry Robinson compliments the tune nicely.
CD Bonus Tracks -
Get Down - Written by all 4 and sung by Tommy and Joey. Another raver that almost sounds like a jam. Once again some killer guitar carries the song along.
Friends are Hard To Find - Written and sung by Joe - Pete and Tom help out on the chorus- Great drumming throughout from Mike (great tom tom and cymbal work)
Mean Mean Jemima- Written and sung by Joe - It has a nice blusey quality to it - superb guitar playing also makes this a very strong and worthwhile bonus track. Love the reverb on the background vocals on the fade - nice touch!
The song was later re - recorded by Joey on his 1984 solo album - After The Pearl
Loving You - Written and Sung By Mike (Woo Hoo) This tune done in 3/4 time is another fave of the bonus tracks. His drumming on this is just great! Sings it very well. Outstanding guitar once again by Pete.
I'll Be The One - Written by all 4 and sung by Tommy , Pete and Joey - The song is also included on the band's Very Best Of CD . This would have been another of the many highlights from the record if it had been included on the album in 1970 . Another track with a country feel to it and the wonderful soaring harmonies are brilliant.
Well there you have it ! my first album review . I hope it wasn't to long winded LOL . I hope you all enjoy reading it and give this classic album a listen if you get the chance.
[/IMG]
Album - No Dice
Artist - Badfinger
Label - Apple Records
Release Date - 1970 - CD reissue - 1992
Singles released - No Matter What - Billboard Peak - #8
Many of you know I'm a huge fan of their music - I've been listening to it for as long as I can remember . This was one of four albums we had in the house while I was growing up
This was the band's first "proper" album as a group , their previous LP Magic Christian Music was a "mixed bag" of songs(including those that appeared in the movie The Magic Christian) from their earlier incarnation as The Iveys.
A name change to Badfinger as well as new member Joey Molland (who replaced Ron Griffiths late in 1969) and the band was on their way. No Dice had more of a Rock sound than it's predecessor but other styles such as Country , Blues and of course Pop can also be heard.
Pete and Tommy's songwriting skills were growing rapidly and Joey and Mike's contributions were also welcomed and excellent additons as well.
I Can't Take It - Written and sung by Pete - Those who thought they were just a pop band I think were very pleasantly suprised by this great opening rocker that includes some fantastic Lead Guitar work from Joey. Nice Saxaphone overdubs on the outro of the tune
I Don't Mind - Written and sung by Joey and Tommy -Pete also provides some background vocals as well as some very tasty piano playing. The song starts off very quietly with electric guitar and cymbals and slowly builds
up for the chorus. Nice "flanging" effect used on the vocals ( also used on The Small Faces' Itchycoo Park)
Love Me Do - Written and sung by Joey - This fine rocker once again features some blistering guitar between Joe and Pete and some very solid drumming by Mike. It chugs along nicely
Midnight Caller - Written and sung by Pete - This wonderful ballad was written about a close friend of the band named Sue Wing , sadly she passed away in 1973.The choir boy harmonies on the fade out are outstanding.
No Matter What - Written and sung by Pete. A huge hit for the band and their follow up to Come and Get It . When The band first presented the song to Apple they didn't like it!! (huh?
)IMO one of the best pop singles ever recorded. Love the opening guitar riff (provided by Pete) , wonderful background vocals from Tom and Joey. Fantastic guitar solo from Joey as well , Mike holds it all together nicely. Love the handclaps and the false ending. This song along with Believe Me was produced by Former Beatle roadie and Badfinger buddy Mal Evans.
Without You - Written and sung by Pete and Tommy . It has been covered by many different artists over the years - Heart and of course Harry Nilsson and Mariah Carey .The song is a combination of two different tunes that both guys had been working on . Pete provided the verses and Tommy the chorus. The arrangment is awesome, Joey once again comes up with some very nice bluesy guitar riffs.
Blodwyn - Written and sung by Pete (with help from Tom and Joe on the chorus) . This has a very nice country feel to it complete with some nice guitar pickin' from Ham. Nice acoustic guitar work too.
Better Days - Written and Sung by Joey and it sounds to me like he sings the harmony vocal as well - I've always loved the way he sings this. Great dual guitar playing between Joey and Pete really drive the song along nicely. and Mike provides some great drum fills.
It Had To Be - Written by Mike - sung By Pete
Once again their harmonies really shine on this track. Awesome guitar work (I think by Pete) really complete's the song.
Watford John -Written by all 4 members and sung by Pete and Tommy. This has always been a real favorite of mine and a great one to crank up in the house or car. The Guitar work on this is simply terrific. Nice boogie woogie type piano playing too.
Believe Me - Written and Sung By Tommy - This guy could really sing (he could hit high notes with such ease)and his bass playing is wonderful as well. Pete provided back ground vocals. Love Mike's muted drum sound .
We're For the Dark - Written and Sung by Pete - Beautiful ringing acoustic guitars fade in on the opening. Nice drum work from Mike on muted Tom toms. Some fine bass playing from Tom and the string arrangement - done by Harry Robinson compliments the tune nicely.
CD Bonus Tracks -
Get Down - Written by all 4 and sung by Tommy and Joey. Another raver that almost sounds like a jam. Once again some killer guitar carries the song along.
Friends are Hard To Find - Written and sung by Joe - Pete and Tom help out on the chorus- Great drumming throughout from Mike (great tom tom and cymbal work)
Mean Mean Jemima- Written and sung by Joe - It has a nice blusey quality to it - superb guitar playing also makes this a very strong and worthwhile bonus track. Love the reverb on the background vocals on the fade - nice touch!
The song was later re - recorded by Joey on his 1984 solo album - After The Pearl
Loving You - Written and Sung By Mike (Woo Hoo) This tune done in 3/4 time is another fave of the bonus tracks. His drumming on this is just great! Sings it very well. Outstanding guitar once again by Pete.
I'll Be The One - Written by all 4 and sung by Tommy , Pete and Joey - The song is also included on the band's Very Best Of CD . This would have been another of the many highlights from the record if it had been included on the album in 1970 . Another track with a country feel to it and the wonderful soaring harmonies are brilliant.
Well there you have it ! my first album review . I hope it wasn't to long winded LOL . I hope you all enjoy reading it and give this classic album a listen if you get the chance.
Nice job! This album thing is working out really well I think! 
