Del Amitri

Posted by: bhazen on 14 June 2004

As a fan of melodic pop/rock, I thought I'd mention a band that didn't get a lot of props, at least 'round my town (Seattle, WA)...Del Amitri (circa '85-'03). They put out six underappreciated albums, perhaps exemplified by
"Waking Hours" ('89) and "Change Everything" ('93); their sound was a mix of Stones-y riffs and blue-eyed Northern soul, sometimes adding accordion and mandolin for a smoky Saturday night pub atmosphere. The lyrics were clever and bittersweet, telling wry stories of laddish failure to connect romantically. A best-of compilation, "Hatful of Rain", collects the singles and better-known album tracks in a set that compares with similar efforts by Crowded House and XTC. They were the sort of band that, alack, doesn't seem to get signed up by the majors anymore. Does anyone besides me miss Badfinger and the Kinks?

Posted on: 15 June 2004 by Fisbey

I Like Del Amitri - saw them a few years ago, very good. XTC are good also, very underrated in my opinion.

Posted on: 16 June 2004 by Pete

I have Waking Hours and it's good enough to keep but didn't push enough buttons to have me buy the followups. Hey ho.

I don't have any Badfinger in my collection, but apropos of nothing in particular "Day After Day" popped into my head a week or so ago and resided there in constant repeat for a while. I really ought to get something with it on...

My gf accused me of being "stupidly happy" the other day, so I immediately pulled out Apple Venus Vol 2 and put on the relevant track, which made us grin kinda stupidly... I've had Oranges and Lemmons for years, but only really came to appreciate how good they are in the wake of Apple Venus 1, which is a masterpiece of the sort of pop "they" don't make any more! Unfortunately pop is dominated by manufactured pap rather than artful pop now. For a whole pile of melodic pop gems I'd recommend getting Bill Nelson's "What Now, What Next?" retrospective compilation of his solo work on the Cocteau label. Very, very good stuff.

Pete.

Posted on: 16 June 2004 by DenisA

bhazen & Pete

"Does anyone besides me miss Badfinger and the Kinks?" & "Day After Day"

I havn't seen Badfinger mentioned much here but they are one of my favourite bands and the best to join the Apple Label. The tragedy is of course that Pete Ham (1975) & Tom Evans (1983) both commiitted suicide after years of being shafted by Management, Labels & Lawyers. Like all musician's early deaths we are left to wonder what might have been.

Last month, re-mastered versions of Magic Christian Music, No Dice & Ass were released and are on my list. I would recommend the "Straight Up" (includes "D A D") Album on CD and Glorious Vinyl if you can get it. The last 6 (Bonus) tracks are the how Joey Molland thought Badfinger should sound, as opposed to the original Harrison/Rundgren productions. The George Martin arrangements are as good as anything he had done with the Beatles and should be played LOUD.

If you fancy seeing Dave Davies in The US or Ray Davies in Europe the Tour dates are Here

Denis

Posted on: 16 June 2004 by bhazen

Denis A - What label are the new Badfinger CDs on? I've been waiting for Ass (no laughter out there!!!) for years....
Pete - Get "The Very Best of Badfinger" (Apple 72435-26974-2-7), it's a tasty comp.

Posted on: 17 June 2004 by DenisA

Mr bhazen,

Bafinger - Ass
Record Label: EMI
Catalogue No: CDSAPCOR27
Country of Origin: UK
Year of Release: 2004

Can be purchased [URL=http://www.101cd.com/search/artistall.asp?artist=BADFINGER]Here[/URL, enjoy.

I have just ordered Wish You Were Here after reading Badfinger had perfected their distinctive brand of tuneful, adventurous rock that recalls the ABBEY ROAD-era Beatles at their best.

Denis

Posted on: 17 June 2004 by bhazen

Oh, yeah...WYWH is a great album...sold squat here in the States when originally released, then was immediately deleted from the catalogue...I paid $50 for a vinyl copy of it circa 1980. Think I'll get the CD too!