Badfinger - Straight Up *****

Straight Up^ (1971) is the third album by Welsh/Liverpudlian band Badfinger. It was produced by George Harrison, Todd Rundgren and Geoff Emerick. They were at the peak of their career and two hit singles are included: "Day After Day" and "Baby Blue"^^.

To be honest, I can't find one bad song on this album. It's a tad more pop than their previous album, 'No Dice' but the production is top-notch. Well done lads!



Favorite Song: Baby Blue
Songs Also Recommended: Take It All, Money, Suitcase, Perfection, It's Over


Notes:
^The band recorded a different version of the album produced with Geoff Emerick that remains officially unreleased in its entirety.

^^The single version of Baby Blue has reverb added to the drums and is the version used for the YouTube clip featured above.

^^^That's not blood on Joey Molland's head. By the time I obtained this copy, someone took the liberty of scribbling a red marker on it.

Dan Tedesco - Tracks On Fire ****

Dan Tedesco is a guitarist/keyboardist from Chicago, IL. He plays folk-based rock in the vein of Tom Petty. Accompanying Dan is drummer Rio Chavez. They were previously in a band called The Long Haul. 'Tracks On Fire' is Tedesco's latest release.

Some of the production is a bit rough in spots but the songs are well crafted. Here in 2011, it's a breath of fresh air to hear such original music without Auto-Tune and drum samples. I'm looking forward to another album.


Favorite Song: How Good It Feels
Least Favorite Song: Hold On To Me
Songs Also Recommended: Burn The Barn Down, Years Ago, Whiskey Roads

The Original 7ven (The Time) - #Trendin ***

#Trendin is the the first single from The Time for over a decade with the original lineup: Morris Day, Jimmy Jam, Terry Lewis, Jesse Johnson, Jerome Benton, Monte Moir and Jellybean Johnson. The title is a reference to the website Twitter. However the band are under a new name: The Original 7ven, as Prince retains the rights to their former name.

The chorus has a techno feel to it but overall the song is classic Time. Morris even uses the line "ain't nobody bad like me" from 'Cool' (1981). Fortunately the male/female "dialogue" found on some of their older songs is absent.




Note: #Trendin was released on 9/27/11 and an album, 'Condensate' followed on 10/18/11.

http://www.startribune.com/entertainment/blogs/130591908.html

Welcome

Hello everyone,

Welcome to Bernie's Old & New Music Reviews. I plan on focusing on music from my record collection, independent Des Moines and Twin Cities artists and whatever else my ears happen to notice. If you are looking for my original music, it can be found here.

In the forthcoming reviews, I promise to be both critical and civil. Many of the artists I listen to on a regular basis. But it's also necessary to get out of one's comfort zone, isn't it?

And last but not least, I would like to thank the ever insightful Johnny Crivaro (R.I.P.), whose blog inspired me to create this one.


Thanks,
Bernard Anderson