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| Walhello -> Knowledge Base -> CDs -> B -> Badfinger Airwaves |
| Badfinger - Airwaves Band: Badfinger Tracks: - Airwaves - Look Out California - Lost Inside Your Love - Love Is Gonna Come At Last - Sympathy - The Winner - The Dreamer - Come Down Hard - Sail Away - One More Time - Send Me Your Love - Steal My Heart - Love Can't Hide - Can You Feel The Rain AS FRESH AS IT WAS IN 1978! At a time when disco was dominating the airwaves and punk was coming on the horizon, the resurrected Badfinger's "Airwaves" was a breath of fresh air. In its original vinyl format I practically wore out the grooves. Joey Molland and Tommy Evans certainly proved then that Badfinger could perservere despite the tragic Death of Pete Ham three years earlier. Songs like Evans' "Lost Inside Your Love" "Look Out California" and Molland's "Love Is Gonna Come At Last" and "Come Down Hard" was guitar-driven Badfinger power pop at its Liverpudlian finest! Evans' Lush and whimiscal "Sail Away" featuring Nicky Hopkins on piano was perhaps his finest ballad since the beautiful "Without You" (co-written with Ham). Short-Lived arrival Joe Tansin makes a much greater impact on this CD version than he did on the original album. Besides his disco-meets-power pop "Sympathy" (sung by Evans and Molland), his own songs (which did not appear on the album) stand pretty much on their own - especially his tribute to Evans, who liked Ham, took his own life 16 years ago - "Can You Feel The Rain Fall Down". Here he sounds uncannily enough like Ham... I was actually fortunate to see a post-Evans lineup featuring Molland, Tansin and Scooters Larry Lee and Bobby Wickland perform much of both the "Airwaves" and "Say No More" (still not on CD) albums live. "Airwaves" sounds as good and powerful as it did in '78, maybe even more so. This album is a must in any Badfinger (or yes, Beatles) fan's collection - God Bless You Tommy and Keep On Rocking Joey! Reissue of solid post-Ham Badfinger album Without Pete Ham Badfinger floundered. The founding member's Suicide in 1975 saddened fans of The Band and put a creative Strain on the remaining members andsapped their creative energy. Remaining members Joey Molland and Tom Evans (Mike Gibbins had been invited back, but fired shortly before recording of Airwaves began) are joined by guitarist/ vocalist Joe Tasnin. While the songs are catchy and well written, the arrangements are a little MOR and reflect the lost vitality and uncertainity of the band. Producer David Malloy is frequently criticized for his "over the top" production style, but, in all fairness, it does recall the detailed production work by Todd Rundgren and George Harrison from Straight Up. He seems to be compensating for some of the weaker material. Still, there are a number of highlights making this album worth investigating. Tasin's The Winner is a highlight. It's sad that he didn't stay with The Band (he left shortly after the album was completed) as he balanced out The Band and helped make up for Ham's absence. The reissue has a number of fine demos, as well as, one new track inspired by Tasnin meeting Tom Evans' song. Recommended. Sometimes the signal gets a little lost or garbled Without Pete Ham Badfinger floundered. The founding member's Suicide in 1975 saddened fans of The Band and put a creative Strain on the remaining members. It also sapped their creative energy. Reportedly both Evans and Molland had their doubts about continuing the Badfinger name. The expectations would be high for their work even without Ham. Still, it did guarentee an Audience in the form of the band's fans. Remaining members Joey Molland and Tom Evans () are joined by guitarist/ vocalist Joe Tasnin. Mike Gibbins had been invited back, but fired shortly before recording of Airwaves began. He is sorely missed although session Player Andy Newmark and temporary member Ken Harck do an admirable job on most of the songs. Inspite of all this Airwaves succeeds more often than it fails. While the songs are catchy and well written, the arrangements are a little MOR and reflect the lost vitality and uncertainity of the band. Producer David Malloy is frequently criticized for his "over the top" production style, but, in all fairness, it does recall the detailed production work by Todd Rundgren and George Harrison from Straight Up. He seems to be compensating for some of the weaker material. Sail Away, Look Out California amd Love is Gonna Come At Last all would have fit right in with the quality material on Straight Up or No Dice. The late session ace Nicky Hopkins helps to flesh out the band's sound. Despite the evident flaws on this album, it's nice to have Airwaves back after a twenty year absence. The follow up Say No More would boast sharper songwriting from Evans and Molland. Say No More had considerable spark despite pedestrian production due to the inclusion of Yes keyboardist Tony Kaye as a full time member of the band. That album also benefited from Richard Bryans who replaced Mike Gibbins briefly when Gibbins quit in the 70's.Both albums should be added to any fan's collection although they might not be the place to start for new fans. Buy Badfinger Airwaves at Amazon.com Buy posters at Allposters.comJamster - the latest ringtones for your phone! |
