Badfinger - No Dice (CD 2004)

Badfinger were, in summary, Paul McCartney Proteges who, with his and George Harrisons' later help, became a very well respected and profficient band. In their midst were two great, possibly wonderful songwriting talents of Pete Ham and Tom Evans who, not un-like McCartney, wrote wonderfully crafted songs spanning many genres of music. Ballads such as (Nilsson & Mariah Carey's) 'Without you', Rockers like 'Rock of Ages', whimsical romantic pastiches, 'Baby Blue', etc. This album has the original of 'Without you' performed raw and with guitars as it was meant, not the lush strings of Nilsson or the warblings of Ms Carey, but is no less a song for all that. It also contains 'No matter what' a hit single in 1970. Evans and Ham were later to commit suicide over royalties of 'Without you'. Their recorded legacy is testament to a time when artisitc expression outweighed the need for image or money. Songwriting craft played by excellent musicians sung with passion, warmth and a rare delight.