Tag: Pete Ham

Scarbrough Affair and Pete Ham

powerpopaholic
Rich Arithmetic

Scarbrough Affair “Leftists Unite”

Dave Scarbrough went back through some older recordings from 2006 and remastered them for a fresh re-release. “Leftists Unite” is a political rallying cry about “taking away my rights,” and other causes. Maybe we should approach Taylor Swift about singing this because it would be a huge hit with a female performer.

Dave goes through several styles here from yacht rock (“Take Me Home,” “Care for the Caregiver”) to light adult balladry (“No Sure Bet”) and these early tracks are nicely done. However, he really strikes gold with “Isabella Mae.” It sounds like a lost Gin Blossoms hit single and is a real keeper. Unfortunately nothing else compares to it, although “Oblivious” comes close. There is just enough here to recommend, but I look forward to some fresh tunes from Dave soon.

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Pete Ham

Pete Ham “Gwent Gardens”

You probably don’t need me to fill you in on Badfinger’s backstory. Because of this, one of the best guitarists, singers, and composers of the classic rock era—Pete Ham—took his own life in April 1975. The canonization of Pete Ham continues with more of his unreleased demos. Gwent Gardens is dedicated to the late Dan Matovina, Badfinger’s biographer, and it continues Ham’s discography that started with 7 Park Avenue in 1997. Another collection from last year, Misunderstood is similar in approach.

Just before he passed away in 2023, Matovina was gushing to a close friend about all the unpublished stuff. “There are so many wonderful Pete Ham tunes that nobody has heard yet. I can’t believe it,” he said. While the album is entertaining for sure, they are still finished demos and will appeal mainly to the dedicated Badfinger fan. You can hear the “hit” potential in songs like “Let the Sun Shine Through” and “I’m Only Human.” As a Pete Ham fan, I wish someone would arrange to cover these songs and produce them fully. Like the Pete Ham Tribute LP last year, this music needs to be heard.

Kool Kat Musik | Amazon

Tributes and Compilations: Peter Ham and The Mosquitos

powerpopaholic
Pete Ham Tribute

Assorted Artists “Shine On: A Tribute To Pete Ham”

Pete Ham, the lead vocalist and multi-instrumentalist for the band Badfinger, was one of the great emerging stars of the early 1970s. One of the first power pop bands, the Beatle’s shadow loomed large over the group, and despite his tragic story, his musical skill was undeniable. Rather than me go into history on the band – get Without You: The Tragic Story of Badfinger by the late great Dan Matovina. That tells the tale.

All of Badfinger’s hits are here “No Matter What,” “Day After Day,” “Baby Blue,” and many more. The project, which includes 35 new recordings of songs Ham wrote or co-wrote, will benefit Mental Health America of Southeast Florida. The project’s goal is boosted by the wide range of musicians who pay homage to Ham classics and deep cuts on the two-disc set.

I enjoyed many of the covers, including Dan Baird (Georgia Satellites) as part of The Chefs on a fun, infectious “I Can’t Take It.” I also liked The Smokin Novas faithful take on “Shine On” and the reverent approach by Shelby Lynne on “Day After Day.” Other standouts include “Mary Lou Lord’s “Baby Blue,” Rob Bonfiglio’s “Lonely You,” and the spirited country version of “Lay Me Down” by Diane Ward. Like all big compilations, there are tracks I didn’t like – but don’t let them sway you. Badfinger fans will enjoy this for sure. Highly Recommended.

Amazon | Kool Kat Musik

The Mosquitos

The Mosquitos “This then are The Mosquitos!”

Long Island musician Vance Brescia formed a Beatles-influenced punk-pop band in the early ’80s, very much in parallel to Tommy Marolda (The Toms) from New Jersey or Paul Collins’s band The Beat from Los Angeles. The Mosquitos were also ahead of their time, as the sound was a mix of Merseybeat, punk, and new wave. They were poised for 80s stardom. The title track from the band’s EP “That Was Then, This Is Now” was chosen by Arista Records’ Clive Davis for The Monkees to record as their comeback single in 1986 following a couple of nominations at the New York Music Awards. The Monkees version entered the Top 20 that summer. Shortly thereafter, the band split up.

The band never really had a major album release, so this massive project was expanded to a 47-song double CD by Kool Kat Musik. This allowed for the publication of nearly all of their original songs, demos, and covers. Highlights include “I Know A Secret,” “I’m So Ashamed,” “Put Your Foot Down,” and others. More than enough to make this highly recommended.

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