Bad Company – Burnin Sky

Details: 1977, Swan Song, LP

I noticed a nice turn of phrase over on the Ripple Effect site during a “Free – Tons Of Sobs” review, where the writer comments that “Bad Company had the hits, but I’ve never heard anything live from them that had the spark that Free had”. Absolutely spot on of course, but with this album, one I’ve been spinning a bit recently since buying it again on vinyl, Bad Company largely fail to find what spark earlier albums by the same band had let alone Paul Rodgers and Simon Kirke’s earlier, much lauded, outfit.

It all starts well enough.  The pumping bassline that drives the opening, and of course title track, “Burnin Sky” helps mark this as something of a lost gem straight away.  This is trademark Rodgers, a little more laid back than Bad Co.’s earlier hits maybe but if “10 from 6″ were actually “12 from 6″ perhaps it would have been there?  Unfortunately, after a strong start “Morning Sun” tries something a bit different and only works as a come down although “Leaving You” rights that wrong quickly, recreating the stomp of “Can’t Get Enough” somewhat only employing polar opposite lyrics and strikes me as a good track that again, I’ve overlooked.

Now things get a little bizarre at the end of the next track.  A slow blues piece entitled “Like Water” leads into what sounds like an in-joke bash at “I Like To Go A-Wandering“.  All very funny in the studio perhaps  but not on vinyl, especially when it’s dragged out as long as it is here.  That it in turn precedes the forgettable pop of “Everything I Need” and means the “A” side ends unsatisfactorily in my opinion.

The flip side does correct things somewhat.  “Heartbeat” is a decent little upbeat rocker and Simon Kirke’s “Piece Of Mind” a polished, soulful piece although neither approach the heights of Bad Co. at their best.  That’s a phrase that sticks with me through the rest of the album actually as it’s all pretty listenable but doesn’t cut the mustard when measured against previous efforts.  “Too Bad” recalls the grandeur of “Movin’ On” and “Man Needs Woman” proves an above average heavier track with a superb guitar tone challenged by plenty of saxophone.  Prior to these “Passing Time” seems to do just that though whilst the closing seven minute, out of character piece “Master Of Ceremony” captures the band in experimental mood with Rodgers apparently ad-libbing lyrics, including a quick segment of “Train Train”, yet it really isn’t much more than a mildly interesting plodder.

Now in the album’s favour is the fact that not much of this is overplayed.  As mentioned earlier, even the better tracks failed to make the “10 From 6″ collection and only three made “The Original Bad Company Anthology” released in 1999.  Not a classic effort then, but that said it has its moments and isn’t the worst blues-rock album you’ll find in the wild.

Highlight: Burnin’ Sky

Score: 2.5/5

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Resurrected for the “reunion” of the original Bad Company, title track “Burnin’ Sky” from the “Merchants Of Cool” DVD…

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BL

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