Badfinger are probably going to be remembered for several reasons, some good and some tragic, such as being the first non-Beatle act signed to label, writing, and recording the initial version of “Without You”, as well as having hits such as “Come and Get It”. However, songwriters Pete Ham and Tom Evans both committed suicide, and there have been multiple versions of the band over the years, sometimes with more than one version touring at the same time. This album is a collaboration between Joey Molland’s Badfinger and a cast of superstars revisiting the hits from yesteryear. This set includes appearance by Todd Rundgren, Ian Anderson, Rick Wakeman, Rick Springfield, and others, and is an enjoyable romp through hits from the past, although the one question in my mind has to be “why?”.
Does Rundgren’s version of “Without You” add to the classic take by Nilsson (the less said about Carey the better)? It’s nice, but we’ve all heard this song performed a thousand times in pubs and clubs, and this does not add anything at all. There is no doubt that Badfinger have a legacy, but arguably that was from their formation up until Ham’s death in 1975. I would rather go back to the originals but if this set brings the name Badfinger to new fans then I guess it is worthwhile.
Rating: 7/10
