One can only imagine what music the world would have heard from Pete Ham if he had not succumbed to his mental illness and committed suicide when he was just 28. By that time he had already written multiple massive hits, including Badfinger’s “No Matter What”, “Day After Day” and “Baby Blue” while he co-wrote “Without You” with bandmate Tom Evans (who sadly also committed suicide) which was a number one hit worldwide in different decades by Harry Nilsson and Mariah Carey. It was the songwriting of The Iveys, who soon changed their name to Badfinger, which got them signed to Apple Records with the approval of all four members of The Beatles.

This album comprises 18 newly discovered home demos, many of them songs that were never recorded or released by either Badfinger or The Iveys. Recorded between 1966 and 1972 with guitar or piano accompaniment, often with double-tracked vocals, Pete clearly lays out his vision for what the final tracks would sound like. Included on here is his demo for “Take it All,” which would become the opening track on Badfinger’s third album (widely regarded as their best), 1971’s ‘Straight Up’ which was produced by George Harrison and Todd Rundgren. Although Ham always wanted Badfinger to steer their own path and resented having to keep playing “Come and Get It” which had been written by Paul McCartney there is no doubt his own writing style was very close indeed to that of the Beatle, and stripped back like this really demonstrates that very clearly. It is hard to realise that many of these songs have never seen the light of day until now as there is no doubt that with a full band in a studio many of these could have been hits back in the day. As it is this set will now mostly be of interest to completists which is a real shame as there are some wonderful songs contained within which will be of great interest to fans of this style of pop.

Rating: 8/10

Links:
https://www.badfingerlibrary.com/
https://www.ytmusiconline.com/