Great Rock Albums of 1979: Bad Company- Desolation Angels

I earnestly believe that back in 1979, the dam couldn't have begun to burst without this offering from the unsung founding fathers of metal. As I have previously stated in the archives, probably to the point you're bored of hearing it, throughout t he 70s, Bad Company quietly enthralled many with a steady string of great albums and songs and it seems only fitting that they closed out their dominance of the decade with this fantastic album, "Desolation Angels."

Usually, I'm quite skeptical when the first track of an album is the big hit single on the album and I was the same way when I first saw that "Rock And Roll Fantasy" was the opening track on the album. Because I first bought that single on 45 and it is a great single, my skepticism grew when the second track was the B-side of the 45, "Crazy Circles." This always leads me to believe that the rest of the album is going to be all filler with mediocre songs at best. Tell you what, when I heard the album in full, I was never in my life glad to be so wrong. There are many killer tracks on "Desolation Angels." "From great air guitar playing songs like "Rhythm Machine" and "Evil Wind," as well as the singles "Rock and Roll Fantasy" and "Gone Gone Gone" to the more acoustic ballads, like "She Brings Me Love," this album shows why Bad Company were the great force in rock in the 70s.

Track Listing:

1. Rock And Roll Fantasy

2. Crazy Circles

3. Gone Gone Gone

4. Evil Wind

5. Early in the Morning

6. Lonely for Your Love

7. Oh Atlanta

8. Take The Time

9. Rhythm Machine

10. She Wants Your Love

Bad Company

Paul Rogers- vocals, rhythm guitar, piano, synthesisers

Mick Ralphs- guitar, keyboards

Simon Kirke- drums

Boz Burrell- bass

Bad Company albums have all had that easy, feel good, sit outside in the summer with a beer while you listen to it appeal while maintaining their unique hard rock edge. "Desolation Angels" is no different and is classed as one of their best. Therefore, with the Olympics now happening in the summer months, take your portable CD player or MP3  and go out into the garden and have a listen to an album that made 1979. Also remember to take a portable TV so you can watch the beach volleyball.

Next post: Kansas- Monolith

To buy Rock And Roll Children, go to www.strategicpublishinggroup.com/title/RockAndRollChildren.html

Also available on Amazon, Barnes & Noble and Froogle and on sale at Foyles Book Store in London

Great Rock Albums of the 70s: Bad Company- Straight Shooter

Since we are now in summer and I have heard a lot of talk about music that makes it feel like summer, especially from my friend Metalodyssey, I thought I would offer an album that reminds me of the summer. So now you have it, the second album by Bad Company, "Straight Shooter." This album reminds me of summer mainly due to it's hit single, "Feel Like Making Love." That, to me, has always been a song for the lazy warm weather days. However, the other tracks on it compliment the summer feeling just as much. If I still had my copy, I would be laying on the grass with a beer in hand as I write this post from a laptop.
"Straight Shooter" was the follow up to Bad Company's successful debut self titled album and was a big hit for them. While the album received mixed reviews from critics, it hit the top ten in the album charts in most countries, New Zealand being an exception where it only reached 13.

Track Listing:

1. Good Loving Gone Bad

2. Feel Like Making Love

3. Weep No More

4. Shooting Star

5. Deal With the Preacher

6. Wild Fire Woman

7. Anna

8. Call On Me

As I did my background research for this post, I was shocked to discover that the track "Shooting Star" was never released as a single. It's defintely my favourite track on the album and I had no trouble finding it on a Limewire search. Furthermore, I have seen it on the odd juke box over the years. Maybe they should release it now as I'm sure many rockers would love it.

Bad Compny

Paul Rodgers- vocals, rhythm guitar and piano

Mick Ralphs- guitar, keyboards

Simon Kirke- drums

Boz Burrell- bass

There's not much more I can say about this album. Just have a listen and enjoy the summer.

Next post: Bob Dylan- Hard Rain

To buy Rock And Roll Children, go to www.strategicpublishinggroup.com/title/RockAndRollChildren.html

Also avaliable on Amazon, Barnes & Noble and Froogle