Pete Ham: Golders Green CD Track Listing

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Pete Ham Golders Green (1999)
Originally Released July 13, 1999\n\nAMG EXPERT REVIEW: This second collection of previously unreleased home demos by Ham is almost as worthwhile and satisfying to the ear as its predecessor, 7 Park Avenue. Again, some musicians (including Bob Jackson, who was in Badfinger for a while shortly before Ham's death) enhanced these recordings with overdubs. And as with 7 Park Avenue, while it's impossible to tell if these were truly necessary without comparison to the original unadorned versions, these overdubs do not seem intrusive (as they are on most productions of this sort). Although there are 20 tracks, it's not as bountiful a platter as one might hope (adding up to only 42 minutes), as some of the songs are quite short, and three are nothing more than fragments lasting less than a minute. In the main, though, these are quality, sometimes enchantingly tuneful and tender performances, sometimes exhibiting a Beach Boys bent that's not so evident on Badfinger's official recordings. The cut to attract the most attention will be a demo of "Without You," although Ham's version is an incomplete skeleton of the track that Badfinger would record (and Nilsson would cover for a chart-topping hit), missing the chorus added by fellow Badfinger member Tom Evans. Otherwise a highlight is "Makes Me Feel Good," two drastically different versions (one slow, one fast) which open and close the disc; it sounds like it could have made a first-rate Monkees track (which is a compliment, not a knock). On the whole, the effect of this CD, as was the case with 7 Park Avenue, is to make one wish that Badfinger had recorded more of Ham's material and had made less room for the songwriting efforts of the lesser composers in the band. -- Richie Unterberger\n\nAmazon.com Editorial Review\nBadfinger mainstay Pete Ham should have become one of the 1970's brightest singer-songwriters. Instead, he became one of the decade's tragic musical footnotes. Caught in the spiraling financial turmoil spawned by the dissolution of the Beatles' Apple Records (Badfinger's label), Ham took his life at age 27. Among the music Ham left behind was a treasure trove of demo recordings, from which this compelling follow-up to 7 Park Avenue was compiled. Covering a decade of songwriting from the mid-'60s Iveys (Badfinger's original name) to the fading glory of Badfinger, Ham's melodic gift often overshadowed that of his one-time patron, Paul McCartney. The early version here of Badfinger's "Without You" (later a worldwide hit for Harry Nilsson) features a discarded chorus and provides a good snapshot of Badfinger in its prime. But it's in Golders Green's unfamiliar songs that Ham really shines, be they the jazzy ("Dawn"), country-inflected ("Helping Hand"), harmonically haunting ("Where Will You Be") or incandescent ("I'm So Lonely," "Makes Me Feel Good," Goodbye John Frost"). There's even a hilarious song about his manhood, "Richard" ("I hate it when you let me down"). Though it's been revisited by successive tides of New Wave, alternative rock (visit this collection's revealing drums-'n'-vocal fragment, "When the Feeling") and Brit-Pop, Ham's melodic balladry and power-pop has seldom been equaled. --Jerry McCulley \n\nAMAZON.COM CUSTOMER REVIEW\nPete Ham - Pure Genius, June 16, 2006\nReviewer: Mark R. Garner (New Orleans, LA USA)\nAfter purchasing both CD's of Pete's unreleased demos I am left with one overriding impression - the man was amazing. He wrote lovely melodies that even Gershwin would have admired. He was an above average guitarist and blessed with a beautiful voice. Such a rare jewel deserves a better epitaph than "wrote hit songs and died penniless due to a rogue manager." If you are a Badfinger fan then I would strongly recommend buying these two CD's.\n\nAMAZON.COM CUSTOMER REVIEW\nAlmost as good as 7PA, March 2, 2004\nReviewer: CJ Costa Rica (Elgin, IL)\nThe second offering from Badfinger's leader, whom sadly is no longer with us. These demos really show how great Pete's writing was. Without You's demo is one of two that he made (The other is available with the OOP first issue of Matovina's book). Although the overdubs are clearer than on 7PA cos they were recorded on an ADAT machine, while the 7PA overdubs were taped on an 8 track reel to reel, which is why I gave it a 4 plus I think it shouldve had more completed songs, plus he's singing about his willy ('Why Pete?', i ask)! (Goodbye John Frost and Hurry On Father were edited to make them longer, if you didnt know). But overall, this is almost as good as 7PA, just barely.\n\nAMAZON.COM CUSTOMER REVIEW\nAnother Strong Collection of Pete Ham Songs, February 8, 2004\nReviewer: Morten Vindberg\nThis longawaited second collection of Pete Ham demos comes two and a half years after the release of the first, 7 Park Avenue. I hope we don?t have to wait that long for third, because this one certainly lives up to the expectations I had in the light of 7 P.A. \n\nWhat strikes me after the first listen to Golders Green is the great variety of styles that Pete throws himself into and how brilliantly he does it. \n\nThere are pop ballads like "Dawn" and "I`ll Kiss You Goodnight" - Rockers like "Richard" - Pop/rock melodies with hit potential like "Makes Me Feel Good" and "Helping Hand" - mellow folkish songs; "I"ve Waited So Long To Be Free?, "Hurry On Father" and "A Lonely Day". There are demos of well-known Badfinger tunes like "Midnight Caller" and "Without You" ( actually "If It`s Love" - before it was paired with Tom Evans` chorus ). A new new aspect which did not show very much on 7PA is the bluesy side of Pete Ham which here is represented by "Whiskey Man" and "I`m So Lonely". A few tracks are very short fragments or unfinished demos such as "Shine On" and "Pete`s Walk". "When The Feeling" and "Gonna Do It" show Pete having fun and experimenting, when recording. \n\nOne thing all tracks have in common is the great sense of melody which is characteristic for Pete`s songwriting and singing. Many tracks are greatly inspired by The Beatles but they never come off just as poor imitations of the Fab. Four`s work. Compared to 7 Park Avenue the sound quality is slightly better - a few tracks are almost in professional studio quality. The songs on Golders Greens equals those of 7PA in quality - there are no signs that the well is drying up. The overdubbing and general production is similar to that of its predecessor - you actually never really know for sure when the drums, bass or keyboards are Pete himself or if they were added later. A few tracks feature great guitar solo playing by Pete e.g. "I`m So Lonely", "Helping Hand" and "Pete`s Walk". \n\nAll in all I think Dan Matovina has done an excellent job again - we know that many of the tapes that contained these great songs were in poor condition and that it took a look of time, skill and love for Pete`s music to restore them to this highly listenable level! \n\nAMAZON.COM CUSTOMER REVIEW\nVery good, very personal, June 21, 2000\nReviewer: SHAI NOBELMAN (Ramat Gan Israel)\nGolders Green, a northern Jewish suburb, is where Badfinger used to live, a place where Ham could record his little songs on a Revox tape. Some of the songs the guy wrote are amazing. He was defiently one of the best songwriters to come out of Britain. His material on Badfinger's "Straight up" and "Wish you were here" are 100% superb. Perfect pop songs. "Golders Green" is a really good album, it shows Ham's songwrting and performance talents. "Dawn" is a beutiful Psych ballad,"Makes me feel so good" could have been easily 'The first Power Pop anthem' if was released at that time. The rest is quite the same, Very Mccartney in total, similar to Mcca's early solo albums, sometimes even better.\n\nAMAZON.COM CUSTOMER REVIEW\nWhat might have been, April 20, 2000\nReviewer: Bernard Perusse (Beaconsfield, Quebec Canada)\nThere's that mixture of joy and sadness again, last heard in Bryan McLean's madly-inspired home demos (Ifyoubelievein). This batch of almost-theres and not-quites works wonderfully as a melancholic souvenir of Ham's could-have-been-brilliant career, which was tragically cut short by his suicide. This second collection of private tapes is a trip to a better musical place --- for both Badfinger obsessives and pop lovers who never really cared about the group or its wonderful guitarist/writer. A listen to such beautiful works-in-progress as Dawn, Where Will You Be and Makes Me Feel Good (two versions of which bookend the disc) should convert even skeptics.\n\nAMAZON.COM CUSTOMER REVIEW\nA little disappointing, compared to 7 Park Avenue, April 13, 2000\nReviewer: Michael Giersher (Royal Palm Beach, FL United States)\nIt is true that Pete Ham was a great songwriter, and that is easily obvious on the first CD,"7 Park Avenue". This compilation though, is far less consistent. You can tell they were scraping the bottom of the bucket to put together this one. No doubt about it. Many of the songs sound unfinished or are instances where Pete is just fooling around with an instrument such as the drums, not even playing an actual song, with voices in the background sometimes. There ARE a few good solid songs here such as "A Lonely Day", Dawn, Without You, I'm so Lonely, but the 7 Park Avenue CD is a much better place to start if you're new to Pete Ham's music.\n\nAMAZON.COM CUSTOMER REVIEW\nA fine follow up to 7 Park Ave, August 5, 1999\nReviewer: Wayne Klein "Wayne Klein" (Fairfield, CA United States)\nIt's amazing the tracks that Pete (or the band) felt weren't up to Badfinger's standard. This follow up to 7 Park Ave has a number of fine moments, but is more fragmented than its predecessor.\nWhile, from a historical perspective, all the tracks are essential there are a number that could have been removed without effecting the overall quality of the disc. Producer Dan Matovani deserves praise for returning to the well of Pete Ham songs to produce this for the fans. It puts the Badfinger legacy into better perspective. While the other members of the band were important, clearly Ham was both the most prolific and talented member.\n\nAMAZON.COM CUSTOMER REVIEW\nMakes Me Feel So Good, July 31, 1999\nReviewer: A music fan\nHow can one express the absolute angst about the loss of Pete Ham without wanting to finish off those who took away his dersire to live?\nThese tracks are rejects for Badfinger releases (except for 3 tracks on this disc that did make it, Midnight Caller, Without You and Shine On). No doubt rejected in favor of lesser tracks by the least talented songwriters in a democratic band, it shows Pete Ham could have and should have done a solo deal.\n\nThis album kicks *** in the kindest of ways.\n\nAMAZON.COM CUSTOMER REVIEW\nGolders Green As Good As Gold!, July 26, 1999\nReviewer: G. D. Stalnaker "grunherz54" (New Mexico)\nMany heartfelt thanks from fans of Pete Ham and Badfinger are once again due producer Dan Matovina. His efforts and dedication have resulted in the release of "Golders Green," the second disc of home demos (the first being "7 Park Avenue") featuring the heart and soul of Badfinger, the late Peter William Ham. Highlights on this collection are the could-have-would-have-should-have been top forty hit "Makes Me Feel Good," the jazzy and majestic "Dawn," the melancholy "Where Will You Be," and the blues of "Whiskey Man." Also included are two beautiful early versions of future Badfinger classics "Without You" and "Midnight Caller." While "Golders Green" boasts the same highly quality performances and posthumous production of its predecessor it differs in its overall feel and ambience. "Golders Green" is more quick-paced, varied, experimental, and ultimately uplifting than "7 Park Avenue." Both albums, however, are equally indepensible and, if forced to choose, it would be most difficult to select one over the other. The solution? Buy both! You will not be disappointed! Also, those in search of definitive information about Pete Ham and Badfinger should buy the book "Without You: The Tragic Story of Badfinger," also buy Dan Matovina.\n\nAMAZON.COM CUSTOMER REVIEW\nA revelation!, July 13, 1999\nReviewer: A music fan\nI bought this CD completely cold, knowing nothing about Pete Ham or his music beyond the Badfinger hits. I listened to it in my car on the way home, and by the third track I noticed that every hair on my body was standing on end. For fans of late 60s pop (Beatles, Beach Boys, Kinks) this CD is a revelation. It also foreshadows 90s home recordist songwriters like Liz Phair, Elliot Smith, and Jack Logan.\n\nHalf.com Details \nContributing artists: Bob Jackson, Chris Von Sneidern \n\nAlbum Notes\nPersonnel includes: Pete Ham (vocals, guitar); Chris Von Sneidern (guitar); Bob Jackson (keyboards); Derrick Anderson, Bennett Bowman, Rick Cammon, Jonathan Lea, Derek Ritchie, Mike Romanowski.\n\nProducers: Dan Matovina, Chris von Sneidern, Mike Romanowski, Bennett Bowman.\n\nRecorded in Golders Green, London, England between 1967 and 1975. \nIncludes liner notes by Ken Sharp.\nAll tracks have been digitally mastered using HDCD technology.\n\nGOLDERS GREEN is the second album of home demos recorded by the principal singer/songwriter of Badfinger between 1968 and his 1975 suicide. Like Ham's 7 PARK AVENUE, this disc is comprised of superb sounding home demos that have been tastefully augmented by former Badfinger member Bob Jackson and American power pop artist Chris von Sneidern. From "Goodbye John Frost"--a quirky rocker that features clunky piano playing and a drum sound that's pure McCartney circa 1970-- to the rousing album closer "Makes Me Feel Good," an upbeat pop song that evokes the Monkees in their prime, Ham's gift for melody and warm, engaging voice make almost every song a winner.\nListeners also have the chance to hear the more experimental side of Ham's music, including, "Gonna Do It," a tantalizing fragment of an eerie multi-track vocal experiment. Packed with unreleased songs and a wonderful early version of the Ham-penned pop standard "Without You," GOLDERS GREEN is a fascinating album that secures Ham's place as one of the great lost talents of rock music.\n\nIndustry Reviews\n...entirely contemporary....it should come as no surprise to Badfinger fans that GREEN...is packed with unfinished melodic nuggets. - Rating: B+\nEntertainment Weekly (07/30/1999)
This rock cd contains 20 tracks and runs 41min 51sec.
Freedb: 0b09cd14
Buy: from Amazon.com

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