BADFINGER/STRAIGHT UP APCOR 19 (-72) UK

                                                                               

 The band's third LP as Badfinger. At release met with lukewarm or bad reviews and even if a couple of spawned singles did good on both sides of the Atlantic the album itself halted at #31 in US and didn't manage UK top forty.  Today it seems to have been totally revalued by critics and public. Many have crowned it their best album, while others call it one of the greatest guitar driven power pop efforts ever. Apparently it took a long time to get ready for release. First an album was produced by Geoff Emerick, which was rejected by Apple and George Harrison took over, but he in his turn had to leave after a while to work with the "Concert For Bangladesh" project and the production was handed over to Todd Rundgren. As the story goes even Phil Spector was involved at some point. But even if there was some turmoil in the making, non of that can be heard here.  No sprawling, instead a very composite work. Maybe not all goosebumping, yet filled with very well played and sung power pop including many catchy moments. No need to jump tracks, it all sticks together creating a warm friendly atmosphere. Got many favorite tracks, but to pick a few - "Day After Day", "Baby Blue" and "Suitcase". Issued and reissued on vinyl and CD all over the world through the years, also reel, 8-track, cassette and MP3.  First US on Apple (SW-3387). Japan 2010 CD on Apple (TOCP-70886) came with six bonus tracks.  Premiere UK had label as shown here in a thin fully laminated cover.  (ÄPLÄ*) (PÄY*)  (BÄ*)