Wish You Were Here was Badfinger’s second and last album for Warner Brothers, and as with their album, Badfinger, was originally released in 1974. This was to have been their breakthrough album. The reviews were great, and it had entered the charts with a bullet but then it was pulled due to contract disputes with Warner Brothers, mismanagement of money by their manager, and other legal issues. The album disappeared off the shelves, their tour was cancelled, and an album that was to have been a classic was somewhat forgotten.
Chris Thomas was once again at the producers helm (as he was with their two previous albums Badfinger and Ass), and with this album he produced a rock masterpiece. It is interesting that in two short years he would be producing The Sex Pistols.
For this rerelease, Real Gone Music have added a previously unreleased song (“Queen Of Darkness”) and a number of outtakes and works in progress. But it is the original album that still holds up and is the main reason to purchase this new version of the album. Here Badfinger were firing on all cylinders. At this time, Badfinger were Mike Gibbins (drums), Joey Molland (guitar), Tom Evans (bass), and Pete Ham (lead guitar).
There is not a weak song on the album, and it features two incredible medleys: “Meanwhile Back At The Ranch/Should I Smoke” and the brilliant “In The Meantime/Some Other Time”. These are cornerstones of this classic album. But really, all the songs are melodic, well produced, and show their excellent musicianship. The album is a rock album in the classic sense of the word, and is instantly accessible.
Wish You Were Here was the last album featuring the four members.
by Aaron Badgley
Tracks
1. Just A Chance (Pete Ham) - 2:57
2. You're So Fine (Mike Gibbins) - 3:03
3. Got To Get Out Of Here (Joey Molland) - 3:30
4. Know One Knows (Pete Ham) - 3:16
5. Dennis (Pete Ham) - 5:15
6. In The Meantime/Some Other Time (Mike Gibbins, Joey Molland) - 6:46
7. Love Time (Joey Molland) - 2:18
8. King Of The Load (Tom Evans) - 3:30
9. Meanwhile Back At The Ranch/Should I Smoke (Pete Ham, Joey Molland) - 5:18
10.Queen Of Darkness (Tom Evans) - 2:38
11.Just A Chance (Pete Ham) - 3:18
12.You're So Fine (Mike Gibbins) - 3:04
13.Got To Get Out Of Here (Joey Molland) - 3:28
14.Know One Knows (Pete Ham) - 3:20
15.Dennis (Pete Ham) - 6:04
16.In The Meantime/Some Other Time (Mike Gibbins, Joey Molland) - 6:57
17.Love Time (Joey Molland) - 2:36
18.Meanwhile Back At The Ranch/Should I Smoke (Pete Ham, Joey Molland) - 5:29
Bonus tracks 10-18 only on 2018 Real Gone version
Badfinger
*Pete Ham - Vocals, Guitar, Keyboards
*Joey Molland - Vocals, Guitar
*Mike Gibbins - Drums, Keyboards, Vocals On
*Tom Evans - Vocals, Bass
With
*Average White Horns - Horns On "Just A Chance" And "Should I Smoke"
*Mika Kato - Japanese Spoken Words On "Know One Knows"
1969 Iveys - Maybe Tomorrow
1970 Badfinger - Magic Christian Music (2010 remaster and expanded)
1970 Badfinger - No Dice (2010 remaster and expanded)
1971 Badfinger - Straight Up (2010 remaster and expanded)
