Doug’s Classic Rock Album of The Week, Bad Company’s Debut LP

Many great musicians have taken their creative expressions in different directions and formed groups that have had success beyond their past projects. My album spotlight this week is a perfect example of the good things that can happen with the right chemistry.

In 1973 Singer Paul Rodgers and drummer Simon Kirk from the rock band ‘Free” joined forces with ‘Mott The Hoople’ guitarist Mick Ralphs and ‘King Crimson’ bassist Boz Burrell to form ‘Bad Company’ The band signed with the same label as Led Zeppelin, Swan Song, and also shared Zepp’s manager Peter Grant.

Their debut album ‘Bad Company’ 1974 was a hit world wide and eventually went platinum where it quickly rose to the top of Billboard's Pop Album Chart.

The first song on the album ‘Can’t Get Enough’ was their biggest hit, in fact it was the first song I’d ever heard from them, we use to play it in the jukebox at the Wigwam the local hangout for Binghamton North High students.

Rock Steady has a great rock riff and some cool melodic guitar work from Mick Ralphs.

Ready For Love featured Rodgers soulful voice followed by Don’t Let Me Down, a Mott The Hoople cover.

Side two feature the title cut ‘Bad Company” with Rodgers on piano and lead vocals.

‘The Way I Choose’ and ‘Movin’ On’ the other single on the album which only reached the top 20.

The final cut ‘Seagull’ featured lead singer Paul Rodgers who played every instrument on the recording had a great unplugged feel.

Throughout the years I have had this album on vinyl, cassette, compact disc and in my I-pod.

The original lineup went on the produce 6 albums and had more success; the first will always be the best for me.

Side one

1. "Can't Get Enough" (Mick Ralphs) – 4:16
2. "Rock Steady" (Paul Rodgers) – 3:46
3. "Ready for Love" (Ralphs) – 5:01
4. "Don't Let Me Down" (Rodgers, Ralphs) – 4:22

Side two

1. "Bad Company" (Rodgers, Simon Kirke) – 4:50
2. "The Way I Choose" (Rodgers) – 5:05
3. "Movin' On" (Ralphs) – 3:21
4. "Seagull" (Rodgers, Ralphs) – 4:06