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Rating: The last studio album in the long and varied history of Bad Company, released in 1996, is a democratic fifty/fifty mix of rearranged tracks from the early period (stories “told”) and brand new songs (“untold”), totaling fourteen in all. For once, I choose to describe its content in a rational and concise manner:
“One on One” opens with a classic syncopated hard rock blues a'la Bad Company; frontman Robert Hart manages to closely match the style and class of the original famous singer Paul Rodgers… sure his voice is less sexy but it possesses an extra touch of sweetness and irony.
“Oh Atlanta” was on a great album from '79 called “Desolation Angels”; the rendition here leans more acoustic and country, after all this number sounded tremendously American since then and since the title. A pleasant piano solo by guest Matt Rolling and even a bluegrass guitar solo by another guest, Vince Gill, make it even more Yankee, two excellent talents.
“You’re Never Alone” is a big ballad almost in Eagles style (and indeed the tenor voice of their bassist Tim Schmit is present in the choirs), but with a tough rhythmic section that the Eagles were never able to have.
“I Still Believe in You” is another big ballad that this time sounds AOR, thanks to the collaboration of Bill Cuomo on synthesizers, dedicated to organizing lush carpets à la Foreigner. The chorus is powerful, to say the least, with oceanic and vaguely gospel harmonies from a multitude of people and with Hart not taking himself as seriously as Lou Gramm and other great interpreters of the genre, keeping saccharine and slickness to decent levels.
“Ready for Love” dates back to the first best-selling album from '74; here too, the version is more acoustic and rounded, thanks to the choirs of the usual Schmit as well as Max Carl from Grand Funk Railroad, another one with an excellently high and clean voice!
“Waiting On Love” is again unreleased: the tinkling of the acoustic guitars on both sides is beautiful, as is the great organ work, all with a final result reminiscent of Don Henley's and Tom Petty's works, though the melody is quite banal. However, Hart sings very well, mobile and expressive.
“Can’t Get Enough” was once the famous opener of the debut album; the original boogie rock is completely transfigured here into a shuffle with “brush” drums, all acoustic except for an electric piano and a bit of slide guitar, and everything is very soulful thanks to a black female backup singer accompanying Hart.
“Is That All There Is To Love” is instead a piano ballad in Elton John style, very expected even though elegant and exuding executive class, but it recalls hundreds of others.
“Love So Strong” finally travels decisively in hard rock thanks to the skillful slide of master Mick Ralphs over the gripping bass pedal of the super experienced Rick Wills (one who has made records and concerts with Frampton, Gilmour, Roxy Music, Small Faces, Foreigner, Lynyrd Skynyrd…). Here Hart screams a lot and stretches his vocal range to the maximum.
“Silver, Blue & Gold” was originally on the third album “Run With the Pack” dated 1976, and it doesn’t stray too far from the original, usually rounder and with a significantly different production.
“Dawnpour in Cairo” is a tense and swaying country blues, made slightly dizzying by the sticky sound of the accordion. It's a bit like Bon Jovi but… better, there's more class and skill.
“Shooting Star”: speaking of Bon Jovi, this re-edition of the magnificent cowboy song that graced their second album “Straight Shooter” from 1975 sees their guitarist Richie Sambora guesting with a 12-string, while Hart duets with the very blonde and rocky Kim Carnes in the choruses.
“Simple Man” is another self-cover, the original present on “Run With the Pack”; imperial guitar sounds for this excellent slow rock blues with a hypnotic riff, a marvel with all the guitars whether acoustic, passed through a Leslie or played with a slide: one of the best numbers, tense and genuinely lively.
“Weep No More” is the epilogue, again “told” with the original dating back to the “Straight Shooter” album; it’s a soul gospel shuffle a’la Joe Cocker with horns, organ, piano, and all that’s necessary.
These “Told and Untold Stories” of Bad Company constitute a wise, mature, calibrated yet still passionate and lively chapter of their career, with the old and glorious British rock blues rendered in the most American way possible by the five very English and seasoned musicians, skilled at playing only what's necessary and letting the music breathe, without ever unnecessarily embellishing it. It’s a beautiful musical farewell from a talented band.
Tracklist Lyrics and Videos
07 Can't Get Enough (03:41)
Well I take whatever I want
And baby, I want you
You give me something I need
Now tell me I got something for you
Come on, come on, come on and do it
Come on, and do what you do
I can't get enough of your love
I can't get enough of your love
I can't get enough of your love
Well it's late, and I want love
Love that's gonna break me in two
Don't hang me up in your doorway
Don't hang me up like you do
Come on, come on, come on and do it
Come on, and do what you do
I can't get enough of your love
I can't get enough of your love
I can't get enough of your love
11 Downpour in Cairo (03:47)
Take me inside, don't leave me here
I'm breaking in two, shaking with fear
Throw me a line, or let me go
Just don't leave me here in the rain
My soul is on fire, I'm a desperate man
I'm battered and torn, I do what I can
Just look at these tears, flow down my face
Take me in out of the rain
Take me inside, lay me down
I'll love you now and always
Give me a sign, or let me go
Just don't leave me here in the rain
I said don't leave me here in the rain
Twisting our fate, send our lives down
Out of control, spinning around
Take me inside, lay me down
I'll love you now and always
Give me a sign, or let me go
Just don't leave me here in the rain
I said don't leave me here in the rain
~Guitar Solo~
Take me inside, lay me down
I'll love you now and always
Give me a sign, or let me go
Take me inside, lay me down
I'll love you now and always
Give me a sign, or let me go
Just don't take me out of the rain
Said don't leave me here in the rain
I said don't leave me here in the rain
I said don't leave me here in the rain
Said don't
Shaking with fear
You know how I feel
Out of control
12 Shooting Star (05:17)
Johnny was a schoolboy
When he heard his first Beatles song
'Love Me Do' I think it was
And from then it didn't take him long
Got himself a guitar
Used to play every night
Now he's in a rock 'n' roll outfit
And everything's alright
Don't you know?
Johnny told his Mama,
"Hey, Mama, I'm goin' away,
Gonna hit the big time,
Gonna be a big star someday"
Mama came to the door
With a teardrop in her eye
Johnny said, "Don't cry Mama,
Smile and wave goodbye"
Don't you know?
Yeah......
Don't you know that you are a shooting star?
Don't you know?
Don't you know?
Don't you know that you are a shooting star?
And all the world will love you just as long
As long as you are
Johnny made a record
Went straight up to number one
Suddenly everyone loved
To hear him sing the song
Watchin' the world go by
Surprisin' it goes so fast
Johnny looked around him and said,
"Well, I made the big-time at last!"
Don't you know?
Don't you know?
Don't you know that you are a shooting star?
Don't you know?
Don't you know?
Don't you know that you are a shooting star?
And all the world will love you just as long
As long as you are
Johnny died one night, died in his bed
Bottle of whiskey, sleeping tablets by his head
Johnny's life passed him by like a warm summer day
If you listen to the wind you can still hear him play
Don't you know that you are a shooting star?
Don't you know?
Don't you know that you are a shooting star?
Don't you don't you don't you don't you don't you know?
Don't you know that you are a shooting star?
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