Joey Molland
Be True Yourself

I stumbled upon this CD, released in October, just a few days ago (on Amazon).

Personally, I would have preferred the LP, but unfortunately, it doesn’t exist.

It's a pity because the duration was just suitable and the atmosphere as well.

I premise that Joey Molland has been doing Brit Pop since 1967, or rather, as it was originally called, Power Pop.

Few might remember him, but he was the guitarist (and unfortunately the last survivor) of Badfinger, a name that might mean very little to the younger generation, but between the late ’60s and the ’80s, they sold around 14 million records worldwide (source Wikipedia) so much that they were - for a certain time - mentioned as possible heirs to the Beatles with whom they shared the same record label.

The story of Badfinger is unfortunately a very sad page of rock; a good group ruined by a ruthless manager. Three Welsh boys and one from Liverpool (Molland) who, despite the records sold, found themselves destitute to the point that it led to the suicide of two of them (Pete Ham and Tom Evans).

Some might recall “Without You,” a worldwide hit with the voice of Harry Nilsson first and Mariah Carey more recently. It was indeed a song by Badfinger or the heartrending final scene of the series “Breaking Bad” with the superb “Baby Blue” also by Badfinger.

This is just to try to explain Molland’s role in the pages of pop-rock. I also remember his participation in the “Imagine” album by John Lennon and George Harrison’s works “All Things Must Pass” and “Concert For Bangla Desh.”

Be True Yourself is nothing but an incursion into the '60s and '70s with a lot of Badfinger, a bit of Beatles, and even a bit of ELO. However, it's not mere imitation, but Molland's presence and originality lie precisely in the fact that this “youngster,” 73 years old, has managed to update and skillfully re-propose slightly out-of-fashion musical canons.

Much of the credit (besides good Joey) goes to co-writer Mark Hudson, someone who until a few years ago collaborated steadily with Ringo Starr and who also took care of the production without overdoing it. The “team” of musicians also includes:

Julian Lennon (yes, him) who also took care of the beautiful cover art

Steve Holley, the last drummer of McCartney's Wings

Micky Dolenz of the Monkees

Jason Scheff of Chicago

I’d say a decent team.

But, how is the album?

It's exactly what I wanted to listen to at this moment.

The album reveals all the “faces” that Joey “had the pleasure to know” (cit.). I leave it to you to discover which “face” and in which song, but I can guarantee you that the journey you will take is definitely worth the ticket price!!!