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Just Can't Deny It Oct 04, 2008
In the era of Supergroups, Bad Company was one of the 70's finest. Cobbled together from ex-Free, Mott and King Crimson members, they came on like gangbusters and picked up by legendary Led Zep manager Peter Grant, Bad Co leapt to prominence on their still superb debut album. Taking a song guitarist Mick Ralphs was told wasn't right for Mott The Hoople, "Can't Get Enough," the bluesy soulful voice of Paul Rodgers carried the day and the band was instantly successful.
As the first group signed to Led Zepplin's Swan Song label, it was little surprise that Bad Company rocked raw and hard. They also knew how to lay a sensual groove, as the second album's (Straight Shooter) "Feel Like Making Love" proved. These two albums were Bad Company's best, so it makes sense that the entire first disc is made up of songs from this period. Like so may groups from the period, Bad Company likened themselves to outlaws and lovermen (their eponymous Bad Company theme) as well as hard drinking party men ready for new adventures ("Good Loving Gone Bad," "Movin' On"). There's also self-mythology which was done really well with "Seagull" and "Shooting Star." Almost every song from Disc 1 has become a classic rock staple, and deservedly so.
The second disc shows the wear and tear. The original line-up of Ralphs, Rodgers, Kirke and Burrell made six albums, so the remaining four compete for space on disc two, along with some new tracks. (And none from Bad Company Mach II, the Brian Howe version of the band.) I've always considered Run with the Pack to be the last good album from the original line-up and the odd thing is the playful remake of The Coasters' "Young Blood" is left off this set. Only two songs apiece from Burnin' Sky and the forgettableRough Diamonds made the cut, and the title track from Sky was the best thing on that album.
Desolation Angels reversed the slide by introducing some new sounds to the mix and the killer single "Rock and Roll Fantasy." Rodgers sounds like he's trying new styles on "Oh Atlanta" (not the Little Feat song), but it was becoming obvious that band was running out of gas. I may be alone in this, but other than "Tracking Down a Runaway," the four new songs aren't very memorable. The blues/rock that Ralphs and Rodgers pushed for was a solid formula, but it was still a formula. The first of the two CD's on this set contains the lion's share of the good stuff, and this is the best re-mastering available so far (tape hiss and all). So until the original albums get an upgrade, "The Original Bad Company Anthology" is the place to go.
 The Original Bad Co. May 18, 2008
This is a great compilation. Paul Rogers has one of the greatest voices in the classic rock era. This offering is packed with essential hits and will leave you singing along the whole time.
2 of 2 found the following review helpful:
Original Bad Company Anthology Dec 26, 2007
There's a reason why this is called "Original"; it's the Bad Company with Paul Rodgers as the vocalist. Which means it's the only Bad Company that counts. I mean, it's like Black Sabbath without Ozzie or Van Halen without David Lee, it's just not the same. Call me a purist.
This Anthology just about has it all from the original group, including four new songs. This two disc set has outstanding songs including "Can't Get Enough", "Rock Steady", "Ready For Love", "Bad Company", "Good Lovin' Gone Bad", "Feel Like Makin' Love", "Burnin' Sky", "Rock and Roll Fantasy" & "Tracking Down a Runaway" (a new cut that sounds like it could've been from the era of their debut album). There's some previously unreleased tracks & b-side 45 tracks but nothing very revelatory. The track "Smokin' 45" (previously unreleased) has lyrics by Pete Sinfield who did the same thing for King Crimson & Emerson, Lake and Palmer.
The liner notes are good & has the lyrics to all the songs. The only reason I didn't give this album five stars is because there is too much filler here. I know, that's MY problem.
0 of 2 found the following review helpful:
Could've been better Dec 01, 2007
Bad Company as a band certainly deserve a 2-disc compilation, but I'm not sure if the 'Original' lineup does. Believe it or not, but the late-80s lineup without Paul Rodgers had 15 charting singles, more than the 'Original' lineup. I would've preferred one disc with the classic lineup and a second disc with the late-80s lineup.
Anyway, "The 'Original' Bad Company Anthology" is missing a few hits: "Electricland", "Live For The Music" and "Young Blood". The new tracks, are very good, however.
2 of 2 found the following review helpful:
the best of bad co Sep 23, 2007
the oringinal bad co anthology is all the casual bad co fan could ever want all the hits, good deep cuts, and some new tracks that aren't half bad. but like the title says this is the "original" bad co anthology so it only covers the oringinal group which wrote the groups first six albums. but odds are that wont bother any but the most hardcore fans. so if its bad co you want and you only want to make one purchase then this is the one for you
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