Bad Company - Straight Shooter (Deluxe Edition)
Rhino
https://www.facebook.com/officialbadcompany/photos/a.104527293707.116063.104011923707/10153258564403708/?type=1

Rating: A+

Forty years ago this month (April) Bad Company released the follow-up to their multi-platinum, self-titled debut.  The album, titled Straight Shooter, soared up to #3 on the albums charts and was certified Triple Platinum for sales of over 3 million units. 

Now, in association with Rhino Entertainment Company, the band has remastered the album from the original tapes making it sound crystal clear, as if one were standing in the recording booth watching it all go down!  If that is not enough great news, the Deluxe Edition also comes with a second disc that contains 14 bonus tracks, all but one of which was previously unreleased!

Bad Co fans will be drooling to check out alternate versions of Bad Company classics like "Good Lovin' Gone Bad," "Feel Like Makin' Love" and "Shooting Star."  The biggest thrill for the fans will be the inclusion of two lost songs never before released titled "See the Sunlight" and "All Night Long." 

As good as the bonus goodies are the best thing about this remastered release is still the main album.  These tracks now sound so damn good it is scary!  "Good Lovin' Gone Bad" literally jumps out of the speakers!  "Feel Like Makin' Love" has an extra punch to it, and "Shooting Star" really comes to life with the updated sound.  "Deal with the Preacher," "Wild Fire Woman" and "Anna" are all great songs that are oft overlooked when talking about the best of Bad Co, so it is wonderful that these songs are brought back to life.  The CD booklet features extensive liner notes by David Clayton and lots of rare photographs as well. 

Bad Company made history as a true supergroup.  Multi-instrumentalist and vocalist Paul Rodgers and Mott the Hoople's Mick Ralphs founded the band.  Soon after drummer Simon Kirke from Free asked if he could join. The final piece of the puzzel came when King Crimson's Boz Burrell became a memeber . They were signed to Led Zeppelin's Swan Song label and had huge success with the release of their first album. 

Bad Co instantly proved to the world that lightening doesn't just strike once when they released their second album, Straight Shooter.  Rodgers came to shine on this album, his powerful vocals captured perfectly and his songwriting skills rose to new heights of greatness.  The rest of the band were in tow as well; the rhythm section of Burrell and Kirke kept the ebb and flow of the emotional tunes, while guitarist Mick Ralphs proved simplicity reigns over technical ability as he added distorted open power chords and powerful pentatonic scale lead breaks to the songs. 

In many ways Straight Shooter is the better of the two classic releases, given the deluxe treatment by Rhino.  This is one of those albums that when ‘turning on’ the next generation to classic rock, us older guys go, "Oh, this one you've GOTTA hear!"  Now with the bonus disc and the remastering of the tunes, it sounds better than ever before. 

This one is a must-own for anyone who calls themselves a fan of rock and roll.

Disc One
“Good Lovin’ Gone Bad”
“Feel Like Makin’ Love”
“Weep No More”
“Shooting Star”
“Deal With The Preacher”
“Wild Fire Woman”
“Anna”
“Call On Me”

Disc Two
“Good Lovin’ Gone Bad” (Alternate Vocal & Guitar)*
“Feel Like Makin’ Love” (Take Before Master)*
“Weep No More” (Early Slow Version)*
“Shooting Star” (Alternate Take)*
“Deal With The Preacher” (Early Version)*
“Anna” (Alternate Vocal)*
“Call On Me” (Alternate Take)*
“Easy On My Soul” (Slow Version)
“Whiskey Bottle” (Early Slow Version)
“See the Sunlight”
“All Night Long”
“Wild Fire Woman” (Alternate Vocal & Guitar)*
“Feel Like Makin’ Love” (Harmonica Version)
“Whiskey Bottle” (B-side of “Good Lovin’ Gone Bad” )

* Tracks featured on Deluxe Edition LPs

Straight Shooter (Deluxe)
2CD - http://smarturl.it/SSDeluxe2CD
2LP - http://smarturl.it/SSDeluxe2LP

By Jeb Wright