http://campus.ie/ents/music/joey-molland-return-to-memphis
Badfinger, Beatles and 'Breaking Bad': Joey Molland returns to Memphis
By Miriam Doona , Ents editor
Tuesday 18th February, 09:00
Miriam reviews one of music's most under-rated songwriters.
Singer
and guitarist Joey Molland is a name synonymous with the legendary
English rock band Badfinger. The band enjoyed a mass of hits from 1969
to 1974 while on The Beatles' Apple Records Label including the Paul
McCartney penned ‘Come and Get It’. Molland, originally from Liverpool,
also appeared on albums for both John Lennon and George Harrison.
The
1972 Badfinger hit ‘Baby Blue’ gave the band a recent renaissance and
rejuvenation as the song was chosen to feature in the final episode of
the much revered crime drama television series Breaking Bad (the song
became the number one download in the world the week of the final
episode). The song was, interestingly, also chosen to feature in the
soundtrack of Martin Scorsese’s 2006 epic crime thriller The Departed.
There
a rich musical legacy associated with Molland’s career. However, the
band Badfinger has suffered a turbulent and tragic history, enduring
grave management issues and suffering the suicides of two band members.
Such
a history splattered in such adversity sadly resulted in Molland being
under-rated as a singer- songwriter. Molland released his first solo
album in 1983 and now with his fifth and latest solo album Return to
Memphis, the ill-fated history that plagued Badfinger is definitely
corrected.
Joey
explains the origin of the album: “I was raised on a diet of Memphis
music, and it was a thrill for me to record there". The album was
recorded at Royal studios in Memphis, Tennessee and was produced by Stax
Records veteran, Carl “Blue” Wise. Royal Studios can proudly boast
being one of the oldest continuously operated music studios in the world
and is currently managed by Lawrence “Boo” Mitchell, son of owner
Willie Mitchell( 1928- 2010), who is also engineer at the establishment.
Mitchell, along with Wise, mixed the album. Carl “Blue” Wise is owner
of Blueboy Records in Memphis and has worked with music greats like
Eddie Floyd, Sir Mack Rice, Rufus Thomas, Bruce Springsteen and The
Bar-Kays, to mention a few. This record has every element involved to
make it a success and it is overwhelming to contemplate the musical
genius associated with its very existence…….and a fantastic album and
musical magic was indeed created.
It
begins with ‘Walk out in the Rain’, a mellow introduction to the album.
‘A Love Song’ sees an acceleration in tempo with really nice harmonies
to boot, which is true of the entire album. The album also showcases
Molland's guitar skill. He also plays some slide on the album and
interestingly there is an absence of any real and characteristic
Badfinger power chords. Molland says of the album “The treatment of the
songs, the song content and (producer Carl “Blue” Wise’s) Memphis roots
all make for a much simpler approach”. There is also a three piece
rhythm section to enhance the fundamental sound. The album evolves
effortlessly with the blues anthem (and Beatlesque title) ‘All I Need is
Love’ and concludes with the dynamically invigorating ‘Still I Love
You’.
Return
to Memphis is a very significant album, historically speaking. It is
mellow and mature, with poignant and beautiful lyrics, and a must for
all serious music collections and all those serious about music.
CURRENTLY AVAILABLE AT GONZO:
 | Return To Memphis SCD - £9.99 |
 | This Way Up CD - £9.99 |
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