Simon RushworthCan’t Get Enough — A Tribute To Bad Company (Primary Wave Music)
Paying tribute to one of the true bastions of soulful blues rock is no easy task.
Doing justice to bona fide classics like Shooting Star, Rock Steady and Seagull would weigh heavily on the shoulders of any musician.
And duly respecting the legacy of Rogers, Ralphs, Kirke and Burrell is a big, big ask.
So, is the assembled cast driving Can’t Get Enough actually good enough?
A who’s who of rock, country and Americana steps up to the plate in a bold bid to breathe new life into a legendary back catalogue.
In fact, there’s no denying the A-List calibre of this ambitious project’s enthusiastic collaborators.
Think Slash, Def Leppard duo Joe Elliott and Phil Collen, Black Stone Cherry and The Pretty Reckless.
Then there’s country rocker HARDY, Halestorm and the devilishly talented Dirty Honey.
No doubt the more competitive amongst these seasoned creatives was keen to be the cream that rises to the top.
As a result, there’s a quality and consistency underpinning this terrifically tight tribute.
And the fact that ‘The Voice’ himself adds that familiar purr to three of songs here doubles down on the overriding sense of authenticity and credibility at the heart of Can’t Get Enough.
At 75, Paul Rodgers still boasts an unrivalled set of pipes.
And the co-founder of Bad Company’s in great company as he celebrates the very best of an iconic band.
Can’t Get Enough of Bad Company? Join the club!
The highlights? There are a few.
But let’s start with the one misstep on Can’t Get Enough.
Rushonrock-rated country rocker HARDY is a brave choice to kick off a Bad Company tribute.
And while there’s no denying the singer songwriter’s vocal heft, he’s simply the wrong choice for Ready For Love: the production’s too polished and the power misplaced.
Moving on…
…and it will come as no surprise that one of the finest performances here belongs to Myles Kennedy.
Where HARDY’s approach lacks character and nuance, Kennedy nails it. Here’s a fine example of a wily veteran living and breathing the enduringly sexy Feel Like Making Love alongside Slash and the Conspirators.
Rodgers and Brann Dailor hook up with Blackberry Smoke on a rousing version of Run With The Pack.
And Black Stone Cherry rip into Burnin’ Sky with genuine relish: of all the covers here this is the quirkiest and, quite possibly, the best.
Superfan Elliott hooks up with Rodgers and Simon Kirke on Seagull — the Lepps frontman readily accepting the most challenging assignment here.
It’s not perfect but it’s a thoroughly charming version of a beautiful ballad. And Collen’s lead guitar? Blazing.
Can’t Get Enough could have descended into toe curling cliché.
In reality, it’s one of the most compelling rock and roll records we’ve heard all year.
