Scarbrough Affair “Leftists Unite”
Dave Scarbrough went back through some older recordings from 2006 and remastered them for a fresh re-release. “Leftists Unite” is a political rallying cry about “taking away my rights,” and other causes. Maybe we should approach Taylor Swift about singing this because it would be a huge hit with a female performer.
Dave goes through several styles here from yacht rock (“Take Me Home,” “Care for the Caregiver”) to light adult balladry (“No Sure Bet”) and these early tracks are nicely done. However, he really strikes gold with “Isabella Mae.” It sounds like a lost Gin Blossoms hit single and is a real keeper. Unfortunately nothing else compares to it, although “Oblivious” comes close. There is just enough here to recommend, but I look forward to some fresh tunes from Dave soon.
Pete Ham “Gwent Gardens”
You probably don’t need me to fill you in on Badfinger’s backstory. Because of this, one of the best guitarists, singers, and composers of the classic rock era—Pete Ham—took his own life in April 1975. The canonization of Pete Ham continues with more of his unreleased demos. Gwent Gardens is dedicated to the late Dan Matovina, Badfinger’s biographer, and it continues Ham’s discography that started with 7 Park Avenue in 1997. Another collection from last year, Misunderstood is similar in approach.
Just before he passed away in 2023, Matovina was gushing to a close friend about all the unpublished stuff. “There are so many wonderful Pete Ham tunes that nobody has heard yet. I can’t believe it,” he said. While the album is entertaining for sure, they are still finished demos and will appeal mainly to the dedicated Badfinger fan. You can hear the “hit” potential in songs like “Let the Sun Shine Through” and “I’m Only Human.” As a Pete Ham fan, I wish someone would arrange to cover these songs and produce them fully. Like the Pete Ham Tribute LP last year, this music needs to be heard.
