"Straight Shooter" was recorded at Gloucestershire Castle (a castle turned hotel) again with The Ronnie Lane Mobile Truck in September of 1974.
In the autumn of 1974, against the backdrop of the picturesque Gloucestershire Castle, Bad Company embarked on a musical pilgrimage that would give birth to their iconic "Straight Shooter" 12" vinyl LP album.
The Setting:
Gloucestershire Castle, a majestic castle turned hotel, served as the unlikely but inspired venue for Bad Company's creative endeavor. In September 1974, the band, consisting of Paul Rodgers, Mick Ralphs, Boz Burrell, and Simon Kirke, gathered within the castle's historic confines to channel their musical energies. The decision to record in this unique location was a nod to the band's desire to infuse their music with a sense of grandeur and timeless resonance.
The Ronnie Lane Mobile Truck:
A pivotal player in this historical musical saga was The Ronnie Lane Mobile Truck, a state-of-the-art mobile recording studio. This innovative studio on wheels allowed Bad Company to capture the raw essence of their performance on the spot. The decision to employ this mobile marvel added an adventurous and dynamic element to the recording process, giving the band the flexibility to experiment and create in unconventional spaces.
Creative Alchemy:
As the band settled into the castle's atmospheric embrace, the creative alchemy began. Building on the success of their self-titled debut album, Bad Company aimed to push musical boundaries while staying true to their blues-rock roots. The collaborative spirit within the band, fueled by the unique energy of Gloucestershire Castle, sparked a songwriting process that birthed some of the band's most enduring tracks.
Recording Highlights:
"Straight Shooter" emerged from the recording sessions as a testament to Bad Company's evolution as a musical force. The hauntingly beautiful "Feel Like Makin' Love" and the introspective "Shooting Star" were among the gems forged within the castle's stone walls. The chemistry between Rodgers' soulful vocals, Ralphs' masterful guitar, Burrell's pulsating bass, and Kirke's dynamic drumming reached a zenith during these sessions, giving each track a distinctive and powerful sonic signature.
Challenges and Triumphs: Recording within the historic castle presented its share of challenges, from technical hurdles to the quirks of a non-traditional recording space. Yet, it was precisely these challenges that fueled the band's determination to create something extraordinary. The result was an album that not only met but exceeded expectations, solidifying Bad Company's reputation as rock royalty.
Music Genre: English Blues Rock, Prog Rock |
Album The album: "BAD COMPANY - Straight Shooter (USA)" was produced by: Bad Company Sound/Recording Engineer(s): Ron Nevison Ron Nevison is an esteemed American record producer and audio engineer, renowned for his exceptional work during the 1970s and 1980s. Born with an innate passion for music, Nevison dedicated his life to honing his craft and shaping the sounds of numerous iconic hard rock and rock albums. With an impressive resume that includes collaborations with legendary bands such as Bad Company, Thin Lizzy, UFO, Kiss, Heart, Ozzy Osbourne, and Led Zeppelin, Nevison's contributions have left an indelible mark on the music industry. Ron Nevison was born and raised in the United States, where he developed a deep fascination for music at an early age. His natural talent and unwavering dedication to his craft propelled him into the world of audio engineering and production. In the 1970s, Nevison emerged as a highly sought-after professional known for his remarkable technical skills, keen musical instincts, and ability to capture the essence of a band's sound. Nevison's breakthrough came when he worked with the British rock band Bad Company on their eponymous debut album in 1974. The album achieved great commercial success and established Nevison as a producer to watch. Building on this triumph, he went on to collaborate with other notable acts of the era, including Thin Lizzy, UFO, and Kiss, solidifying his reputation as a master of hard rock production. Throughout his illustrious career, Nevison consistently demonstrated his versatility and adaptability by working with artists across a wide spectrum of musical styles. He played a vital role in shaping the sound of Heart, contributing to the band's chart-topping albums like "Heart" (1985) and "Bad Animals" (1987). Nevison's meticulous attention to detail and ability to enhance the emotional impact of each track cemented his status as a producer of exceptional caliber. One of Nevison's most notable collaborations occurred when he joined forces with the legendary Ozzy Osbourne, producing the critically acclaimed album "The Ultimate Sin" (1986). Nevison's expertise brought out the raw energy and powerful dynamics that became synonymous with Osbourne's music. Perhaps one of the most significant milestones in Nevison's career was his involvement with Led Zeppelin. He worked on the posthumous release "Coda" (1982), skillfully preserving the band's signature sound while honoring their legacy. Nevison's technical prowess and deep understanding of the band's musical vision were instrumental in delivering an album that resonated with fans and critics alike. Over the years, Ron Nevison continued to collaborate with numerous artists, leaving an indelible impact on the music industry. His ability to capture the essence of a band's sound, his unparalleled technical skills, and his unwavering commitment to excellence have earned him the respect and admiration of his peers. Ron Nevison's contributions to the rock and hard rock genres have shaped the sonic landscape of the 1970s and 1980s. His work remains a testament to his talent and dedication, leaving an enduring legacy that continues to inspire and influence aspiring musicians and producers. This album was recorded at: Clearwel Castle, Gloucestershire, England,, September 1974 on Ronnie Lane's Mobile Mixed at Art Studios, London Cut at The Mastering Lab, Los Angeles Album cover design: Hipgnosis Hipgnosis was an English art group founded in 1968 by Storm Thorgerson, Aubrey Powell, and Peter Christopherson. The group was known for their innovative and creative album covers, which became iconic in the music industry. Hipgnosis worked with some of the most influential musicians of their time, including Pink Floyd, Led Zeppelin, and Yes. The group's name, "Hipgnosis," was a play on the words "hypnosis" and "hip." They believed that their art had the power to hypnotize people and transport them to another world, which was reflected in their album covers. The group's style was surreal and often incorporated elements of fantasy, science fiction, and the occult. Their designs were highly detailed and often required extensive planning and preparation. One of the group's most famous album covers was for Pink Floyd's "The Dark Side of the Moon." The cover featured a prism refracting light into a rainbow, which became one of the most recognizable images in rock history. The design was so successful that it became synonymous with the band and their music. Another iconic design was for Led Zeppelin's "Houses of the Holy," which featured a group of naked children climbing on a rock formation. The image was highly controversial but helped to solidify the band's rebellious image. Hipgnosis also worked with a number of other influential musicians, including Peter Gabriel, Black Sabbath, and Genesis. They designed the cover for Peter Gabriel's first solo album, which featured a photograph of Gabriel wearing a mask with only his eyes visible. The image became another iconic design and was later referenced in Gabriel's music video for "Sledgehammer." The group's success continued into the 1980s, with designs for bands such as Scorpions and Styx. However, the rise of digital technology and the decline of album sales led to the group's decline. Hipgnosis disbanded in 1983, but their legacy lives on in the countless album covers they created. Hipgnosis was not just an art group, but a collective of artists who had a significant impact on the music industry. Their innovative designs helped to define the visual style of rock music in the 1970s and 1980s. Their work was not just a complement to the music, but an essential part of the overall experience. They created a world that fans could enter into and lose themselves in, just like the music they were listening to. Here is a web-page with a gallery of album covers created by Hipgnosis |
Album Production information: Produced by Bad Company |
Record Label Information: Black Label Island Records ILPS 9304 |
Media Format: 12" Full-Length Vinyl LPAlbum weight: 250 gram |
Year 1975 |
Band Members and Musicians on: Bad Company Straight Shooter |
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Track Listing of: Bad Company Straight Shooter |
The Song/tracks on "Bad Company Straight Shooter" are
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Album cover photos of : Bad Company Straight Shooter |
Photo of Front Cover |
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Photo of Album's Back Cover |
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Photo of Album's Inner Cover |
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Close-up Photo of Record Label
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Note: the above pictures are actual photos of the album and allow you to judge the quality of cover. Slight differences in color may exist due to the use of the camera's flash. |
Bad Company was an English rock band formed in 1973 that rose to fame as one of the flagship acts of the 1970s hard rock and blues rock movement. With their blend of bluesy guitar riffs, driving rock beats, and soulful vocal harmonies, Bad Company created a unique sound that set them apart from the rest of the rock bands of the era. Over the course of their career, Bad Company achieved great commercial success and critical acclaim, with numerous hit singles and albums that still remain popular to this day.
The band was formed in 1973 by former Free frontman Paul Rodgers, guitarist Mick Ralphs, and drummer Simon Kirke. The three musicians had been looking for a new creative outlet after the break-up of their previous band and decided to form Bad Company as a new musical venture. They were soon joined by bassist Boz Burrell, and together they released their self-titled debut album in 1974. The album was an instant success, reaching #1 on the UK charts and #3 on the US charts. It featured several hit songs, including "Can't Get Enough," "Rock Steady," and "Bad Company," which became the band's signature song and is still one of their most well-known tracks to this day.
Throughout the 1970s, Bad Company continued to release a series of successful albums, each of which built upon the band's blues-based hard rock sound. Their follow-up album, "Straight Shooter," was released in 1975 and was also a commercial success, featuring hit songs such as "Feel Like Making Love" and "Good Lovin' Gone Bad." The band's third album, "Run with the Pack," was released in 1976 and marked a departure from their earlier sound, as the band experimented with a more mainstream pop rock sound. Despite this, the album was still well received and features hit songs such as "Silver, Blue & Gold."
Despite their commercial success, Bad Company faced several challenges throughout their career. The band experienced a series of personnel changes, with various members leaving and joining the group at different times. Despite these changes, the band continued to release new music and tour, and they remained one of the biggest and most popular rock bands of the 1970s and 1980s.
Bad Company's music continues to be popular and relevant to this day, with their songs still receiving airplay on classic rock radio stations and their albums still selling well. Their blues-based hard rock sound has been highly influential, inspiring countless other rock bands in the decades since their formation. They are remembered as one of the defining bands of the 1970s hard rock movement and their music remains an important part of the rock canon.