*** DDO PICK OF THE DAY ***
RALPH COVERT AND THE BAD EXAMPLES
The
Two-Meter Sessions
Waterdog Records
DESCRIPTION: Unplugged Rock
RATING: 8
Midwest music fans have probably been (at the very least) aware of The Bad
Examples. For the past 10 years, they've been making bar-rock noise throughout
that area with mainstream success eluding them. In January 1992, they actually
had a hit in Holland. While touring there with Golden Earring, they did a session
for Holland's Radio VARA that, while originally slated for 3 songs, turned into
11. The results are released here for the first time. While the music is solid,
to me (the uninitiated) it's good but not spectacular. All this changed when
I read the liner
notes. Band leader Ralph Covert's story of the band's trip to Amsterdam
had me so engaged that by the end I became a fan. The story, humorous and touching,
firmly placed me in the time setting that this recording took place. When the
record ended, I wanted more. I wanted to hear the live track where Ralph crowdsurfed.
I wanted to hear the banter between the band and the late DJ Alfred LeGarde.
I just wanted more. If you know the band, no doubt many songs will be familiar.
But by the time they played their track "Promises
In The Dark" which talks about visiting Amsterdam, I was there with the
band. Their humanity and honesty has made me a fan.
-JF Parnell