For any Bad Examples fan, this album should seem instantly familiar territory; for the uninitiated, you are in for a treat. The Two-Meter Sessions is a recording made on Ralph & Co.'s first trip to Amsterdam in 1992 while touring in support of Bad Is Beautiful. The lineup featured Ralph Covert, Pickles Piekarski, Terry Wathen, and the late John Duich, whom the album is dedicated to. My first exposure to The Bad Examples was with this lineup, and let me tell you, this album did not disappoint the memory.
The Two-Meter Sessions is unplugged from when the word actually meant something, before Eric Clapton and Mariah Carey sullied the purity of the concept by introducing huge backup bands, multiple backup singers, and even electronics to the genre. Make no doubt about it - this is a couple of guys, a couple of guitars, some cool percussion, and some fantastic songwriting. The recording was made while on the VARA Two-Meter Sessions show in Holland. It was their first-ever acoustic set, but anyone who has ever seen Ralph perform solo with only his guitar knows that this is where it all starts. The set was only supposed to run four songs, but the host enjoyed them so much, they ended up playing for nearly an hour.
Some classic Bad Examples material is covered, as well as two never-before released Covert originals, "Battle Hymn of the Repugnant" and "The Master Thief Has Been Murdered," the latter of which will have you singing the chorus for days longer. Other standout tunes include "Ashes of My Heart," "Statue By the Phone," "Promises In the Dark," and John Duich's solo rendition of Robert Johnson's "Kindhearted Woman Blues."
A bonus for the price of admission is the hilarious story within the liner notes, detailing the fateful trip to Amsterdam. An excellent story to accompany an equally good CD.