What Bad for Good could have been - Page 2

Julie in the rv mirror · 10 Mar 2010, 03:11

Quote:

Originally Posted by besty

As for left in the dark, it's a toss up for me, I really like the spoken intro on Bad for Good and both Jim and Meat have the intensity in their versions, but quite simply Meat is a much better singer than Jim so Meat's version edges it. For what it's worth I think the production of the Cecilia Wennersten version beats them both and also it's clearly a female vocal and I don't like Streissand!!!

I'm in the (I think) minority of people who prefer Jim's version of Left in the Dark. The spoken intro is a plus. And while I'd agree that, in general, Meat is a better singer than Jim, there is just something in Jim's voice that nails the emotion in the song for me. I don't care for Streisand's version either, although I like her for the most part.

Mr. Happy · 10 Mar 2010, 06:20

Quote:

You'll wait forever for Meat to do Stark Raving Love. He's said that he hates the song.

really? D: I thought it was a great song, definitly my favorite from BFG

Quote:

Welcome to the Forum, nice to have another Aussie among us.

Carole

Thanks

Hoping to enjoy my stay here

Quote:

Let's try this again:

While I've loved ALL the covers that have been done of the Bad for Good album songs (particularly the ones on Bat 2), the ones off Bat 2 lacked the Steinman feel to them.

He means the Steinman covers that weren't on Bat 2. It's just worded badly.

Ow. Typo. I meant Bat out of Hell 3 - Bat 2 remains my favorite album EVER. I definitly enjoyed the songs from Bat 3, but they seemed to lack that epic feel the ones from Bat 2 had applied to them. That said, I still think I prefer this version of BFG - dunno why, the version from Bat 3 seemed to lack the soul this one has

Quote:

I'm in the (I think) minority of people who prefer Jim's version of Left in the Dark. The spoken intro is a plus. And while I'd agree that, in general, Meat is a better singer than Jim, there is just something in Jim's voice that nails the emotion in the song for me. I don't care for Streisand's version either, although I like her for the most part

I'm with you

While I enjoyed Meats version of the song on WTTN, there were some aspects of it that were done much better in Steinmans version. The spoken bits at the start and end were great in the BFG version - other then that, I felt that the first chorus was a bit...off, in some way. The piano was done on an electric piano and INCREDIBLY dumbed down in Meat's version, and this was the main thing that killed the song for me. The piano in the BFG version was simply amazing - it remains my favorite piano ballad to date (alongside Objects).

Just my opinion

Julie in the rv mirror · 10 Mar 2010, 07:42

Quote:

Originally Posted by Fenechboy

The piano in the BFG version was simply amazing - it remains my favorite piano ballad to date (alongside Objects).

Just my opinion

That would be "The Professor" Roy Bittan!

(on Left in the Dark, not Objects).

I love Objects as well, but I think my favorites are Heaven Can Wait and For Crying Out Loud.

daveake · 10 Mar 2010, 08:34

Quote:

Originally Posted by WhenItComes2LovingU

Let's try this again:

While I've loved ALL the covers that have been done of the Bad for Good album songs (particularly the ones on Bat 2), the ones off Bat 2 lacked the Steinman feel to them.

He means the Steinman covers that weren't on Bat 2. It's just worded badly.

We can try it again if you like ...

daveake · 10 Mar 2010, 08:36

Quote:

Originally Posted by Julie in the rv mirror

I'm in the (I think) minority of people who prefer Jim's version of Left in the Dark. The spoken intro is a plus. And while I'd agree that, in general, Meat is a better singer than Jim, there is just something in Jim's voice that nails the emotion in the song for me. I don't care for Streisand's version either, although I like her for the most part.

Same minority as me then.

*AndyK* · 10 Mar 2010, 10:16

If there had never been the "falling out" after Bat, and if Meat hadn't had the vocal problems he had around Deadringer, then I don't think there would ever have been an album titled Bat Out Of Hell II, and since many of the songs featured on Bat II were recycled from BfG and Original Sin then any album released in that time frame would have been susbstantially different to the Bat II we know now, likewise anyting released when WTTN and Bat III were released.

The Bat II title came around as part of the reconciliation between Meat and Jim and the subsequent marketing strategy from Virgin. If there hadn't been a split in the first place there would have been no need for a reconciliation or a comeback.

carole · 10 Mar 2010, 11:10

[QUOTE
As for the comment above there are many songs that Meat does much better live such as Lemon, Frying Pan, Midnight, Modern Girl, most of Bat 1... There are also songs that are never as good live as on the album: FCOL, AFL, RARD, Bad Attitude... It's just a case of swings and roundabouts.[/QUOTE]

I have to disagree with that, AFL and FCOL, especially the MSO DVD one, are absolutely brilliant live. The passion in Meat's voice when he sings them live is absolutely breathtaking.

Carole

MeatLoafFanRay · 10 Mar 2010, 12:35

Meat's version of Left In The Dark imo is the best, but it's a shame the spoken intro wasn't included on it though.

daveake · 10 Mar 2010, 12:49

Quote:

Originally Posted by MeatLoafFanRay

Meat's version of Left In The Dark imo is the best, but it's a shame the spoken intro wasn't included on it though.

I much prefer Jim's version. However I did see Meat singing it live once, and thought that was much better than his recorded version.

Dave

TSR · 10 Mar 2010, 13:09

I think Meat's Left In The Dark was 'dumbed down' if you like for a reason ...If it carried the epic Bat II style and sound it would of stuck out like a proverbial 'sore thumb' (more so than it ended up doing) and would therefore of totally broken the continutity of the record, which as we know was a story and not just a collection of songs.

I much prefer (musically & stylistically) the original recordings of both 'Original Sin' & 'Left In The Dark, but if they were too true to the originals, then they just would not of worked on 'Welcome To The Neighbourhood'

Evil One · 10 Mar 2010, 17:55

Quote:

Originally Posted by carole

I have to disagree with that, AFL and FCOL, especially the MSO DVD one, are absolutely brilliant live. The passion in Meat's voice when he sings them live is absolutely breathtaking.

Carole

I never said they weren't. Just that the studio versions are better.

daveake · 10 Mar 2010, 18:40

Agreed. FCOL on Bat 1 goes down as being the best vocal performance ever, by anyone, in my book.

WhenItComes2LovingU · 11 Mar 2010, 03:29

Quote:

Originally Posted by Julie in the rv mirror

That would be "The Professor" Roy Bittan!

(on Left in the Dark, not Objects).

Actually, not on "Left in the Dark" either. Piano for that track was by Steve Margoshes. (For those about to correct me, I'm referring to BFG, not WTTN.)

Julie in the rv mirror · 11 Mar 2010, 08:02

Quote:

Originally Posted by WhenItComes2LovingU

Actually, not on "Left in the Dark" either. Piano for that track was by Steve Margoshes. (For those about to correct me, I'm referring to BFG, not WTTN.)

Really? Where did you find this? I ask because I purposely went over the liner notes again before I posted this, and unless I missed it, I only see Roy listed as playing piano.

WhenItComes2LovingU · 12 Mar 2010, 20:11

The liner notes at the back of the CD insert aren't enough. You have to look at the listings for each song. The band for "Left in the Dark" is:

Jim Steinman: Vocals, Voice and Assorted Keyboards
Neal Jason: Bass
Steve Margoshes: Piano
Alan Schwartzberg: Drums
Backing Vocals: Rory Dodd, Eric Troyer
Orchestra Arranged and Conducted by Charles Calello

Matty Morrice24 · 12 Mar 2010, 22:31

No Weinberg on Drums either for this one. They must have had something on with Springsteen at the time of recording LITD.
Good topic this & a lot of interesting posts. Love that 1988 tour. I prefer the Vienna BFG version actually (Wario Loaf also put that up & it's concert footage! Simply amazing) The guitar solo after "put yer foot on the gas let it go" rips up & I like the 'heavier' feel to it compared to B'ham. He played The Music Hall in Aberdeen, my hometown, & I wish I could go back in time & see it because in a venue like that it would have been mesmorising. My jaw would be on the ground all night.
And yes I agree with poster about FCOL vocal on Bat. Will never be beaten, it's simply stunning.

Julie in the rv mirror · 13 Mar 2010, 06:52

Quote:

Originally Posted by WhenItComes2LovingU

The liner notes at the back of the CD insert aren't enough. You have to look at the listings for each song. The band for "Left in the Dark" is:

Jim Steinman: Vocals, Voice and Assorted Keyboards
Neal Jason: Bass
Steve Margoshes: Piano
Alan Schwartzberg: Drums
Backing Vocals: Rory Dodd, Eric Troyer
Orchestra Arranged and Conducted by Charles Calello

We must have different CD booklets- mine doesn't break down the credits for each song.

So, I went to my vinyl copy (yes, I am old ), and didn't find it there either, until I looked at the picture sleeve from the 45rpm of Rock and Roll Dreams, which was included with the album. And yes, you are correct.
As I said, I'm old.

Bruce was recording and touring with The River around that time, which may explain Roy and Max not being on LITD.

renegadeangel · 20 Mar 2010, 23:08

Quote:

Originally Posted by AndyK

If there had never been the "falling out" after Bat, and if Meat hadn't had the vocal problems he had around Deadringer, then I don't think there would ever have been an album titled Bat Out Of Hell II, and since many of the songs featured on Bat II were recycled from BfG and Original Sin then any album released in that time frame would have been susbstantially different to the Bat II we know now, likewise anyting released when WTTN and Bat III were released.

The Bat II title came around as part of the reconciliation between Meat and Jim and the subsequent marketing strategy from Virgin. If there hadn't been a split in the first place there would have been no need for a reconciliation or a comeback.

This is very true. Except that I think that a falling out was inevitable. Jim is far too slow to keep up to the pace of what Meat wanted for releasing albums. Meat released Deadringer in 81, MNATLAF in 83, BA in 85, and BBIS in 87.
He has since indicated that he would have preferred to wait on more Steinman songs but in that same period, Jim actually only had 7 songs up to 1988. That would have been one album for Meat.
After that he had Pandoras Box which he wrote six more songs. So even if that was another Meat album, it would have added up to only four albums for the 80s. Not too bad right? Almost enough for an album every two years. Except Jim takes forever to do anything. Even with Meat pushing him, I doubt we would have seen anything more than this:

Renegade Angel 1981
Dead Ringer 1984
album 1988
album 1992
Greatest hits 1996

All this is very possible if you take into account the touring and promotional schedule and the fact that Jim might be working with other artists as well. Jim would have wanted to go further and even be more over the top with each album. And that would take more time.
Would have been an interesting discography though.

10 Mar 2010, 10:16	#31
AndyK Relentless Join Date: 21.11.2003 Location: Over the top..... seeing what's on the other side Posts: 18,694	If there had never been the "falling out" after Bat, and if Meat hadn't had the vocal problems he had around Deadringer, then I don't think there would ever have been an album titled Bat Out Of Hell II, and since many of the songs featured on Bat II were recycled from BfG and Original Sin then any album released in that time frame would have been susbstantially different to the Bat II we know now, likewise anyting released when WTTN and Bat III were released. The Bat II title came around as part of the reconciliation between Meat and Jim and the subsequent marketing strategy from Virgin. If there hadn't been a split in the first place there would have been no need for a reconciliation or a comeback.

10 Mar 2010, 11:10	#32
carole Mega Loafer Join Date: 20.10.2007 Location: Gold Coast Posts: 2,286	[QUOTE As for the comment above there are many songs that Meat does much better live such as Lemon, Frying Pan, Midnight, Modern Girl, most of Bat 1... There are also songs that are never as good live as on the album: FCOL, AFL, RARD, Bad Attitude... It's just a case of swings and roundabouts.[/QUOTE] I have to disagree with that, AFL and FCOL, especially the MSO DVD one, are absolutely brilliant live. The passion in Meat's voice when he sings them live is absolutely breathtaking. Carole

10 Mar 2010, 12:35	#33
MeatLoafFanRay Super Loafer Join Date: 09.08.2009 Location: Ipswich Posts: 308	Meat's version of Left In The Dark imo is the best, but it's a shame the spoken intro wasn't included on it though.

10 Mar 2010, 13:09	#35
TSR Junior Loafer Join Date: 22.08.2009 Location: Posts: 38	I think Meat's Left In The Dark was 'dumbed down' if you like for a reason ...If it carried the epic Bat II style and sound it would of stuck out like a proverbial 'sore thumb' (more so than it ended up doing) and would therefore of totally broken the continutity of the record, which as we know was a story and not just a collection of songs. I much prefer (musically & stylistically) the original recordings of both 'Original Sin' & 'Left In The Dark, but if they were too true to the originals, then they just would not of worked on 'Welcome To The Neighbourhood'

10 Mar 2010, 18:40	#37
daveake 200% is the new 110% Join Date: 13.03.2005 Location: Newbury Posts: 2,983	Agreed. FCOL on Bat 1 goes down as being the best vocal performance ever, by anyone, in my book.

12 Mar 2010, 20:11	#40
WhenItComes2LovingU Banned Join Date: 16.01.2006 Posts: 303	The liner notes at the back of the CD insert aren't enough. You have to look at the listings for each song. The band for "Left in the Dark" is: Jim Steinman: Vocals, Voice and Assorted Keyboards Neal Jason: Bass Steve Margoshes: Piano Alan Schwartzberg: Drums Backing Vocals: Rory Dodd, Eric Troyer Orchestra Arranged and Conducted by Charles Calello

12 Mar 2010, 22:31	#41
Matty Morrice24 Rookie Join Date: 22.02.2007 Posts: 14	No Weinberg on Drums either for this one. They must have had something on with Springsteen at the time of recording LITD. Good topic this & a lot of interesting posts. Love that 1988 tour. I prefer the Vienna BFG version actually (Wario Loaf also put that up & it's concert footage! Simply amazing) The guitar solo after "put yer foot on the gas let it go" rips up & I like the 'heavier' feel to it compared to B'ham. He played The Music Hall in Aberdeen, my hometown, & I wish I could go back in time & see it because in a venue like that it would have been mesmorising. My jaw would be on the ground all night. And yes I agree with poster about FCOL vocal on Bat. Will never be beaten, it's simply stunning.