WISH YOU WERE HERE (SYEOR 2018 EXCLUSIVE)

The majestic brilliance of this late-career Badfinger album will forever be clouded by the tragic circumstances surrounding its release. Contractually obligated to Warner Brothers to release six albums in three years, the band was in danger of exhausting their creative resources, but between the spirited admonishments of producer Chris Thomas (whose touch is especially felt on the horn- and string-embroidered tracks), Pete Ham's masterly songwriting, and the band's easy musical rapport and lush vocal harmonies, they banged out a classic. The album barely got a chance to see the light of day before it was recalled in 1975 due to a label/management lawsuit. The band was dropped from Warner Brothers, lost a good chunk of money, and were chastened by the experience. In Ham's case, he was utterly demoralized, and ended up committing suicide shortly after. His creative spark lives on in gems like "Meanwhile Back At The Ranch" and the crackling power-pop classic "Just a Chance."

• RSD Release Date: DDD
• Format: Vinyl
• Released: 01/23/2018
• Genre: Rock