Life is a Grand... is the only full-length release from Multi-instrumentalist, songwriter, composer Henry Badowski.
Badowski's solo career began in the summer of 1979, with the release of "Making Love With My Wife" on Deptford Fun City label. Recorded at Pathway Studios, the track was performed completely by Badowski and displayed a strong '60s influence, with airs of Syd Barrett and Kevin Ayers. The B-side "Baby Sign Here With Me", utilized the talents of James Stevenson (bass/guitar) from Chelsea, Alex Kolkowski (violin) and Dave Berk (drums), both from the Johnny Moped Band. The single drew favourable reviews and within a month he had signed a contract with A&M Records, releasing a further two singles "My Face" and "Henry's in Love", closely followed by the album Life Is a Grand..., a classic slice of psychedelia that was to signal the end of Badowski's solo career.
Badowski's apprenticeship started in several UK bands including Norman And The Baskervilles, Lick It Dry and the New Rockets, Badowski joined punk band Chelsea on bass, but in early 1978, after only a few months, he left to enlist as keyboard player for Stiff Records artist Wreckless Eric. During the summer of that year, he sang and played keyboards with the short-lived King, a punk/psychedelic group that included Dave Berk (drums), Kim Bradshaw (bass) and ex- Damned, Captain Sensible (guitar). Consequently, when King folded, Badowski took up the bass with the re-formed the Damned offshoot, the Doomed. With the new year came the new position of drummer with the Good Missionaries, an experimental band created by Mark Perry from Alternative TV.
Video Life Is a Grand...
Track listing
All tracks composed by Henry Badowski; except where indicated
- "My Face" 3:20
- "Henry's in Love" 3:09
- "Swimming With The Fish in the Sea" 4:46
- "The Inside Out" 3:27
- "Life Is a Grand" 3:44
- "Silver Trees" 3:34
- "This Was Meant To Be" 3:50
- "Anywhere Else" (Badowski, James Stevenson) 3:54
- "Baby, Sign Here With Me" 3:50
- "Rampant" 4:09
Maps Life Is a Grand...
Musicians
- Henry Badowski - voice, saxophones, bass, keyboards, percussion
- James Stevenson - guitar, bass
- Aleksander Kolkowski - violins
- Dave Berk - drums (uncredited)
External links
- Official site
Source of article : Wikipedia
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