Can’t Get Enough: A Tribute To Bad Company Review
If we tap into superstition, good things tend to come in threes. Imagine celebrating your 50th anniversary, as well as being inducted into the 2025 Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. But sometimes you can’t get enough, especially when you’re a supergroup who shot to success in the States with the kinda stripped-back, no-frills bluesy rock ‘n’ roll that speaks to the heart and soul.
Now Bad Company is getting its first-ever officially sanctioned tribute album, as a mixture of legendary and contemporary musicians from Slash and Joe Elliott to Blackberry Smoke indulge in their own rock ‘n’ roll fantasy. While it’s a crying shame the band’s bassist Boz Burrell and guitarist (and key songwriter) Mick Ralphs are no longer with us to hear these fresh interpretations of 10 Bad Company classics, their spirit runs deep with the rest of the pack, as surviving members Paul Rodgers and Simon Kirke make welcome appearances.
Rodgers joins Halestorm two tracks in for an energetic and powerful take on the groovy beat of “Shooting Star.” Sad and beautiful at the same time, this Rodgers-penned composition about a life cut short is brought back to life in an explosive manner, offering something totally different to the drama and slow build-up of the original.
We all know Slash is partial to writing a world-class power ballad, so it’s no surprise he alongside Myles Kennedy and The Conspirators more than do justice to the iconic riffery of the timeless Rodgers/Ralphs composition “Feel Like Makin’ Love.” Slash’s expressive bluesy guitar work marries perfectly with Kennedy’s flawless vocals, as they shift from cradle strumming to the heavier, grittier feel of passion on the chorus.
Blackberry Smoke keep things smokin by paying tribute on their take of “Run With The Pack” with respect, authenticity, pure playing chops, and their wall of Southern Rock warmth. Brandon’s keyboards and the melodic guitar harmonies are nearly as much of a treat as the incomparable Rodgers adding the backing vocals to the title track (that he wrote) off their third studio album released in 1976.
The Struts slay “Rock ‘n’ Roll Fantasy” by rocking up this killer dance number, while Dirty Honey “Rock Steady” in style with a heavy and velvet lead guitar tone that bites the air. This really is the new school kicking it old school, but Elliott and Phil Collen of Def Leppard show there’s still life in the old cats with their moving cover of “Seagull.” If their heartfelt contribution isn’t enough to stir the soul, this acoustical beauty soars to new heights when they’re joined by esteemed company. Kirke flies in on the drums and Collen’s glorious bluesy bends latch onto the wings of the Rodgers voice that remains as rich and effortless as ever.
From Charlie Crockett’s unique country tone and delivery on “Bad Company” to Black Stone Cherry’s heavy rock tones towering over “Burnin’ Sky,” it’s great to hear such a diverse mix of artists keeping the music of one of the finest supergroups fresh in 2025. Like Burrell, Kirke, Ralphs, and Rodgers were in Bad Company, each artist here is a vital ingredient in its success.
Bad Company would be proud and so should they.
Absolutely raging that they named the album Can’t Get Enough then leave the title off the album. Very sloppy.
I played Royaledle every day after trying it out of curiosity. It’s easy to use yet highly addictive.
I am just gonna hope that they (Whom ever wrote this review) isn’t blowing smoke , so many of there’s kinds of Tribute albums suck the new bands ckming Ina f tryingbtino the old bsmvds style and feel It can’t be done of course theres exception to every rule, Exception White Loin does T-Rexs Radar Love or Testament doing Areosmiths Nobody’s Fault Dangerous Toys And Feel like Making Love is pretty good but I like how l The Cult covered Steppenwolfs Born to be Wild
Detailed and well-analyzed. Copero provides the same level of analysis for Copero.