Bad Company – Straight Shooter

Bad Company – Straight Shooter

Released in 1975, Straight Shooter is the second studio album from British rock supergroup Bad Company, following their hugely successful self-titled debut. Building on the blues-infused hard rock sound that had made the band one of the most exciting new acts of the mid-seventies, the album delivers a confident collection of powerful guitar riffs, soulful vocals, memorable melodies and classic rock songwriting.

Formed in 1973, Bad Company brought together four experienced musicians with impressive musical pedigrees. Frontman Paul Rodgers and drummer Simon Kirke had previously played together in Free, guitarist Mick Ralphs was formerly a member of Mott The Hoople, and bassist Boz Burrell had been part of King Crimson. Their combined experience created a distinctive sound rooted in British blues rock, American Southern rock and the heavier end of classic rock.

Produced by the band themselves, Straight Shooter was recorded in September 1974 at Clearwell Castle in Gloucestershire using Ronnie Lane's Mobile Studio, with Ron Nevison engineering the sessions. The album captures the group developing the direct, stripped-back approach of their debut while introducing greater variety in its arrangements and songwriting.

Opening with the driving 'Good Lovin' Gone Bad', the record immediately establishes its muscular blues-rock character, driven by Mick Ralphs' guitar work and Rodgers' unmistakable vocal delivery. 'Feel Like Makin' Love' provides one of the band's most enduring songs, balancing a memorable acoustic introduction with a powerful, melodic rock arrangement and a particularly expressive vocal performance.

One of the album's defining moments is 'Shooting Star', an evocative rock narrative written by Rodgers about the rise and tragic downfall of a fictional musician. Its carefully developed arrangement and memorable chorus make it one of Bad Company's signature recordings and a landmark of classic seventies rock.

The second side maintains the momentum with 'Deal With The Preacher', a hard-driving blues-rock number, and 'Wild Fire Woman', which showcases the band's heavier guitar-led sound. 'Anna' offers a more understated, melodic contrast, before 'Call On Me' brings the album to a strong conclusion with another showcase for Rodgers' powerful vocals and the group's natural musical chemistry.

Originally released in the UK on Island Records and in the United States on Swan Song, Straight Shooter reached the top three of both the UK and US album charts, confirming Bad Company's position among the leading rock bands of the decade.

With its combination of blues-rock grit, arena-sized choruses, memorable guitar work and outstanding vocal performances, Straight Shooter remains an essential album of the classic British hard rock era. A cornerstone release for fans of Bad Company, Free, Mott The Hoople, blues rock and 1970s classic rock.

Tracklist

Side A

A1. Good Lovin' Gone Bad – 3:35
A2. Feel Like Makin' Love – 5:12
A3. Weep No More – 3:59
A4. Shooting Star – 6:14

Side B
B1. Deal With The Preacher – 5:01
B2. Wild Fire Woman – 4:32
B3. Anna – 3:41
B4. Call On Me – 6:03