Ass (album)
Encyclopedia
Ass is the fourth and last album released on Apple Records
by power pop
band Badfinger
. The opening track, "Apple of My Eye
", refers to the band leaving the label to begin its new contract with Warner Brothers Records. The cover artwork (showing a donkey chasing a distant carrot) alludes to Badfinger's feelings that they had been misled by Apple over the years. The cover was painted by Grammy Award
winning artist Peter Corriston
who would later create famous album covers for Led Zeppelin
(Physical Graffiti
) and The Rolling Stones
(Some Girls, Tattoo You
).
, Ass wasn't released until 26 November 1973 in the US and May 1974 in the UK. The album was originally delayed because of production quality, as the band attempted to produce the album themselves after producer Todd Rundgren
departed the project with just two songs recorded. After a first version of the album was rejected by the label, Apple engineer Chris Thomas
was hired as a first-time producer to improve the overall recordings and make new track selections.
The album was further delayed when a disagreement surfaced between Apple and Badfinger's management on publishing copyrights. The majority of the tracks on Ass were written by Joey Molland
. Molland, unlike his bandmates, never signed a publishing agreement with Apple Music, instead assigning the individual copyrights of his songs selected for Badfinger albums to Apple Music after production. Badfinger's then-manager, Stan Polley, attempted to use Apple's lack of a publishing agreement with Molland to block release of the album; he told Molland not to agree to any individual assignments, and Molland obliged. To circumvent Polley's strategy, all songs on the US and UK album releases of Ass were credited by Apple to Badfinger, not to the actual authors.
Ultimately, Ass peaked at #122 in the Billboard 200
and did not chart in the UK. The single "Apple of My Eye
" only peaked at #102 on Billboard's "Bubbling Under" chart in America. After the album was deleted from the Apple catalog a large number of heavily discounted copies appeared in cut-out
bins at US record stores during the 1970s. The original CD version released in the 1990s is now rare because it was re-released only in a few countries (UK, Canada and Japan) for a limited period.
Ass was Apple's last original album that was not by an ex-Beatle. From then on, only the Beatles as solo artists released records on Apple until the label went out of business in 1976.
Apple Records
Apple Records is a record label founded by The Beatles in 1968, as a division of Apple Corps Ltd. It was initially intended as a creative outlet for the Beatles, both as a group and individually, plus a selection of other artists including Mary Hopkin, James Taylor, Badfinger, and Billy Preston...
by power pop
Power pop
Power pop is a popular musical genre that draws its inspiration from 1960s British and American pop and rock music. It typically incorporates a combination of musical devices such as strong melodies, crisp vocal harmonies, economical arrangements, and prominent guitar riffs. Instrumental solos are...
band Badfinger
Badfinger
Badfinger were a British rock band consisting originally of Pete Ham, Ron Griffiths, Mike Gibbins and Tom Evans, active from 1968 to 1983, and evolving from The Iveys, formed by Ham, Griffiths and David "Dai" Jenkins in Swansea, Wales, in the early 1960s. Joey Molland joined the group in 1969,...
. The opening track, "Apple of My Eye
Apple of My Eye (Badfinger song)
"Apple of My Eye" is a song recorded by the rock/pop band Badfinger for inclusion on their 1973 album, Ass. The song was written and sung by Pete Ham, produced by Chris Thomas and Badfinger, and released on Apple Records....
", refers to the band leaving the label to begin its new contract with Warner Brothers Records. The cover artwork (showing a donkey chasing a distant carrot) alludes to Badfinger's feelings that they had been misled by Apple over the years. The cover was painted by Grammy Award
Grammy Award
A Grammy Award — or Grammy — is an accolade by the National Academy of Recording Arts and Sciences of the United States to recognize outstanding achievement in the music industry...
winning artist Peter Corriston
Peter Corriston
Peter Corriston is a Grammy-nominated graphic designer currently based in Greenwich Village, notable for designing the album artwork for several major rock bands and musicians. Corriston has worked internationally with such artists as Billy Idol, Chick Corea, Carole King, Debbie Harry, George...
who would later create famous album covers for Led Zeppelin
Led Zeppelin
Led Zeppelin were an English rock band, active in the late 1960s and throughout the 1970s. Formed in 1968, they consisted of guitarist Jimmy Page, singer Robert Plant, bassist/keyboardist John Paul Jones, and drummer John Bonham...
(Physical Graffiti
Physical Graffiti
Physical Graffiti is the sixth studio album by the English rock band Led Zeppelin, released on 24 February 1975 as a double album. Recording sessions for the album were initially disrupted when bassist/keyboardist John Paul Jones considered leaving the band...
) and The Rolling Stones
The Rolling Stones
The Rolling Stones are an English rock band, formed in London in April 1962 by Brian Jones , Ian Stewart , Mick Jagger , and Keith Richards . Bassist Bill Wyman and drummer Charlie Watts completed the early line-up...
(Some Girls, Tattoo You
Tattoo You
Tattoo You is the 16th British and 18th American studio album by The Rolling Stones, released in 1981. The follow-up to Emotional Rescue, it proved to be a big critical and commercial success...
).
History
Although recordings for the album began as early as 1972, shortly after the release of Straight UpStraight Up (album)
Straight Up is the third album by power pop band Badfinger, released on December 13, 1971. It is widely regarded as Badfinger's best album, spawning two Top 20 singles in the U.S. and being commercially successful in its own right. The album was released on the The Beatles' Apple Records label and...
, Ass wasn't released until 26 November 1973 in the US and May 1974 in the UK. The album was originally delayed because of production quality, as the band attempted to produce the album themselves after producer Todd Rundgren
Todd Rundgren
Todd Harry Rundgren is an American multi-instrumentalist, songwriter and record producer. Hailed in the early stage of his career as a new pop-wunderkind, supported by the certified gold solo double LP Something/Anything? in 1972, Todd Rundgren's career has produced a diverse range of recordings...
departed the project with just two songs recorded. After a first version of the album was rejected by the label, Apple engineer Chris Thomas
Chris Thomas (record producer)
Chris Thomas is an English record producer who has worked extensively with The Beatles, Pink Floyd, Roxy Music, Badfinger, Elton John, Paul McCartney, Pulp and The Pretenders. He has also produced breakthrough albums for The Sex Pistols and INXS.Thomas is quoted as saying -Early life:Thomas was...
was hired as a first-time producer to improve the overall recordings and make new track selections.
The album was further delayed when a disagreement surfaced between Apple and Badfinger's management on publishing copyrights. The majority of the tracks on Ass were written by Joey Molland
Joey Molland
Joseph "Joey" Charles Molland is an English composer and rock guitarist whose recording career spans four decades...
. Molland, unlike his bandmates, never signed a publishing agreement with Apple Music, instead assigning the individual copyrights of his songs selected for Badfinger albums to Apple Music after production. Badfinger's then-manager, Stan Polley, attempted to use Apple's lack of a publishing agreement with Molland to block release of the album; he told Molland not to agree to any individual assignments, and Molland obliged. To circumvent Polley's strategy, all songs on the US and UK album releases of Ass were credited by Apple to Badfinger, not to the actual authors.
Ultimately, Ass peaked at #122 in the Billboard 200
Billboard 200
The Billboard 200 is a ranking of the 200 highest-selling music albums and EPs in the United States, published weekly by Billboard magazine. It is frequently used to convey the popularity of an artist or groups of artists...
and did not chart in the UK. The single "Apple of My Eye
Apple of My Eye (Badfinger song)
"Apple of My Eye" is a song recorded by the rock/pop band Badfinger for inclusion on their 1973 album, Ass. The song was written and sung by Pete Ham, produced by Chris Thomas and Badfinger, and released on Apple Records....
" only peaked at #102 on Billboard's "Bubbling Under" chart in America. After the album was deleted from the Apple catalog a large number of heavily discounted copies appeared in cut-out
Cut-out (recording industry)
In the recording industry, a cut-out refers to a deeply-discounted or remaindered copy of an LP, cassette tape, Compact Disc, or other item.- History :...
bins at US record stores during the 1970s. The original CD version released in the 1990s is now rare because it was re-released only in a few countries (UK, Canada and Japan) for a limited period.
Ass was Apple's last original album that was not by an ex-Beatle. From then on, only the Beatles as solo artists released records on Apple until the label went out of business in 1976.
Side one
- "Apple of My EyeApple of My Eye (Badfinger song)"Apple of My Eye" is a song recorded by the rock/pop band Badfinger for inclusion on their 1973 album, Ass. The song was written and sung by Pete Ham, produced by Chris Thomas and Badfinger, and released on Apple Records....
" (Ham) - 3:06 - "Get Away" (Molland) - 3:59
- "Icicles" (Molland) - 2:32
- "The Winner" (Molland) - 3:18
- "Blind Owl" (Evans) - 3:00
Side two
- "Constitution" (Molland) - 2:58
- "When I Say" (Evans) - 3:05
- "Cowboy" (Gibbins) - 2:37
- "I Can Love You" (Molland) - 3:33
- "Timeless" (Ham) - 7:39
CD bonus tracks 2010 remaster (replaces previous bonus track)
- "Do You Mind" (Molland) - 3:15
- "Apple of My EyeApple of My Eye (Badfinger song)"Apple of My Eye" is a song recorded by the rock/pop band Badfinger for inclusion on their 1973 album, Ass. The song was written and sung by Pete Ham, produced by Chris Thomas and Badfinger, and released on Apple Records....
" [Early Mix] (Ham) - 3:02 - "Blind Owl" [Alternate Version] (Evans) - 2:52
- "Regular" (Molland) - 2:39
- "Timeless" [Alternate Version] (Ham) - 5:27
Digital bonus tracks 2010 remaster
- "Get Away" [Alternate Version] (Molland) - 3:32
- "When I Say" [Alternate Version] (Evans) - 3:14
- "The Winner" [Alternate Version] (Molland) - 3:15
- "I Can Love You" [Alternate Version] (Molland) - 3:37
- "Piano Red" [Previously Unreleased] (Ham) - 3:31
Personnel
- Pete Ham – guitar, piano, synthesizer, vocals
- Tom EvansTom Evans (musician)Thomas Evans Jr was a musician who was most notable for his work with the band Badfinger.- Badfinger :In 1969, The Iveys changed their name to Badfinger and Paul McCartney of The Beatles gave the group a boost by offering them his song "Come and Get It" which he produced for the band...
– bass, vocals - Joey MollandJoey MollandJoseph "Joey" Charles Molland is an English composer and rock guitarist whose recording career spans four decades...
– guitar, piano, vocals - Mike Gibbins – drums, vocals