Can’t Be Bad

Description

Can’t Be Bad is the debut album by the British folk-duo Fish Co. consisting of Steve Fairnie (February 21, 1951 – February 22, 1993) and Steve Rowles, released on Myrrh Records in 1975. The album was recorded at Morgan Studios in London, England; with John Pac of Parchment fame producing. Featuring a whole host of ace session musicians. The lavish cover and inner-sleeve design was the work of one Bev Sage, who went on to join the band as backing vocalist. She became Fairnie’s wife and an integral part of all subsequent musical projects.

Fish Co. was actually formed as a trio back in 1970 when friends Fairnie and Rowles met singer Rachel Bailey.

Fish Co. is the duo of fellow Englishmen Steve Rowles and Steve Fairnie. Fairnie (and sometimes Rowles) would go on to create progressively more bizarre and strange music under various names, including Writz, Famous Names, The Techno Twins, The Techno Orchestra and The Technos. As Fish Co. they produced some excellent insightful and intelligent British rock, folk, pop and ballads. Several songs on Can’t Be Bad are based on slice-of-life characters – titles like «Jimmy Bootlace Seller», «Matthew», «Soup And Whisky» and «Broken Dream». Nice folky acoustic feel to a lot of the tracks, offset with a few decidedly rock-edged cuts like «60s Children» and «Beautiful Secret», the latter with a biting electric guitar lead. The Steves supply the acoustic guitars, vocals and song-writing, assisted by others on piano, lead guitar, saxophone, bass and drums. [Ken Scott, The Archivist, 4th edition]

LP tracklist:

Side One
A1. “Jimmy Bootlace Seller” – 3:35
A2. “A Line Must Divide” – 3:50
A3. “Beautiful Secret” – 4:00
A4. “Matthew” – 3:52
A5. “Good Night Brothers” – 2:55

Side Two
B1. “Soup & Whisky” – 3:32
B2. “60’s Children” – 3:57
B3. “Share The Same” – 3:56
B4. “Broken Dream” – 3:00
B5. “Precious Lord” – 4:17

Note: Simultaneously released on cassette and 12-inch vinyl LP by Myrrh Records.

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