The Day's Parade
Encyclopedia
The Day's Parade is a five-song EP by American band The Badlees
, released on their independent label, Rite-Off Records, in July 1998 when they in "corporate limbo" due to the sale of Polygram
to Seagram
's corporation earlier in 1998.
decided to produce a short new EP of "unplugged" songs that were recorded in Bret Alexander's home basement studio.
Although The Day's Parade fell far short of the bands goal of releasing a new "album", it was the first new published material from the Badlees in nearly three and a half years. It featured simple, mainly-acoustic arrangements and a definite "live" feel and was fueled by various combinations of acoustic guitar, banjo, mandolin, and just a tad of electric guitar lead from Alexander and Jeff Feltenberger, along with minimal rhythm from drummer Ron Simasek and bassist Paul Smith and well-represented harmonica and lead vocals from Pete Palladino.
The five-song EP was bookmarked by two new originals, written by Bret Alexander and songwriting collaborator Mike Naydock, the upbeat opener "Leaning on the Days Parade" and the waltz-like ballad "90% of the Time", with some interesting wah-wah laced guitar leads, as a closer. The other three songs on The Day's Parade are remakes, two of which were updated versions of older Badlees tunes, with the third being an intense, upbeat version of Bruce Springsteen
's "Atlantic City
", sung by Alexander and, to date, the only true "cover" in the Badlees band catalog. The two updated songs came from the Badlees first two releases, "Last Great Act of Defiance" from the It Ain't For You EP and an excellent, banjo-based version of "Diamonds in the Coal" from the LP of the same name.
The Day's Parade was released on the independent Rite-Off Records, just as those early recordings had been, in July 1998. But its unplanned, quick recording and nearly instantaneous release tended to confuse many loyal Badlees fans and critics alike. They were strongly anticipating a full-length, major label release from the band and didn’t understand the corporate mess that was causing its delay.
The Badlees
The Badlees are a Roots rock band from central Pennsylvania formed in 1990. They released several independent albums and achieved national success with their 1995 album River Songs...
, released on their independent label, Rite-Off Records, in July 1998 when they in "corporate limbo" due to the sale of Polygram
PolyGram
PolyGram was the name of the major label recording company started by Philips from as a holding company for its music interests in 1945. In 1999 it was sold to Seagram and merged into Universal Music Group.-Hollandsche Decca Distributie , 1929-1950:...
to Seagram
Seagram
The Seagram Company Ltd. was a large corporation headquartered in Montreal, Quebec, Canada that was the largest distiller of alcoholic beverages in the world. Toward the end of its independent existence it also controlled various entertainment and other business ventures...
's corporation earlier in 1998.
Background
Unsure about their fate on a national label, yet unable to affirmatively do much to further their career on that front, The BadleesThe Badlees
The Badlees are a Roots rock band from central Pennsylvania formed in 1990. They released several independent albums and achieved national success with their 1995 album River Songs...
decided to produce a short new EP of "unplugged" songs that were recorded in Bret Alexander's home basement studio.
Although The Day's Parade fell far short of the bands goal of releasing a new "album", it was the first new published material from the Badlees in nearly three and a half years. It featured simple, mainly-acoustic arrangements and a definite "live" feel and was fueled by various combinations of acoustic guitar, banjo, mandolin, and just a tad of electric guitar lead from Alexander and Jeff Feltenberger, along with minimal rhythm from drummer Ron Simasek and bassist Paul Smith and well-represented harmonica and lead vocals from Pete Palladino.
The five-song EP was bookmarked by two new originals, written by Bret Alexander and songwriting collaborator Mike Naydock, the upbeat opener "Leaning on the Days Parade" and the waltz-like ballad "90% of the Time", with some interesting wah-wah laced guitar leads, as a closer. The other three songs on The Day's Parade are remakes, two of which were updated versions of older Badlees tunes, with the third being an intense, upbeat version of Bruce Springsteen
Bruce Springsteen
Bruce Frederick Joseph Springsteen , nicknamed "The Boss," is an American singer-songwriter who records and tours with the E Street Band...
's "Atlantic City
Atlantic City (song)
"Atlantic City" is a song written and recorded by rock musician Bruce Springsteen, which first appeared on Springsteen's 1982 solo album Nebraska, considered to be one of Springsteen's most dour albums in tone...
", sung by Alexander and, to date, the only true "cover" in the Badlees band catalog. The two updated songs came from the Badlees first two releases, "Last Great Act of Defiance" from the It Ain't For You EP and an excellent, banjo-based version of "Diamonds in the Coal" from the LP of the same name.
The Day's Parade was released on the independent Rite-Off Records, just as those early recordings had been, in July 1998. But its unplanned, quick recording and nearly instantaneous release tended to confuse many loyal Badlees fans and critics alike. They were strongly anticipating a full-length, major label release from the band and didn’t understand the corporate mess that was causing its delay.
Track listing
Note – the order listed below is from the original Rite-Off Records release of February, 1995.Personnel
- Pete Palladino – Vocals, Harmonica
- Bret Alexander – Acoustic & Electric Guitar, Dobro, Banjo, Mandolin, Dulcimer, Vocals
- Jeff Feltenberger – Acoustic Guitar, Mandolin, Vocals
- Paul SmithPaul SmithPaul Smith may refer to:In music:*Paul Smith , British record label manager and art event producer*Paul Smith , prominent composer of American film music*Paul Smith , Los Angeles jazz pianist...
– Bass, Keyboards, Vocals - Ron Simasek – "Small" Drums, Percussion