Bachman–Turner Overdrive - BTO (1984)

“Bachman–Turner Overdrive” (Sometimes referred to as Hard And Fast) is the ninth studio album by Canadian rock band Bachman–Turner Overdrive, released in 1984. This is the only BTO studio album done without Robbie Bachman on drums. He disputed some of the agreements for the album and reunion, including the choice of Tim Bachman instead of Blair Thornton, and refused to join. This album is also the last studio album Randy Bachman has done to date with BTO. The album was originally released on Compleat Records, but it is currently in print under the Sun Record label. The leadoff single, "For the Weekend," also included an accompanying music video.
Eleven years after their 1973 eponymous debut on Mercury, Randy Bachman brings brother Tim Bachman, C.F. Turner, and original Chad Allan/Guess Who drummer Garry Peterson together for this very decent set, also self-titled Bachman-Turner Overdrive, on a Mercury subsidiary, Nashville's Compleat Records. Though Randy's final album with the group, 1977's “Freeways”, is the collectors item, this record has more punch, more direction, and lots more energy. The singer/songwriter seems somewhat revitalized, "For the Weekend" opening things up with the vocal hooks and singing guitar lines that made for great radio singles. C.F. Turner's "City's Still Growin'" bogs things down a bit it could have just as easily fit on the post-Randy “Street Action” and “Rock N' Roll Nights” albums, and been just as easily forgotten. For that matter, Tim Bachman and C.F. Turner's "Just Look at Me Now" almost qualifies for that distinction as well. There's no Blair Thornton here, no Jim Clench, and, as stated, drummer Robbie Bachman gets easily replaced by the original drummer for the Guess Who, but here's where these guys missed the boat: had Chad Allan from Brave Belt softened up the attack a bit with his contributions, which work so well with Randy Bachman, the album could have bridged the gap between the various versions of the Guess Who and BTO which were floating around confusing the public. "My Sugaree" is no doubt Randy Bachman's answer to Jerry Garcia's '70s FM hit "Sugaree." It is this, Bachman's cleverness and ability to cop riffs and disguise them, after all, which make these recordings worthwhile. "Another Fool" opens up side two with the same riff-heavy energy.

Track listing

01.  "For the Weekend"  (R. Bachman)  - 4:20
02.  "Just Look at Me Now"  (T. Bachman, Turner)  - 4:38
03.  "My Sugaree"  (R. Bachman)  - 3:47
04.  "City's Still Growin'"  (Turner)  - 5:44
05.  "Another Fool"  (R. Bachman)  - 5:29
06.  "Lost in a Fantasy"  (R. Bachman)  - 4:11
07.  "Toledo"  (Turner)  - 4:12
08.  "Service With a Smile"  (R. Bachman)  - 4:21

Credits
Randy Bachman - guitar, vocals
Tim Bachman - rhythm guitar, background vocals
Garry Peterson - percussion, drums, background vocals
C.F. Turner - bass guitar, vocals
Will MacCalder - piano
Denise McCann - background vocals
Mixing - Dave Slagter
Digital mastering - Hollis Flatt, MC Rather
Digital transfers - Don Powell
Engineers - Patrick Glover, Dave Slagter
Producers - Randy Bachman, Bachman–Turner Overdrive

Notes
Recorded At: Little Mountain Sound Studios
Genre: Rock
Length: 40:16

© 1984 Compleat Records