SPILL ALBUM REVIEW: VARIOUS ARTISTS – JUST LOOK INSIDE THE COVER – SONGS OF PETE HAM

VARIOUS ARTISTS
JUST LOOK INSIDE THE COVER – SONGS OF PETE HAM
Y&T MUSIC

Over the past two years, Y&T Music has done an incredible job honouring the memory and legacy of Pete Ham and Badfinger. They released two albums of his demos (Gwent Gardens and Acoustic,) not to mention an album of unreleased songs by the pre-Badfinger band, The Iveys. With this album, Rich Ulloa of Y&T Music has assembled a number of artists to cover some of Pete Ham’s unreleased demos. Just Look Inside The Cover is the second tribute album for Pete Ham that Y&T has assembled. This compilation is very different from their first album, Shine On – A Tribute To Pete Ham, because the songs are less well-known and exist only as Ham’s demos.

Many of these songs had to be fleshed out by their respective artists. Sadly, Badfinger or Pete Ham never fully realized the songs in this collection, but the artists ran with the demos and not only embraced the spirit of Badfinger and Pete Ham but added their own distinct flair. Two of the artists have a direct connection with Badfinger. An original member of The Iveys covers the very pop-oriented “Take Good Care Of My Baby.” With help from Fernando Perdomo, the song has a definite Badfinger feel and is no longer a lost gem. Former Badfinger member Bob Jackson (he was in the band in later years) contributes the title track, “Just Look Inside The Cover.” The song features some of Ham’s strongest lyrics, encouraging the music fan to look beyond the image and enjoy the music.

Ham wrote pop-rock songs. Given his life story and his sad ending (he took his own life at the age of 27 in 1975,) it is easy to read into the lyrics for clues, but that does the songs an injustice. Sure, there are moments the lyrics point to depression and sadness, but ultimately Just Look Inside The Cover is an album of wonderfully constructed songs that touch on everyday life, relationships, and life. The artists have all stepped up and delivered faithful and moving versions of the songs. Tobin Sprout is particularly heartbreaking with his emotional “Keep Your Country Tidy” and The Parlophonics explode with pop joy with their version of “Makes Me Feel Good”.

Just Look Inside The Cover is a brilliant album. A loving tribute full of catchy, melodic, and beautiful songs. It is also the perfect summer album; this should be the soundtrack for the summer of 2026. Pete Ham wrote infectious pop-rock songs, and no doubt he would approve of these versions. Just Look Inside The Cover is an extension of the Pete Ham and Badfinger legacy, and thank goodness his songs and spirit are being kept alive.

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