Tag: James Gang

Title: James Gang – The Best Of The James Gang (1973) [Analogue Productions 2019]
Genre: Rock
Format: SACD ISO + Hi-Res FLAC

The James Gang was an American rock band formed in Kent, Ohio in 1966. The band went through a variety of line-up changes until they recorded their first album as a power trio consisting of Joe Walsh (guitars, lead vocals), Tom Kriss (bass) and Jim Fox (drums). Dale Peters replaced Kriss on bass for the band’s second and third albums. The band had two hit songs, “Funk #49” and “Walk Away”, which continue to be popular on classic rock and AOR stations. In 1972, Walsh left to pursue a solo career and would later join the Eagles. The band continued on with a variety of other guitarists and lead singers to replace Walsh, but failed to produce a hit song over the course of six more studio albums and broke up in 1977. Various incarnations have reformed for several reunions since then.

On this compilation you’ll hear James Gang favorites including the FM radio staple “Funk #49,” – kick-started by the outspoken declaration “I sleep all day, out all nightI know where you’re goin'” – the sexual thrust of the head-bobbing “Woman,” and proto-metal slash of the multi-part “The Bomber.” The rest of the track list is just as steeped in psychedelic-and-blues-leaning discourse. “Midnight Man,” “Stop,” “Yadig?” “Take A Look Around,” “Funk #48,” “Walk Away” and the Jack Nitzsche-orchestrated “Ashes the Rain and I” are rounded out by Walsh’s Echoplex-equipped slide guitar, and his trio-mates, band founder Jim Fox on drums, piano and vocals, and bassist Tom Kriss, later replaced by Dale Peters. The James Gang burning on stage with the audience getting higher and higher. Listen — this is American music — strong, inventive and clean.

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Title: James Gang – James Gang Rides Again (1970) [MFSL 2017]
Genre: Rock
Format: SACD ISO + Hi-Res FLAC

With their second album Rides Again, the James Gang came into their own. Under the direction of guitarist Joe Walsh, the group – now featuring bassist Dale Peters – began incorporating keyboards into their hard rock, which helped open up their musical horizons. For much of the first side of Rides Again, the group tear through a bunch of boogie numbers, most notably the heavy groove of “Funk #49.” On the second side, the James Gang departs from their trademark sound, adding keyboard flourishes and elements of country-rock to their hard rock. Walsh’s songwriting had improved, giving the band solid support for their stylistic experiments. What ties the two sides of the record together is the strength of the band’s musicianship, which burns brightly and powerfully on the hardest rockers, as well as on the sensitive ballads.

hraudio | allmusic | discogs

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