JAMES GANG
Rides Again (MCA)
Reviewed by DJ Johnson

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Without question, this was the James Gang's finest hour. They'd been doing some heavy touring in support of their debut effort, Yer Album, which tends to hone a band to a sharp point, and they had pretty close to free run of a then brand new studio paradise called The Record Plant in Los Angeles. This combination of circumstances and the creative funkiness of songwriter/guitarist Joe Walsh brewed up Rides Again, an album that had a commercial hit ("Funk #49") and an artistic success ("The Bomber") and an interesting format: one side electric, one side acoustic. Old hat now, but something of a revelation in 1970. Walsh used side two to explore his contemplative side, and it worked like a charm, yielding strong, well written countrified folk/blues tunes like "Garden Gate" and a profoundly beautiful piece called "Ashes, The Rain and I." If you're a Joe Walsh fan and you want to hear his transition to a world class songwriter, The James Gang Rides Again is what you're looking for. All these years later, it still makes me a little sad when the record ends.

Track List:

Funk #49 * Asshtonpark * Woman * The Bomber (Closet Queen / Bolero / Cast Your Fate To The Wind) * Tend My Garden * Garden Gate * There I Go Again * Thanks * Ashes, The Rain and I

© 2000 - DJ Johnson