4487 - VARIOUS ARTISTS - The Music Is You: A Tribute to John Denver (2013)

VARIOUS ARTISTS
''THE MUSIC IS YOU: A TRIBUTE TO JOHN DENVER''
APRIL 2 2013
59:59

1/Leaving on a Jet Plane
John Denver /My Morning Jacket /3:56
2/Take Me to Tomorrow
John Denver /Dave Matthews /3:27
3/All of My Memories
John Denver /Kathleen Edwards /4:56
4/Prisoners
John Denver /Sharon Van Etten, J Mascis /3:12
5/Sunshine on My Shoulders
John Denver / Dick Kniss /Train /4:25
6/Back Home Again
John Denver /Old Crow Medicine Show /4:22
7/This Old Guitar
John Denver /Lucinda Williams /2:44
8/Some Days Are Diamonds
John Denver /Amos Lee /3:58
9/Rocky Mountain High
John Denver /Allen Stone /4:47
10/Annie's Song
John Denver /Brett Dennen, Milow /2:58
11/Looking for Space
John Denver /Evan Dando /3:39
12/Take Me Home, Country Roads
Bill Danoff / Taffy Danoff / John Denver /Brandi Carlile, Emmylou Harris /3:11
13/The Eagle and the Hawk
John Denver /Blind Pilot /2:36
14/I Guess He'd Rather Be in Colorado
Bill Danoff / Taffy Danoff /Mary Chapin Carpenter /3:14
15/Darcy Farrow
Tom Campbell / Steve Gillette /Barnstar!, Josh Ritter /3:33
16/Wooden Indian
John Denver /Edward Sharpe & The Magnetic Zeros /5:01

John Alagia /Bass, Mixing, Percussion, Pump Organ
Chris Anzalone /Drums
Jake Armerding /Fiddle
Taylor Armerding /Mandolin
Barnstar!/Arranger
Brandi Carlile /Organ, Percussion, Piano, Vocals
Mary Chapin Carpenter /Guitar (Acoustic), Vocals
Kati Claborn /Mountain Dulcimer, Vocals
Evan Dando /Guitars, Vocals/
Brett Dennen /Guitar (Acoustic), Guitar (Electric), Ukulele, Vocals, Xylophone
Ryan Dobrowski /Drums
Kathleen Edwards /Guitar (Acoustic), Violin, Vocals
Mark Erelli /Guitar, Vocal Harmony
Critter Fuqua /Banjo, Vocals
Phil Hanseroth /Bass, Percussion, Vocals
Tim Hanseroth /Guitars, Percussion, Vocals
Emmylou Harris /Vocals
Kevin Hayes /Guitjo, Vocals
Zachariah Hickman /Bass (Upright)
Morgan Jahnig /Bass, Vocals
Jim James /Bass, Effects, Vocals (Background)
John Jennings /Bass (Upright), Guitar (Electric)
Gill Landry /Dobro, Vocals
Erich Launing /Vocals (Background)
Amos Lee /Guitar, Vocals
Dave Matthews /Guitar, Vocals
Chance McCoy /Guitar, Vocals
Christian McNeill /Vocals (Background)
Milow /Vocals
Israel Nebeker /Guitar (Electric), Ukulele, Vocals
Butch Norton /Drums
Jimmy Parr /Bass
Ross Petersen /Percussion
Doug Pettibone /Guitar (Electric)
Kevin Ratterman /Drums, Effects, Piano
Josh Ritter /Arranger, Guitar, Vocals
Charlie Rose /Banjo
Ketch Secor /Fiddle, Vocals
Edward Sharpe & the Magnetic Zeros
David Sutton /Bass
Lucinda Williams /Guitar (Acoustic), Vocals
Luke Ydstie /Baritone Ukulele, Double Bass, Harmonium, Vocals
Cory Younts /Mandolin, Vocals

REVIEW
by James Christopher Monger
John Denver was no William Shakespeare, but he could wield sentimentality as skillfully as the bard could wax poetic. ATO Records' The Music is You: A Tribute to John Denver gathers up an oddball team of contemporary artists with a shared love for the late Muppets/Rocky Mountains loving singer/songwriter, and lets them strut and fret their hours upon the stage by paying homage to a rich assortment of Denver classics. Not as immediately gratifying as 2000's Mark Kozelek-curated Take Me Home: A Tribute to John Denver, the 16-track collection does have its moments. Some artists, like My Morning Jacket ("Leaving on a Jet Plane"), Train ("Sunshine on My Shoulders"), and Old Crow Medicine Show ("Back Home Again"), play it straight, which despite putting in fine performances, simply makes you miss the impossibly beautiful sound of Denver's voice. Other participants like Edward Sharpe & the Magnetic Zeroes ("Wooden Indian") and J Mascis and Sharon Van Etten ("Prisoners") turn up the heat, which in the latter's case sounds a lot like Dinosaur Jr. with Sharon Van Etten providing backing vocals, but ultimately, it’s the outliers that keep things interesting. Josh Ritter and Barnstar! turn1972's "Darcy Farrow" into a full-on pub-worthy Dubliners song, Blind Pilot forge the already epic “The Eagle and the Hawk” into an indie arena rock anthem, and Brandi Carlile and Emmylou Harris (a duo that should invest some more time together) twist "Take Me Home Country Roads" into the feral, gospel stomper you never knew it wanted to be, breathing new life into the songs without losing a thing in the process.
DoWnLoAd

4486 - ALLAN CLARKE - The Only One (1980)

ALLAN CLARKE
''THE ONLY ONE''
1980
44:32

1/The Only Ones/Benson, Clarke /4:11
2/Slipstream/Benson, Clarke /4:32
3/Walls/Benson, Clarke /5:00
4/Baby Blue/Peter Ham /3:37
5/Brandenburg Plaza/Benson, Clarke /4:21
6/The Survivor/Benson, Clarke /6:15
7/Driving The Doomsday Cars/Benson, Clarke /4:26
8/Sanctuary/Benson /4:26
9/Imagination's Child/Benson, Clarke /4:06
10/Legendary Heroes/Clarke, Proffer /4:42

Acoustic Guitar/Doug Rohne, Richard Bennet
Arranged By Spencer Proffer
Arranged By [With] Allan Clarke, Richard Bennet, Tom Hensley
Backing Vocals/Allan Clarke, Bart Bishop, Phil O'Kelsey, Randy Bishop, Ronn Price
Bass Guitar/Leland Sklar, Mike Pocaro
Electric Guitar/Doug Rohne, Richard Bennet
Electric Guitar, Soloist/Billy Thorpe On 6
Keyboards/Tom Hensley
Lead Guitar/Richard Bennet
Percussion/Larry Brown
Rhythm Guitar/Doug Rohne, Richard Bennet

BIOGRAPHY
by William Ruhlmann
Singer/guitarist/songwriter Allan Clarke is one of the founders of the Hollies; intermittently, he also has maintained a solo career. Clarke and his childhood friend, Graham Nash, began singing together in Manchester in the '50s. Adding Eric Haydock (bass) and Don Rathbone (drums) (replaced by Bobby Elliott in 1963), they became the Fourtones in 1961 and then the Deltas in 1962. By early 1963, when they added Tony Hicks (guitar) and signed a record contract, they had become the Hollies. Their initial repertoire consisted of American R&B songs (though they soon began to write original material), and their defining characteristic was a strong vocal style, usually with Clarke in the lead and Nash and Hicks providing harmonies. In the U.K., the Hollies enjoyed consistent singles success, starting with "Just Like Me," the first of 29 chart singles, 17 of which made the Top Ten, with two -- "I'm Alive" and "He Ain't Heavy, He's My Brother" -- reaching number one. Their appearances on the U.S. charts were less successful, though they managed to rack up 23 chart singles, six of which hit the Top Ten. Nash decamped at the end of 1968 to form Crosby, Stills, and Nash, but the Hollies continued.
Clarke quit in August 1971 and launched a solo career, during which he made three albums: My Name Is 'arold (1972), Headroom (1973), and Allan Clarke (1974). He rejoined the Hollies in July 1973, but maintained his solo career, releasing I've Got Time in 1976. He left a second time in March 1978 and made I Wasn't Born Yesterday (1978), but returned in August. His subsequent albums included Legendary Heroes (1979) and The Only One (1980), plus a Best Of compilation in 1981. In 1983, Nash rejoined Clarke, Elliott, and Hicks in the Hollies for the album What Goes Around ... and a reunion tour, after which Clarke, Elliott, and Hicks carried on as the Hollies.
DoWnLoAd

4485 - ALLAN CLARKE - Legendary Heroes (1980)

ALLAN CLARKE
''LEGENDARY HEROES''
1980
44:54

1/Slipstream
Gary Benson / Allan Clarke/4:32
2/The Only Ones
Gary Benson / Allan Clarke/4:12
3/Walls
Gary Benson / Allan Clarke/5:00
4/Brandenburg Plaza
Gary Benson / Allan Clarke/4:22
5/The Survivor
Gary Benson / Allan Clarke/6:16
6/Driving the Doomsday Cars
Gary Benson / Allan Clarke/4:28
7/Baby Blue
Pete Ham/3:39
8/Sanctuary
Gary Benson/4:28
9/Imagination's Child
Allan Clarke / Spencer Proffer/4:07
10/Legendary Heroes
Gary Benson / Allan Clarke/4:41

Arranged By [With] Allan Clarke, Richard Bennett, Tom Hensley
Backing Vocals/Phil O'Kelsey*, Randy Bishop
Bass/Leland Sklar, Mike Pocaro*
Drums/David Kemper
Electric Guitar, Acoustic Guitar/Doug Rohne*
Electric Guitar, Acoustic Guitar, Rhythm Guitar/Richard Bennett
Engineer, Percussion/Larry Brown
Keyboards/Tom Hensley
Produced, Arranged By Spencer Proffer

BIOGRAPHY
by William Ruhlmann
Singer/guitarist/songwriter Allan Clarke is one of the founders of the Hollies; intermittently, he also has maintained a solo career. Clarke and his childhood friend, Graham Nash, began singing together in Manchester in the '50s. Adding Eric Haydock (bass) and Don Rathbone (drums) (replaced by Bobby Elliott in 1963), they became the Fourtones in 1961 and then the Deltas in 1962. By early 1963, when they added Tony Hicks (guitar) and signed a record contract, they had become the Hollies. Their initial repertoire consisted of American R&B songs (though they soon began to write original material), and their defining characteristic was a strong vocal style, usually with Clarke in the lead and Nash and Hicks providing harmonies. In the U.K., the Hollies enjoyed consistent singles success, starting with "Just Like Me," the first of 29 chart singles, 17 of which made the Top Ten, with two -- "I'm Alive" and "He Ain't Heavy, He's My Brother" -- reaching number one. Their appearances on the U.S. charts were less successful, though they managed to rack up 23 chart singles, six of which hit the Top Ten. Nash decamped at the end of 1968 to form Crosby, Stills, and Nash, but the Hollies continued.
Clarke quit in August 1971 and launched a solo career, during which he made three albums: My Name Is 'arold (1972), Headroom (1973), and Allan Clarke (1974). He rejoined the Hollies in July 1973, but maintained his solo career, releasing I've Got Time in 1976. He left a second time in March 1978 and made I Wasn't Born Yesterday (1978), but returned in August. His subsequent albums included Legendary Heroes (1979) and The Only One (1980), plus a Best Of compilation in 1981. In 1983, Nash rejoined Clarke, Elliott, and Hicks in the Hollies for the album What Goes Around ... and a reunion tour, after which Clarke, Elliott, and Hicks carried on as the Hollies.
DoWnLoAd

4484 - ALLAN CLARKE - I Wasn't Born Yesterday (1978)

ALLAN CLARKE
''I WASN'T BORN YESTERDAY''
1978
38:12

1 - I Wasn't Born Yesterday/A Clarke, S Proffer, R Bishop/3:50
2 - Hope/A Clarke, S Proffer/3:50
3 - New Blood/A Clarke, R Bishop, S Proffer/3:45
4 - I'm Betting My Life On You/A Clarke, G Benson/3:29
5 - The Man Who Manufactures Daydreams/A Clarke, G Benson/4:29
6 - No Prisoner Taken (Light Brigade)/A Clarke, G Benson/3:48
7 - (I Will Be Your) Shadow In The Street/A Clarke, G Benson/3:21
8 - Light Of My Smiles/A Clarke, G Benson/3:30
9 - Who's Goin' Out The Back Door?/A Clarke, S Proffer, R Bishop/3:59
10 - Off The Record/A Clarke, G Benson/3:48

Backing Vocals/Allan Clarke, Herb Pederson, Randy Bishop, Steve Kipner
Bass/Mike Porcaro
Drums/David Kemper
Electric Guitar [Lead, Rhythm]/Ben Benay
Mandolin/Dean Webb
Percussion/Larry Brown
Piano/Tom Hensley
Produced, Arranged/Spencer Proffer
Synthesizer, Organ/Robbie Buchanan

BIOGRAPHY
by William Ruhlmann
Singer/guitarist/songwriter Allan Clarke is one of the founders of the Hollies; intermittently, he also has maintained a solo career. Clarke and his childhood friend, Graham Nash, began singing together in Manchester in the '50s. Adding Eric Haydock (bass) and Don Rathbone (drums) (replaced by Bobby Elliott in 1963), they became the Fourtones in 1961 and then the Deltas in 1962. By early 1963, when they added Tony Hicks (guitar) and signed a record contract, they had become the Hollies. Their initial repertoire consisted of American R&B songs (though they soon began to write original material), and their defining characteristic was a strong vocal style, usually with Clarke in the lead and Nash and Hicks providing harmonies. In the U.K., the Hollies enjoyed consistent singles success, starting with "Just Like Me," the first of 29 chart singles, 17 of which made the Top Ten, with two -- "I'm Alive" and "He Ain't Heavy, He's My Brother" -- reaching number one. Their appearances on the U.S. charts were less successful, though they managed to rack up 23 chart singles, six of which hit the Top Ten. Nash decamped at the end of 1968 to form Crosby, Stills, and Nash, but the Hollies continued.
Clarke quit in August 1971 and launched a solo career, during which he made three albums: My Name Is 'arold (1972), Headroom (1973), and Allan Clarke (1974). He rejoined the Hollies in July 1973, but maintained his solo career, releasing I've Got Time in 1976. He left a second time in March 1978 and made I Wasn't Born Yesterday (1978), but returned in August. His subsequent albums included Legendary Heroes (1979) and The Only One (1980), plus a Best Of compilation in 1981. In 1983, Nash rejoined Clarke, Elliott, and Hicks in the Hollies for the album What Goes Around ... and a reunion tour, after which Clarke, Elliott, and Hicks carried on as the Hollies.
DoWnLoAd

4483 - ALLAN CLARKE - I've Got Time (1976)

ALLAN CLARKE
''I'VE GOT TIME''
1976
52:35

1/Blinded by the Light
Bruce Springsteen
2/Light a Light
Janis Ian
3/We've Got Time
Melissa Manchester / Carole Bayer Sager
4/Stand My Me
Rod Taylor
5/Long Way
Dan Fogelberg
6/Hallelujah Freedom
Junior Campbell
7/If You Think You Know How to Love Me
Mike Chapman / Nicky Chinn
8/If You Walked Away
David Pomeranz
9/Sunrise
Jeffrey Marmelzat / Spencer Proffer
10/Living in Love
Gavin Sutherland

BIOGRAPHY
by William Ruhlmann
Singer/guitarist/songwriter Allan Clarke is one of the founders of the Hollies; intermittently, he also has maintained a solo career. Clarke and his childhood friend, Graham Nash, began singing together in Manchester in the '50s. Adding Eric Haydock (bass) and Don Rathbone (drums) (replaced by Bobby Elliott in 1963), they became the Fourtones in 1961 and then the Deltas in 1962. By early 1963, when they added Tony Hicks (guitar) and signed a record contract, they had become the Hollies. Their initial repertoire consisted of American R&B songs (though they soon began to write original material), and their defining characteristic was a strong vocal style, usually with Clarke in the lead and Nash and Hicks providing harmonies. In the U.K., the Hollies enjoyed consistent singles success, starting with "Just Like Me," the first of 29 chart singles, 17 of which made the Top Ten, with two -- "I'm Alive" and "He Ain't Heavy, He's My Brother" -- reaching number one. Their appearances on the U.S. charts were less successful, though they managed to rack up 23 chart singles, six of which hit the Top Ten. Nash decamped at the end of 1968 to form Crosby, Stills, and Nash, but the Hollies continued.
Clarke quit in August 1971 and launched a solo career, during which he made three albums: My Name Is 'arold (1972), Headroom (1973), and Allan Clarke (1974). He rejoined the Hollies in July 1973, but maintained his solo career, releasing I've Got Time in 1976. He left a second time in March 1978 and made I Wasn't Born Yesterday (1978), but returned in August. His subsequent albums included Legendary Heroes (1979) and The Only One (1980), plus a Best Of compilation in 1981. In 1983, Nash rejoined Clarke, Elliott, and Hicks in the Hollies for the album What Goes Around ... and a reunion tour, after which Clarke, Elliott, and Hicks carried on as the Hollies.
DoWnLoAd

4482 - ALLAN CLARKE (1974)

ALLAN CLARKE
''ALLAN CLARKE''
1974
33:51

1/Don't Let Me Down Again
Lindsey Buckingham
2/Can't Get on
Roger Cook / Herbie Flowers
3/I'll Be Home
Randy Newman
4/I Wanna Sail into Your Life
Roger Cook / Herbie Flowers
5/Side Show
Roger Cook / Herbie Flowers
6/If I Was the Priest
Bruce Springsteen
7/New Americans
Roger Cook
8/Love, Love, Love
Roger Cook
9/Send Me Some Livin'
Lloyd Price

Herbie Flowers/Bass
Tony Newman/Drums
Peter Robinson/Electric Piano
Ray Glynn/Guitar

BIOGRAPHY
by William Ruhlmann
Singer/guitarist/songwriter Allan Clarke is one of the founders of the Hollies; intermittently, he also has maintained a solo career. Clarke and his childhood friend, Graham Nash, began singing together in Manchester in the '50s. Adding Eric Haydock (bass) and Don Rathbone (drums) (replaced by Bobby Elliott in 1963), they became the Fourtones in 1961 and then the Deltas in 1962. By early 1963, when they added Tony Hicks (guitar) and signed a record contract, they had become the Hollies. Their initial repertoire consisted of American R&B songs (though they soon began to write original material), and their defining characteristic was a strong vocal style, usually with Clarke in the lead and Nash and Hicks providing harmonies. In the U.K., the Hollies enjoyed consistent singles success, starting with "Just Like Me," the first of 29 chart singles, 17 of which made the Top Ten, with two -- "I'm Alive" and "He Ain't Heavy, He's My Brother" -- reaching number one. Their appearances on the U.S. charts were less successful, though they managed to rack up 23 chart singles, six of which hit the Top Ten. Nash decamped at the end of 1968 to form Crosby, Stills, and Nash, but the Hollies continued.
Clarke quit in August 1971 and launched a solo career, during which he made three albums: My Name Is 'arold (1972), Headroom (1973), and Allan Clarke (1974). He rejoined the Hollies in July 1973, but maintained his solo career, releasing I've Got Time in 1976. He left a second time in March 1978 and made I Wasn't Born Yesterday (1978), but returned in August. His subsequent albums included Legendary Heroes (1979) and The Only One (1980), plus a Best Of compilation in 1981. In 1983, Nash rejoined Clarke, Elliott, and Hicks in the Hollies for the album What Goes Around ... and a reunion tour, after which Clarke, Elliott, and Hicks carried on as the Hollies.
DoWnLoAd

4481 - ALLAN CLARKE - Headroom (1973)

ALLAN CLARKE
''HEADROOM''
1973
45:00

1/Complete Controllable Man
Allan Clarke / Ray Glynn
2/People of That Kind
Allan Clarke
3/Fishin'
Allan Clarke / Ray Glynn
4/Who?
Allan Clarke / Ray Glynn
5/Drift Away
Mentor Williams
6/Shift Lovin' Lady
Allan Clarke
7/I Look in Your Eyes
Allan Clarke
8/Give Us a Song
Allan Clarke / Ray Glynn
9/Would You Believe (Revisited)
Allan Clarke / Tony Hicks / Graham Nash

Margo Newman/Backing Vocals On 7
Dee Murray/Bass, Backing Vocals
Tony Newman/Drums, Percussion, Backing Vocals
Ray Glynn/Guitar, Backing Vocals
Allan Clarke/Guitar, Vocals, Producer
Kirk Duncan/Piano, Organ, Synthesizer, Backing Vocals

BIOGRAPHY
by William Ruhlmann
Singer/guitarist/songwriter Allan Clarke is one of the founders of the Hollies; intermittently, he also has maintained a solo career. Clarke and his childhood friend, Graham Nash, began singing together in Manchester in the '50s. Adding Eric Haydock (bass) and Don Rathbone (drums) (replaced by Bobby Elliott in 1963), they became the Fourtones in 1961 and then the Deltas in 1962. By early 1963, when they added Tony Hicks (guitar) and signed a record contract, they had become the Hollies. Their initial repertoire consisted of American R&B songs (though they soon began to write original material), and their defining characteristic was a strong vocal style, usually with Clarke in the lead and Nash and Hicks providing harmonies. In the U.K., the Hollies enjoyed consistent singles success, starting with "Just Like Me," the first of 29 chart singles, 17 of which made the Top Ten, with two -- "I'm Alive" and "He Ain't Heavy, He's My Brother" -- reaching number one. Their appearances on the U.S. charts were less successful, though they managed to rack up 23 chart singles, six of which hit the Top Ten. Nash decamped at the end of 1968 to form Crosby, Stills, and Nash, but the Hollies continued.
Clarke quit in August 1971 and launched a solo career, during which he made three albums: My Name Is 'arold (1972), Headroom (1973), and Allan Clarke (1974). He rejoined the Hollies in July 1973, but maintained his solo career, releasing I've Got Time in 1976. He left a second time in March 1978 and made I Wasn't Born Yesterday (1978), but returned in August. His subsequent albums included Legendary Heroes (1979) and The Only One (1980), plus a Best Of compilation in 1981. In 1983, Nash rejoined Clarke, Elliott, and Hicks in the Hollies for the album What Goes Around ... and a reunion tour, after which Clarke, Elliott, and Hicks carried on as the Hollies.
DoWnLoAd

4480 - ALLAN CLARKE - My Real Name Is 'Arold (1972) (ViNyL)

ALLAN CLARKE
''MY REAL NAME IS 'AROLD
1972
39:53

1/Ruby/3:01
A. Clarke, R. Glynn
2/Mary Skeffington/2:52
Rafferty
3/Baby It's Alright With Me/5:22
A. Clarke
4/Moonshine Whiskey/3:51
A. Clarke
5/Goodbye/4:07
A. Clarke
6/You're Losing Me/4:10
Chater, Armand
7/Le Us Prey/4:13
A. Clarke, R. Glynn
8/Patchwork Quilts/3:51
Slater, A. Clarke
9/Walpurgis Night/3:30
J. Egan
10/Bring On Your Smiles/2:53
A. Clarke, H. Flowers

Allan Clarke/Vocal, Acoustic Guitar, Harmonica
Ray Glynn/Guitar, Slide Guitar, Acoustic Guitar, Vocal, Mandolin
Roger Coulam/Organ, Piano
Alan Parker/Acoustic Guitar
Joe Morreti/Acoustic Guitar
Dee Murphy/Bass
Herbie Flowers/Bass, Piano
Eric Dillan/Drums, Percussion
Tony Newman/Bass, Timbales
Gary Booker/Piano
Joe Egan/Piano

BIOGRAPHY
by William Ruhlmann
Singer/guitarist/songwriter Allan Clarke is one of the founders of the Hollies; intermittently, he also has maintained a solo career. Clarke and his childhood friend, Graham Nash, began singing together in Manchester in the '50s. Adding Eric Haydock (bass) and Don Rathbone (drums) (replaced by Bobby Elliott in 1963), they became the Fourtones in 1961 and then the Deltas in 1962. By early 1963, when they added Tony Hicks (guitar) and signed a record contract, they had become the Hollies. Their initial repertoire consisted of American R&B songs (though they soon began to write original material), and their defining characteristic was a strong vocal style, usually with Clarke in the lead and Nash and Hicks providing harmonies. In the U.K., the Hollies enjoyed consistent singles success, starting with "Just Like Me," the first of 29 chart singles, 17 of which made the Top Ten, with two -- "I'm Alive" and "He Ain't Heavy, He's My Brother" -- reaching number one. Their appearances on the U.S. charts were less successful, though they managed to rack up 23 chart singles, six of which hit the Top Ten. Nash decamped at the end of 1968 to form Crosby, Stills, and Nash, but the Hollies continued.
Clarke quit in August 1971 and launched a solo career, during which he made three albums: My Name Is 'arold (1972), Headroom (1973), and Allan Clarke (1974). He rejoined the Hollies in July 1973, but maintained his solo career, releasing I've Got Time in 1976. He left a second time in March 1978 and made I Wasn't Born Yesterday (1978), but returned in August. His subsequent albums included Legendary Heroes (1979) and The Only One (1980), plus a Best Of compilation in 1981. In 1983, Nash rejoined Clarke, Elliott, and Hicks in the Hollies for the album What Goes Around ... and a reunion tour, after which Clarke, Elliott, and Hicks carried on as the Hollies.
DoWnLoAd

4479 - HEM - Departure And Farewell (2013)

HEM
''DEPARTURE & FAREWELL''
APRIL 2 2013
37:05

1. Departure and Farewell /3:25
2. Walking Past The Graveyard, Not Breathing /2:51
3. Things Are Not Perfect In Our Yard /2:21
4. The Seed /1:39
5. The Jack Pine /3:11
6. Tourniquet /3:56
7. Seven Angels /2:25
8. Gently Down The Stream /3:29
9. Bird Song /1:35
10. Traveler's Song /1:59
11. The Tides At The Narrows /2:28
12. Last Call /5:00
13. So Long /2:59

Amy Kimball /Violin
Kristin Andreassen /Choir/Chorus
Lauren Balthrop /Choir/Chorus
Mark Brotter /Drums
Charlie Burnham /Fiddle
Joe Chappel /Choir/Chorus
Claudia Chopek /Violin
Christine Kim /Cello
Michael Cirigliano /Clarinet
Allison Cornell /Viola, Violin
Tomás Cruz /Choir/Chorus
Steve Curtis /Guitar, Vocal Harmony
Christopher Duff /Trombone
Sally Ellson /Vocals
Carla Fabiani /Viola
Rob Fournier /Euphonium
Rachel Golub /Violin
The Gowanus Radio Auxiliary Gospel Choir /Choir/Chorus
The Gowanus Radio Chorus /Choir/Chorus
Gowanus Radio Orchestra /Orchestra
Todd Graves /Sax (Tenor)
Conrad Harris /Violin
Maria Harrold /French Horn
Rick Heckman /Clarinet, Flute, Oboe
Peter Hess /Clarinet
Bob Hoffnar /Dobro, Group Member, Pedal Steel
Byron Issacs /Choir/Chorus
Matt Keating /Choir/Chorus
Pauline Kim /Viola
Jim Lake /Flugelhorn, Trumpet
Dawn Landes /Choir/Chorus, Vocal Harmony
Judy Lee /French Horn
Tony Leone /Choir/Chorus
Ben Lively /Violin
Todd Livingston /Dobro
Victor Lowrie /Viola
Ale Mahave /Viola
Gary Maurer /Guitar, Mandolin, Vocal Harmony
Jessica Mayer /Viola
Dan Messe /Celeste, Glockenspiel, Piano, Piano (Electric), Vocal Harmony
Annie Nero /Choir/Chorus
Caryl Paisner /Cello
Victoria Paterson /Violin
Philip Payton /Violin
Phillip Payton /Concert Master
Greg Pliska /Arranger, Celeste, Conductor, Glockenspiel
Jody Redhage /Cello
Anna Reinersman /Harp
George Rush /Bass
Shannon Seals /Flugelhorn, Trumpet
Allison Seidner /Cello
Miranda Sielaff /Viola
Erika Simonian /Choir/Chorus
Coco Taguchi /Violin
Mioi Takeda /Violin
Una Tone /Violin
Jason Walker /Choir/Chorus
Orlando Wells /Violin
Mary Wooten /Cello
Garo Yellin /Cello

REVIEW
by Thom Jurek
Departure & Farewell is the first album by Hem in nearly seven years. They entered the studio in 2007 to record a proper follow-up to Funnel Cloud, and almost didn't get out. According to an interview with chief songwriter Dan Messe, the initial sessions were supposed to be for a final release, and broke down during a tumultuous period for the band internally. Certain relationships were strained to the breaking point and a period of separation was necessary. Thankfully, time, willingness, forgiveness, and respect heal wounds. Departure & Farewell is vital, ambitious; Hem sound renewed (they aren't breaking up). Many, including the opening title track, "Walking Past the Graveyard, Not Breathing," "Traveler's Song," and others make use of a large chamber orchestra (usually in parts) with winds, brass, and strings. Particularly effective are "Gently Down the Stream," with its woven electric and acoustic guitars and swooping strings, and the interplay of piano, harp, clarinet, guitars, and strings on "Tourniquet." Other cuts are much more sparse. The moving, hymn-like "The Seed" features the band with violinist Charles Burnham, while the gorgeous country-tinged "The Jack Pine" adds Bob Hoffnar's pedal steel. Sally Ellyson's signature warm, lullaby style is present in the silvery sweetness of "Seven Angels" and the shimmering "Bird Song," where glockenspiel, strings, percussion, and acoustic guitars offer an otherworldly waltz for her to carry the listener to another place. "Last Call" is an epilogue to drinking songs on earlier recordings such as "When I Was Drinking," "Lucky," and "Pacific Street." One of the two homemade choirs guests to underscore its late-night barroom feel. Another of these sends the record off on the bittersweet "So Long," a country gospel goodbye steeped in the notion of love without regret, leaving the possibility of return. No matter how expansive the arrangements, the production by Messe and guitarist Gary Maurer leaves plenty of room for space; they also -- wisely -- make Ellyson's voice the unwavering anchor in each song, its place of solace and comfort. Therefore, Hem's trademark sense of intimacy and elegant directness is never sacrificed. Departure & Farewell abundantly testifies to the band's creative vitality. Not only are these songs equal to anything they've presented before -- no mean feat for a record so long in the making -- their poetry and melodies deliver grace and tenderness more abundantly for having been tested by fire. Track for track, this was well worth waiting for.

BIOGRAPHY
by Erik Hage
The genesis of the New York-based folk outfit Hem goes back to 1999, when songwriter Dan Messe teamed up with producer/engineer Gary Maurer (who had worked with artists such as Jon Spencer, Luna, Fountains of Wayne, and James Iha). The two wanted to make a record that would explore their interests in traditional American music while draping it in contemporary stylings. They enlisted friend Steve Curtis (guitar, mandolin) and, needing a singer, placed an ad in The Village Voice. After receiving numerous demos that didn't suit their needs, the ad was pulled. Then Sally Ellyson called Messe about the spot, though she claimed that she wasn't really a singer.
Not expecting much, Messe asked for a demo. The tape, a cassette of lullabies she'd recorded for a friend's child, was exactly what Messe was looking for. The collaboration started out as a low-budget affair, but as the project grew and the bandmembers' faith in their work increased, Messe ended up selling off personal possessions in order to afford, for example, an 18-piece orchestra. The resulting album, 2001's Rabbit Songs, was recorded without any contemporary recording luxuries -- such as samples, computer mixing, or digital wizardry -- and focused instead on lush, traditional instrumentation and Ellyson's soothing vocals.
DreamWorks inked the band a deal in early 2003, and Rabbit Songs was reissued in July. Stateside club shows with Leona Naess followed. The group released a split EP, Birds, Beasts, & Flowers, with fellow chamber/country/pop collective the Autumn Defense in September 2004, with its second full-length, Eveningland, arriving the following month. No Word from Tom, a collection of covers, rarities, outtakes, demos, and live recordings, was released on Nettwerk in 2006. Hem continued releasing material at a prolific pace by issuing Funnel Cloud, the group's third studio album, that same year.
Three years later, the musicians founds themselves providing the soundtrack to a summer production of Twelfth Night. Held in Central Park and starring Anne Hathaway, Audra McDonald, and Raúl Esparza, the show required Hem to perform Irish instrumentals, original songs, and orchestral mood music. Cast members joined the band in the studio several months later to record an official album, which was released in October 2009. Meanwhile, the band continued to work on its proper follow-up to Funnel Cloud. Though 2009's Twelfth Night was issued under their name, it was essentially a traditional Celtic record performed by a cast of movie stars and Shakespearean actors, with Hem serving as the backup band. After an extended time away from one another, the bandmembers resumed working together in a studio in 2012. In the spring of 2013, they re-emerged with a proper new album entitled Departure and Farewell on Nettwerk.
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4478 - DAWES - Stories Don't End (2013)

DAWES
''STORIES DON'T END''
APRIL 9 2013
51:08

1. Just Beneath the Surface /4:08
2. From a Window Seat /4:28
3. Just My Luck /4:06
4. Someone Will /3:33
5. Most People /4:31
6. Something In Common /5:11
7. Hey Lover /2:47
8. Bear Witness /4:17
9. Stories Don't End /5:00
10. From the Right Angle /4:10
11. Side Effects /5:42
12. Just Beneath the Surface (Reprise) /3:15

BIOGRAPHY
by Pemberton Roach
California-based roots rock band Dawes was formed in the Los Angeles suburb of North Hills by brothers Taylor Goldsmith and Griffin Goldsmith (lead vocals/guitar and drums, respectively), Wylie Gelber (bass), and Alex Casnoff (guitar). They were previously in the band Simon Dawes, but after Blake Mills left the group, the changed the name (and added Casnoff, who was soon replaced by Tay Strathairn.) Unlike the more intense indie rock sound they had as Simon Dawes, Dawes were heavily influenced by the gentle, acoustic-based musical trappings and rich vocal harmony of the Laurel Canyon sound (Crosby, Stills & Nash, Neil Young, Joni Mitchell), as well as by the shambling, romanticized Americana of the Band. After connecting with producer Jonathan Wilson, the group began participating in informal jam sessions at Wilson's house with Bright Eyes' Conor Oberst, the Heartbreakers' Benmont Tench, and the Black Crowes' Chris Robinson. The loose feel of these get-togethers informed the group's aptly titled 2009 debut North Hills. The album was recorded in Laurel Canyon live to analog tape, which lent Dawes' recorded sound an authentically vintage vibe. The band's second album, 2011's Nothing Is Wrong had a similar feel and peaked at number 23 on the Billboard album charts. That same year, the band had the unique experiences of playing at the Occupy Wall Street protests and appearing as themselves on a prime-time network television show (Parenthood).
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4477 - THE RENEGADE SAINTS - Mercy Saints Alive! (2008)

THE RENEGADE SAINTS
''MERCY SAINTS ALIVE!''
APRIL 23 2008
68:28

1/Justice/5:14
2/Phoenix/5:23
3/Treadmill/4:14
4/Come Around/5:07
5/Like Some Folks Do/4:45
6/Thin Layer/5:31
7/A Letter Home/5:42
8/Strong Medicine/4:03
9/Still In Love With You/5:19
10/It's Only Rock 'N' Roll/6:34
11/Tara/3:50
12/This is My Life/7:15
13/Relief Highway/5:05

Dave Coey/Bass
John Shipe/Guitars
Al Toribio/Guitars
Mike Walker/Keyboards
Ned Failing/Drums

ABOUT
By CD Universe
The Renegade Saints cut a sonic diagonal across the Americana soundscape-from classic Southern jam, to Heartland Rock, to the gritty power of the Pacific Northwest. Four songwriters, three vocalists, and three lead instrumentalists ready to shred on cue, The Saints exhibit musical exploration reminiscent of those ancient multi-fronted bands like Fleetwood Mac, The Who, Pink Floyd & The Eagles! Albeit, with a 1990's injection of aggressive excitability. These guys honed themselves through ferocious touring, typical of the decade spawned them. And finally, after a decade, "Mercy Saints Alive!" gives fans the live album they've waited for. Recorded at the McMenamins Great Northwest Music Tour, it captures the characteristic raw power of an arena-rock-band-at-heart-playing-in-a-small-venue. Intimate, yet powerful. Back in 1994, they released a popular CD, "Fear of the Sky," from which nearly every song received airplay--on commercial, college, alternative, and Triple A formats. Since those halcyon days of independent music in the 90's, the individual Renegades keep working, cranking out dozens of albums, scattered amongst acclaimed acts such as Lea Krueger, Tony Furtado & Dirty Martini. Now they're back with the four original members: Bassist Dave Coey, Guitarists John Shipe & Al Toribio, and keyboardist Mike Walker. They've added their 5th drummer, Ned Failing (a fellow road-dog from The Strangers.)
While dutifully dusting off their old favorites, The Saints have also added new material from their more recent bodies of work in Kerosene Dream & John Shipe Band. Furthermore, as the reunion gigs mount, brand new Saints' songs have appeared out of nowhere, and landed themselves on "Mercy Saints Alive!"
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4476 - PERRY AND THE TRAVELLERS - The Grand Voyage (2011)

PERRY AND THE TRAVELLERS
''THE GRAND VOYAGE''
2011
33:59

1. Walkin' On That Line /3:04
2. Stand Together /2:48
3. All My Time /3:38
4. On The Edge /3:16
5. The World Through My Eyes /3:55
6. Give A Little Romance /3:19
7. Beautiful Place /4:24
8. Bikini Campfire /3:11
9. Run Run Run /3:18
10. Dodge Ram Jam /3:06

Anders "snake" Ahlm/keys, slide guitar, harmonica
Anders "Andy" Persson/Guitar & vocals
Lucas "Lunke" Lindstedt/Drums
Pär "Perry" Nordwall/Guitars & Lead vocals
Tim Flinth/Bass & Vocals
Guests:
Tobias Pettersson/Saxophone
Johanna Boe/Choir
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4475 - MOUNT SALEM - Endless (2013)

MOUNT SALEM
''ENDLESS''
FEBRUARY 18 2013
33:38

1.Good Times/5:43
2.Lucid/4:56
3.Full Moon/6:28
4.Mescaline/2:44
5.Hysteria/7:29
6.The End/6:16

Emily Kopplin/Vocals, Organ
Kyle Morrison/Lead Guitar
Mark Hewett/Bass Guitar
Cody Davidson/Drums

ABOUT
MOUNT SALEM is a four piece, female fronted Doom act from Chicago. The band was formed just in 2012 and their EP “Endless” is their first release. This EP contains just six songs and is about 40 minutes long enough to pass for a full length.

Somewhere here I should make a special remark and say that if you are sick of Doom bands playing this female fronted Vintage/Occult type of Rock then MOUNT SALEM has nothing to do with that style. An easy comparison would be with acts like ALUNAH and WITCH MOUNTAIN. MOUNT SALEM borrow from the first the crushing weight of the bass/guitar and from the latter their correct incorporation of Blues.

Like I mentioned MOUNT SALEM is a female fronted band and their singer (I couldn’t find her name…apologies) has some of the warmest vocals you can find in Doom right now. What is more her amazing vocal lines in combination with the catchy horror-like lyrics make the result extremely memorable.
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4474 - P (1995)

P
''P''
NOVEMBER 21 1995
57:08

1 - I Save Cigarette Butts/3:41
2 - Zing Splash/3:16
3 - Michael Stipe/4:24
4 - Oklahoma/3:38
5 - Dancing Queen/3:46
6 - Jon Glenn (Mega Mix)/8:59
7 - Mr. Officer/3:41
8 - White Man Sings The Blues/6:40
9 - Die Anne/4:41
10 - Scrapings From Ring/7:50
11 - The Deal/6:13

Bill Carter/Guitar, Bass
Johnny Depp/Guitar, Bass
Gibby Haynes/Vocals
Sal Jenco/Percussion
Additional personnel
Ruth Ellsworth-Carter/Keyboards
Flea/Bass
Steve Jones/Guitar
Andrew Weiss/Moog, Guitar
Chuck E. Weiss/Washboard

ABOUT
By Wikipedia
P was a short-lived American alternative rock band formed in early 1993 by Butthole Surfers frontman Gibby Haynes (vocals), actor Johnny Depp (guitar/bass), actor Sal Jenco (percussion), and songwriter Bill Carter (guitar/bass).

History
The band performed their first show at the Austin Music Awards in 1993 and released their eponymous album on November 21, 1995 under Capitol Records. It was reissued on May 8, 2007 under Caroline Records. They often played the odd gig at The Viper Room, of which Depp used to be co-owner. One of these gigs was played on October 30, 1993, where the lineup included Flea of Red Hot Chili Peppers. Haynes, along with other members of the line-up that night, was a good friend of actor River Phoenix. While the band were in the middle of their song "Michael Stipe", which includes the lines "I'm glad I met old Michael Stipe, I didn't get to see his car. Him and River Phoenix were leaving on the road tomorrow" and "but we didn't have a part, not a piece of our heart, not Michael, River Phoenix or Flea or me." Phoenix (unbeknownst to the band at the time) was outside the venue having seizures on the sidewalk. Phoenix died in the early hours of October 31 of heart failure brought on by an overdose of cocaine and heroin.

Discography
The band's only release was an eponymous album. It was originally released on November 21, 1995, under Capitol Records. The album was reissued on May 8, 2007, under the Caroline Records label. The band consisted of Gibby Haynes (Butthole Surfers), actor Johnny Depp (The Kids, Rock City Angels), actor Sal Jenco ("Blowfish" from 21 Jump Street) and songwriter Bill Carter. The additional musicians included on the album were Flea (Red Hot Chili Peppers), Steve Jones (Sex Pistols), Andrew Weiss (Ween, Rollins Band), Chuck E. Weiss (Lightnin' Hopkins, The G.D. Liars) and Ruth Ellsworth-Carter.
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4473 - MICHAEL STANLEY - The Hang (2012)

MICHAEL STANLEY
''THE HANG''
MAY 22 2012
69:57

1/From Somewhere Else/4:05
2/The Last Great Illusion/4:40
3/How Many Guitars Do You Need/5:18
4/Breaking Down
Michael Stanley / Michael Szymczyk/4:54
5/When It Don't Come Easy
Patty Griffin/4:38
6/Fait Accompli/4:58
7/A Damn Fine Way To Go/4:48
8/Wonder Wheel/5:00
9/Down In the Day/5:22
10/Back In the Day/4:32
11/Martha/5:11
12/Romeo & Juliet
Mark Knopfler/6:52
13/Another New Years Eve
Bob Pelander / Michael Stanley/5:33
14/The Hang/4:04
Tracks By Stanley, Except As Indicated

BIOGRAPHY
by Bret Adams
Cleveland native Michael Stanley became a regional phenomenon, but the singer/songwriter/guitarist and his Michael Stanley Band deserved more national success than they achieved. Stanley, whose real name is Michael Stanley Gee, played bass with the folk-rock group Silk in the late '60s. He then went solo and released two solo albums in the early '70s that fit right in with the "singer/songwriter" era. His talent attracted the likes of producer Bill Szymczyk and guest musicians Joe Walsh, Todd Rundgren, and David Sanborn from the beginning. He formed the Michael Stanley Band (aka MSB) in 1975 and pursued a more straightforward rock direction. MSB recorded a string of albums through the late '70s and early '80s that were modest successes nationally but major hits in Ohio. In fact, the Michael Stanley Band was such a sensation at home that it still holds attendance records at major concert venues. 1980's Heartland was easily MSB's best album, and Stanley agrees. It included the hit single "He Can't Love You" (sung by vocalist/keyboardist Kevin Raleigh) and the minor hit "Lover" (sung by Stanley and featuring blistering saxophone by Clarence Clemons). MSB's second and last Top 40 hit was Stanley's anthem "My Town" in 1983. After recording for Epic, Arista, and EMI, MSB independently released two albums on their own before breaking up in 1987.
The Michael Stanley Band was a reliably consistent, meat-and-potatoes enterprise responsible for superb Midwestern rock & roll. Stanley went on to become a popular television and radio personality in Cleveland. He still regularly releases albums -- solo and the one-off group project the Ghost Poets -- and performs annual summer and New Year's Eve shows along with occasional acoustic dates; these concerts and albums both feature MSB alumni and other Cleveland musicians. Razor & Tie has reissued most of MSB's catalog and two excellent best-of collections on compact disc.
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4472 - STEVE FORBERT - Over With You (2012) (REPOST)

STEVE FORBERT
''OVER WITH YOU''
SEPTEMBER 11 2012
36:52

1. All I Asked Of You /3:39
2. All I Need To Do /3:34
3. In Love With You /4:23
4. That'll Be Alright /3:33
5. Baby, I Know /2:52
6. Over With You /4:03
7. Don't Look Down, Pollyanna /4:28
8. Can't We Get Together? /3:07
9. Metal Marie /3:26
10. Sugarcane Plum Fairy /3:48
All Tracks By Forbert

Steve Forbert/Guitar, Vocals
Sheldon Gomberg/Bass (Electric), Bass (Upright)
Ben Harper/Guitar
Michael Jerome/Drums, Percussion
Ben Sollee/Bass (Electric), Cello
Jason Yates/Fender Rhodes, Organ (Hammond), Piano, Pump Organ, Wurlitzer

REVIEW
by Steve Leggett
Steve Forbert's debut album in 1978, Alive on Arrival, got him slapped with the "new Dylan" sticker, a death watch if there ever was one, since only Bob Dylan is or ever will be Bob Dylan, and placed unfair expectations on this gifted singer and songwriter from Mississippi. Forbert did manage a lone radio hit, "Romeo's Tune," in 1979, and while he's recorded a lot of impressive songs and albums since, the Dylan label was an albatross, and Forbert has been pretty much a well-kept secret ever since. His latest, the sparse and moving Over with You, finds his voice showing some wear and tear, but his songwriting, always more directly personal than Dylan's, is as sharp as ever. The production here is sparse and hushed, and mostly acoustic, and these ten songs form a kind of song cycle about the wins, losses, and complexities of relationships -- Forbert's Blood on the Tracks, if you will, but stripped for the most part of the layered metaphors typical of Dylan's writing. The album's opener, "All I Asked of You," sets the tone. Unhurried and direct, the song is an honest look at expectations in a relationship, and Forbert delivers it with a sort of honesty that Dylan usually struggles to veil, however magnificently. Everything follows with an easy, unhurried pace, rich in small detail, and songs like "In Love with You" have a sort of resigned, exhausted acceptance of love that only hard years of experience can earn. The one song here that does remind one of Dylan is the closer, "Sugarcane Plum Fairy," which is rich in sharply observed poetics and metaphor, and the kind of writing that got Forbert into the Dylan straitjacket over 30 years ago in the first place. What gets lost in all that is the fact that Forbert, while he didn't turn out to be the new Dylan, if he ever even wanted to be, is a wonderful songwriter with a clear and sharply observed vision of how life in the heart unfolds and reveals itself with the passage of time.

BIOGRAPHY
by Jason Ankeny
Anointed "the new Dylan" upon his recording debut, folk-rock singer/songwriter Steve Forbert was born in Meridian, MS, in 1954. After learning guitar at age 11, he spent his high school years playing in a variety of local bands before quitting his job as a truck driver and moving to New York City at the age of 21. There, he performed for spare change in Grand Central Station before working his way up to the Manhattan club circuit. After signing to Nemperor, Forbert debuted in 1978 with Alive on Arrival, which earned critical acclaim for its taut, poetic lyrics. The follow-up, 1979's Jackrabbit Slim, was his most successful outing, reaching the Top 20 on the strength of the hit single "Romeo's Tune" (allegedly inspired by the late Supreme Florence Ballard). However, both 1980's Little Stevie Orbit and a self-titled 1982 effort fared poorly, and Forbert was dropped by his label. He spent much of the decade in Nashville, where he continued honing his songwriting skills and performed regularly throughout the South. In 1988, he signed to Geffen, where the E Street Band's Garry Tallent produced his comeback album, Streets of This Town. Pete Anderson took over the production reins for 1992's The American in Me, but Forbert's continued lack of chart success prompted the label to cut him loose. A deal with the Warner Bros.-affiliated Giant label resulted in two more studio albums, 1995's Mission of the Crossroad Palms and 1996's Rocking Horse Head, but in 1998 Forbert moved into independent territory for his next album, the rollicking live set Here's Your Pizza. Forbert signed with Koch Records for his next studio disc, 2000's Evergreen Boy, where he also released Any Old Time (a tribute to country music legend Jimmie Rodgers) in 2002 and Just Like There's Nothin' to It (a collection of new songs) in 2004. During this period, Forbert also released two compilations of rare and unreleased material, Young, Guitar Days and More Young, Guitar Days, as well as several live recordings. On Stage at World Cafe Live appeared in 2007 from Decca Vision as well as a new studio set, Strange Names and New Sensations, from 429 Records that same year. The Place and the Time arrived in 2009. The Chris Goldsmith-produced Over with You, a sparse song cycle that shows Forbert's fine songwriting skills, appeared in 2012.
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4471 - JOE WALSH - Look What I Did!: The Joe Walsh Anthology, Disc Two (1995)

JOE WALSH
''LOOK WHAT I DID!: THE JOE WALSH ANTHOLOGY, DISC TWO''
MAY 23 1995
150:00

DISC ONE
1/Tuning, Pt. 1
Bert de Coteaux / Jimmy Fox / Bill Szymczyk/0:40
2/Take a Look Around
Barrett Strong / Joe Walsh / Norman Whitfield/5:55
3/Funk #48
Jim Fox / Tom Kriss / Joe Walsh/2:46
4/The Bomber
Jim Fox / Dale Peters / Joe Walsh/7:02
5/Tend My Garden
Joe Walsh/5:29
6/Funk #49
Jim Fox / Dale Peters / Joe Walsh/3:55
7/Ashes, the Rain & I
Dale Peters / Joe Walsh/4:56
8/Walk Away
Joe Walsh/3:33
9/It's All the Same
Joe Walsh/4:10
10/Midnight Man
Joe Walsh/3:28
11/Here We Go
Joe Walsh/4:58
12/Midnight Visitor
Joe Walsh/3:08
13/Mother Says
Kenny Passarelli / Joe Vitale / Joe Walsh/5:52
14/Turn to Stone
Terry Trebandt / Joe Walsh/5:14
15/Comin' Down
Joe Walsh/1:51
16/Meadows
Rocke Grace / Kenny Passarelli / Joe Vitale / Joe Walsh/4:36
17/Rocky Mountain Way
Rocke Grace / Kenny Passarelli / Joe Vitale / Joey Vitale / Joe Walsh/5:41

DISC TWO
1/Welcome to the Club
Joe Walsh/5:09
2/All Night Laundry Mat Blues
Joe Walsh/0:59
3/County Fair
Joe Walsh/6:43
4/Help Me Thru the Night
Joe Walsh/3:37
5/Life's Been Good
Joe Walsh/8:03
6/Over and Over
Joe Walsh/4:49
7/All Night Long
Joe Walsh/3:32
8/A Life of Illusion
Joe Walsh/3:29
9/Theme from The Island Weirdos
Joe Vitale / Joe Walsh/3:20
10/I Can Play That Rock & Roll
Joe Walsh/3:02
11/I.L.B.T.'s
Joe Vitale / Joe Walsh/2:51
12/Space Age Whiz Kids
Joe Vitale / Joe Walsh/3:41
13/Rosewood Bitters
Michael Stanley/3:27
14/Shut Up
Joe Walsh/3:14
15/Decades
Joe Walsh/12:12
16/Song for a Dying Planet
Joe Walsh/2:01
17/Ordinary Average Guy
Joe Walsh/6:05

REVIEW
by Daevid Jehnzen A double-disc set that draws from all of the phases of Joe Walsh's career, with the notable exception of The Eagles, Look What I Did! features almost every worthwhile song the guitarist ever recorded, even though it does contain pure dreck like "I.L.B.T.s," which is also known as "I Like Big Tits."

BIOGRAPHY
by Jason Ankeny
From his early hits with the James Gang through to his tenure with the Eagles -- as well as a successful solo career -- Joe Walsh remained one of the most colorful characters in rock & roll, lending his distinctively reedy vocals, off-the-wall lyrics, and expansive guitar leads to a series of AOR staples including "Funk #49," "Rocky Mountain Way," and "Life's Been Good." Born November 20, 1947 in Wichita, Kansas, Walsh initially studied the oboe and clarinet, later playing bass in local bands the G-Clefs and the Nomads; while attending Kent State University, he finally picked up the guitar, fronting the collegiate combo the Measles from 1965 to 1969. He then joined the Cleveland-based hard rock trio the James Gang, appearing on their debut LP Yer' Album. The trio's 1970 album, The James Gang Rides Again, proved the group's commercial breakthrough, launching the FM radio favorite "Funk #49" and achieving gold status. While the follow-up, Thirds, was another success, yielding the classic "Walk Away," Walsh found the James Gang's power trio format too confining and left the group soon after.
After relocating to Colorado, Walsh formed a new group, Barnstorm, recording a self-titled 1972 LP before making his proper solo debut the following year with The Smoker You Drink, the Player You Get. The record cracked the Top Ten on the strength of the pop hit "Rocky Mountain Way" and was followed in 1974 by So What. In the wake of 1976's You Can't Argue with a Sick Mind, Walsh replaced guitarist Bernie Leadon in the hugely popular West Coast rock quintet the Eagles, making his debut on their best-selling Hotel California album. He also continued his solo career, issuing But Seriously, Folks... in 1978; the record's highlight, the hilarious "Life's Been Good" -- a dead-on portrait of rock star debauchery -- became his biggest pop hit, nearly reaching the Top Ten. In 1979, Walsh announced his campaign for President of the United States, promising "free gas for everyone" if he won (he didn't). the Eagles' final studio album, the chart-topping The Long Run, appeared that same year.
The soundtrack to the film Urban Cowboy generated Walsh's next solo smash, "All Night Long," which cracked the Top 20 in the summer of 1980; although 1981's There Goes the Neighborhood featured his final Top 40 entry, "A Life of Illusion," he continued recording steadily, resurfacing in 1983 with You Bought It: You Name It and issuing The Confessor two years later. In between, Walsh ran for the vice presidency, again unsuccessfully. Following 1987's Got Any Gum?, he toured with Ringo Starr & His All Starr Band, returning to his solo career for 1991's Ordinary Average Guy. In 1994 he joined the reunited Eagles for their blockbuster Hell Freezes Over tour and remained on the road as a solo act for years to come. In 2012, after years touring with the Eagles and writing new material, Walsh recorded his first solo album with producer extraordinaire Jeff Lynne (of Electric Light Orchestra) and Beatles drummer Starr. A comeback of sorts, the album title Analog Man pertained to Walsh's difficulties catching up to the new standard of digital recording as a 64-year-old, and trying to adjust to technological advances in society.
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4470 - JOE WALSH - Look What I Did!: The Joe Walsh Anthology, Disc One (1995)

JOE WALSH
''LOOK WHAT I DID!: THE JOE WALSH ANTHOLOGY, DISC ONE''
MAY 23 1995
150:00

DISC ONE
1/Tuning, Pt. 1
Bert de Coteaux / Jimmy Fox / Bill Szymczyk/0:40
2/Take a Look Around
Barrett Strong / Joe Walsh / Norman Whitfield/5:55
3/Funk #48
Jim Fox / Tom Kriss / Joe Walsh/2:46
4/The Bomber
Jim Fox / Dale Peters / Joe Walsh/7:02
5/Tend My Garden
Joe Walsh/5:29
6/Funk #49
Jim Fox / Dale Peters / Joe Walsh/3:55
7/Ashes, the Rain & I
Dale Peters / Joe Walsh/4:56
8/Walk Away
Joe Walsh/3:33
9/It's All the Same
Joe Walsh/4:10
10/Midnight Man
Joe Walsh/3:28
11/Here We Go
Joe Walsh/4:58
12/Midnight Visitor
Joe Walsh/3:08
13/Mother Says
Kenny Passarelli / Joe Vitale / Joe Walsh/5:52
14/Turn to Stone
Terry Trebandt / Joe Walsh/5:14
15/Comin' Down
Joe Walsh/1:51
16/Meadows
Rocke Grace / Kenny Passarelli / Joe Vitale / Joe Walsh/4:36
17/Rocky Mountain Way
Rocke Grace / Kenny Passarelli / Joe Vitale / Joey Vitale / Joe Walsh/5:41

DISC TWO
1/Welcome to the Club
Joe Walsh/5:09
2/All Night Laundry Mat Blues
Joe Walsh/0:59
3/County Fair
Joe Walsh/6:43
4/Help Me Thru the Night
Joe Walsh/3:37
5/Life's Been Good
Joe Walsh/8:03
6/Over and Over
Joe Walsh/4:49
7/All Night Long
Joe Walsh/3:32
8/A Life of Illusion
Joe Walsh/3:29
9/Theme from The Island Weirdos
Joe Vitale / Joe Walsh/3:20
10/I Can Play That Rock & Roll
Joe Walsh/3:02
11/I.L.B.T.'s
Joe Vitale / Joe Walsh/2:51
12/Space Age Whiz Kids
Joe Vitale / Joe Walsh/3:41
13/Rosewood Bitters
Michael Stanley/3:27
14/Shut Up
Joe Walsh/3:14
15/Decades
Joe Walsh/12:12
16/Song for a Dying Planet
Joe Walsh/2:01
17/Ordinary Average Guy
Joe Walsh/6:05

REVIEW
by Daevid Jehnzen A double-disc set that draws from all of the phases of Joe Walsh's career, with the notable exception of The Eagles, Look What I Did! features almost every worthwhile song the guitarist ever recorded, even though it does contain pure dreck like "I.L.B.T.s," which is also known as "I Like Big Tits."

BIOGRAPHY
by Jason Ankeny
From his early hits with the James Gang through to his tenure with the Eagles -- as well as a successful solo career -- Joe Walsh remained one of the most colorful characters in rock & roll, lending his distinctively reedy vocals, off-the-wall lyrics, and expansive guitar leads to a series of AOR staples including "Funk #49," "Rocky Mountain Way," and "Life's Been Good." Born November 20, 1947 in Wichita, Kansas, Walsh initially studied the oboe and clarinet, later playing bass in local bands the G-Clefs and the Nomads; while attending Kent State University, he finally picked up the guitar, fronting the collegiate combo the Measles from 1965 to 1969. He then joined the Cleveland-based hard rock trio the James Gang, appearing on their debut LP Yer' Album. The trio's 1970 album, The James Gang Rides Again, proved the group's commercial breakthrough, launching the FM radio favorite "Funk #49" and achieving gold status. While the follow-up, Thirds, was another success, yielding the classic "Walk Away," Walsh found the James Gang's power trio format too confining and left the group soon after.
After relocating to Colorado, Walsh formed a new group, Barnstorm, recording a self-titled 1972 LP before making his proper solo debut the following year with The Smoker You Drink, the Player You Get. The record cracked the Top Ten on the strength of the pop hit "Rocky Mountain Way" and was followed in 1974 by So What. In the wake of 1976's You Can't Argue with a Sick Mind, Walsh replaced guitarist Bernie Leadon in the hugely popular West Coast rock quintet the Eagles, making his debut on their best-selling Hotel California album. He also continued his solo career, issuing But Seriously, Folks... in 1978; the record's highlight, the hilarious "Life's Been Good" -- a dead-on portrait of rock star debauchery -- became his biggest pop hit, nearly reaching the Top Ten. In 1979, Walsh announced his campaign for President of the United States, promising "free gas for everyone" if he won (he didn't). the Eagles' final studio album, the chart-topping The Long Run, appeared that same year.
The soundtrack to the film Urban Cowboy generated Walsh's next solo smash, "All Night Long," which cracked the Top 20 in the summer of 1980; although 1981's There Goes the Neighborhood featured his final Top 40 entry, "A Life of Illusion," he continued recording steadily, resurfacing in 1983 with You Bought It: You Name It and issuing The Confessor two years later. In between, Walsh ran for the vice presidency, again unsuccessfully. Following 1987's Got Any Gum?, he toured with Ringo Starr & His All Starr Band, returning to his solo career for 1991's Ordinary Average Guy. In 1994 he joined the reunited Eagles for their blockbuster Hell Freezes Over tour and remained on the road as a solo act for years to come. In 2012, after years touring with the Eagles and writing new material, Walsh recorded his first solo album with producer extraordinaire Jeff Lynne (of Electric Light Orchestra) and Beatles drummer Starr. A comeback of sorts, the album title Analog Man pertained to Walsh's difficulties catching up to the new standard of digital recording as a 64-year-old, and trying to adjust to technological advances in society.
DoWnLoAd

4469 - The Best Of JAMES GANG, Disc Two (1998)

JAMES GANG
''THE BEST OF JAMES GANG (REPERTOIRE), DISC TWO''
SEPTEMBER 30 1998
148:52

DISC ONE
1/Take a Look Around
Joe Walsh/5:55
2/Funk #48
Jim Fox / Tom Kriss / Joe Walsh/3:09
3/Bluebird
Stephen Stills/6:02
4/Lost Woman
Jeff Beck / Chris Dreja / Jim McCarty / Keith Relf / Paul Samwell-Smith/9:09
5/I Don't Have the Time
Jim Fox / Joe Walsh/2:49
6/Fred
Joe Walsh/4:09
7/Funk #49
Jim Fox / Dale Peters / Joe Walsh/3:54
8/Asshtonpark
Jim Fox / Dale Peters / Joe Walsh/2:00
9/Woman
Jim Fox / Dale Peters / Joe Walsh/4:38
10/The Bomber: Closet Queen/Cast Your Fate to the Wind
Jim Fox / Vince Guaraldi / Dale Peters / Joe Walsh/5:37
11/Walk Away
Joe Walsh/3:32
12/Yadig?
Jim Fox / Dale Peters / Joe Walsh/2:32
13/Things I Could Be
Jim Fox/4:18
14/Midnight Man
Joe Walsh/3:28
15/Madness
Roy Kenner/3:13
16/Looking for My Lady
Roy Kenner/2:53
17/I'll Tell You Why
Dale Peters / Domenic Troiano/3:53
18/Ain't Seen Nothing Yet
Roy Kenner/3:03

DISC TWO
1/One Way Street
Domenic Troiano/4:36
2/Had Enough
Roy Kenner/2:58
3/Up to Yourself
Domenic Troiano/2:41
4/Standing in the Rain
Tommy Bolin/5:05
5/The Devil Is Singing Our Song
Tommy Bolin / John Tesar/4:21
6/Must Be Love
Tommy Bolin / Jeff Cook/3:50
7/Got No Time for Trouble
Tommy Bolin / John Tesar/3:47
8/Ride the Wind
Tommy Bolin / Roy Kenner/3:44
9/Cruisin' Down the Highway
Tommy Bolin / Dale Peters/3:15
10/Do It (The Way You Do It)
Tommy Bolin / Roy Kenner/3:39
11/Wildfire
Tommy Bolin / John Tesar/3:28
12/Summer Breezes
Tommy Bolin/2:40
13/Merry-Go-Round
Bubba Keith / Richard Shack/3:03
14/Watch It
Bubba Keith/3:31
15/Driftin' Dreamer
Bubba Keith / Richard Shack/3:28
16/Shoulda' Seen Your Face
Bubba Keith / Richard Shack/3:44
17/Heartbreak Hotel
Mae Boren Axton / Tommy Durden / Elvis Presley/2:14
18/Red Satin Lover
Bubba Keith / Richard Shack/2:15
19/I Need Love
Jay Giallombardo/3:14
20/Feelin' Alright
Jim Fox / Jay Giallombardo / Dale Peters / Bob Webb/3:26
21/Hollywood Dreams
Bob Webb/3:08
22/Pick up the Pizzas
Bob Webb/2:31

Tommy Bolin /Guitar, Vocals
Jim Fox /Drums, Organ, Vibraphone, Vocals, Vocals (Background)
Phil Giallomardo /Keyboards, Vocals
Bubba Keith /Guitar, Vocals
Roy Kenner /Harmonica, Percussion, Vocals
Tom Kriss /Bass
Dale Peters /Bass, Percussion, Vocals, Vocals (Background)
Richard Shack /Guitar, Vocals
Domenic Troiano /Guitar, Vocals (Background)
Joe Walsh /Guitar, Keyboards, Vocals
Bob Webb /Guitar, Vocals

REVIEW
by Greg Prato
The Best of the James Gang [Repertoire] is the way a career overview should be -- two discs jammed to the limit with the group's hits and strong album cuts. Joe Walsh and company put the "power" in "power trio" as they supplied a smattering of releases from 1969-1971 that were custom-made to be cranked on eight-track while cruising in a Camaro. Walsh's woefully underrated talent for penning some of rock's all-time greatest riffs is evident throughout, especially on the group's two best known tracks, "Walk Away" and "Funk #49," while quite a few lesser-known tracks ("I Don't Have the Time," "Woman") rock just as hard. Additionally, Walsh's chicken-pickin' guitar playing in "Asshtonpark" sounds like a dry run for his later work as part of the Eagles, while the group's melodic and softer side is showcased on tracks like "Take a Look Around." And unlike most other James Gang compilations, this set goes beyond the Joe Walsh years, as tracks from both the Domenic Troiano and Tommy Bolin eras are touched upon. The Bolin-era tracks will undoubtedly prove to be the set's big surprise to fans familiar with just the Walsh Gang, especially on such exceptional tracks as "The Devil Is Singing Our Song," "Standing in the Rain," and "Summer Breezes," all of which would be classic rock radio staples in a perfect world. For a thorough look at the James Gang, The Best of the James Gang [Repertoire] is highly recommended.

BIOGRAPHY
by Greg Prato
With the emergence of Cream and the Jimi Hendrix Experience during the late '60s, the path was cleared for other hard-rockin' "trios." Arguably, the finest to emerge from the subsequent American crop was the James Gang. Despite penning a few of classic rock radio's most enduring songs, the James Gang ultimately failed to deliver on their initial promise, as constant lineup juggling ultimately derailed the group.
The Gang's roots stretch back to 1966 in Cleveland, OH, where drummer Jim Fox formed the group with a few fellow Kent State University students, guitarist Glenn Schwartz and bassist Tom Kriss. But when Schwartz left to join Pacific Gas & Electric, Fox and Kriss opted to carry on with new singer/guitarist Joe Walsh. the James Gang's debut album, Yer' Album, followed in 1969, and while it didn't spawn any hits, it did set the stage perfectly for their next few releases. (The album was also one of the first recordings that noted producer Bill Szymczyk worked on.) Prior to sessions for the group's sophomore effort, Kriss exited the group, and was replaced by Dale Peters, resulting in the James Gang's definitive lineup. Peters soon proved to be the missing piece to the puzzle, as evidenced by the group's subsequent album, 1970's classic Rides Again, which spawned the rock gem "Funk #49." Although the song didn't come close to the top of the singles charts at the time of its release, it later became one of rock's most instantly identifiable tracks, and also established Walsh's talent for penning exceptional guitar riffs. (Pete Townshend became a vocal supporter of Walsh's guitar skills, and the Who took the James Gang on a European tour around the same time.)
Although it appeared that the James Gang was just hitting their stride, Walsh was growing increasingly disinterested with the group; he longed to launch a solo career. He managed to hang in there for another top-notch studio album, 1971's Thirds, which spawned an additional classic rock radio standard, "Walk Away." Around the same time as the appearance of a live set later the same year (Live in Concert), Walsh departed the group, first focusing on solo work before joining up with one of the '70s' biggest bands, the Eagles. Once more, Fox opted to keep the group afloat and expanded the band to a quartet, greeting new bandmembers Roy Kenner (vocals) and Domenic Troiano (guitar). Walsh's shoes proved hard to fill, though, as two lackluster albums released back-to-back in 1972, Straight Shooter and Passin' Thru, failed to expand the group's following.
Troiano exited the group to join up with the Guess Who, leaving the James Gang's guitar slot vacant once more. Troiano's departure proved to be a blessing in disguise, however, as the guitarist who replaced him, Tommy Bolin (supposedly at the recommendation of old friend Walsh), instantly breathed life back into the floundering group. Bolin's red-hot and versatile guitar playing (as well as compositional talents; he and songwriting partner John Tesar wrote the majority of the songs) helped reinvigorate the group, as two fine yet underrated albums followed: 1973's Bang! and 1974's Miami. However, just like the previous guitarists to play with the James Gang, Bolin grew disenchanted quickly, and exited in 1974. Following in Walsh's footsteps, he subsequently launched a solo career of his own before briefly serving as a member of Deep Purple. Sadly, Bolin passed away from a senseless drug overdose in 1976.
the James Gang decided to call it quits after Bolin's departure, but not for long. Fox and Peters launched a new version of the group in 1975, complete with new members Bubba Keith (vocals, guitar) and Richard Shack (guitar). Predictably, the latest version of the group only lasted for a pair of ignored recordings, 1975's Newborn and 1976's Jesse Come Home, before the James Gang finally called it a day for good. Subsequently, little was heard from the group besides the appearances of several best-of compilations (including 2000's Greatest Hits). By the late '90s, the group (with Walsh) reunited for sporadic appearances, including a performance at the 1996 election rally for then-President Bill Clinton at the Cleveland State University Convocation Center, as well as an appearance on The Drew Carey Show. In February of 2001, the James Gang played at the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame in Cleveland, OH, and performed a pair of sold-out shows the same week at the Allen Theater.
DoWnLoAd

4468 - The Best Of JAMES GANG, Disc One (1998)

JAMES GANG
''THE BEST OF JAMES GANG (REPERTOIRE), DISC ONE''
SEPTEMBER 30 1998
148:52

DISC ONE
1/Take a Look Around
Joe Walsh/5:55
2/Funk #48
Jim Fox / Tom Kriss / Joe Walsh/3:09
3/Bluebird
Stephen Stills/6:02
4/Lost Woman
Jeff Beck / Chris Dreja / Jim McCarty / Keith Relf / Paul Samwell-Smith/9:09
5/I Don't Have the Time
Jim Fox / Joe Walsh/2:49
6/Fred
Joe Walsh/4:09
7/Funk #49
Jim Fox / Dale Peters / Joe Walsh/3:54
8/Asshtonpark
Jim Fox / Dale Peters / Joe Walsh/2:00
9/Woman
Jim Fox / Dale Peters / Joe Walsh/4:38
10/The Bomber: Closet Queen/Cast Your Fate to the Wind
Jim Fox / Vince Guaraldi / Dale Peters / Joe Walsh/5:37
11/Walk Away
Joe Walsh/3:32
12/Yadig?
Jim Fox / Dale Peters / Joe Walsh/2:32
13/Things I Could Be
Jim Fox/4:18
14/Midnight Man
Joe Walsh/3:28
15/Madness
Roy Kenner/3:13
16/Looking for My Lady
Roy Kenner/2:53
17/I'll Tell You Why
Dale Peters / Domenic Troiano/3:53
18/Ain't Seen Nothing Yet
Roy Kenner/3:03

DISC TWO
1/One Way Street
Domenic Troiano/4:36
2/Had Enough
Roy Kenner/2:58
3/Up to Yourself
Domenic Troiano/2:41
4/Standing in the Rain
Tommy Bolin/5:05
5/The Devil Is Singing Our Song
Tommy Bolin / John Tesar/4:21
6/Must Be Love
Tommy Bolin / Jeff Cook/3:50
7/Got No Time for Trouble
Tommy Bolin / John Tesar/3:47
8/Ride the Wind
Tommy Bolin / Roy Kenner/3:44
9/Cruisin' Down the Highway
Tommy Bolin / Dale Peters/3:15
10/Do It (The Way You Do It)
Tommy Bolin / Roy Kenner/3:39
11/Wildfire
Tommy Bolin / John Tesar/3:28
12/Summer Breezes
Tommy Bolin/2:40
13/Merry-Go-Round
Bubba Keith / Richard Shack/3:03
14/Watch It
Bubba Keith/3:31
15/Driftin' Dreamer
Bubba Keith / Richard Shack/3:28
16/Shoulda' Seen Your Face
Bubba Keith / Richard Shack/3:44
17/Heartbreak Hotel
Mae Boren Axton / Tommy Durden / Elvis Presley/2:14
18/Red Satin Lover
Bubba Keith / Richard Shack/2:15
19/I Need Love
Jay Giallombardo/3:14
20/Feelin' Alright
Jim Fox / Jay Giallombardo / Dale Peters / Bob Webb/3:26
21/Hollywood Dreams
Bob Webb/3:08
22/Pick up the Pizzas
Bob Webb/2:31

Tommy Bolin /Guitar, Vocals
Jim Fox /Drums, Organ, Vibraphone, Vocals, Vocals (Background)
Phil Giallomardo /Keyboards, Vocals
Bubba Keith /Guitar, Vocals
Roy Kenner /Harmonica, Percussion, Vocals
Tom Kriss /Bass
Dale Peters /Bass, Percussion, Vocals, Vocals (Background)
Richard Shack /Guitar, Vocals
Domenic Troiano /Guitar, Vocals (Background)
Joe Walsh /Guitar, Keyboards, Vocals
Bob Webb /Guitar, Vocals

REVIEW
by Greg Prato
The Best of the James Gang [Repertoire] is the way a career overview should be -- two discs jammed to the limit with the group's hits and strong album cuts. Joe Walsh and company put the "power" in "power trio" as they supplied a smattering of releases from 1969-1971 that were custom-made to be cranked on eight-track while cruising in a Camaro. Walsh's woefully underrated talent for penning some of rock's all-time greatest riffs is evident throughout, especially on the group's two best known tracks, "Walk Away" and "Funk #49," while quite a few lesser-known tracks ("I Don't Have the Time," "Woman") rock just as hard. Additionally, Walsh's chicken-pickin' guitar playing in "Asshtonpark" sounds like a dry run for his later work as part of the Eagles, while the group's melodic and softer side is showcased on tracks like "Take a Look Around." And unlike most other James Gang compilations, this set goes beyond the Joe Walsh years, as tracks from both the Domenic Troiano and Tommy Bolin eras are touched upon. The Bolin-era tracks will undoubtedly prove to be the set's big surprise to fans familiar with just the Walsh Gang, especially on such exceptional tracks as "The Devil Is Singing Our Song," "Standing in the Rain," and "Summer Breezes," all of which would be classic rock radio staples in a perfect world. For a thorough look at the James Gang, The Best of the James Gang [Repertoire] is highly recommended.

BIOGRAPHY
by Greg Prato
With the emergence of Cream and the Jimi Hendrix Experience during the late '60s, the path was cleared for other hard-rockin' "trios." Arguably, the finest to emerge from the subsequent American crop was the James Gang. Despite penning a few of classic rock radio's most enduring songs, the James Gang ultimately failed to deliver on their initial promise, as constant lineup juggling ultimately derailed the group.
The Gang's roots stretch back to 1966 in Cleveland, OH, where drummer Jim Fox formed the group with a few fellow Kent State University students, guitarist Glenn Schwartz and bassist Tom Kriss. But when Schwartz left to join Pacific Gas & Electric, Fox and Kriss opted to carry on with new singer/guitarist Joe Walsh. the James Gang's debut album, Yer' Album, followed in 1969, and while it didn't spawn any hits, it did set the stage perfectly for their next few releases. (The album was also one of the first recordings that noted producer Bill Szymczyk worked on.) Prior to sessions for the group's sophomore effort, Kriss exited the group, and was replaced by Dale Peters, resulting in the James Gang's definitive lineup. Peters soon proved to be the missing piece to the puzzle, as evidenced by the group's subsequent album, 1970's classic Rides Again, which spawned the rock gem "Funk #49." Although the song didn't come close to the top of the singles charts at the time of its release, it later became one of rock's most instantly identifiable tracks, and also established Walsh's talent for penning exceptional guitar riffs. (Pete Townshend became a vocal supporter of Walsh's guitar skills, and the Who took the James Gang on a European tour around the same time.)
Although it appeared that the James Gang was just hitting their stride, Walsh was growing increasingly disinterested with the group; he longed to launch a solo career. He managed to hang in there for another top-notch studio album, 1971's Thirds, which spawned an additional classic rock radio standard, "Walk Away." Around the same time as the appearance of a live set later the same year (Live in Concert), Walsh departed the group, first focusing on solo work before joining up with one of the '70s' biggest bands, the Eagles. Once more, Fox opted to keep the group afloat and expanded the band to a quartet, greeting new bandmembers Roy Kenner (vocals) and Domenic Troiano (guitar). Walsh's shoes proved hard to fill, though, as two lackluster albums released back-to-back in 1972, Straight Shooter and Passin' Thru, failed to expand the group's following.
Troiano exited the group to join up with the Guess Who, leaving the James Gang's guitar slot vacant once more. Troiano's departure proved to be a blessing in disguise, however, as the guitarist who replaced him, Tommy Bolin (supposedly at the recommendation of old friend Walsh), instantly breathed life back into the floundering group. Bolin's red-hot and versatile guitar playing (as well as compositional talents; he and songwriting partner John Tesar wrote the majority of the songs) helped reinvigorate the group, as two fine yet underrated albums followed: 1973's Bang! and 1974's Miami. However, just like the previous guitarists to play with the James Gang, Bolin grew disenchanted quickly, and exited in 1974. Following in Walsh's footsteps, he subsequently launched a solo career of his own before briefly serving as a member of Deep Purple. Sadly, Bolin passed away from a senseless drug overdose in 1976.
the James Gang decided to call it quits after Bolin's departure, but not for long. Fox and Peters launched a new version of the group in 1975, complete with new members Bubba Keith (vocals, guitar) and Richard Shack (guitar). Predictably, the latest version of the group only lasted for a pair of ignored recordings, 1975's Newborn and 1976's Jesse Come Home, before the James Gang finally called it a day for good. Subsequently, little was heard from the group besides the appearances of several best-of compilations (including 2000's Greatest Hits). By the late '90s, the group (with Walsh) reunited for sporadic appearances, including a performance at the 1996 election rally for then-President Bill Clinton at the Cleveland State University Convocation Center, as well as an appearance on The Drew Carey Show. In February of 2001, the James Gang played at the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame in Cleveland, OH, and performed a pair of sold-out shows the same week at the Allen Theater.
DoWnLoAd