Customer Reviews

Thirds

5 star:		(0)
4 star:		(2)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

The final studio outing with Joe Walsh in the line-up, and a worthy follow-up to the brilliant "James Gang Rides Again". Even if the album is not especially uniform in style or quality. This would possibly be because the songs are not group efforts, as such. Whilst Joe Walsh contributes only four of the songs.

However, the opening "Walk Away" is one of Joe's best moments with the Gang. "Yadig" is a rather curious instrumental, which is saved by some nice lead guitar work. "Things I Could Be" isn't too bad, but "Dreamin' In The Country" is really rather naff. The Joe Walsh-penned "It's All The Same" is better, if a bit dreary, and in spite of an out-of-place horn arrangement. "Midnight Man" is an okay, if standard, song. (No idea which female is helping out on guest vocals, however.) "Again" is, also, a bit surprisingly dreary for a Joe Walsh song. Better is Dale Peters' "White Man/Black Man", which features a good guitar solo. The album closes with Jim Fox's excellent "Live My Life Again". Bit of a strange arrangement, but it works quite well.

Joe Walsh would go on to greater heights, in his solo career. The James Gang, without their focal point and creative force, would simply fade into relative insignificance.

PS. Completely forgot that i'd found a back-up vinyl copy of this, complete with the original inner sleeve. Vocal duties on "Midnight Man" are shared with one Mary Sterpka. Did she subsequently find fame under a different name? Meanwhile, horns are credited to a certain Tom Baker and his "hashed out jazz freaks".

It's not as great as the first two albums; but it is still a worthwhile effort. Joe Walsh Is one of the great, and to some extent, overseen songwriters and virtuoso guitar players of rock history. So even on an average day, he's better than most. Note that this one is not a remastered edition, the sound is OK though!. Bonus info: Did you know that he plays a hippie guitarslinger on "The Drew Carey Show", practically a selfportrait in one of the most innovative sitcoms ever made! Check it out, I'll bet you can get on Amazon.