James Gang - Live In Concert
Details: 1971, ABC Records, LP
One of the more positive aspects of the current cover album epidemic is that just occasionally it can lead you to want to investigate a band you haven’t heard before. A case in point here is Tesla’s copy of “Walk Away” on their recent “Real To Reel” set which lead me to look out for anything by James Gang on future record buying jaunts… and I found this early live album.
Most famous perhaps for harbouring a pre-Eagles Joe Walsh in its ranks, or latterly a pre-Deep Purple bound Tommy Bolin, this live album showcases the band early in their career, with Walsh still a member, and is definitely a catalyst for seeking out more. From the moment the needle drops on the vinyl, the sound emerging from the speakers is huge, putting the listener right in the middle of the audience. “Stop” makes for a thunderous introduction to the band, real uncompromising early 70s rock, and “You’re Gonna Need Me” another demonstration of power from a band it seems I’ve overlooked too long. Possessing some of the power that comes across in say, The Who’s “Live At Leeds” and proving almost as adept as Led Zeppelin in taking a basic track and stretching it through blues jams these couple of tracks ensure attention is captured for what will follow.
Strangely then, the first solo Walsh credit “Take A Look Around” proves to be less impressive and whilst “Tend My Garden” is an improvement it takes the hypnotising acoustic guitar in “Ashes, The Rain & I” to fully redress the balance. “Walk Away” opens side two, gets a big cheer from the assembled masses, and live proves every bit as impressive as I’d hoped it would, the captured in-concert sound once again appearing particularly full and powerful. Some editing has occurred before unleashing this album though as the crowd fade out and then back in for the albums long finale, hopefully this was just the calls for an encore rather than lost songs!
As a taster for the James Gang overall their cover of the Yardbirds track “Lost Woman” perhaps isn’t the best showcase for their studio albums, not that I’ve found any at a price I want to pay yet. What it is though is eighteen and a half minutes that largely proves why Joe Walsh was destined for bigger things. Elongated beyond necessary, disjointed more than required and with more individual guitar sections than a crowded music shop in lunch hour, whilst still sparing time for the other band members to have their moment in the spotlight too, it still proves fascinating listening, even if the quite bizarre vocal instrumentations near the end do distract somewhat!
Overall a fine, if all too brief, live album from the decade of must-have live albums. Enough good quality material on show to warrant further James Gang albums to go on the wants list and early recorded proof that for Joe Walsh life would become good. Very good.
Highlight: Stop
Score : 3/5
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Early footage of the James Gang, including Joe Walsh, performing “Walk Away“, with some “of the time” visual effects too!…
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BL
April 17, 2008 at 12:18 pm
Haven’t heard that song in f-in ages! I’d forgotten how rockin Joe Walsh used to be! Thanks for finding the video Bill, enjoyed that.
April 17, 2008 at 1:29 pm
Love the james gang as well with Tommy Bolin in. The song Alexis must be one of the most beautiful ever recorded!
April 25, 2008 at 11:24 pm
Was lucky enough to see The Gang in the summer of 1971. Joe Walsh, even at a young age was an unbeleivable talent. He is one of my all time favorites and still is to this day. Proud to be a resident of Ohio where it all started!