Entertainment For Lively Minds
Barnstorm
For a few years from 1972 Joe Walsh made some of my favourite music. He had left the James Gang and formed Barnstorm, although the albums were still credited as solo. Everyone knows Rocky Mountain Way and Life's Been Good but the albums those anthems came from are full of soft, reflective songs about growing up, loss and life. He also had an uncanny knack for blending acoustic and electric guitars beautifully. This track came up on shuffle the other day and made me dive to bring up the other 50 or so tracks of his I have. If you come across his early albums snap them up, you won't be disappointed.
I also came across this poster for the big Wembley Summer gig in 1975. Eagles 3rd on the bill to EJ and The Beach Boys? PLUS Stackridge and Rufus? My brother went and reported that Joe was wonderful.
I'll still never forgive Joe for joining The Eagles, though. Not because I'm not a fan (some of the early albums are amongst my faves from that era) but because it pretty much put an end to the quality of Joe's solo output. 'But Seriously Folks...' came out in '78 and that was pretty much it. Anything later then that is really patchy and the rumours of a new album with Jeff Lynne producing are just that...rumours.
So, ease yourself into Friday afternoon with this beautiful song and raise a glass to Joseph Fidler Walsh.
Oh, by the way, your Rock Fact for the weekend. Since 2008 Joe's brother in law has been.............................................
Ringo Starr!
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Oh and
£3.50 to get into the gig???
May I correct myself, please?
Found this, with JW talking about a new album in May 2011!! We wait, dear listener, with breath truly bated.
Explaining the long gap between albums
"After I got sober, I had to learn to write and play and do practically everything... sober!"
Predictable I know but Joe Walsh deserves credit for
being amongst the top gurners in popular music
(Joe Walsh/Rocky Mountain Way)
"Turn To Stone"
One of my all time favourites:
I was there!
Funnily enough Joe Walsh made no impression on me at all. Eagles were great with Jackson Browne sitting in. The Beach Boys were magnificent - it was a beautiful day and matched the mood of their music. Elton was a disaster and we walked out before he had finished. He was touring Captain Fantastic at the time so no big hits early on. Simply, though, it was hardly his fault as the two acts before were outstanding.
I was going to say
...isn't that the gig where Elton premiered Captain Fantastic, complete with new band? Now featured, I believe, on the deluxe version of CFATBC...
All true
I remember being really disappointed it wasn't the 'proper' Elton John Band.
I was there as well
and many years later Johnny Walker signed my programme.
He didn't remember Jackson Browne's unscheduled appearance tho'
It was a great day. Including Elton.
I was there
Beach Boys blew Elton off stage.
But I don't remember Jackson Browne. Joe Walsh was wheeled on in a basket during the Eagles set and played on a couple of numbers including (I think) Blackberry Blossom which was a 5 or 6 piece banjo instrumental.
Barnstorm..
..is right up amongst my favourite albums.When I was a teenager Joe was a real musical hero of mine,and this and The Smoker You Drink.." still get player regularly 'round here.What a terrific band they were.Joe Vitale has apparently got himself involved in Stills,Young,and Furay's ill-advised Buffalo Springfield "reunion".Haven't heard a thing about Kenny Passarelli though.I know fretless bass has a bit of a wanky reputation in these parts but Passarelli played it beautifully I thought.
As a drummer myself
Joe V has always been one of my faves. Little guy, big kit. Open player (not restricted to 4/4 on the hi-hat, sits square on) Has been CSN's drummer for awhile, hence the Buffalo S connection. I'll forgive him anything for the way he plays 'Meadows' for Walshy. Has influenced me greatly.
Rollercoaster Weekend
about to be cued up. One of my favourite summer evening albums.
I saw Joe at the Strand in Redondo Beach around 20 years ago. Even though he'd had a few - and forgot some lyrics - he was still great.
See what I mean?
Joe
Top player. This is another cracker. Bags of space. Loose but tight, dry sound, cowbell, funky. Perfect.
Good call
Good to see the James Gang given a mention. Well worth getting a compilation or their first three albums. I have had a soft spot for them for 25 year since hearing an old compilation record at a friends. Excellent
Too right
My schooldays band used to play this back in the day. I love that stripped down raw American rock sound. Steve Miller etc.
listen with mother
Now you're talking
I have nothing but respect and love for Joe Walsh. He's seen some personal tragedy and rough times, so I'm just happy he's still here. While early albums are great, goes without saying, I'd mention also "You bought it - you name it" as my fave too.
I was at an Eagles concert six weeks ago in Munich and while the band was introduced they all got this polite applause and Joe was last in turn, so Glen Frey turned his way and before he could say a word there was this HUGE ROAR from the crowd that wouldn't end. So Frey looked at Joe , shook his head in disbelief and said "they love you, man". We do. We do.
at last.....
.... after all these years, I discover that there are others who like Barnstorm... it's been one of my absolute favourite and most played albums over the last 40 years.
Part of the reason for the OP
Was because the whole Bon Iver, Fleet Foxes thing is about a 'getting back to the woods' sound and the Barnstorm album has been that sound for nigh on 40 years. JW has been ignored and underrated as an innovator but his ability to combine acoustic and electric guitars makes him a one off in my eyes. AND he plays some of the best slide guitar you're ever likely to hear.