Joe Walsh


Band members                              Related acts

- Joe Walsh -- vocals, lead guitar, bass, keyboards, syntheszers

 

  line up 1 (1973) as Barnstorm

- Kenny Passarelli -- bass, guitar, backing vocals

- Joe Vitale -- drums, percussion, keyboards, flute, backing vocals

- Joe Walsh -- vocals, lead guitar, bass, keyboards, synthesizers

 

  supporting musicians (1973)

- Paul Harris -- piano

- Carl Perkins -- pedal steel guiatr

- Chuck Rianey -- bass

 

  supporting musicians (1987)

- Chad Cromwell - drums 

- David Cochran - bass 

- Jimi Jamison - backing vocals 

- Rick - bass

- Mark Rivera - sax 

- John David Souther - backing vocals

 

 

 

- The Eagles (Joe Walsh)

- The James Gang (Joe Walsh)

 

 

 


 

Genre: rock

Rating: **** (4 stars)

Title:  Barnstorm

Company: Dunhill

Catalog: DSX-50130

Year: 1972

Country/State: US

Grade (cover/record): VG+/VG+

Comments: gatefold sleeve

Available: 1

Catalog ID: 2218

Price: $10.00

 

out. 

"Barnstorm" track listing:
(side 1)

1.) Here We Go   (Joe Walsh) - 

At least before he was reduced to a term as drunken clown prince of rock and roll, Walsh did melancholy better than almost anyone else in music.  'Here We Go' coupled a gorgeous melody with that dark, lonesome feel and his instantly recognizable guitar-through-a-Leslie-speaker sound.  Great tune.  rating:**** stars

2.) Midnight Visitor   (Joe Walsh) - 

 

3.) One and One   (Joe Walsh) - 

4.) Giant Bohemoth   (Joe Vitale) - 

5.) Mother Says   (Joe Walsh - Joe Vitale - Kenny Passarelli) - 

 

(side 2)
1.) Birdcall Morning
   (Joe Walsh) - 

2.) Home   (Joe Walsh) - 

3.) I'll Tell the World   (A. Godon - A. Jacobs) - 

4.) Turn To Stone   (Joe Walsh - Terry Tebandt) - 

5.) Comin' Down   (Joe Walsh) - 

 

 

 

 

I’ve come to think that there are few people on my musical wave length, perhaps they just don’t understand the times from which I came or the social implications of the music of the day.  Joe Walsh is an astounding guitar player and true musical visionary.  Joe moved from the James Gang [who were turned down by the Beatles Apple Label], began a solo career, joined the Eagles and all the while continuing with his solo career.  Joe’s got his issues to be sure, but man, there are no issues with his music as far as I’m concerned.

‘Barnstorm’ was his first outing and there are serious numbers to be considered, namely, ‘Here We Go, Mother Says, Comin’ Down.’  The other tracks fill out the album nicely but these are the showcase songs.

Music was in such a state of flux during the early 70’s, as were the people; just coming out of the psychedelic era, and disco would tragically be raising its uglily head in just a couple of years.  Joe was moving away from the harder edged guitar driven sounds of later James Gang to return to some of their more complete and complex material.  He sought to get from the electric guitar the feel of an acoustic sound.  He also went and got himself an ARP Odyssey Synthesizer and came out with some great uses of this early piece of electronic equipment.

During these years, the smoke was great and varied and artists were playing to that.  There was almost nothing better then cueing up some smooth tunes, kicking back with a smoke, and stoner conversation.  Two in the afternoon became eight before we knew it, all the while, the likes of Joe’s music, were carrying us along.

‘Here We Go’ opens the album, and personally I couldn’t have thought up a better title to open my first record with.  The song just cruises for almost five minutes of marvelous guitar work, tiny finger pickings, that play off in the distance of your brain, before he comes back in ever so quietly, letting you know what your infor with the rest of this album.  His use of the synthesizer sounds oddly like some of the work the Who would later do.

‘Mother Says’ bounces you around nicely continuing on his musical journey.  The song uncharacteristly calms down ever so unexpectedly, echoing his use of the piano and kettle drums, then the synthesizer, crashing drums...man what a crazy wonderful ride.

‘Comin’ Down’ finishes the album, is so short an so sweet at less then two minutes.  It should have lasted longer, but is just fine as it is...while he’s asking if we can see who he is.

All in all I think its a fine introduction to the man and the music he’s going to bring to bear on American culture.  People will try to write him off, or count him out, but he’ll hold his own for years to come.
Published
4.50 stars
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Great on the edge of ultimate!
This is one of those "must have" albums from Joe. Very solid collection of songs. I have always loved Joe's playful style of delivering his songs.

Stand out tracks:
Here We Go
Mother Says
Turn To Stone
I'll Tell The World About You
Published
5.00 stars
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  • 5.00 stars A1Here We Go
  • 5.00 stars A2Midnight Visitor
  • 5.00 stars A3One and One
  • 5.00 stars A4Giant Bohemoth
  • 5.00 stars A5Mother Says
  • 5.00 stars B1Birdcall Morning
  • 5.00 stars B2Home
  • 5.00 stars B3I'll Tell the World About You
  • 5.00 stars B4Turn to Stone
  • 5.00 stars B5Comin' Down
As good as a walk in the Colorado woods.
Published
4.50 stars
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Joe Walsh's first solo long play is a big departure from the James Gang. There is no power trio in your face hard rock but some fairly heavy country rock that showcases his terrific guitar skills. There is also a lot of keyboards in one form or another. "Turn to Stone" is absolutely magical and one of his best after leaving the James Gang.
Published
3.00 stars
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Has some great tracks (..especially, "Here We Go" & "Turn To Stone"), and I wanna like it more, but the somewhat conservative, overly slick, mainstream-ness of the sound here, and patchy, ultimately anti-climatic "suite" on side one, knock it down a couple notches as a listening experience for me in 2012.

It's not that I don't like "Barnstorm" but I had to choose, I prefer Joe Walsh's previous band's "James Gang Rides Again" LP, a bit better than this one.
Published
5.00 stars
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Joe Walsh's debut solo album, BARNSTORM, is a winner, featuring the first version of "Turn To Stone", along with songs that stretch the envelope of pop-rock from the inside. If you enjoy Joe Walsh, this CD reissue of his first solo album is a must-own.
Published
B0006229-02 CD (2006)
4.50 stars
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Upon leaving The James Gang in 1971 Joe Walsh was tired of the Power Trio format and wanted to make an far different type of album. With Barnstorm he succeeded admirably. Barnstorm is very Keyboard heavy and one of the first albums ever to use a great deal of Sythesizer. The songs are generally slower paced and more languorous than is the norm on most James Gang albums as well. Barnstorm was a real turning point in Joe Walsh's career and is an excellent Hard Rock album full of Joe's killer Guitar. The highlights of the album are the middling Funky, yet Keyboard glorious Mother Says and the incredible anthem Turn To Stone.
Published
4.00 stars
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extra! le meilleur album de Joe Walsh! Et de loin devant les autres ! Country rock, rock , avec un zest de psychédelisme, et  guitare saturée " Turn to stone ".

 

I went into my local record store one day and took a gamble on this record cos i thought the cover looked interesting. I had never heard of James Gang or Joe Walsh before. But when i got it home and played it, i could not understand how i had never happened across this great album before.
This really is a wonderful album. A beautiful blend of guitar magic with some great songwriting. It even has some prog moments. Much like jam outs but with direction and intention. So moving, so simple, so melodic. If you find this, its definatley worth a listen. For me, its the find of my the year so far.
Published
4.00 stars
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So lots of times I have read that Walsh was "tired of the power-trio format, and wanted something more..etc"

But I dont quite understand. Because this is just another power-trio. Exactly same format and kind of music I will say. More or less.

I dont know why this not could be done with the James Gang.
When I listen to the JG records, I think "Barnstorm" and the next are just like a continuation of where he left James Gang. Also on the JG records they used some additional instruments, orchestration etc on some tracks. Just like here.

I think these albums are more like the JG albums then what JG did after Walsh left.

But I dont know. Maybe he was not satisfied with the musicians and wanted someone better, or there were disagreement or what ever?
Anyway this is a very good album. On the same level as James Gang at its best, but not better.
Published
4.00 stars
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I started to give this a 4.5, and then thought about how many times I actually listened to this in a sit down over the years.  I think I like Joe Walsh as a concept more than I really like his music.
Published
B0006229-02 CD (2006)
3.50 stars
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With The James Gang in his rearview mirror, bumpkin guitarist Joe Walsh tripped-in with the restrained 1972 release of the Barnstorm LP. Wacky Walsh's first solo venture goes ten songs deep, with the five-minute-plus "Turn to Stone" standing-out and serving notice that life will be good for many years to come for 'ol Joe in his post James Gang gig. Don't go into the Barnstorn album expecting to hear anthing remotely as heavy as "The Bomber" or "Funk #49", as Walsh pulls back on the reins throughout the recording, accenting the studio effort with several laid back tracks that incorporate synthesizers, with backing from bassist Kenny Passarelli and drummer Joe Vitale.

KNOCK IT BACK!
Published
4.00 stars
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Sensitivity and depth abound on this disc, which despite being intended as a band effort has widely come to be seen as Walsh's solo debut.  Some comparisons that come to mind include Paul McCartney's Ram or Led Zeppelin III, but the one it most reminds me of is #1 Record by Big Star.  Really good, IOW!  Nice mix of electric and acoustic, easy genre-mixing.... playful, yet completely serious about first-rate playing, great vibe, consistently fine material... just a really nice experience, hearing an artist at the top of their game, while simultaneously revising said top upward (kind of a Joe Walshian concept, that).
Published
5.00 stars
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Joes debut album Barnstorm after departing from the James Gang, is by far one of is finest albums. The whole flow of this album is awesome, its ambience throughout is great. The album is solid all the way with not one single bad track upon it. I Bought this album on it's release back in the vinyl years, and I must say the transfer onto CD of this album is very good. Amongst the album there are class songs, such as Here We Go, Mother Says, Home and the classic Turn To To Stone. The whole album in all honesty is a classic.
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4.50 stars
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I wouldn't go as far to say that this is the best Joe Walsh album (that is mostly said just because it's almost impossible to find, therefore giving it a mystique people love to boast about). However, it is one of his most genuine and honest albums. It feels pretty rootsy, yet it still doesn't seem to be country, blues, rock or even all of them put together. I've concluded that Joe Walsh is simply Joe Walsh. He's just a cool guy, who just plays his little guitar in his own little way. This album was his first solo LP, and is just coming off of his departure from the James Gang. No songs really stick out too much, except the famous 'Turn To Stone' which is probably the most rocking tune on here, and is a blueprint for the typical Walsh rocker that would become his signature on upcoming LP's. The first side is the sleeper side, and I mean that in a positive sense. It is more laid back, but rather textured. I think 'Here We Go' and 'Giant Bohemoth' are the highlights there. Side Two is probably the better side. He dips a bit more into rock territory, but maintains the album's feel. 'Birdcall Morning' is a good song. So is 'I'll Tell The World'. I also like 'Comin' Down', even though it wouldn't have hurt to make it a bit longer. So, in all, this is pretty damn fine LP that is simply cool. I mean, I dunno how else to explain Joe Walsh. He's no God or or anything, he's just cool. Cool guy, cool albums. Cool.
Published
2.00 stars
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Exit the James Gang, enter Joe Walsh, with Passarelli and Vitale (his "Barnstorm" band). This man is throwing faces while playing simple guitar chords, and is a mediocre guitarist, always trying to prove to be what he isn't. And in this first album he only does this. No good rocking except for "Turn to Stone", which was better live (if there weren't those boring and useless guitar solos).
I ordered this cd, after searching a long time to get it for a decent price.
The only cd's available are Japanese import cd's.
As you all know, they are expensive, but this cd is worth it.
I'm a bit surprised that this classic isn't rated higher.
Why?

Joe Walsh had just left the James Gang, a great band that fell apart, a few years after Walsh went into another direction.
Joe wanted to do something else and created a group with icons like Kenny Passarelli and Joe Vitale.
The style he has chosen, was very different compared to the raw music of the James Gang.
Just two tracks (Turn To Stone and Mother Says) remind to his earlier period.
This is not a collection of songs, it's a story, an album with a concept.

A certain atmosphere is present on all of the songs and sometimes you wonder if you are still in the same room.
The creativity is all over the place and Joe Vitale's brilliant licks gives it a finishing touch.
After this one, Joe Walsh released some other great albums until he made some mediocre synth rock in the 80s.

Underrated gem that every Joe Walsh-fan should own, even if it's hard to find.
Published
2.00 stars
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Well, at least it's not like we shouldn't have expected this.  The B-side of the second James Gang album showed Walsh wanting to expand the group's horizons beyond the standard power-trio format. Although Thirds effectively melded soft and loud in a way that the schizophrenic Rides Again never could, the slightly off-kilter adventurousness of Yer Album was all but forgotten by the time Walsh set off on his own.

While the more introspective moments of Rides Again were interesting because they were unexpected, the group had abandoned the debut's sense of carefree daring.  In wanting to be taken more seriously, Walsh lost the very edge that made him endearing. Barnstorm comes off as the B-side of that pre-existing B-side.  The aura of the two works is the same, but Barnstorm doesn't have the same presence.

Some of the material is so soft that the pops and crackles inherent in thirty-year-old vinyl all but drown the music out.  Even when Walsh finally pulls out the amp on "Turn to Stone", the axe-work is too low in the mix.  The album walks up to the listener's ears, but seems afraid to go in.

A wonderful cover of The Magicians "I'll Tell the World About You" makes it clear what Walsh was aiming for, but unfortunately, this song is the only time he hits the mark. Barnstorm is a showcase for the idea of the "powerless" power trio, and on that level, it works!  Despite Walsh's ambitions, this is pretty much a powerless album.
Published
4.00 stars
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A very solid album that doesn't so much rock but mesmerizes the listener. Joe with his band mates and a few extras exquisitely weave various guitars, pianos and other well placed instruments on several songs. It probably requires a few extra listens and its important not to have expectations of The James Gang or others. An album meant to be heard in its entirety as the flow blends well between songs.
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5.00 stars
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If you are a Joe Walsh fan, this is a must have. As are most people are aware that this is his first album, and this is a very fine album.This is a semi-concept album, and I can't find one bad song out of the bunch.The stand outs on this is, Here We Go,Mother Says,and the original version of Turn to Stone.This album has been out of print for a while, but it has been re-released in Japan, and you can get it as an import. If you don't have this album in your collection.....BUY IT!!!!!!!!!

Barnstorm is the debut studio solo album by the American singer-songwriter and multi-instrumentalist Joe Walsh, following his departure from the James Gang. The album was released in October 1972 on the labels ABC and Dunhill. The core band on this album – Walsh, bassist Kenny Passarelli and drummer/multi-instrumentalist Joe Vitale – was also named Barnstorm. It was the first album to be recorded at Caribou Ranch in Colorado.

 

 

History[edit]

With this album, Walsh and Barnstorm moved away from the hard rock sound of the James Gang and explored a more folk-based, acoustic sound, influenced by such artists as James Taylor and Crosby, Stills, and Nash.

Taking a cue from The Who's guitarist Pete Townshend, Walsh utilized the ARP Odyssey synthesizer to great effect on such songs as "Mother Says" and "Here We Go." Walsh also experimented with acoustic guitar, slide guitar, fuzzboxes and keyboards as well as running his guitar straight into a Leslie 122 to get swirly, organ-like guitar tones. The lone hard rock track on Barnstorm, "Turn To Stone," has become the best known song from the album, since Walsh later re-recorded it for his solo album So What.

At the time of its release, Barnstorm was only moderately successful. For many years, the only CD version available was an expensive Japanese import. Nonetheless, the album became a cult classic among Walsh fans. It was later reissued in the U.S. on CD by Hip-O Select/Geffen Records in January 2006.

Critical reception[edit]

Professional ratings
Review scores
Source Rating
AllMusic 4.5/5 stars [2]

Writing for AllMusic, critic Thom Jurek called the track "Birdcall Morning" a masterpiece and one of the greatest rock & roll love song of the early 70's. In his review, he wrote of the album "While it's true that Walsh established himself as a late-'60s/early-'70s guitar hero on the Gang's more boogie-oriented rock numbers, it's Walsh's love of lushly textured production and spacy, open-ended songs featuring both acoustic and electric guitars that is showcased here on this wildly adventurous and forgotten unqualified masterpiece... Walsh tips the scales one more time back to the mysterious in the acoustic guitar and harmonica moment "Comin' Down." It's another love song, which evokes the notion of the past as a way of creating a hopeful present. And it just whispers to a close, leaving the listener literally stunned at what has just transpired in the space of 35 minutes."[2]

2011 reissue[edit]

On 29 December 2011 the original mix of the album was reissued in Japan in a miniature replica of the original album artwork. The album was remastered using Direct Stream Digital (DSD) to transfer the digital files. The release was a limited edition in the SHM-CD format. The reissue included a picture of the original vinyl label.[3]

Track listing[edit]

All songs written and composed by Joe Walsh, unless otherwise noted.

No. Title Length
1. "Here We Go"   4:58
2. "Midnight Visitor"   3:13
3. "One and One"   1:15
4. "Giant Bohemoth" (Joe Vitale, Walsh) 4:19
5. "Mother Says" (Kenny Passarelli, Vitale, Walsh) 6:14
6. "Birdcall Morning"   3:42
7. "Home"   2:53
8. "I'll Tell the World" (Alan Gordon, Allan Jacob) 3:54
9. "Turn to Stone" (Terry Trebandt, Walsh) 5:16
10. "Comin' Down"   1:54
Total length:
37:48
  • "I'll Tell the World" is titled "I'll Tell the World About You" on the ABC Dunhill Label fixed to the album.

Personnel[edit]

Barnstorm
Session musicians

Production[edit]

Charts[edit]

Album - Billboard (North America)

Year Chart Position
1973 Pop Albums 79

Barnstorm, Joe Walsh's first solo album after leaving the James Gang, garnered him fame not only as a guitarist but also as a songwriter. While it's true that Walsh established himself as a late-'60s/early-'70s guitar hero on the Gang's more boogie-oriented rock numbers, it's Walsh's love of lushly textured production and spacy, open-ended songs featuring both acoustic and electric guitars that is showcased here on this wildly adventurous and forgotten, unqualified masterpiece. Recorded at the Caribou Ranch in Nederland, Colorado, Barnstorm reflects the big sky and wide-open spaces. Accompanied by bassist Kenny Passarelli and drummer Joe Vitale, Walsh freely indulges himself with fat guitars and keyboards, beautiful choruses, country tinges, and pastoral pop hooks, as evidenced by the glorious opener "Here We Go." This segues, via the sound of a spooky lonesome wind, into the hauntingly beautiful psychedelic country tune "Midnight Visitor," with elegantly woven acoustic guitars, fat carnival organ sounds, and -- of course -- the sound of the wind before it slips out the back door. And so it goes, with the nearly Baroque psychedelic suite of "One and One" sliding seamlessly into "Giant Bohemoth" (sic) and the rollicking "Mother Says." Everywhere on the album's front half, reverie and American mythological archetypes and history weave together, displacing the listener from the here and now. The openly pastoral country-tinged rock of the album's second half signifies Walsh's considerable gifts as a songwriter who uses his guitar as a dreamy, mercurial narrative device, as signified by the masterpiece "Birdcall Morning" -- one of the greatest rock & roll love songs of the early '70s. It is actually mirrored by the sadness and organic bluesy quality of "Home" and the unabashed pop/rock romanticism of "I'll Tell the World," complete with glorious four-part backing harmonies and a crunching guitar crescendo. Speaking of crunch, Barnstorm was also the first place that Walsh's classic nugget "Turn to Stone" ever appeared. In its original version, the guitars have far more edge, sinew, and raw power than on their subsequent re-recordings. Rather than let it end there, Walsh tips the scales back one more time to the mysterious in the acoustic guitar-and-harmonica moment "Comin' Down." It's another love song which evokes the notion of the past as a way of creating a hopeful present. And as it whispers to a close, it leaves the listener literally stunned at what has just transpired in the space of 35 minutes.

 

 


Genre: rock

Rating: ** (2 stars)

Title:  Got Any Gum

Company: Full Moon

Catalog: 25606-1

Year: 1987

Country/State: US

Grade (cover/record): VG+/VG+

Comments: original inner sleeve

Available: 1

Catalog ID: 4635

Price: $5.00

Cost: $66.00

 

Teaming Joe Walsh with producer Terry Manning and Memphis' Ardent Studios would appear to be a win-win situation.  That leaves you to wonder why 1987s "Got Any Gum" is such a disappointment.  Mind you, taken in small doses there's nothing really wrong with material such as 'The Radio Song' and 'In My Car'.  Sure, it isn't the most original stuff you've ever heard and it certainly won't make you ponder life and what it means.  On the other hand, it's perfect fodder for today's mindless corporate radio stations.  Unfortunately, if there isn't anything wrong with the set, there isn't anything really right with it.  Walsh and company seem to have simply run out of creative steam with most of the album sounding like stuff he's already done.  That and the fact about half of the collection sounds like it was phoned in.  Is anything here worth hearing?   Well, co-written by Ringo Starr, 'In My Car' was mindless fun, as was 'Half the Time' and 'Time'.  Other than Walsh fanatics this is something most folks can probably live without. 

"Got Any Gum" track listing:
(side 1)

1.) The Radio Song   (Joe Walsh) - 

2.) Fun   (Joe Walsh - Joe Vitale) - 

3.) In My Car   (Joe Walsh - Richard Starkey - Mo Foster - Kim Godley) - 

4.) Malibu   (Joe Walsh) - 

5.) Half of the Time   (Joe Walsh) - 

 

(side 2)
1.) Got Any Gum?   (Joe Walsh - Terry Manning) - 

2.) Up To Me   (Joe Walsh) - 

3.) No Peace In the Jungle   (Tommy Dean) - 

4.) Memory Lane   (Joe Walsh) - 

5.) Time   (Joe Walsh) - 

 

 

 

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