Joe Walsh
Band members Related acts
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- Joe Walsh -- vocals, lead guitar, bass, keyboards, synthesizers
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 (1983) - Kevin Dukes -- guitar - Don Felder -- guitar - Don Henley -- backing vocals - Mike Murphy -- backing vocas - George "Chocolate" Perry -- bass - Joe Pruessner -- bass - Timothy B. Schmit -- backing vocals - Joe Vitale -- drums, bass, syndrums, keyboards, vocals - Waddy Wachtel -- guitars, synthesizer guiatr
supporting musicians (1987) - Chad Cromwell - drums - David Cochran - bass - Jimi Jamison - backing vocals - Rick - bass - Mark Rivera - sax - John David Souther - backing vocals
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- The Eagles (Joe Walsh) - The James Gang (Joe Walsh)
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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
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out. 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) 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
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
Published
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
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
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)
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
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
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
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)
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
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
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.
Published
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
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
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
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.
Published
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.
Contents[hide]
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]
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.
Personnel[edit]
Production[edit]
Charts[edit]Album - Billboard (North America)
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.
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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
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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. 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) 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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Genre: rock Rating: ** (2 stars) Title: You Bought It, You Name It Company: Full Moon Catalog: 23884-1 Year: 1983 Country/State: US Grade (cover/record): VG+/VG+ Comments: original inner sleeve Available: 1 Catalog ID: -- Price: $15.00 Cost: $66.00
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I've owned most of
Joe Walsh's catalog at one time, or another. Virtually everything he's done
has at least something worth checking out. 1983's Bill Szymczyk
produced "You Bought It, You Name It"
pushes that statement to the edge. By my count he's recorded twelve
studio album (1972's "Barnstorm" through 2012's "Analog
Man"). This is in the running for tworst of the lot. Not meant as an excuse, but the fact the
album was recorded during the depths of Walsh' drug and alcohol addiction
problems probably didn't help with the quality of his writing and
performances. You just got the feeling Walsh was going through the
motions - "Hey, my label wants a new album and my fans like it when I'm
funny ...". Anyhow, having enjoyed a career as one of rock's perpetually
stoned goofballs, exemplified by half-baked tracks like 'I
Can Play that Rock
& Roll', 'The Worry Song', 'Space Age Whiz Kids' and the dreadful '
I.L.B.T.s ' I guess you couldn't fault him for continuing on a path
that had brought him fame and fortune. He brought in Eagles
buddies Don Felder, Don Henley and Timothy B. Schmidt for a couple of
tracks, but it really didn't help. Okay, the rocker
'Told You So' was pretty good, even if it was an Eagles castoff.
Not your typical Walsh tune, the autobiographical 'Class of '65' was
introspective and thoughtful.
Former
Barnstormer drummer Joe Vitale also participated, co-writing two of the
album's goofier tracks - the single 'Space Aged Kids' and the closing
instrumental 'Theme from Island
Weirdos.' Always wondered about Jeff Adamoff's odd cover art -
Joe Walsh superimposed on a famous photo of the US Yorktown after it had
been hit by a Japanese bomber during the Battle of the Midway. 1.) I Can Play that Rock & Roll (Joe Walsh) - 3:03 rating: ** stars The title alone should warn you this was going to be an endless slice of bar band fun ... You got a touch of Walsh's tasty slide and a set of throwaway lyrics that a cleverly twelve-year old could have come up with. Unless you were a hotel manager, Walsh's promotional video was mildly funny. Keith Moon would have approved of the madcap hotel setting: Joe Walsh-I Can Play That Rock and Roll It was the perfect song for mid-'80s radio:
- 1983's 'I Can Play that Rock & Roll' b/w 'Here We Are Now' (Warner Brothers catalog number 7-29519)
2.) Told You So (Don Felder - Joe Walsh) - 3:54 rating: **** stars The rocker 'Told You So' was worth owning if for no other reason than the Felder-Walsh twin lead guitars. Ironically, while Walsh's lyrics have never been Pulitzer winning caliber, their "hands off" narrative strike a chord in this day and age when so many American politicians seem to thing they know what's better for the rank and file citizens of this country. The song was written for The Eagles "Long May You Run" album, but for whatever didn't make the final cut. 3.) Here We Are Now (Joe Walsh) - 3:54 rating: ** stars Is there really a need for middle-aged white guys to write and record pseudo-reggae tunes? Based on the lame 'Here We are Now' I think the answer is no. Imagine a crappy Jimmy Buffet tune and you'll know what to expect. The Eagles' Don Henley and Timothy B. Schmit were featured on backing vocals making me wonder if this was another composition rejected by The Eagles. Such a rejection would have been understandable. Come to think of it, the backing vocals were the song's most likeable attribute. 4.) The Worry Song (George "Chocolate" Perry - Joe Walsh) - 4:37 rating: ** stars 'The Worry Song' suffered from a very '80s production sound and a bland, forgettable melody. In this day-and-age Walsh's worries seem inconsequential. His solo was the best thing going on here. 5.) I.L.B.T.s (Joe Vitale - Joe Walsh) - 2:53 rating: ** stars Overlooking the sophomoric humour, 'I.L.B.T.s' (in case anyone missed the joke, the abbreviation stood for "I Love Big Tits"),.wasn't much of a song. The goal seemed to be saying the word "tits" as frequently as possible over the span of the song. I can only hope Walsh looks back at track with a sense of shame. Unless you were a fourteen-year old boy, or a drunk frat boy, this was a poorly thought out concept from start to finish. All I can say is this is a good example where judgment clearly suffers when you are in the midst of fighting various addictions. Wonder what Walsh's then-squeeze Stevie Nicks thought of this one ... Reportedly Full Moon executives were horrified when they discovered the song was on the album.
(side
2) I remember hearing this on the radio and thinking it sounded ancient ... voice box guitar, cheesy '70s synthesizers, goofy vocal effects and a video game theme ... And You thought Buckner & Garcia's 'Pac Man Fever' was bad. Another tune that a group of twelve year olds could have come up with. Extra star for the synthesizers. Warner Brothers released it as the leadoff single in 7" and 12" variants:
7" - 1983's 'Space Age Whiz Kids' b/w 'The from Island Weirdos' (Full Moon catalog number 9-297611-7) # 52 US Billboard charts 12" - 1983's 'Space Age Whiz Kids' b/w 'Space Age Whiz Kids' (Full Moon PRO-A-2038)
There was also a promotional video. The quality is awful, but YouTube has the clip: Joe Walsh - Space Age Whiz Kids (1983) 2.) Love Letters (Edward Heyman - Victor Young) - 3:11 rating: *** stars Kudos for reviving Ketty Lester's 1962 hit. The original is far better, but Walsh's reggae-fied update is sweet, if forgettable. I'd suggest he avoid employing his falsetto wherever possible. It certainly made for an odd choice for the third and final single off the album.
- 1983's 'Love Letters' b/w 'I.L.B.T.'s' (Warner Brothers catalog number 7-29454)
3.) Class of '65 (Joe Walsh) - 4:27 rating: **** stars Certainly
not his most tuneful song, but lyrically 'Class of '65' was actually
interesting. It was at least partially autobiographical as Walsh did
graduate high school in 1965 - Montclair High School, Montclair, New
Jersey. Unlike the lyrics, Walsh actually returned to his alma mater
in 2015 for his 50th graduation anniversary. He played a benefit
concert to raise funds for renovating the school's library. Perhaps because it avoided this patented "goofy" quotient, the rocker 'Shadows' served was one of the album's highlights. There's a nice ominous feel to Walsh's performance. Nice guitar work on this one as well. 5.) Theme from Island Weirdos (instrumental) (Joe Vitale - Joe Walsh) - 3:35 rating: *** stars 'Theme from Island Weirdos' ended the album with a pretty keyboard driven instrumental. Kind of a Windam Hill new-age feel to the song in keeping with the earlier 'Inner Tubes/Theme from Boat Weirdos' and the forthcoming 'Theme from Baroque Weirdos'.
© Scott R. Blackerby November, 2024
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