1970 Orig THE JAMES GANG RIDES AGAIN Hard Walsh gem

$

91

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1970 first pressing *vinyl*

                 THE JAMES GANG

                    RIDES AGAIN 

...USA - ABC RECORDS - S 711

Original 1970 first pressing VINYL in thick gatefold cover of one of the two best James Gang albums...The cookers on Rides Again are great rediscovery material or a cool first time ram-jam!  

Rides Again was James Gang's best album. This was the album that made them famous. And no wonder. There is so much to enjoy here. From the irresistible groove of "Funk #49" to the sad but beautiful "Ashes The Rain And I" Walsh, Fox, and Peters showed they were capable of much more than one would expect from a three-piece rock band.

Side one, the rockin' side, is pure dynamite all the way through. "Funk #49" gives white folks a lesson on how to play funky in a rock n' roll band. The groove is irresistible, the guitar playing loose, and yet controlled at the same time. When you feel the bass and percussion, you just have to participate! This was one song that was an absolute must at a party. Put it on and turn it up loud. If this didn't get the chicks to dancing, nothing would! "Asshtonpark" is in a similar groove, but trippier. Kind of a joke tune, something the band probably worked up one day when they were just fooling around with a corny little lick, expanding on it and stretching it out as far as it would go. Great echo guitar from Joe on that one. Then comes the meatier rock songs. "Woman" is another fine example of how this band could work a groove. Hard, metallic guitar over a tight rock groove. One could hear the Stones doing that one. Great song. And then "The Bomber," James Gang's magnum opus, and the best guitar work Joe Walsh has ever recorded. 

Side two, the mellow side, is the story of a love affair that sadly ends. Yet, it is a pleasure to hear for its contrast with the joyful noise of side one. "Tend My Garden" opens the side beautifully with a gentle organ and piano interplay. Walsh sounds content and happy, at home with his lover. After the first verse, the bass and drums join in and gradually build into an uplifting crescendo with Walsh's screaming electric guitar. In the last verse, he confesses his need for his lover to share his life. "Garden Gate" is a pleasant acoustic ditty, with some slightly paranoid Lennonesque wordplay. The man and his lover are drifting apart. He is not sure, but he has the uncomfortable feeling the end is coming, he just doesn't know when. "There I Go Again" is a sad, rural-edged love song in which Walsh deals with the pain of facing the end of the relationship. His lover is still with him. He dreads losing her, but he knows in his heart they will be parting soon. "Thanks" is one of the best songs on the album, a heartbroken man dealing with everyday life after the loss of his lover, but for the time being, trying to find hope that even in a time of pain and loss there is still life, still something to be thankful for, in spite of his sadness. "Ashes The Rain And I" is the most somber and melancholy of these songs. It is as if the man who has lost his lover is finally giving up all hope of happiness. He is alone at home on a rainy night, watching as the last embers in the fireplace burn out. He sees only a life of sadness and loss. The gentle acoustic guitar finally gives way to the melancholy arrangement that closes the album.

For a hard rock fan, side one is easy to love. Side two is more challenging to the listener, because the emotions involved are in such sharp contrast with the joyful rock and dance tunes on side one. It is interesting that James Gang chose to release the album this way. It is almost as if there are two different albums on one record, the "rock band" album to dance to and listen to for fun, and the "singer-songwriter" album of sad love ballads. One may be tempted to listen only to one side or the other, depending on what one's taste may prefer. But we encourage any listener to give this whole album a fair chance. It is filled with good music, and all of it deserves to be heard.

• Funk #49 4:06 Asshton Park 1:51 Woman 4:38 The Bomber 7:04 a. Closet Queen

  b. Cast Your Fate to the Wind

  c. Bolero

  Tend My Garden 5:39 Garden Gate 1:41 There I Go Again 2:50 Thanks 2:20 Ashes the Rain and I 4:58

CONDITION: The gatefold cover is solid, with only a touch of light wear beginning on front cover (VG++), back cover with band on motorcycles is EXcellent no seam splits, no bends and the white cover is snow white - try and find a white cover this clean from 40 years ago!

The vinyl is all glossy smooth "EX" (excellent) expect to have fun with this one!

The vinyl:

keeper!

     A  GREAT ADDITION  TO ANYONE'S COLLECTIBLES!

SEE: SELLERS OTher items for similar cool sounds for "head" people...

EFFICIENT/CAREFUL GRADING

All imperfections are noted both cover & record