Live In Concert - JAMES GANG****

Stop/You're Gonna Need Me/Take A Look Around/Tend My Garden/Ashes The Rain & I/Walk Away/Lost Woman

Recorded at Carnegie Hall in May 1971 this was the only live album from The James Gang to feature their ace guitarist Joe Walsh, who would leave the band later in the year. (US:24)

“Superb live set that showcases the immense talent this band had and clarifies for younger fans what the hype was all about.”

“Joe Walsh's solo work has been erratic at best, and with The Eagles he was coasting. However, on this James Gang live set he is at the peak of his powers as a stunningly versatile rock guitarist.”

“Blistering rock and roll. Hard to listen and enjoy studio James Gang recordings when there is this brilliant live offering. Power trios rule.”

“It seemed Joe Walsh was James Gang, although he is accompanied with hard driving rock rhythms with bass and drums. This is fun to go back to and still sounds very good with the power chords of Stop. There are a couple of slower original songs with Tend My Garden and Ashes The Rain & I, which are quite good. Some of the extended pieces seem a little overly indulgent now, but it was the blues-rock of the era and Joe Walsh and the boys could play.”

“Live In Concert is a seven song disc that shows off the raw energy of the Ohio based power trio. While the production value for the set is just above bootleg quality, the James Gang lay down a spirited ridin'-shotgun performance.”

“This is quite simply one the best progressive blues-rock live performances ever recorded. With the powerful riffs and sustained bends, wah-wah and delay effects, Walsh did it all and did it well. The tone on his guitar had just enough distortion to play the notes clean, but when he cranked up the volume, it had you shakin’ in your boots.”

“Joe was in a unique grove. He derives the maximum feeling from his playing and doesn’t miss or waste any notes. His tone and attack are perfect for this genre, whilst his use of special effects, wah-wah and echoplex, is perfect very dramatic, and not cloying or cheap.”