Friend of the show Wayne Baxter, owner of Monkey Wrench Brewing riffs on the James Gang “Greatest Hits” album from April of 1973 (Walk Away / Funk#49 / Midnight Man / The Bomber: Closet Queen/Bolero/Cast Your Fate to the Wind). ENTERTAINMENT TRACK: the main theme from the television series “Mission Impossible” STAFF PICKS: “Space Oddity” by David Bowie — Rob. “Little Willy” by Sweet — Brian. “Desperado” by the Eagles — Bruce. “Hocus Pocus” by Focus — Wayne Baxter. COMEDY TRACK: “Freakin' at the Freaker's Ball” by Dr. Hook & the Medicine Show. **(NOTE: What the Riff?!? does not own the rights to any of these songs and we neither sell, nor profit from them. We share them so you can learn about them and purchase them for your own collections.)
The James Gang originated in Cleveland, Ohio, and is best known as a power trio consisting of Jim Fox on drums, Dale Peters on bass (Tom Kriss on bass for their first album) and Joe Walsh on guitars and lead vocals. This Greatest Hits album captures work done on the first three James Gang albums where Joe Walsh is the principal songwriter and is front and center of the band.
Walsh joined the group just prior to their signing with a record label. They produced "Yer' Album" in 1969. This would be followed by "James Gang Rides Again" and "Thirds." A live album would also be produced before Joe Walsh would depart the band in favor of solo work, and eventually join the Eagles.
While the group would continue on for several years after Joe Walsh's departure, they could never recapture the sound or hooks that Walsh brought to the band. The James Gang disbanded completely after 1977, though occasional reunions and tours of the classic lineup have happened since then.
Friend of the show and owner of Monkey Wrench Brewing, Wayne Baxter features this album for this podcast.
Walk Away
Hard rock, funk, and soul can be heard throughout this song. It was on the Billboard Hot 100, making it to number 51 in July of 1971 when it was out as a single off their third studio album. It chronicles a rocky relationship in which the girl doesn't really want to keep things going.
Funk #49
This track was the first single of the James Gang's second album. The lyrics are about a wild girlfriend, but the core of the song is the instrumental work and Walsh's guitar riffs. The name follows a previous song, “Funk #48,” which appeared on the first James Gang album.
Midnight Man
Another song off the “Thirds” album, this song has a mellower sound that hearkens back to the 60's. Mary Sterpka is the female voice brought in as a session musician for this track.
The Bomber: Closet Queen/Bolero/Cast Your Fate to the Wind
This complex suite from the second album contains original works and covers from Maurice Ravel and Vince Guaraldi. Ravel's will stipulated that “Bolero” was only to be played by full orchestras and threatened suit, causing many releases to exclude the “Bolero” section.
ENTERTAINMENT TRACK:
The theme from the television series “Mission Impossible”
The original television series made its exit in April of 1973.
STAFF PICKS:
Space Oddity by David Bowie
Rob's staff pick is the opening track off Bowie's second studio album. It was released in July 1969 just prior to the Apollo 11 moon landing. After the success of the “Ziggy Stardust” album, “Space Oddity” was re-released and hit the charts in April of 1973.
Little Willy by Sweet
Brian brings us Sweet's biggest hit, peaking at number 3 on re-release as a non-album single. The writers, Nicky Chinn and Mike Chapman, wrote a number of rock songs including many more Sweet songs, Tony Basil's "Mickey," Tina Turner's "Better Be Good to Me," and "Heart and Soul" by Huey Lewis & the News.
Desperado by the Eagles
Bruce features the title track from the Eagles second studio album. While this may be one of the best known songs from the Eagles, it was never released as a single. When Linda Ronstadt covered it later in the year, it drew more attention to the group. This was one of the first songs penned by the songwriting partnership of Don Henley and Glenn Frey.
Hocus Pocus by Focus
Wayne Baxter closes out the staff picks with an instrumental prog rock masterpiece from Dutch group Focus. You don't hear too many rock songs featuring polka beats and yodeling. We're doing the shorter U.S. single version, but there's a 10-minute version for those who need even more Focus.
COMEDY TRACK:
Freakin' at the Freakers' Ball by Dr. Hook & the Medicine Show
This novelty song chronicles a trip to a freaky party, and wraps up the podcast for the week.