This kicks off with the tight “Funk #49,” then unravels (except for “The Bomber,” which totally Ravels).
Kronomyth 2.0: Suitable for miners, forty-niners.
In the Johnny Winter of my discontent, I’m liable to point out that Rides Again is a smoother ride than their first elpee, but not the American classic that some would make it out to be. Yes, “Funk #49” is funkin’ awesome. No, the band doesn’t reach those heights again on this album. You’ll find a few more heavy numbers to sink your teeth into—“Woman,” “Tend My Garden,” “The Bomber”—but nothing you’d want to burn a candle to (and then again…).
The trio swapped bass players before this was recorded. I mention that because you probably wouldn’t notice the change on record. Drummer Jim Fox does seem to be higher in the mix and he sounds terrific on this album. Joe Walsh is again the centerpiece, although he plays fewer keyboards this time. The second side of the album is essentially a Joe Walsh solo album; unfortunately, it’s not their best side. I mean, it’s cute to hear the band play with Poco’s Rusty Young, but if you can’t outrock Poco (and they don’t on “There I Go Again”), you should have your power-trio privileges revoked.
The album closes on the acoustic “Ashes The Rain And I,” an epic number featuring orchestration from Jack Nitzsche. It’s tantalizing songs like this that make me wish James Gang would add an extra player or two and really write an important studio rock album. I know, I’m a progressive rock weenie, and we love to have complexity where simplicity will do. It’s just that an album is an opportunity to make a statement and, when you have a producer of Bill Szymczyk’s abilities on your side, shouldn’t you (as the outlaws are fond of saying) reach for the sky?
Proving that I know nothing, Mobile Fidelity released an original master recording of Rides Again, a distinction normally reserved for classic albums. I have to believe that, without “Funk #49,” this never would have occurred. Second Winter, They Only Come Out At Night, I’m totally with you there. James Gang Rides Again, however, probably wouldn’t make my list of top 100 albums from 1970. I don’t actually have a list like that, and never plan on making one, but if I were forced to do it (e.g., “We only have 60 seconds to make a list of the top 100 albums from 1970 before this bomb explodes!”), then I would probably write this on the bottom and then scribble it out and replace it with Poco or something.
On a more serious note, Rides Again benefits by focusing on the band’s music rather than the silly studio gimmicks found on their first album. There’s none of that “lovable anti-establishment pranksters” stuff happening on here, except maybe the mock Santana excursion in “Funk #49.” The band’s brand of gritty, guitar-driven, funk/blues-inspired rock and roll (shoot, that’s a lot of labels) may appeal to connoisseurs of gritty, guitar-driven, funk/blues-inspired rock and roll, but it’s harder to ride uphill than downhill, and things definitely go downhill after the first track.
Original elpee version
A1. Funk #49 (Jim Fox/Dale Peters/Joe Walsh) (3:54)
A2. Asshton Park (Jim Fox/Dale Peters/Joe Walsh) (2:04)
A3. Woman (Jim Fox/Dale Peters/Joe Walsh) (4:37)
A4. The Bomber: A. Closet Queen (Jim Fox/Dale Peters/Joe Walsh) / B. Cast Your Fate To The Wind (Vince Guaraldi) (7:04)
B1. Tend My Garden (Joe Walsh) (5:44)
B2. Garden Gate (Joe Walsh) (1:36)
B3. There I Go Again (Joe Walsh) (2:50)
B4. Thanks (Joe Walsh) (2:20)
B5. Ashes The Rain And I (Joe Walsh/Dale Peters) (4:56)
Arranged by The James Gang.
Original 8-track version
A1. Funk #49
A2. Woman
B1. Asshton Park
B2. Garden Gate
B3. Ashes the Rain and I
C1. The Bomber Medley
C2. There I Go Again
D1. Tend My Garden
D2. Thanks
The Players
Jim Fox (drums & percussion), Dale “Bugsly” Peters (bass, 6-string guitar on B5), Joe Walsh (guitars, keyboards, vocals) with Jack Nitzsche (string arrangement on B5), Rusty Young (pedal steel guitar on B3). Produced by Bill Szymczyk; engineered by Bill Szymczyk with Llyllianne Duma, Mike Stone, Stan Agol.
The Pictures
Photography by Tom Wright. Cover design & illustration by Bob Lockhart.
The Plastic
Released on elpee, 8-track and reel-to-reel in July 1970 in the US (ABC, ABCS-711/8022-711/ABC 0022-711), the UK (Probe, SPBA-6253), Germany (EMI Stateside, 1C 062-91 809) and Taiwan (label unknown, CSJ-1155) with gatefold cover; reached #20 on the US charts (RIAA-certified gold record). 8-track and R2R both feature different track order.
- Re-issued on elpee in 1972 in Japan (Probe, IPP-80608) with gatefold cover.
- Re-issued on elpee in Germany (MCA Coral, 202 296-270).
- Re-issued on compact disc in the US (MCA, MCAD-31145).
- Re-issued on compact disc on February 10, 1991 in Japan (MCA, WMC5-284).
- Re-released on remastered compact disc in 2000 in the US (MCA, 088 112 283-2).
- Re-issued on compact disc in 2001 in the UK (BGO, BGOCD121).
- Re-released on super high material compact disc on April 22, 2009 in Japan (Universal, UICY-94059).
- Re-released on remastered 180g vinyl elpee in 2016 in the US (Mobile Fidelity, MFSL-1-477).
- Re-released on remastered super audio compact disc in 2017 in the US (Mobile Fidelity, UDSACD 2195).
Beg to differ. One of the finest rock albums of the 1970s. Varied throughout, and an album doesn’t have to rock to be great. The quieter songs are as good as the uptempo numbers.