[Review] The James Gang: Straight Shooter (1972)

I’ll shoot straight and not give you a bum steer: There’s nothing for you here.

Kronomyth 5.0: An Eagle in the band is worth two in Bush.

Let’s be honest: The departure of Joe Walsh effectively signaled the end of The James Gang. Rather than let them die (and the band’s bankable cachet with them), ABC Records took the guitarist and vocalist from another broke-up band, Bush, and fused them to the Gang’s remaining limbs to create a kind of Frankenbush Gang. Outside of the band’s name, Straight Shooter has little to do with the musical legacy of The James Gang. It’s generic 70s rock and funk with a few acoustic numbers thrown in that suggest guitarist Dominic Troiano should have tried his luck in Poco instead. Despite being essentially an album of filler, Straight Shooter charted respectably well, proving that ABC was right about the brand’s appeal. What they got wrong was the idea that you could just throw four people together and expect good music to come out the other end. The opening two tracks, which blend together, are run-of-the-mill funk with some respectable lead guitar and a vocalist, Roy Kenner, who can really screech when the mood strikes him. The most memorable thing on here is Getting Old, a sentimental acoustic song with a string section. The most forgettable? Hairy Hypochondriac, a song notable only for the shocking fact that three people were apparently okay with having their name associated with it. There are sooo many rock artists from the 70s that are more worthy of your attention: Robin Trower, Three Man Army, etc. If you’re burning a candle for The James Gang, follow that Joe Walsh feller; otherwise, you’re liable to find you’re holding the wrong end.

Original elpee version

A1. Madness (Dominic Troiano/Roy Kenner) (3:14)
A2. Kick Back Man (Dominic Troiano/Roy Kenner) (4:56)
A3. Get Her Back Again (Dominic Troiano) (2:46)
A4. Looking for My Lady (Dominic Troiano/Roy Kenner) (2:55)
A5. Getting Old (Dominic Troiano) (3:48)
B1. I’ll Tell You Why (Dale Peters/Dominic Troiano) (3:55)
B2. Hairy Hypochondriac (Dale Peters/Dominic Troiano/Roy Kenner) (2:58)
B3. Let Me Come Home (Dale Peters/Dominic Troiano) (5:05)
B4. My Door Is Open (Dominic Troiano/Roy Kenner) (6:01)

Original 8-track version
A1. Madness
A2. Get Her Back Again
A3. Hairy Hypochondriac
B1. Kick Back Man
B2. Getting Old
C1. I’ll Tell You Why
C2. Let Me Come Home
D1. Looking for My Lady
D2. My Door Is Open

The Players

Jim Fox (drums), Roy Kenner (lead vocals and percussion), Dale Peters (bass and background vocals), Dominic Troiano (guitars, background vocals and lead vocals on A5) with Shelly Kurland (solo violin), Glen Spreen (string arrangements on A5). Produced by The James Gang; engineered by Gene Eichelberger; remixed by Gene Eichelberger & James Gang.

The Pictures

Album design & illustration by Jim Flournoy Holmes/David Powell (Wonder Graphics).

The Plastic

Released on elpee and 8-track in March 1972 in the US (ABC, ABCX/ABM-741) and the UK (Probe, SPB-1056) with embossed cover. Reached #58 on the US charts (first charted on March 18, 1972).

1. Re-issued on compact disc in 1992 in the US (One Way, ONE-22051).
2. Re-packaged w. Passin’ Thru on 2-for-1 remastered compact disc in 2007 in the UK (Beat Goes On, BGOCD-662).