Joe Walsh — So What (December 14th, 1074) |
Joe Walsh — So What (December 14th, 1974/Audio Fidelity 2015)
Ξ★ Guitarist. Analog Man. Rock & Roll Hall of Fame. HOW YA DOIN? One of rock’s most colorful figures, the James Gang leader also mounted a solo career enlivened by his skewed humor and bluesy guitar chops.Birth name: Joseph Fidler
Also known as: “Clown Prince of Rock”, “Average Joe”
Born: November 20, 1947, Wichita, Kansas, U.S.
Location: New York City
Styles: Arena Rock, Blues–Rock, Contemporary Pop/Rock, Hard Rock, Rock & Roll
Notable instruments:
★ Gibson Les Paul
★ Fender Stratocaster
★ Fender Telecaster
★ Rickenbacker 330JG
Album release: 14 December 1974 / August 2015
Recorded: December 1973–March 1974
Record Label: ABC–Dunhill / Geffen Records
Duration: 36:34
Tracks:
01 Welcome to the Club 5:09
02 Falling Down 4:57
03 Pavane of the Sleeping Beauty 1:58
04 Time Out 4:27
05 All Night Laundry Mat Blues 1:03
06 Turn to Stone 3:50
07 Help Me Through the Night 3:39
08 County Fair 6:48
09 Song for Emma 4:43
Producer: Joe Walsh, John Stronach, Bill Szymczyk
Awards:
Billboard Albums
Ξ★ 1975 So What The Billboard 200 #11
Billboard Singles
Ξ★ 1975 Turn To Stone The Billboard Hot 100 #93Production and recording:
Ξ★ Two months before the release of the album, Walsh was asked about the album, and he said “I know this album’s going to be an important one for me, but it’s not easy to just crank them out anymore, I’ve got, what, six or seven albums out. I don’t want the next album to sound like a bunch of outtakes from [The] Smoker [You Drink, the Player You Get]. I want it to be the difference between [The Beatles albums] Revolver and Sgt. Pepper[’s Lonely Hearts Club Band]. I’ve held back [the album’s release] until that development was there, even though the record company’s been screaming for it. I want it to be a big, big step… in thoughts, vocals, playing and maturity.”
CREDITS:
★ Al Blazek Engineer
★ Jody Boyer Vocals, Vocals (Background)
★ Rick Collins Mastering
★ Dan Fogelberg Guest Artist, Guitar, Vocals
★ Glenn Frey Guest Artist, Vocals, Vocals (Background)
★ Guille Garcia Congas, Percussion
★ Bryan Garofalo Bass, Vocals, Vocals (Background)
★ Ron Grinel Drums
★ Don Henley Guest Artist, Vocals, Vocals (Background)
★ Russ Kunkel Drums
★ Randy Meisner Vocals, Vocals (Background)
★ Kenny Passarelli Bass, Vocals
★ Maurice Ravel Composer
★ J.D. Souther Guest Artist, Guitar, Vocals, Vocals (Background)
★ Leonard Southwick Harmonica
★ Tom Stephenson Keyboards, Organ
★ John Stronach Engineer, Mixing, Producer, Vocals
★ Lorrie Sullivan Photography
★ Bill Szymczyk Audio Production, Engineer, Mixing, Producer
★ Terry Trebandt Composer
★ Joe Vitale Drums, Flute, Keyboards
★ Jimmy Wachtel Artwork, Design
★ Joe Walsh ARP Synthesizer, Bass, Composer, Guitar, Mellotron, Moog Synthesizer, Photography, Producer, Synthesizer, Vocals, Vocals (Background)AllMusic Review by Ben Davies; Score: ★★★
★ Joe Walsh’s catalog by this point was two albums strong and of a consistently high quality. Despite a change of lineup for So What — a wide range of musicians is used, including the Eagles’ Don Henley — the sound is very similar to previous releases. A number of classic Walsh tracks are featured, including a more polished version of “Turn to Stone,” originally featured on his debut album, Barnstorm, in a somewhat more riotous style. “Help Me Thru the Night,” Walsh’s mellowest song to date, is helped along by some fine lead and backing vocals from the band. So What sees Walsh in top form as a guitarist. Most of the nine tracks feature solos of unquestionable quality in his usual rock style. The classic rock genre that the man so well defined with his earlier albums is present here throughout, and it is pulled off with the usual unparalleled Joe Walsh ability.Personal life:
★ Joe Walsh has been married five times. He was married briefly to Margie Walsh in the 1960s, to Stephanie Walsh from 1971 to 1978, to Juanita Boyer from 1980 to 1988 and to Denise Driscoll from 1999 to 2006. Walsh married Marjorie Bach (sister of Barbara Bach and sister–in–law of Ringo Starr) in Los Angeles on December 13, 2008.
★ Walsh’s daughter Lucy Walsh is also a musician who has worked with Ashlee Simpson and others. She released her debut solo album, Lost in the Lights, in spring 2007.
★ Walsh’s eldest daughter, Emma Kristen, was born in 1971 and died in 1974 at only 3 years old as a result of injuries suffered in an automobile accident on her way to nursery school. Her story inspired the track “Song For Emma” on Walsh's first “official” solo album So What released later that year. In her memory, he had a fountain and memorial plaque placed in a park in which she played: North Boulder Park in Boulder, Colorado, He has said that the album name (“So What”) was a result of Emma’s death — that nothing else seemed meaningful or important in the months that followed. The strain would eventually contribute to Walsh’s divorce from his second wife Stephanie. While touring with singer Stevie Nicks in 1984, Walsh took Nicks to the park’s fountain; Nicks subsequently immortalized this story in her song “Has Anyone Ever Written Anything for You?” on her 1985 album Rock A Little. ♣ When discussing their relationship, Nicks stated in a 2007 interview with the UK’s The Daily Telegraph that Walsh had been “the great love of her life.”
★ Walsh admits to struggling with alcohol and drug addictions for most of his career; however, he has been in recovery since 1995. In 1989 while touring with New Zealand band Herbs, Walsh experienced an “epiphany” during a visit to an ancient Māori pā site in the Hawke’s Bay region. In 2004 on a return visit to New Zealand, Walsh intimated the experience and referred to it as the beginning of his recovery from his addiction. Walsh related the story that in 1994 he woke up after blacking out on an airplane to Paris, France. When he arrived, he had his passport, but did not remember getting on the plane. That was his turning point, and he has been sober ever since.
★ While living in New York City, Walsh began a lifelong interest in amateur radio. Walsh holds an Amateur Extra Class Amateur Radio License, and his station callsign is WB6ACU. In 2006 he donated an autographed guitar to the ARRL in Newington, Connecticut, for its charity auction. He has also been involved with the group’s “Big Project,” which brings amateur radio into schools. Walsh has included Morse Code messages in his albums on two occasions: once on the album Barnstorm (“Register and Vote”), and later on Songs for a Dying Planet (“Register and Vote for Me”).
Solo recordings:
★ Barnstorm (1972)
★ The Smoker You Drink, the Player You Get (1973)
★ So What (1974)
★ You Can’t Argue with a Sick Mind (1976)
★ But Seriously, Folks... (1978)
★ There Goes the Neighborhood (1981)
★ You Bought It — You Name It (1983)
★ The Confessor (1985)
★ Got Any Gum? (1987)
★ Ordinary Average Guy (1991)
★ Songs for a Dying Planet (1992)
★ Analog Man (2012)
★ All Night Long: Live in Dallas (2013)
Website: http://joewalsh.com/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/joewalsh
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/JoeWalshOfficial/_____________________________________________________________
Joe Walsh — So What (December 14th, 1074) |
Joe Walsh — So What (December 14th, 1974/Audio Fidelity 2015)
Ξ★ Guitarist. Analog Man. Rock & Roll Hall of Fame. HOW YA DOIN? One of rock’s most colorful figures, the James Gang leader also mounted a solo career enlivened by his skewed humor and bluesy guitar chops.Birth name: Joseph Fidler
Also known as: “Clown Prince of Rock”, “Average Joe”
Born: November 20, 1947, Wichita, Kansas, U.S.
Location: New York City
Styles: Arena Rock, Blues–Rock, Contemporary Pop/Rock, Hard Rock, Rock & Roll
Notable instruments:
★ Gibson Les Paul
★ Fender Stratocaster
★ Fender Telecaster
★ Rickenbacker 330JG
Album release: 14 December 1974 / August 2015
Recorded: December 1973–March 1974
Record Label: ABC–Dunhill / Geffen Records
Duration: 36:34
Tracks:
01 Welcome to the Club 5:09
02 Falling Down 4:57
03 Pavane of the Sleeping Beauty 1:58
04 Time Out 4:27
05 All Night Laundry Mat Blues 1:03
06 Turn to Stone 3:50
07 Help Me Through the Night 3:39
08 County Fair 6:48
09 Song for Emma 4:43
Producer: Joe Walsh, John Stronach, Bill Szymczyk
Awards:
Billboard Albums
Ξ★ 1975 So What The Billboard 200 #11
Billboard Singles
Ξ★ 1975 Turn To Stone The Billboard Hot 100 #93Production and recording:
Ξ★ Two months before the release of the album, Walsh was asked about the album, and he said “I know this album’s going to be an important one for me, but it’s not easy to just crank them out anymore, I’ve got, what, six or seven albums out. I don’t want the next album to sound like a bunch of outtakes from [The] Smoker [You Drink, the Player You Get]. I want it to be the difference between [The Beatles albums] Revolver and Sgt. Pepper[’s Lonely Hearts Club Band]. I’ve held back [the album’s release] until that development was there, even though the record company’s been screaming for it. I want it to be a big, big step… in thoughts, vocals, playing and maturity.”
CREDITS:
★ Al Blazek Engineer
★ Jody Boyer Vocals, Vocals (Background)
★ Rick Collins Mastering
★ Dan Fogelberg Guest Artist, Guitar, Vocals
★ Glenn Frey Guest Artist, Vocals, Vocals (Background)
★ Guille Garcia Congas, Percussion
★ Bryan Garofalo Bass, Vocals, Vocals (Background)
★ Ron Grinel Drums
★ Don Henley Guest Artist, Vocals, Vocals (Background)
★ Russ Kunkel Drums
★ Randy Meisner Vocals, Vocals (Background)
★ Kenny Passarelli Bass, Vocals
★ Maurice Ravel Composer
★ J.D. Souther Guest Artist, Guitar, Vocals, Vocals (Background)
★ Leonard Southwick Harmonica
★ Tom Stephenson Keyboards, Organ
★ John Stronach Engineer, Mixing, Producer, Vocals
★ Lorrie Sullivan Photography
★ Bill Szymczyk Audio Production, Engineer, Mixing, Producer
★ Terry Trebandt Composer
★ Joe Vitale Drums, Flute, Keyboards
★ Jimmy Wachtel Artwork, Design
★ Joe Walsh ARP Synthesizer, Bass, Composer, Guitar, Mellotron, Moog Synthesizer, Photography, Producer, Synthesizer, Vocals, Vocals (Background)AllMusic Review by Ben Davies; Score: ★★★
★ Joe Walsh’s catalog by this point was two albums strong and of a consistently high quality. Despite a change of lineup for So What — a wide range of musicians is used, including the Eagles’ Don Henley — the sound is very similar to previous releases. A number of classic Walsh tracks are featured, including a more polished version of “Turn to Stone,” originally featured on his debut album, Barnstorm, in a somewhat more riotous style. “Help Me Thru the Night,” Walsh’s mellowest song to date, is helped along by some fine lead and backing vocals from the band. So What sees Walsh in top form as a guitarist. Most of the nine tracks feature solos of unquestionable quality in his usual rock style. The classic rock genre that the man so well defined with his earlier albums is present here throughout, and it is pulled off with the usual unparalleled Joe Walsh ability.Personal life:
★ Joe Walsh has been married five times. He was married briefly to Margie Walsh in the 1960s, to Stephanie Walsh from 1971 to 1978, to Juanita Boyer from 1980 to 1988 and to Denise Driscoll from 1999 to 2006. Walsh married Marjorie Bach (sister of Barbara Bach and sister–in–law of Ringo Starr) in Los Angeles on December 13, 2008.
★ Walsh’s daughter Lucy Walsh is also a musician who has worked with Ashlee Simpson and others. She released her debut solo album, Lost in the Lights, in spring 2007.
★ Walsh’s eldest daughter, Emma Kristen, was born in 1971 and died in 1974 at only 3 years old as a result of injuries suffered in an automobile accident on her way to nursery school. Her story inspired the track “Song For Emma” on Walsh's first “official” solo album So What released later that year. In her memory, he had a fountain and memorial plaque placed in a park in which she played: North Boulder Park in Boulder, Colorado, He has said that the album name (“So What”) was a result of Emma’s death — that nothing else seemed meaningful or important in the months that followed. The strain would eventually contribute to Walsh’s divorce from his second wife Stephanie. While touring with singer Stevie Nicks in 1984, Walsh took Nicks to the park’s fountain; Nicks subsequently immortalized this story in her song “Has Anyone Ever Written Anything for You?” on her 1985 album Rock A Little. ♣ When discussing their relationship, Nicks stated in a 2007 interview with the UK’s The Daily Telegraph that Walsh had been “the great love of her life.”
★ Walsh admits to struggling with alcohol and drug addictions for most of his career; however, he has been in recovery since 1995. In 1989 while touring with New Zealand band Herbs, Walsh experienced an “epiphany” during a visit to an ancient Māori pā site in the Hawke’s Bay region. In 2004 on a return visit to New Zealand, Walsh intimated the experience and referred to it as the beginning of his recovery from his addiction. Walsh related the story that in 1994 he woke up after blacking out on an airplane to Paris, France. When he arrived, he had his passport, but did not remember getting on the plane. That was his turning point, and he has been sober ever since.
★ While living in New York City, Walsh began a lifelong interest in amateur radio. Walsh holds an Amateur Extra Class Amateur Radio License, and his station callsign is WB6ACU. In 2006 he donated an autographed guitar to the ARRL in Newington, Connecticut, for its charity auction. He has also been involved with the group’s “Big Project,” which brings amateur radio into schools. Walsh has included Morse Code messages in his albums on two occasions: once on the album Barnstorm (“Register and Vote”), and later on Songs for a Dying Planet (“Register and Vote for Me”).
Solo recordings:
★ Barnstorm (1972)
★ The Smoker You Drink, the Player You Get (1973)
★ So What (1974)
★ You Can’t Argue with a Sick Mind (1976)
★ But Seriously, Folks... (1978)
★ There Goes the Neighborhood (1981)
★ You Bought It — You Name It (1983)
★ The Confessor (1985)
★ Got Any Gum? (1987)
★ Ordinary Average Guy (1991)
★ Songs for a Dying Planet (1992)
★ Analog Man (2012)
★ All Night Long: Live in Dallas (2013)
Website: http://joewalsh.com/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/joewalsh
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/JoeWalshOfficial/_____________________________________________________________