Joe Walsh But Seriously, Folks… (1978)

From classicrockreview.com

Joe Walsh found his greatest solo success with But Seriously, Folks in 1978, although “solo” is used loosely here. The versatile rocker did have help from all four members of his (then) current band The Eagles as well as a prime member of his former backing group Barnstorm. In fact, some have called this “the album the Eagles should have made” because it was released at a time when the next Eagles album (eventually The Long Run) and Walsh’s leftover track “In the City” was eventually used on that band album. No matter how the credit gets dispersed, But Seriously Folks is an excellent and original album, methodically combining musical styles with top-of-the-line production techniques.

This was Walsh’s first studio album in four years after releasing three in consecutive years from 1972-1974. During that time, Walsh replaced Bernie Leadon as lead guitarist of the Eagles and recorded the blockbuster Hotel California with the band in 1976. When the band had trouble composing material for a timely follow-up, Walsh decided to do this solo album and enlisted producer Bill Szymczyk for the project.

Joining Walsh in this insightful and melodic collection is former Barnstorm drummer, keyboardist, and multi-instrumentalist Joe Vitale, who played a big part in forging the album’s song. Still, this is Walsh’s album through and through as elements from his James Gang, Barnstorm, and Eagles phases are fused with a contemporary sound to forge a truly unique collection of songs.

The opener “Over and Over” starts with measured, hat-heavy drums by Vitale accompanying Walsh’s deliberate, flanged, addictive guitar progression. When the song fully kicks in, it contains dramatic and effective riffs with melodic vocals pushed out through Walsh’s typical whine. Lyrically, Walsh takes an introspective outlook on rejuvenation, a pattern he would repeat throughout the album.

After the rock-oriented opener, the listener may be surprised by the two rather easy-listening tracks which follow. “Second Hand Store” has an Eagles-like country/waltz vibe with an acoustic backing and slide guitar by Eagle Don Felder on top, along with some piano and vocal harmonies. This all makes for a very melodic and moody song. Driven by high bass notes of Willie Weeks, “Indian Summer” is a mellow song which builds slowly and eventually, containing some orchestral instruments and the signature slide guitar of Walsh, in many ways making it the most James Gang-oriented song on the album.

The first side completes with the fine “At the Station”, a true collaboration between Walsh and Vitale. This electric, upbeat and theatrical tune could easily be a theme for a film or television show. It is a mini-suite about mid-career indecision morphs from guitar riffs through an organ-led section with the drums smoking throughout to make it cohesive.

Side two begins with “Tomorrow”, almost a quintessential late seventies soft pop song laced with pleasantly strummed acoustic topped with sonically pleasing “squeezed” electric guitar and bouncy bass notes. Walsh gives way keyboardist Jay Ferguson who provides a fine organ lead which compliments the upbeat and optimistic lyrics. A couple of instrumentals fill the middle of the side. “Inner Tube” is a very short keyboard and piano piece which probably got its name from the “liquid” sounding synth that forms the backing for the piece and leads directly into “Theme from Boat Weirdos”. This semi-improvised rock jam is a collaboration among the cohesive backing band including producer Szymczyk. Although there are many fits and stops and the mood seems to constantly change from section to section, this piece still remains interesting and cohesive throughout with all kinds of instruments making cameos including several synths, clavichord, strings, synth bass and flute.

The finale, “Life’s Been Good” is a sarcastic ode to Walsh’s “rock star-party guy” persona and went on to become the highest charting song of his career. On this album, all roads lead to this song which is the ultimate culmination of everything on But Seriously, Folks. Put together with several semi-autonomous sections, with each section methodical yet interesting morphing from Walsh’s dominant layered guitars to a brilliant verse reggae to a mid section led by an ARP Odyssey synth. The very end of the song and album ends with a minute-long inside joke mimicking “a flock of wah wahs”. Before the release of this album, “Life’s Been Good” first appeared on the Grammy winning soundtrack to the film FM.

Walsh returned to the Eagles for their final studio album (for nearly three decades afterwards) and played a major role in recording 1979’s The Long Run. That band adopted “Life’s Been Good” during their final tour and, when Walsh ran a mock campaign for President in 1980, one of the planks of his platform was to make “Life’s Been Good” the new national anthem. After the Eagles broke up in 1980, Walsh continued his solo career with many more albums for decades to come.

Joe Walsh But Seriously, Folks (1978)

Joe Walsh is one of those artists you can never forget. It may be from his work with The James Gang or The Eagles or simply for his sense of humour and the escapades he went on under the influence of alcohol earlier in his career. It could easily be all of the above. All of these elements are what make the artist what he is today.

On December 11th Audio Fidelity reached back into the archives and unearthed the Walsh classic “But Seriously, Folks…” (1978). Releasing this collection of classic rock music was an easy choice. There are 8 choice cuts on the album and now they can be enjoyed in the label’s 24 karat gold format which lends itself well to rock music.

From the crazy cover depicting the legendary guitarist/vocalist in an underwater restaurant of sorts to outstanding instrumental forays that separate itself from the rest of the album on “Theme From Boat Weirdos,” this is musical entertainment at its very best. Walsh was and is to this day a unique guitar player. He is very talented, so much that whatever direction he decides to go, it sounds great. On the opening track “Over and Over” he offers up some reggae atmospheres and on his soon to be signature song “Life’s Been Good” (8:57 version), he cranks out a few outrageous riffs to give it more depth and keep the listener wondering what might be right around the corner. You always thought you knew what to expect when Walsh recorded an album but it never was the case. This is what separated him from everyone else and made his music something to look forward to.

His band mates from The Eagles help out on the recording making this a “cannot miss” release for Walsh. Certainly he never needed any help but it did not hurt to have such talent to add to the mix. If you travel back further into Walsh’s Barnstorm days he was already taking things to another level by the brilliant mixing of genres and dazzling guitar wizardry. Not only does the man have a distinctive vocal style that is instantly recognizable, he mastered his instrument many moons ago. This solo recording is yet another example of his prowess as a musician and consistent creative force.

Audio Fidelity has impeccable taste. They also released Walsh’s incredible The Smoker You Drink The Player You Get in 2009 (read the review). What would make this collection of 24kt Gold releases complete is to resissue So What and Barnstorm. James Gang albums would be a welcome addition as well.

There is not a bad cut on this album. Besides the previously mentioned tracks “At The Station” is classic Walsh and anyone that is a fan of his music will find great joy in hearing this in such a clear and crisp format. This is Joe in his element and providing another very strong solo album. When you think the album is closed out when “Life’s Been Good” tails off, wait, there is a very interesting a funny segment that takes you out. All I can say is beware of the “Flock of Waa Waa’s.” This is one part of this album I totally forgot about after all these years. And by the way, if you are not familiar with the history of Walsh, that particular is track is spot-on autobiographical as it was prior to him getting sober.

There is still time to grab this classic Walsh solo album for your music fan before the supplies run out. They are numbered limited editions. This is good time of year to think about a great stocking stuffer and what a surprise it would be to be able to find this gold CD tucked in between your sweet favorites this year.

Joe Walsh But Seriously, Folks… (1978)

From muzikreviews.com

Joe Walsh is one of those artists you can never forget. It may be from his work with The James Gang or The Eagles or simply for his sense of humor and the escapades he went on under the influence of alcohol earlier in his career. It could easily be all of the above. All of these elements are what make the artist what he is today.

On December 11th Audio Fidelity reached back into the archives and unearthed the Walsh classic “But Seriously, Folks…” (1978). Releasing this collection of classic rock music was an easy choice. There are 8 choice cuts on the album and now they can be enjoyed in the label’s 24 karat gold format which lends itself well to rock music.

From the crazy cover depicting the legendary guitarist/vocalist in an underwater restaurant of sorts to outstanding instrumental forays that separate itself from the rest of the album on “Theme From Boat Weirdos,” this is musical entertainment at its very best. Walsh was and is to this day a unique guitar player. He is very talented, so much that whatever direction he decides to go, it sounds great.

On the opening track “Over and Over” he offers up some reggae atmospheres and on his soon to be signature song “Life’s Been Good” (8:57 version), he cranks out a few outrageous riffs to give it more depth and keep the listener wondering what might be right around the corner. You always thought you knew what to expect when Walsh recorded an album but it never was the case. This is what separated him from everyone else and made his music something to look forward to.

His band mates from The Eagles help out on the recording making this a “cannot miss” release for Walsh. Certainly he never needed any help but it did not hurt to have such talent to add to the mix. If you travel back further into Walsh’s Barnstorm days he was already taking things to another level by the brilliant mixing of genres and dazzling guitar wizardry. Not only does the man have a distinctive vocal style that is instantly recognizable, he mastered his instrument many moons ago. This solo recording is yet another example of his prowess as a musician and consistent creative force.

Audio Fidelity has impeccable taste. They also released Walsh’s incredible The Smoker You Drink The Player You Get in 2009 (read the review). What would make this collection of 24kt Gold releases complete is to resissue So What and Barnstorm. James Gang albums would be a welcome addition as well.

There is not a bad cut on this album. Besides the previously mentioned tracks “At The Station” is classic Walsh and anyone that is a fan of his music will find great joy in hearing this in such a clear and crisp format. This is Joe in his element and providing another very strong solo album. When you think the album is closed out when “Life’s Been Good” tails off, wait, there is a very interesting a funny segment that takes you out. All I can say is beware of the “Flock of Waa Waa’s.” This is one part of this album I totally forgot about after all these years. And by the way, if you are not familiar with the history of Walsh, that particular is track is spot-on autobiographical as it was prior to him getting sober.

There is still time to grab this classic Walsh solo album for your music fan before the supplies run out. They are numbered limited editions. This is good time of year to think about a great stocking stuffer and what a surprise it would be to be able to find this gold CD tucked in between your sweet favorites this year.