- Tommy Bolin (RIP 1976) - vocals, guitar, keyboards

  (replaced Domenic Troiano) (1973-74)
- David Briggs - keyboards (1974)
- Jimmy Fox - drums, percussion, backing vocals (1967-76)
- Phil Giallombardo - vocals, keyboards (1976)
- Bubba Keith - vocals, guitar (replaced Tommy Bolin)

  (1975-76)
- Roy Kenner - vocals (replaced Joe Walsh) (1971-74)
- Tom Kriss - bass, vocals (1967-70)
- Flaco Pardon - percussion (1976)
- Glenn Schwartz - guitar (1967-69)
- Dale Peters - bass, backing vocals (replaced Tom Kriss)

  (1970-76)
- Richard Shack - guitar (replaced Tommy Bolin) (1975-76)
- Domenic Troiano (RIP) - guitar (replaced Joe Walsh)

  (1971-73)
- Joe Walsh - vocals, guitar (replaced Glenn Schwartz)

  (1969-71)
- Bob Webb - vocals, guitar (replaced Richard Shack)

  (1976)

- Barnstorm (Joe Walsh)
- Tommy Bolin (solo efforts)
- Deep Purple (Tommy Bolin)
- The Eagles (Joe Walsh)
- The Guess Who (Domenic Troiano)
- The Measles (Joe Walsh)
- Pacific Gas and Electric (Glenn Schwartz)

- Point Blank (Bubba Keith)
- Domenic Troiano (solo efforts)
- Joe Walsh (solo efforts) 
- Zephyr (Tommy Bolin)

Genre: rock

Rating: **** (4 stars)

Title:  Yer' Album

Company: ABC

Catalog: ABCS 688

Country/State: Cleveland, Ohio

Year: 1970

Grade (cover/record): VG / VG

Comments: gatefold sleeve; initial on cover

Available: 2

GEMM Catalog ID: 4998

Price: $9.00

Largely remembered as a vehicle for guitarist Joe Walsh, few people realize that the James Gang was formed by drummer Jimmy Fox and that Walsh was only a second generation recruit. 

Interested in earning some extra money, in 1966 drummer Fox convinced bassist Tom Kriss and guitarist Glenn Schwartz to join him in a cover band. Versatile musicians, the trio began playing local school dances and talent contests, before eventually moving on to local Cleveland area clubs. In early 1969, prior to being signed by ABC's Bluesway subsidiary, Schwartz left to join Pacific Gas and Electric (see separate entry). After auditioning a number of replacements, former Measles guitarist Joe Walsh was added to the lineup, generating widespread acclaim with his unique voice and heavily phased lead guitar. 

Widespread publicity, including serving as an opening act for Jimi Hendrix (many fans though Walsh blew Hendrix away), led to a contract with Bluesway and the band's 1969 debut "Yer' Album". Produced by Bill Szymcyyk, the debut album featured a surprisingly tuneful collection of guitar powered hard rock. A mix of popular covers (an extended nine minute remake of the Yardbirds' "Lost Woman" and the Buffalo Springfield's "Bluebird") and originals ("I Don't Have the Time" and "Funk #48"), the album showcased Walsh's interesting nasal vocals (it frequently sounded like they were being electronically treated) and Walsh's stinging guitar runs. Propelled by an opening slot on The Who's 1969 American tour, the album proved a surprising success, eventually reaching #83. Following the collapse of Bluesway, ABC reissued the collection. (The album was originally released with a gatefold sleeve - gee, what's that plant Walsh's holding on the back cover?) 

"Yer' Album" track listing:

(side 1)

1.) Introduction   (Jim Fox - Bert DeCoteaux - Bill Szymczyk) - 0:39
2.) Take a Look Around   (Joe Walsh) - 6:20
3.) Funk #48   (Joe Walsh - Jim Fox - Tom Kriss) - 2:47
4.) Bluebird    (Stephen Stills) - 6:01

(side 1)

1.) Lost Woman   (Chris Dreja - Jeff Beck - Keith Relf - James McCarthy - Paul Samwell-Smith) - 9:06
2.) Stone Rap   (Joe Walsh - Jim Fox - Tom Kriss - Bill Szymczyk) - 0:59
3.) Collage   (Maraxas) - 4:03
4.) I Don't Have the Time   (Joe Walsh - Jim Fox) - 2:50
5.) Wrapcity In English   (Joe Walsh) - 0:57
6.) Fred   (James Walsh) - 4:11

11.) Stop (Jerry Ragavoy - Mort Schuman) - 12:00

Genre: rock

Rating: *** (3 stars)

Title:  Newborn

Company: ATCO

Catalog: SD 36-312

Country/State: Cleveland, Ohio

Year: 1975

Grade (cover/record): VG / VG

Comments: promo sticker on cover; original lyric inner sleeve

Available: 1

GEMM Catalog ID: 4999

Price: $5.00

Post Tommy Bolin James Gang is routinely slagged by the critics and fans alike.  While many of those criticisms had some merit, to my ears 1975's "Newborn" wasn't nearly as bad as many reviews would have you believe. 

With the addition of singer Bubba Keith and guitarist Richard Shack to the line up the band actually sounded somewhat reinvigorated.  Assuming the majority of songwriting duties Keith and Shack turned in a decent set of AOR.  With the possible exception of the pretty acoustic ballad 'All I Have' and the odd cover of 'Heartbreak Hotel' nothing here was particularly original, but there was plenty of tasteful lead guitar and Keith had a surprisingly attractive voice.  In fact the only real misstep was the side two opener 'Driftin' Dreamer'.  Light reggae clearly wasn't their bag ...  Elsewhere ATCO tapped  'Merry Go Round' b/w 'Red Satin Lover' (ATCO catalog number 45-7021) as a quickly forgotten single.

"Newborn" track listing:

(side 1)

1.) Merry Go Round   (Richard Shack - Bubba Keith) - 3:05

2.) Gonna Get By   (Richard Shark - Mark Smith) - 3:59

3.) Earthshaker   (Bubba Keith) - 3:48

4.) All I Have   (Richard Shack - Bubba Keith) - 2:17

5.) Watch It   (Bubba Keith) - 3:32

(side 1)

1.) Driftin' Dreamer   (Richard Shack - Bubba Keith) - 3:31

2.) Should'a Seen Your Face   (Richard Shack - Bubba Keith) - 3:46

3.) Come with Me   (Richard Shack - Bubba Keith) - 2:30

4.) Heartbreak Hotel   (Mae Boren Axton - Tommy Durden - Elvis Presley) - 2:15

5.) Red Satin Lover   (Richard Shack - Bubba Keith) - 2:17

6.) Cold Wind   (Richard Shack - Bubba Keith) - 2:31