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James Gang — The Bomber
Album: Rides Again
Avg rating:
7.4

Your rating:
Total ratings: 2182









Released: 1970
Length: 6:56
Plays (last 30 days): 0
When I became of age my mama sat me down
Said, "Son, you're growin' up, it's time you look around"
So I began to notice some things I hadn't seen before
That's what brought me here knockin' on your back door
Oh, yeah

A closet queen, the bus stop's dream, she wants to shake my hand
I don't want to be there, she decides she can
It's Apple Dan, he's just the man to pick fruit off your branches
I can't sleep, and we can't keep this cattle on my ranches
Oh, yeah

It's too strong, somethings wrong and I guess I lost the feelin'
I don't mind the games you play but I don't like your dealin'
God looked bad, the luck's been had and there's nothin' left to smoke
Will I be back tomorrow for the punchline of the joke?
Comments (157)add comment
I've always admired how in any song Joe Walsh plays in, his unbelievably expressive guitar is given very significant parts in the dialogue...and in this, IT SINGS
I just paused my work to enjoy that brilliant piece. Loved it.  Then as the final notes faded I thought - this could segue perfectly into Led Zep's Communication Breakdown.
Ok ... let's try n get back to work!
Jeff Beck was joining this lineup.
 cassanjp wrote:

Le Boléro de Ravel..... rocks!


& maybe a touch Vince Guaraldi for good measure
Walsh in his prime. Yeah he could rip a guitar!
 unclehud wrote:

The power trio was shepherded through record company red tape by Bill Szymcyk, a legend as recording engineer and producer.

Mr Szymcyk's name is on a LOT of fabulous music, from Carole King to Quincy Jones to the Eagles.  Got his original audio training as a US Navy sonarman.
 idiot_wind wrote:

How does that Led Zep  lyric go?

"Shame for me girl... 
I want to be your back door man". 


I've always heard, "Shake for me, girl ..."
 kcar wrote:













oh yeah.

i've been on a james gang kick for about 3 weeks. can't seem to get enough.


please play this a lot more!!!



 cassanjp wrote:
Joe Walsh... and Maurice Ravel!








It's unanimous, then.
 GawgaBoy wrote:



The whole album still sounds great.  Certainly in my top 10 of all times.




Their first album (Yer Album) is  better. I wish RP would play some of that.
 v73c wrote:

I wish we had negative rating numbers.



We do - you rate negative 10
I wish we had negative rating numbers.
Take off AlienNLight, eh? This is superb. Love his bluesy Bolero interpretation. Moved mountains for me when it came out. Meet you at Schwartz’s to continue the debate?
Ouffff...... I think this hurts. Sounds like a demo from a cover band trying to emulate Led Zeppelin mixed with Black Sabbath.
Glory jam from one of the greats of The Golden Age of U.S. Radio! We had The James Gang, Janis, Jimi, Elton, Donovan, Bob Dylan, The Doors, The Who, The Stones, The Beatles, Three Dog Night, Jefferson Airplane, Steppenwolf, CSNY, The Hollies, The Yardbirds, War, Chicago, Santana, Simon and Garfunkel, Led Zeppelin, Motown's best, Yes, and more serenading us through those tough times...
Good tune! Iconic!
hell yeah!!!!!!!  Turn it up!!
 Tippster wrote:

Come on man - it's Joe Walsh.


awesome I love this record...good on ya Bill killer tune
 GREAT TUNE!! I haven't heard this  in a long time! Thank You RP! ...it sounds much better than the old days, listening in FLAC w/ great K702 studio phones, amp & DAC!!
Great Friday morning song... thanks Bill.
 idiot_wind wrote:

How does that Led Zep  lyric go?

"Shame for me girl... 
I want to be your back door man". 



I'm totally with you. When I heard it I just thought "What the hell, an LZ song I haven't heard yet?"
more of this!!!!  thanks, Bill!
 Easyrider wrote:

Still such a great track to kick back to after all these years.




The whole album still sounds great.  Certainly in my top 10 of all times.
Quite a reach to add classical... doesn't work well.
Still such a great track to kick back to after all these years.
 ProfessionalGeek wrote:

Anybody notice the guitar interlude of "Cast your fate to the wind" mirroring the Vince Guaraldi piece that was played a few songs ago?




Just read a post on the Guaraldi piece that got me searching for "the James Gang version", found it was from The Bomber and then comes this track - one year later.
Guaraldi, Joe Walsh and RP - triple threat.
 cassanjp wrote:
Le Boléro de Ravel..... rocks!
 
And a taste of Caste Your Fate to the Wind
 ProfessionalGeek wrote:
Anybody notice the guitar interlude of "Cast your fate to the wind" mirroring the Vince Guaraldi piece that was played a few songs ago?
 

Very nice.
Up the Volume
How does that Led Zep  lyric go?

"Shame for me girl... 
I want to be your back door man". 
Hear that Led Zep sound? 
What a beutifull song......awesome!!!!
Hello RP!!!
This really makes me smile. I knew Joe Walsh was kinda' quirky and weird, now I know he was that way even this far back. Amusing and talented guy.
Joe Walsh... and Maurice Ravel!
RP is on point tonight! The last 6 songs have been great.
Le Boléro de Ravel..... rocks!
 Jelani wrote:
 NoisyMiner wrote:

Having not tried it I'm not sure what to think
 Well, Milk toast is disgusting. I can't imagine Crack would make it any better.

 
Would  the cliche "don't knock it until you've tried it" apply here?      
A bit dated perhaps but still Badazz! Gotta love Joe Walsh
"That's what brought me here, knockin' on your back door . . "
 NoisyMiner wrote:

Having not tried it I'm not sure what to think
 Well, Milk toast is disgusting. I can't imagine Crack would make it any better.

 kquinn03 wrote:
Music now is like milk toast on crack. 
 
Having not tried it I'm not sure what to think
This is where The White Stripes come from.
Who wouldn't love to jam along with that drummer? Seriously. Wow.
I bought the 1st and 2nd album right when they came out. We would listen to the James Gang right after Jimi Hendrix. Those were the days. Music now is like milk toast on crack. 
 diannemck56 wrote:
I saw The Eagles last year and Joe Walsh WAS the show.  I just love everything about him. 
 
Did they play any James Gang? I'd go see that.
One of my absolute favorites! Thank you RP! You just made my day but took a couple of days off my Crowns and old JBL's.
Most excellent. 
I like it when Bill plays early 70's rock.
Keeps the money flowing.
Communication Breakdown?
 unclehud wrote:

Pretty much directly inspired by, and improved considerably.



 
unclehud wrote:

Pretty much directly inspired by, and improved considerably.
 

LOL!


Personally, I would hesitate to express that opinion in some circles. -hehe- 
 jacopo777 wrote:
If you can catch the Walsh Vid telling the story on how the band was created from a calamity it is well worth it. Funny as hell. 
 
The power trio was shepherded through record company red tape by Bill Szymcyk, a legend as recording engineer and producer.
 ProfessionalGeek wrote:
Anybody notice the guitar interlude of "Cast your fate to the wind" mirroring the Vince Guaraldi piece that was played a few songs ago?
 
Sly fellow, that BillG guy.
 atmanv1 wrote:
hints of Bolero?
 
Pretty much directly inspired by, and improved upon.  Considerably.
 Sam_Hill wrote:
Bolero? Unmistakable ...
 oh yeah. definitely. he even alludes to it on the album notes. although calls it bull-ero. lol

hints of Bolero?
I saw The Eagles last year and Joe Walsh WAS the show.  I just love everything about him. 
This song brings back memories I’ll go 9
Bolero? Unmistakable ...
many great, partial memories...partial 'cause this went along with being bombed in those days when listening to this song..
Bill, you need to play some stuff from the first James Gang album ('Yer Album), one of the best first albums by any band...
Anybody notice the guitar interlude of "Cast your fate to the wind" mirroring the Vince Guaraldi piece that was played a few songs ago?
Oh yeeeaaaahhh... Not many have the cahonies to go with the Bomber...!!  This is pure art.  Wonderful.
If you can catch the Walsh Vid telling the story on how the band was created from a calamity it is well worth it. Funny as hell. 
 westslope wrote:
Thanks for the trip down memory lane.

Saw James Gang at Winter Pop in Toronto in the early 1970s.

 
Green with envy, I wish i had a time machine.{#Mrgreen}
Got to the Bolero part (or at least that I recognized), looked over at the comments and laughed out loud. This is awesome. 1970? Really? Wow.
 {#Clap}Dave_Mack wrote:
Digging Walsh's Bolero {#Guitarist}

 

One of the best.  Solid 11.
Digging Walsh's Bolero {#Guitarist}

This song is a good friend of mine {#Angel}
(long story)
Thanx rp.

Thanks for the trip down memory lane.

Saw James Gang at Winter Pop in Toronto in the early 1970s.
Sitting on the floor at the Ashland College field house watching The James Gang, maybe 1970? Crikey Joe, how do you play like that when you can barely stand up? Thanks for the memories!
{#Bananajam}Dale    {#Drummer} Jimmy    {#Guitarist} Joe
Ladies and Gentlemen, for your delight and enjoyment: the DRUMS! {#Drummer}
Now as ever, when I think of all the times I've gotten myself into Standard Orbit while this mad rocker is playing, well...I feel his genius
So, is it "The Bomber" because it's a 'bomber' (big doobie) sized song?  Probably a big "duh" there.  But of all the times over all the years I've heard this I never paid attention to the title.
One of my absolute all-time faves from anyone. James Gang Rides Again is Da Bomb (er)!!!{#Bananajam}{#Drummer}

Seriously, this is the epitome of guitar tone and technique, drumming, and bass guitar as well as composition and ensemble playing. Recent jam-banders take note.
 hayduke2 wrote:

yes indeed  : )    wooo-hoooo wicked    Jim Fox bangin' the fu-gots outta them drums baby

 
uh hu{#Bananajam}
 DaidyBoy wrote:
I have no business rating this, because I wasn't there and I don't understand it.  Sorry, fans.

 
Your loss, but that is what makes the world go round! {#Cheers}
I have no business rating this, because I wasn't there and I don't understand it.  Sorry, fans.
Love it! Joe is awesome
 fiddler wrote:
Everything about this is pure and awesome. Thanks for playing the unedited version...it would be a sin not to. I SO respect Joe - then and now. He seems to have really gotten is head and life together and therefore we still get to listen to him create. I believe he could have easily gone the way of Keith Moon and John Belushi. HEAR'S to Joe!

 
yes indeed  : )    wooo-hoooo wicked    Jim Fox bangin' the fu-gots outta them drums baby
Greatness.
Thank you Bill!!{#Heartkiss}
Wow, The James Gang, and after John Mayal - both from 1969. I haven heard these in quite a while! Thanks.
That last 3 song set was awesome.  What more can you say.....
Bolero never sounded so good.  Always enjoyed Joe Walsh through the years.
 Hannio wrote:
James Gang has acquired a very campy feel to it after all these years.  Or maybe it was always there and I just noticed it.

 
Come on man - it's Joe Walsh.
{#Guitarist}{#Drummer}{#Bananajam}{#Dancingbanana_2}
James Gang has acquired a very campy feel to it after all these years.  Or maybe it was always there and I just noticed it.
Appropriate song for the 50th anniversary of Star Trek ... I think part of this song was used in an episode or two, maybe with Spock on his home planet?
Here I am a guy who grew up in the 60's and 70's and the only James Gang song that I could think off the top of my head was Funk #49 (and I didn't know that was the name of it without looking it up ... just now ...). But this number is a total gem. Love it!
One of my all time favorite 8 tracks .... and it still freakin rocks!!!
 {#Yes}

below72 wrote:

hey but-locks...there are those of us who lived our roaring teens and 20's thru the 60's and 70's ...and then there are wanna-be's...like you.
...don't let the sun shine thru that dark tunnel. {#Bananajam}{#Yell}{#Guitarist}{#Drummer}

 

My God 1970s... And I only discovers that  jewel today! Never too late! Thx RP! 
 chinaski wrote:
Is this not amazing?

 
And lo, upon hearing it, he concurred that it was, indeed, amazing.
Is this not amazing?
8 track player cranked in the car!

{#Drummer}  great drummer!

ps Joe's not bad either! :-)
 Antigone wrote:
How Raveling! lol

 
Was going to say the same thing! =)
I love the "Cast Your Fate to The Winds," segment.
How Raveling! lol
When this record came out, it changed the game.
Cast Your Fate To The Winds


perfect drum works - never heard of this band i must admit 9
SOOOO  Good!!!!


 sheeelaaa wrote:
anyone else thinking James Kirk (Star Trek)

 

lol .. love well done "song within a song" type songs.. :)
anyone else thinking James Kirk (Star Trek)
 BBoyes wrote:
This drumming by Jim Fox (who played with Joe Walsh forever), and is also an avid license plate collector, having published a book about them) and the interplay between the guitars and drums is just... spectacular. There are multiple nested rhythms cycling around at the same time. I cannot imagine how to make this more perfect. It's a masterpiece. This album is on my 100 Best Albums of All Time list. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/James_Gang_Rides_Again - it must partly be the great teamwork with producer Bill Szymczyk.
 
Well said, BBoyes.
Not sure I'd go quite so far as "masterpiece", but it is some kick-ass rock & roll!
 mgkiwi wrote:
What a load of old hippy bollocks!!! {#Ass}

 
hey but-locks...there are those of us who lived our roaring teens and 20's thru the 60's and 70's ...and then there are wanna-be's...like you.
...don't let the sun shine thru that dark tunnel. {#Bananajam}{#Yell}{#Guitarist}{#Drummer}
WOW! This is the best song I've never heard before.
 idiot_wind wrote:

I think this is Arcade Fire.

 

Or is it Linkin Park or Kid Rock or Foo Fighters?

 

These 21st century bands are so creative and have such good guitar players!  



 {#No}


 nagsheadlocal wrote:
Oh, man, does this take me back to high school.

 Oh yeah!!


This drumming by Jim Fox (who played with Joe Walsh forever), and is also an avid license plate collector, having published a book about them) and the interplay between the guitars and drums is just... spectacular. There are multiple nested rhythms cycling around at the same time. I cannot imagine how to make this more perfect. It's a masterpiece. This album is on my 100 Best Albums of All Time list. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/James_Gang_Rides_Again - it must partly be the great teamwork with producer Bill Szymczyk.
What a load of old hippy bollocks!!! {#Ass}
Everything about this is pure and awesome. Thanks for playing the unedited version...it would be a sin not to. I SO respect Joe - then and now. He seems to have really gotten is head and life together and therefore we still get to listen to him create. I believe he could have easily gone the way of Keith Moon and John Belushi. HEAR'S to Joe!
Oh, man, does this take me back to high school.
think even Ravel would approve! {#Drummer}
When the cool Bolero segue fades and the change builds and Joe's mad guitar work JAMS THE END UP INTO A FRENZY, I LOVE IT!
Awesome!  listened to this as I was driving home, never heard it before..{#Dancingbanana_2}
Freaking Love Joe Walsh!!!!!
This one hasn't aged so well, imo.
ahhhh.  Thank you Bill.  I spent many an hour of my youth trying to emulate Joe's guitar playing....sadly to damned little effect. 
should be rated WAY higher!!!!