Review Summary: "Funk #49" is a James Gang album released in 1997 after three original members put the band back together in 1996. "Funk #49 is a collection of songs from their first two albums "Yer' Album" and "James Gang Rides Again"
James Gang is a classic from the late 60's early 70's combining Funk and Rock for one hell of a kickass sound. The band was formed by drummer Jim Fox, bassist Tom Kriss, guitarist Ronnie Silverman, keyboardist Phil Giallombardo, and guitarist Glen Schwartz. Schwarts was shortly replaced, for the better, by the legendary guitar powerhouse, Joe Walsh who set the James Gang up for success. This Album "Funk #49" is almost a re-release of "James Gang Rides Again" only with a few tracks ousted and few added from previous albums a little less than 20 years after.
The album starts off the popular song "Funk #49" the title song for the album and what a more perfect song to be the title. This song is immediately imprinted on your brain when you hear it. The awesome guitaring Joe Walsh are attributable to this and can and will almost defiantly make you want to run around with energy. add the guitars to the bass and the screaming hot lyrics and vocals and you find yourself do n laps around your house.
The next track is "Midnight Man" which is a little more mellower than "Funk #49" but still a classic and can pass for a relaxing yet awesome song. "Midnight Man" is followed by "There I Go Again" which, sure is great, but is almost a repeat of what was just played. This song might have been better if placed in a better spot on the album.
"Tend My Garden" is the next track which might almost make you want to sleep. Great song and all, but its long, and by far the slowest song of the album, This could be considered a good thing though, the album was starting to sound the same. This is a great track to break the cycle or trend the album was already making. Good song but just too long. Next up on the list is "Funk #48". Like its predecessor "Funk #49" the guitaring fills you with energy and chugs along. The faster pace of this song makes up for the slow feel of "Tend My Garden."
"Woman" is now placed on a plate right in front of you and what can you do? You cant turn down a perfect song, so you eat it right up...every last bite. There’s a grooven bass line that is followed by an awesome guitar riff that keeps you eating out of the palm of their hands until its gone. Classic solo, great song.
It's time now for "Yadig?". A nice slow song, that takes you back to the roots of what funk is...a form of blues, which is what this song is. This track shows off the musical talent of the members. The track is then followed by "Thanks", a cool song with a melody that is sure to get in your head. nice acoustic guitar with grooven bass, its nice.
Get ready to be pumped once more because "Walk Away" is here. Driving bassline and guitars with awesome vocals and to top it off, cool filler riffs and great solos. This song will always put a smile on your face and a steady nod to your head. Awesome song.
"Again" comes in soft and stays that way. Good closing song for the album which happens to be slow but still you find you knobbing your head up and down. song speeds up a little bit but not much then slows back down. Walsh's vocals fit the song very well having some sort of high strained voice. There’s a catchy acoustic riff playing behind the vocals with yet another catchy drum beat. the two together sounds sort of islandish almost. The final track closes leaving you a feeling of peace- nice and calm.
