Live In Concert

Recorded at Carnegie Hall in May of 1971, Live In Concert is James Gang’s swan song: lead singer and guitarist Joe Walsh left the band in November of that year, before the album had even hit shelves. Walsh would go on to greater success, first as a solo artist and later with the Eagles, but he never made anything more fiery or furious than the version of “Stop” that kickstarts this album. Like some fearsome cross between the Who’s volume and Led Zeppelin’s churning grooves, “Stop” accomplished the band’s dream of conjuring a force to match its British counterparts. The live favorites “Take a Look Around” and “Tend My Garden” are shaggy-dog rock ’n’ roll, heaving with organ and sweaty groove. While “Lost Woman” closes the concert with a 17-minute behemoth that admirably matches Cream for power-trio bluster, the hit “Walk Away” served as the band’s best goodbye. Propelled by the pummeling bass and drums combo of Dale Peters and Jim Fox, one can’t help but hear the song as Walsh’s reluctant farewell to his band: “Takin' my time / Choosin' my lines / Tryin’ to decide what to do / Looks like my stop / Don't wanna get off / Got myself hung up on you.”