Grammy Award winning rock and roll legend Joe Walsh returns to the music stage with Analog Man, his first solo album in two decades. As its title suggests, Analog Man is an ode to bygone years. Walsh’s signature blues-rock guitar style defines the album, and recalls a time when roots-rock dominated rock radio airwaves. Adding Walsh’s distinctive voice to the mix, Analog Man has the makings of a first rate album.
Known for his guitar work in the Eagles, Walsh charted as a solo artist with the well-received album But Seriously, Folks… (1978) featuring hit song Life’s Been Good, and became a household name with In the City, a song he contributed to the soundtrack of cult classic film THE WARRIORS (1979).
“It’s been 20 years and I have a lot to say,” Walsh said in an interview. “These songs come from the heart.” Widely known for his powerful guitar licks, he joined the Eagles in 1976 and is credited for bringing a harder rock sound to the band with the acclaimed Hotel California, The Long Run and Eagles Live. A singer-songwriter and Rock and Roll Hall of Fame inductee, Walsh has entertained for more than four decades, not only as a solo artist, but as part of admired bands like The James Gang and Barnstorm.
Perhaps too obviously stated in the title track Analog Man, Walsh refers playfully to the new digital age, one in which he has adapted to, but notes in the song, “I am what I am – I’m an Analog Man.” Walsh developed the album over the last 10 years, drawing on personal experiences to breathe life into each track. “I just really feel like it’s all come together and finally I feel like a complete person and a complete musician,” said Walsh. “I think there is some confidence in there that I never had. That’s what I was hiding.” Walsh credits his wife of four years, Marjorie, for encouraging him to be the man and artist he is today and fondly dedicates this album to her.
The 10-track album was produced by Jeff Lynne and Joe Walsh with Tommy Lee James co-writing some of the tracks. Lucky That Way, one of Walsh’s favorites off the album, speaks to the extraordinary life he’s lived, even through the hurdles, and features Ringo Starr, his real life brother-in-law, on drums. The song ironically serves as a mature sequel to Walsh’s famed Life’s Been Good and for Walsh, life is just that.
Analog Man is a solid rock and roll album. Unfortunately, its production is too clean. It sounds heavily overdubbed, and it would have been great to hear these songs played in one take by a live band loaded on whiskey, mistakes and all.
Walsh on the Web:
Website: http://joewalsh.com/
Twitter: @JoeWalsh