Album Reviews - W

Joe Walsh - "But Seriously, Folks..." (1978 Asylum/Elektra Records)

1. Over and Over
2. Second Hand Store
3. Indian Summer
4. At The Station
5. Tomorrow
6. Inner Tube
7. Theme From Boat Weirdos
8. Life's Been Good

Derek's Review
With this record, Walsh has the potential to make one of rock 'n' roll's greatest albums, but he falls just a tad short. Don't get me wrong, though, this is still a rocking album and in contention to be my favorite from Mr. Walsh. Joe Vitale starts off with a catchy cymbal beat and "Over and Over" takes form, and is one of Walsh's best songs. Walsh gives his distinctive guitar sound in his solo. "Second Hand Store" is a good follow-up to the previous song. The song has a slightly country tone to it, but nonetheless has a distinctive classic rock feel to it. "At The Station" is classic Joe Walsh and is one of his best songs ever. The guitar is grooving and the lyrics are a moving; Walsh hit gold with this one. "Theme From Boat Weirdos" graces this album. Walsh has a series of "Weirdos" songs including: "Theme From Cabin Weirdos" (which appears on Joe Vitale's Plantation Harbor album), "Theme From Island Weirdos," and "Theme From Baroque Weirdos". Overall, I couldn't tell a difference in any of the songs from memory, but it's just something that really personifies Walsh's over-the-top personality. Actually, the instrumental is quite nice, so I'm kind of happy it's on here and preludes perhaps Walsh's greatest musical achievement: the almost nine minutes of "Life's Been Good." Where to start with this song? Well it begins with Vitale's drum beat and then Walsh provides one of his greatest riffs. Walsh's lyrics are extremely tongue-in-cheek about being famous, "I have a mansion, forget the price/Ain't never been there, they tell me it's nice/I live in hotels, tear out the walls/I have accountants pay for it all." This is one funky song, especially in the middle section before Joe's guitar solo. From the flamboyant and comical lyrics about his lifestyle with his Frehley-esque odd frontman voice to his guitar playing, Joe captures the perfect essence of an epic song on this album.

The only thing that is missing from this album is his song "In The City" which was actually recorded during these sessions and released as a single with his name on it, and yet somehow winds up on the Eagles The Long Run album instead. What a shame it is to let a good song like that one slip away from his own album, but at least it was released. But if you were to toss that on here, man oh man, this would have been a killer record. But as it is, this one is definitely worth picking up and appreciating.

Derek's Picks: Life's Been Good, Over And Over, At The Station

Derek's Rating