JOE WALSH – So What ’74 [Japanese SHM-CD remastered] HQ *Exclusive*

320_1 /// 320_2 /// HQ 1 /// HQ 2

Over a year and a half before he joined the EAGLES to play on their classic album Hotel California, JOE WALSH released his third studio solo album “So What“, a wonderful piece of Classic Rock. As requested, here’s the excellent Japanese reissue pressed on ＳＨＭ－ＣＤ and featuring a pristine 24 bit remaster.
”So What” was supposed to be Joe Walsh’s most sophisticated album yet, and so it is, but the death of his three-year-old daughter in April 1974 cast a pall over it. The title alludes to Walsh’s state of mind at the time and the realization that what was intended to be his most important musical statement to date maybe wasn’t so important after all. The album is also notable as a sort of prequel to the next phase of Eagles, as every member except Bernie Leadon (whom Walsh would replace) appears here.
There’s no hits on ”So What”, just a remake, tightened-up version of his song “Turn to Stone.” The rest of the songs find Walsh refining his broad tastes for guitar-driven rock (“Time Out”), analog synthesizer interludes (“Pavanne”), psychedelic rock (“County Fair”) and what could be described as California rock (“Falling Down,” “Help Me Thru the Night”). The album ends with a song written for his daughter, Emma, that’ll break your heart.

Despite the lack of a standout single, ”So What” was a commercial success and continued to build a sizable cult around Joe Walsh. As guitar heroes go, you could do a lot worse, and his nasally voice does grow on you over time in a charming, self-effacing sort of way. Walsh overcomes his vocal limitations with solid songwriting, a willingness to experiment, and masterful guitar playing.

”So What” became a gold-selling No. 11 hit, while also hinting at his next career move: Several members of the Eagles joined in the sessions, after recently hiring Walsh’s producer, Bill Szymczyk. They’d also shared stages, and had the same manager in Irving Azoff.
Don Henley ended up co-writing “Falling Down,” and singing on “Time Out.” Henley was also joined by bandmates Glenn Frey and Randy Meisner on backing vocals for “Turn to Stone” and “Help Me Through the Night.”

Something clicked. Within a year and a half, Walsh had replaced founding member Bernie Leadon in advance of the Eagles’ biggest album ever.
Highly Recommended

ＵＮＩＶＥＲＳＡＬ ＭＵＳＩＣ ＪＡＰＡＮ
ＵＩＣＹ～94064 【ＳＨＭ－ＣＤ】

01 – Welcome To The Club
02 – Falling Down
03 – Pavanne Of The Sleeping Beauty
04 – Time Out
05 – All Night Laundry Mat Blues
06 – Turn To Stone
07 – Help Me Through The Night
08 – County Fair
09 – Song For Emma

Joe Walsh – vocals, guitar, Mellotron, bass, keyboards, synthesizer
Dan Fogelberg – guitar, vocals
Bryan Garofalo – bass, background vocals
James Bond – acoustic bass
Joe Vitale – drums
Russ Kunkel – drums
Ron Grinel – drums
Kenny Passarelli – bass
Tom Stephenson – organ
Glenn Frey – background vocals (6–7)
Don Henley – background vocals (2; 4; 6–7)
Randy Meisner – background vocals (6–7)
Jody Boyer – background vocals
JD Souther – background vocals

Out Of Print
www.cdjapan.co.jp/product/UICY-94064