The Top 3 GREATEST Joe Walsh Guitar Riffs from the James Gang

[@mthomas1973]

Joe Walsh often isn't mentioned in lists of Top Rock guitarist but he certainly deserves the accolades.

[@CarlBaldassarreMusic]

I’m happy to shine the love and light on him. I hope you subscribed to my channel!!

[@coldroses5337]

Amen Michael Cheers 🍷

[@BillAmstutz55]

I recently watched top 20. Joe was not on it. Jimi was No. 1, Joe should have been No. 2.

[@patrickdennis7041]

I would like to mention that, Joe Walsh still plays all of his tunes Impeccably, Live. He is an amazing guitarist.

[@jrbaltmd57]

I saw him when he first joined the Eagles, farm show arena, Harrisburg PA, they headlined after Ozark Mtn Daredevils, then Doobie Brothers (w/ Skunk Baxter & Michael McDonald…. I think it was $5.50(US) or so…Amazing show, first beat to last, I think it was late 74 or early 75, right around when Ronnie Wood was flirting w joining The Rolling Stones, parting ways w Rod Stewart & Faces. Saw him @ college park, md, fall 75.

[@ShannonR001]

Joe is amazing, very talented musician. Wish I could have seen him live. He never came to our area. Joe is so talented and so hilarious to.🎸🎸🤟🤟😂

[@southjerseyjim5049]

The James Gang is well up my list of favorite bands. Aside from Walsh being one of the greatest guitarists of the rock genre, I thought his rhythm section was OUTSTANDING. Learned to play Funk 49 a few years ago. Never thought I could play that rapid descending figure in the intro., but when you mail it, it’s so satisfying, and the tune is so addictive you just don’t want to stop the groove. Funk 48 is another great study.

[@CarlBaldassarreMusic]

Thank you!!!!

[@mackvismusic8622]

The comment nailed it! D & B on taped master!

[@gergemall]

Joes my hero for many reasons. He’s an amazing person and a wonderful soul.

[@terrillrlaughbaum]

Joe Walsh is probably the most underrated guitarist of our time! 🎸🎶🎸

[@nicobambino191]

Joe Walsh has a drummer’s personality for a guitarist. Goes full crazy on his riffs

[@parley3797]

Joe Walsh gets respect. Nice. Now I understand WHY it’s great. Thanks.

[@CarlBaldassarreMusic]

That makes me happy!

[@MusicMotivator]

God, I loved The James Gang!! Amazing analysis Carl!

[@morgana9981]

Great video. I heard James Gang Rides Again in 1970 FM radio. I was 11 yrs old and hooked! Love joe Walsh one of our great guitar players! ty for this video

[@terrillrlaughbaum]

Joe is probably the most underrated guitarist 🎸 of our time!

[@Daytripper51]

Hi Carl.....I live in NE Ohio as well, and remember seeing The Gang at JB's in Kent. Cover was $1..Groups like Glass Harp, Raspberries....and The James Gang always brought a crowd. Joe was a local legend even then. Another musician friend of mine opened with his band at Cyrus Erie West for The James Gang and I was with him for the sound check before the club opened that night. As The Gang played, a conservative suit wearing guy walked around the club with a decibel meter measuring the loudness.Finally, as everybody sat around eating McDonalds burgers, Joe came out and saw the burgers and poked his finger into a guys burger and said "Red meat".......Later, after my friends opening set, I helped move their gear off the stage and looked at Walsh's Marshall already set up and noticed a label on his amp. It read, "Made especially for The Who"....I assume a gift from Townshend!

[@doxierottenbreath5773]

And you know - don't you think that Dale Peters is the most under rated bass player of all time - he's a genius.

[@RockDrillSuite]

I live near Kent as well and I always look up at that great Joe Walsh mural on the building across from Woodsy’s Music. Too cool.

[@michaelstrauss3769]

Saw James Gang in 1970. Have admired Joe’s ability for many years.

[@kimedmond5377]

Joe is crazy good love this

[@nickcosta8062]

Love! Love! Love! Joe Walsh!...I'm glad you did this.. I've always loved the licks he's played in Turned to Stone and Life's Been Good.... Every time I feel like I'm in a rut... I slow myself down and listen to JW.. I especially love the licks and melodies on LBG... I always tell young players to get them under their fingers... The phrasings are concise... Relaxed and melodic and has so much heart. But you did a super job of breaking this down... And I can tell you had a blast of a time doing it... Thanks again , Carl... Keep chuggin'

[@CarlBaldassarreMusic]

Thanks pal!!

[@rickhibdon11]

No one can make simple chords rock so hard! His right hand has such "authority"

[@kevinbrady6075]

Joe is great,even today!

[@CarlBaldassarreMusic]

Agreed!

[@johndef5075]

Over and Over is one of my favorites.

[@CarlBaldassarreMusic]

I’ll check it out!

[@oldgoldtopgoldtop6039]

Covered funk 49 and the Bomber on one of my first cover bands in 1970. Learned that fingernail pick technique in the opening lick from funk 49. The guitar break after the drum rhythm section is very cool too.

[@telefrk49]

What a killer video, history lesson and a reminder of how amazing my young years were for music!!! And i love that Joe Walsh gave Jimmy Page hos first Les Paul! wow!

[@michaelrigoli]

Awesome job Carl! I’m a huge James Gang fan and your riff break downs and history lessons are very much appreciated! Please keep them coming..

[@gergemall]

Brilliant, I remember. Also Jimi Hendrix admired his players and always Jimi admired the lead guitar player in Chicago that ended his life.

[@dlflash56]

Many don't know that the James Gang was in a movie in 1971, along with Country Joe and the Fish, Elvin Jones, New York Rock Ensemble, Doug Kershaw and White lightning, called "Zachariah". It Starred John Rubinstein and Don Johnson. The James Gang did a couple of tunes in the movie, that I personally would place in the same catagory as these three picks, of their finest riffs and music. If you haven't seen the movie, I highly recommend looking it up on KZbin and watching it... enjoy your first Electric Western... The James Gang opens the movie up with a tune called Laguna Salada, with Joe playing a plexiglass Dan Armstrong guitar.

[@TheCleaner6969]

Joe has always been my favorite guitarist. Thanks to you doing these I've been slowly correcting the videos I did. Next up E.T.I. \\m//

[@rhettscal]

KZbin is so much more civilized with Carl.

[@CarlBaldassarreMusic]

Aw. Very kind.

[@swhoover1]

Great stuff Carl! It still amazes me how all these guitarists from this legendary time in music manage to not sound the same,and have their own unmistakably signature sound.

[@CarlBaldassarreMusic]

Isn’t it amazing. It’s hard to find a unique sound anymore!

[@glennjones6100]

Before the interwebs people listened to whatever records they could find and forged their own sound from there. Now we all have access to the same music at all times

[@antarcticorb9197]

Again, presented like a true master musician. Thanks Carl!

[@CarlBaldassarreMusic]

Thank you!

[@saintbrando]

In High School, I had a substitute teacher who was also a record promoter with Donald K Donald. He knew I was into R&R and he asked me if I ever heard of The James Gang. He gave me the LP YER’ ALBUM… I was instantly hooked. (I still have it BTW) Every time I hear Joe Walsh or The James Gang, I think of that teacher. He was a real cool guy and I thank him for this. Carl, your videos are amazing. Keep ‘em coming. ✌️

[@CarlBaldassarreMusic]

Thank you!!!

[@lopakavolmer6723]

watched for a minute, then listened to Joe Walsh.

[@bradpoole400]

Another very nice lesson Carl. Your knowledge of music theory is impressive indeed.

[@michaeld2716]

Live at Carnegie Hall, circa 1976 is Acid Rock defined. You should get this. Amazing how well defined each instrument gets through. Thanks for the great study.

[@mackvismusic8622]

Sneaking some theory in elevated the conversation. Genius!

[@multilinkacs]

I first heard the bomber on a PanAm 707 from London to Sydney in 1969, listen to it so many times

[@monroeross3579]

Thanks so much Carl! I really appreciate your knowledge of the guitar and your ability to break down what and how these great guitarists do their thing. Great work!!!

[@CarlBaldassarreMusic]

Thank you!! I hope I earned a subscription!

[@trav_mill]

I was literally just messing around with Turn to Stone when this popped up.

[@CarlBaldassarreMusic]

Such a great song!!

[@davef7201]

I lived in Cleveland but sadly moved away in 1980’s. Joe was so close with Michael Stanley (RIP and rock forever MSB) at Hiram College. Maybe you could run through the Rosewood Bitters licks, Carl? I remember Joe playing on the west side in North Olmsted at Cyrus Erie’s. I also remember hearing Joe bust down the door into the DJ studio downtown at M105 WWWM and take over the airwaves ….. going to see Eagles April 1, 2023 at Knoxville with V. Gill. Cleveland Rocks! 🎉❤.“StagePass”

[@CarlBaldassarreMusic]

Such great memories!

[@kjisnot]

Cyrus Erie east/west bars were owned by Eric Carmen (named after one of his previous bands). I remember Walsh would look kind of out of it for 4-5 songs then he would seem to wake up and really get into playing. They would just drift off into jams and the crowd just went along with it. Good times.

[@FrenchSquareDancer]

You really gave "guitar face" during the Bolero! Love your channel, great tip in the "A" / "D" transition. Another thing I never learned before. Love your channel.

[@davidlambert1450]

Currently rediscovering JW.... NEVER forget the first time I heard Walk Away...and that pivot to the washed out B to C inversion...it has its own place in my memory of that time back in the day.. Mountain... Zeppelin...Becks Truth... ROBIN TROWER

[@gladiator22666]

Joe Walsh one of the few guitar players that you see actually get lost in the music . Check out Turn to Stone ( 2nd May 1975 ) pure class .

[@CarlBaldassarreMusic]

Love love love that track and album! He is truly a GOAT!

[@MVos-md3rp]

This presentation is so very enjoyable….thank you again Carl!

[@johngreene9663]

Amazingly comprehensive video with all the proper respect to Joe Walsh. Lots of takeaways. Thank you, Carl!

[@perrymann6807]

Joe also gave Pete Townsend his 59 Gretsch 6120 which Pete used as his main studio guitar for recording for many years. That ripping tone on Won’t Get Fooled Again and Baba O’Riley is the Gretsch, not a LP. Thank you, Joe!!

[@5150show]

Absolutely amazing , thank you

[@TheErik249]

I've been listening to every song you've talked about for over 40 years, and I had no idea what I was really hearing.🙆‍♂️ I just knew it rocked, and I loved all of it very much.🤘 I learned how to play Belero, and didn't even know what it was.🤯

[@CarlBaldassarreMusic]

Yay!! So glad I help!

[@timdentry9754]

Your descriptions of the phrasing and structure are awesome!

[@tawpgk]

Really enjoyed the Bolero stories. Previously knowing Ravel's Bolero from the movie "10" and Music Humanities, i always can pick out that structure. Thanks again for a terrific mashup of Classics and Rock!

[@duckbassify]

Carl, Joe has been one of my favorites forever, I wore Yer Album out on 220th. Thanks for another great lesson. Your hood bro, Darrel.

[@CarlBaldassarreMusic]

Thank you Nick!

[@garyh.238]

Great video! I really like the way you break down Joe's technique into very understandable elements. I came to the wonderful Joe Walsh version of James Gang later on....my first exposure to the James Gang was via the great Tommy Bolin. And my initial exposure to Joe Walsh was via his solo stuff in the 70's: Rocky Mountain Way; Turn to Stone; and Life's Been Good. 2 very fine guitarists.

[@CarlBaldassarreMusic]

Yes indeed!

[@robertthrelfall2650]

I'm so glad I found your channel, Carl. It's such a ray of light.

[@CarlBaldassarreMusic]

Thank you 🙏

[@aparise1]

All these years of listening to that Sabbath album and I never caught the Bolero reference.......and now that you pointed it out, I can't not hear it. So freaking cool! Thanks

[@CarlBaldassarreMusic]

I know! I just heard it the other day and popped it in the video. It’s so brief but soooo bolero!! These British cars live their bolero…Thank you! I hope I earned your subscription!

[@MVos-md3rp]

Carl picked a good one. At the time, everyone knew how great the James Gang was, except for the commercial pushers. Joe was never the same after the three JG albums! Anyone 65 and over knows this.

[@JHoliday330]

My aunt and uncle were friends of Joe Walsh, Eric Carmen, and Michael Stanley from the college years. Uncle Ken played college baseball for Hiram with Michael Stanley (known as Michael Gee from Silk then) and they were neighbors in the dorm and partied in the Cleveland club scene.

[@eddiecarter9831]

I've realized more over the past handful of years that I haven't appreciated Joe Walsh as much as I should. He really doesn't get talked about enough with the other 'guitar gods' of that era. Very underrated. The Vince Guaraldi reference is interesting. I've loved his music from Charlie Brown since childhood, but I've been thinking of getting into more of his music lately, just to expand my palette more. Great educational video! This is one of my favorites that you've done!

[@CarlBaldassarreMusic]

It was such a pleasure to do. And a challenge to get the Funk 49 opening just right!!!

[@madisongraham9307]

Carl- another great breakdown and analysis. I have had the "Rides Again" LP since it was issued (I was in high school). Just played it again today- side 2 is also very insightful as to how Walsh's work will evolve over the years. I am intrigued by your analogy to creating great works of music and architecture. I totally agree- there is design process involved and the construct has many elements- it is a collaboration. As in architecture, engineers are involved- in this case Bill Szymczyk (also "Hotel California" as I'm sure you know). The control room dialog with Joe on the "Yer' Album" is priceless. Keep up the wonderful work. "Made Loud to be Played Loud".....Best Regards

[@CarlBaldassarreMusic]

Thanks for the comment!

[@EDCabrera1]

came across your channel and it is awesome. definitely a favorite

[@trioguitar]

Bringing in Bolero - this is high brow rock history! Big thumbs up from me. 👍👍

[@CarlBaldassarreMusic]

Glad you enjoyed it

[@doxierottenbreath5773]

Thanks Carl - I saw Joe's solo tour at the Meadow Brook Music Festival (Rochester Hills, Michigan, 2007) and I was hoping he would not only that he would play the Bomber but the Bolero part too, he didn't disappoint and WHAM - another check off my bucket list! Take a look in at your eyes throughout this video, they are smiling wide open. Walshie is the greatest - Cheers...Mike

[@778899Tammy13]

LOVE these historical facts and info!Never knew a lot of this, regarding the connection with Joe Walsh, Jeff Beck and Jimmy Page!As I learn ,a beginner guitar player, these videos are so educational and helpful..Thank you!🎸🎼☺️

[@CarlBaldassarreMusic]

I love digging into history! I hope to see you July 2nd at my Soul of Zeppelin show at the music box. I’ll be bringing an all star band including the vocalist Marcus Scott from tower of power and Nick D’VIRGILIO from tears for fears, Genesis fame. Please spread the word. We’re going to take zeppelin back to its soul. One Show only!

[@778899Tammy13]

Carl that sounds awesome!I will spread the word and I'll be there!! 😊

[@CP-mb2ge]

Carl, just discovered this channel. Love influence of Jazz and Classical motifs on Rock Riffs. Thanks, great video.

[@CarlBaldassarreMusic]

Glad you found my channel!!!

[@mcanderson3511]

I just got that Bugera amp recently and I wasn't sure if I could get those JW tones out of it. Thanks for showing me that I can indeed! It actually sounds like it was made for his tone.

[@coinraker6497]

I love the James Gang. They were all about the riff!

[@steveleboutillier8468]

Thanks, you explained that very well & nice rippin' !!

[@CarlBaldassarreMusic]

Glad you enjoyed it!

[@MartinBryan]

Shocked and happy to see you using the little Bugra!

[@CarlBaldassarreMusic]

Works perfectly on that episode!!

[@scottbeaton1519]

So good !!! Your like a music teacher that I never get to meet...

[@CarlBaldassarreMusic]

That’s so kind. I hope we can change that in 2023!

[@tonytigertwenty]

Great video!. Hendrix hendrix HENDRIX!!! MORE JIMI !!

[@markwarren250]

Would Love to see you analyze some of Duane Allman s riffs and solos

[@jeffmcginnis8051]

I love this guys channel ... 😎

[@CarlBaldassarreMusic]

Love you too!! I hope I earned a subscription!

[@57stratkat]

Walsh also gave Pete Townsend the Gretch 6120 guitar (and 1959 Fender Bandmaster amp) that he used on Who's next. Townsend and Walsh shared an apartment for a while in London and were close friends.

[@jsm3233]

What a great video. Joe Walsh is definitely on the Mount Rushmore of American guitarists. I’d have Jimi, Joe Perry and Slash with him. I’m sure there would not be much consensus on that though. So much competition. Great bonus at the end. Was not expecting Beck’s Bolero in this video. Truth is probably the most under appreciated rock album of all time.

[@samuelstoner1838]

Great video.. love Joe walsh

[@BKMDano17]

That was a fantastic video. Great history lesson. Bolero loved that Beck song never knew who it was. James Gang had a great sound still sounds good today. Didn't know Joe And Page were buds either! And all the other interesting fun facts.. Please keep them coming That was a blast!!!!

[@CarlBaldassarreMusic]

Thank you!

[@midnightblues717]

Loved this Mr. Baldassarre! I was in Jr. High School back then and if you could play "Funk 49", "Walk Away" and Free's "All Right Now", you were "THE MAN"! Cheers! MB EDIT: Forgot to mention, I love Vince Guaraldi's music. My parents had all his albums and I can remember listening to them and of course, "Cast Your Fate To The Wind" as a child. We always had music playing in the household, be it Jazz (my father was a self-taught clarinetist/saxophonist, classical (my mother was a trained pianist) or the Beatles and other groups of the era (through my brother, a drummer and my sister, an angelic voice), or even traditional Italian music. It was Peter Frampton and his playing on Humble Pie's "Humble Pie Performance Rockin' The Fillmore", which I bought when it was released in '71, that me want to play guitar.

[@CarlBaldassarreMusic]

Oh my goodness! What a wonderful musical cradle you were raised in! Your parents did it right!

[@tonytigertwenty]

Great stuff as always Carl

[@CarlBaldassarreMusic]

Glad you enjoyed it

[@ImYourOverlord]

Now I'm intrigued about the bolero in "Achilles' Last Stand"! Much as I eat, drink, and dream Led Zeppelin, I never really noticed that. Thank you for poinying it out 😁❤️

[@CarlBaldassarreMusic]

Hope you enjoy it!

[@ImYourOverlord]

@@CarlBaldassarreMusic Speaking of this song, I just listened to the isolated bass and drums today. Very thrilling to hear all the clarity of that 8-string bass guitar, which I either didn't know Jonesy used on the recording, or forgot that he did. Such a distinct tone, and very helpful in making out his notes! Now I want to drag out my Ibanez HD1500 and dial it in to approximate the bass tone on a 4-string :D

[@lloydloar1]

Carl, this is just amazing. Thank you so much for these lessons!! Brilliant.

[@CarlBaldassarreMusic]

You’re so welcome!

[@eddiejr540]

WOW!!….great stuff as always Carl…rock on my man!!!!

[@ImYourOverlord]

Very eager to learn and play some Walsh music on my double cutaway LP copy 🙂

[@Marine_Ret]

When I was listening to my sister’s James Gang album in the 70’s I had no idea who Joe Walsh was 🤷‍♂️

[@mikec6733]

Thank you so much. I ❤️ your videos !!

[@CarlBaldassarreMusic]

I hope you subscribe! It helps keep my channel going!!

[@mikec6733]

@@CarlBaldassarreMusic Done. Subscribed. Wouldn't miss out on the great, interesting and valuable to me, content! On a personal note... I've been playing guitar for many decades...quite a lot but not totally consistently.... I know the basics of music theory, various guitar tricks, licks and styles, and have a degree of technical proficiency... However, for personal emotional or psychological reasons, I fail to produce much actual song-like music. I get lost , moment by moment, in the seemingly infinite possible variations and meanings of the sound making process. My whole life is like this. Trembling, moment by moment, at the implications of apparently infinite possibilities, such that any organizational solidification into a tangible, recognizable, repeatable form seems a Sin, or a quickly boring compromise. This is why I stand in awe, admiration, and self loathing, when I see what people like you are able to do musically.

[@rickvalentine1041]

Another great video. jimmy had a Les Paul before the 59 he bought from Joe...it was a Custom that he used on many sessions before Zep.

[@zososhep]

The Black one that got stolen I believe...

[@rickvalentine1041]

@@zososhep It's been returned.

[@gergemall]

Oh yeah . Sounds great.

[@barrywarren4221]

Great video , Love these classic rock songs you go over.

[@CarlBaldassarreMusic]

I’m going to try to keep it going!

[@redfishradical]

Joe should be FRONT & CENTER on that Mt Rushmore! His otherworldly creativity writing en suite & influenced by jazz (Vince Guaraldi) classical (Ravel both in Bolero & The Mother Goose Suite).

[@renevandalen96]

Joe walsh is fantastic. I understood that Jimmy Page got his first Gibson by him...

[@jltrem]

From 1973 through 1975 myself and a few roommates had an apartment on the upper floor of the famous stretch of bars on Water Street in Kent, Ohio, home of JB's (where The James Gang was house band), Water Street Saloon, The Kove, Pirate's Alley and others. One of my roommates and I worked nights at Kent State University, trying to sleep in the day. One week a very loud band began rehearsing in the day in the bar below our apartment, keeping us awake. This was really annoying...until we discovered that it was Joe Walsh practicing for an appearance at Kent State.

[@CarlBaldassarreMusic]

Good memories! Thanks for sharing!

[@danabiondo9243]

Love that 1!

[@CarlBaldassarreMusic]

Thank you. Me too!

[@jjiacobucci]

Great video !

[@CarlBaldassarreMusic]

Thank you! I hope I earned your subscription!

[@d5u2ke]

Wow! What a great lesson! Loved hearing the theory behind these songs I've played forever. Well, except for Bolero, but now I will learn that too since I have always loved listening to it. Heard Joe first play that with the James Gang in concert, since by then it had been pulled from their album and it blew me away. I heard that because it was an older piece they had just assumed it was in the public domain. Oops! Those tricky assumptions!

[@CarlBaldassarreMusic]

Thanks for the great comment!

[@matthewoconnell114]

I loved how you broke these down. All great riffs. First time I came across your channel. Subscribed instantly. Looking forward to learning more.

[@CarlBaldassarreMusic]

Thank you!

[@martinlahaie6012]

And a Bugera in the background...😊

[@MVos-md3rp]

Riffs? The whole “Machine Head” album!

[@garyh.238]

Absolutely! Blackmore should be on Mount Rushmore of guitarists too.

[@CarlBaldassarreMusic]

Agreed! Also In Rock!

[@gnawbabygnaw]

I follow another guitar player’s channel, Tom Bukovac’s Homeskoolin. He’s a Nashville session player. He’s played with Joe Walsh a lot. He says what’s different from anyone else he’s played with is Joe’s fans. He says they would DIE for him. Says he’s never seen such dedication to a band than fans of Joe Walsh.

[@CarlBaldassarreMusic]

Great insight!

[@derekclacton]

18:11 It sounds like Jeff Beck to my ears and I recall reading an interview where he said Jimmy Page played the rhythm part :)

[@rafaeldiasms]

I’ve always drooled on your Les Paul but that strat is gorgeous….

[@daman9351]

Great tone you got there 👍

[@chrishughes4285]

Excellent listen!

[@guyamedaglia4070]

Have not heard anyone play the opening riff to Funk 49 as perfect than you Carl, other than Joe. Almost everyone plays the double picking incorrectly or modifies it terribly. I'm closer to Joe's age and remember hearing that riff for the first time at Channel High School after we opened for the James Gang and was completely blown away by Joe. Just found your channel and enjoy listening to you. You are an extremely talented musician.

[@CarlBaldassarreMusic]

Thanks dude! It makes me super happy that you appreciated the opening bit. Not easy to figure out! I had to really work on it to get it just right. It made me very happy to do it justice.

[@laurentwirz2806]

Chris Rea starts to play music after listening to Joe's music, particularly the Barnstorm and Smoker you drink Lps. 💎💎

[@Mr05Chuck]

This channel is going to blow up. Congratulations early.

[@PentagramDave]

my first song to learn in my first band was "Walk Away" so I was taken in by this great tutorial also in that band was a keyboardist who had been recently been fired by Anson "Potsie Webber" Williams

[@tonyhaines1192]

How about Skunk Baxter doing Reeling in the Years?

[@CarlBaldassarreMusic]

Yeah!