Joe Walsh – "But Seriously, Folks..."

I found this album still in shrink wrap in a cut out bin at a dollar store in 1989. At 16, it was too mellow for me. I was looking for an album full of 'Life's Been Good' rockers. Actually, I was looking for 'Funk #49', which was still all over classic rock radio and I thought was a Joe Walsh song. It took about a year, but I eventually got into this album. There is the big hit that persists to this day in 'Life's Been Good' (quoted by KARP in 'Bacon Industry'). 'Indian Summer' is a grand epic along the lines of 'Birdcall Morning' and 'Bookends'. 'Inner Tube' and 'Boat Weirdos' prove that Joe Vitale has always been the necessary foil keeping JW's albums fun and interesting. It's great that main Joe allowed JV such a big part of his solo albums; maybe a sign of his magnanimity (or lack of material?) Unlike the first three albums, there are a couple of MOR tunes. Like Nietzsche said, stare into the Eagles, and the Eagles stare back into you. 'Tomorrow' and 'Second Hand Store' would sit well on The Long Run (snooze. barf) Then there's 'Over And Over' and 'At The Station'. Good, solid JW rockers with wacky lyrics and mucho great guitar playing. A bit less classic than the early 70s Joe Walsh records, but worth your time. ...BSF was definitely worth the dollar I spent on it 34 years ago and then some.

Anyone know if any of the CD versions are brickwalled? Have it on vinyl and want to pick up a CD copy that sounds as wide and open. Afraid of 1991 CDs...

Solid openers on both sides and incredible closers on both sides. Good album structure can go a long way. Album flows well. Great pressing and Joe Walsh was always my favorite Eagle. They just don't write songs like "At the Station" or "Life's been good" anymore. One of the best solo Eagles albums.

This is one of several of Joe Walsh's post-Eagles output, as he was certainly a key contributor to the legendary band. Here, you get a sense of his laid back, guitar-forward writing style. There's definitely a mellow, carefree attitude throughout the release.

Soundwise, the mix is good. There are several multitracked layers a guitar and keys which allow for exploration. This keeps the tracks interesting.

The highlight here is obviously his hit "Life's Been Good", which is cleverly penned and a catchy rocker.

Pressing is good. Recommended.

My copy of 6E-141 has John Prine's Bruised Orange (6E-139) as the side one label. Anyone have information about this misprint?

Besides in the Eagles hardly knew Joe Walsh , liked "Turned to Stone". Now bought this as used CD and am shocked at how good it is. Not a single bad song on this album; now to search for the other ones.

But Seriously Folks, unknowing channels the end, or at least the winding down of the stoner age of rock n’ roll. It’s probably Walsh’s most enigmatic, introspective and melodic album to date, and should have been the album The Eagles released, rather than their self-grandiose opus, The Long Run. In a true autumn haze, filled with reflective visionary cyclings and romantic overtures, Joe gathers together no less than four of his pals from The Eagles, keyboardist Jay Ferguson of Spirit and Jo Jo Gunne fame, along with Joe Vitale, drummer from Walsh’s former band Barnstorm, to create what can only be described as The Pet Sounds for the late 70’s. And in keeping with that Pet Sounds/Sgt. Pepper theme, the first pressings of this release had secret messages engraved on the carry-out grooves of both sides:

Side 1 reading: Luncheon Counter Of The Deli Kind
Side 2 reading: Call It In The Air

There is an unparalleled cohesiveness to this record that is totally unexpected, and certainly won’t rise to your attention on the first listen. The album opens in true rocker formate with “Over and Over,” then quickly shifts gears, but remaining in theme with a couple of easy going slices, that while measured, certainly move the listener comfortably into “At The Station”; an upbeat theatric look at life in mid-career, filled with guitar riffs and simmering hot drums, that tie things together smoothly, nurturing Joe to do what Joe does best. By the time you get to Side 2 [and my friends, this is why vinyl is so necessary], you find yourself knee-deep in quintessential 70’s soft pop that bounces along in a delightful manner, morphing into a splendid instrumental [actually an instrumental and a half] of liquid optimism, before shuffling you off to the closing track “Life’s Been Good” ... an eight minute sarcastic look into the “rock star and party guy” life of Joe Walsh. Only once deeply into this last track, does one realize that all of the previous songs have been designed to filter the listener into this majestic stoner rock classic, with the emphasis being on the line “ ... so far,” tongue-in-cheek-ly suggesting that there is certainly more to come.