James Gang

Websites:  No
Origin: Toronto, Ontario, 🇨🇦 (Domenic Troiano & Roy Kenner); Cleveland, Ohio, 🇺🇸 (Dale Peters & Jim Fox)
Biography:

When Joe Walsh left this band in late '71, Domenic and Roy Kenner were recruited to fill the vacancy. Many hardcore Walsh fans were probably disappointed when they heard Straight Shooter, the first album with the new lineup. Kenner and Troiano became the group's new creative forces, and they didn't attempt to cop Walsh's style. Instead, the new James Gang sounded like Bush Part II. Rolling Stone's Alan Niester said the following about the Troiano-era Gang: "Their new concert act is probably as exciting, if not more so, than the old congregation's. The last time I saw the band, I concluded that they were one of the premier live rock bands left in America."

Although it met with public indifference upon its release, Straight Shooter is a must-have for Troiano fans. Domenic kept the funk in the James Gang; "Kick Back Man" should have been called "Funk #50." "Hairy Hypochondriac" is a goofy song about bassist Dale Peters (see Rolling Stone, 1 February 1973). On "Madness" and "Looking for My Lady," Kenner screams like a banshee chief on the warpath. Domenic sings lead on "Getting Old," a lovely but slightly depressing tune. Straight Shooter was produced exclusively by the band. As a result, the album sounds insular and a bit directionless. As a Troiano fan, I enjoy the album, but many long time Gang fans were put off by the new sound. Keith Olsen enhanced the band's sound on their next album, Passin' Thru. He polished up the rough edges and brought in outside musicians to play various instruments on several tracks. Dom contributes some respectable material, including the funky "One Way Street," "Things I Want to Say to You," and the perfect pop gem "Out of Control." Most of the other tracks were written by both Troiano and Kenner. "Had Enough" features an organ bit played by none other than drummer Jimmy Fox. The last tune, "Drifting Girl," is a weeper that many people seem to have forgotten about. Get out your vinyl and refresh your memory, it's a gorgeous tune.

If you're a fan of the Troiano/Kenner team, then you'd enjoy these two James Gang albums. They were re-issued on CD in the early '90s on MCA/One Way. Passin' Thru is probably the better buy because the overall sound is more focused on that album. Plus, the Straight Shooter CD is cursed with a lousy mix. Both of the One Way releases are out of print, but luckily, Straight Shooter and Passin' Thru have recently been released on a single disc by UK-based label BGO (Beat Goes On) Records. An essential Troiano purchase... hunt it down!