Yer' Album

Yer' Album is the debut studio album by the American rock band James Gang. The album was released in early 1969, on the Bluesway label. This is the James Gang's only album to feature their bassist Tom Kriss, he was later replaced by Dale Peters for their next album. The album is notable for being the first album to feature guitarist Joe Walsh, who would later achieve great success as a solo artist and with the Eagles.

Yer' Album
Studio album by
ReleasedMarch 29, 1969
RecordedJanuary 1969
StudioThe Hit Factory, New York City
GenreRock, hard rock
Length49:40
LabelBluesway
ProducerBill Szymczyk
The James Gang chronology
Yer' Album
(1969)
James Gang Rides Again
(1970)

This album contains three cover songs out of the 11 tracks; Buffalo Springfield's "Bluebird"; "Lost Woman" by the Yardbirds; and "Stop" by Jerry Ragovoy and Mort Shuman, recorded a year earlier by Howard Tate and also by Al Kooper and Mike Bloomfield for the Super Session album (albeit without vocals).

In the locked groove at the end of side 1 of the LP version of the album (which is normally silent on most phonograph records), the spoken phrase "Turn me over" repeats in a loop, while the locked groove at the end of side 2 repeats the phrase "Play me again". Both phrases were spoken by Walsh. A 'producers note' in the gatefold warns listeners not to spoil these ending to friends who have turntables with automatic return. These messages are removed from CD pressings, but are included on the 8-Track & cassette tape versions.

Critical reception

Professional ratings
Review scores
SourceRating
AllMusic [1]
Robert ChristgauB[2]

Writing for AllMusic, critic William Ruhlman wrote the album "Yer' Album contained much to suggest that the James Gang, in particular its guitarist, had a great future, even if it was more an album of performances than compositions."[1]

Track listing

Side one
No.TitleWriter(s)Length
1."Tuning Part One"Bert de Coteaux, Jim Fox, Bill Szymczyk0:40
2."Take a Look Around"Joe Walsh6:18
3."Funk #48"Fox, Tom Kriss, Walsh2:46
4."Bluebird"Stephen Stills6:02
5."Lost Woman"Jeff Beck, Chris Dreja, Jim McCarty, Keith Relf, Paul Samwell-Smith9:06
Side two
No.TitleWriter(s)Length
1."Stone Rap"Fox, Kriss, Szymczyk, Walsh1:00
2."Collage"Patrick Cullie, Walsh4:02
3."I Don't Have the Time"Fox, Walsh2:49
4."Wrapcity in English"Walsh0:57
5."Fred"Walsh4:09
6."Stop"Jerry Ragovoy, Mort Shuman12:04

Personnel

Musicians

Production

  • Joe Walsh, Bill Szymczyk: Producer
  • James Gang, Bill Szymczyk, Bert de Coteaux: Arrangers
  • Bill Szymczyk: Engineer
  • Denis Minervini: Assistant engineer
  • Henry Epstein: Cover design
  • Ladimer Jeric: Cover Art
  • Bill Szymczyk: Photography

References

  1. Ruhlman, William. "Yer' Album > Review". Allmusic. Retrieved July 9, 2011.
  2. Christgau, Robert (January 29, 1970). "Consumer Guide (7)". The Village Voice. New York. Retrieved April 29, 2013.
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