James Gang Rides Again (1970) is the second album by the James Gang and a defining moment for guitarist Joe Walsh, who infused the power trio’s sound with a mix of hard rock swagger and acoustic finesse. Anchored by the riff-heavy classic “Funk #49,” the album balances gritty jams with more experimental textures, including the ambitious medley “The Bomber,” which controversially sampled Ravel’s Boléro. Side two shifts into folk and country-tinged ballads like “Tend My Garden” and the haunting “Ashes the Rain and I,” showcasing the band’s range beyond blues-rock. The album cemented Walsh’s reputation as a guitar innovator and remains a cult favorite for its raw energy and stylistic breadth.
