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Celebration of "So What"!
Joe's "So What" album was released on this day in 1975, and I think it's Joe's best solo album with masterpieces like "Turn to Stone" and "Help Me Thru the Night." LOVE it.
Welcome to the Club - Great start to the album, great song! It's so fun! The lyrics are a hoot! The song structure really takes you along with it, too.
Falling Down / Pavanne - Joe wrote this with Don Henley and I think the lyrics reflect Don's writing style. The melody itself isn't that memorable, but it isn't bad. Sticking the instrumental "Pavanne" at the end was a nice touch.
Time Out - Interesting lyrically and pretty good melodically, it fits the pattern of a lot of music he was doing back then in structure and sound. Cool guitar.
All Night Laundry Mat Blues - OK, can I tell you how hilarious I find the concept of this cute little song? Joe says he wrote it when he was waiting for his clothes to be washed at the laundromat - like me, he waits until he pretty much has nothing left that's clean to go to the laundromat. As a result, once you get there, you're there a long time! How can anyone not love a song with a line like "If you wear clothes, you gotta pay the dues." LOL!
Turn to Stone - One of my favorite Joe songs. Incredible guitar, interesting lyrics - the song is intense, dramatic, rockin'... terrific.
Help Me Thru the Night - My very favorite Joe song. So beautiful, so emotional, so moving. The vocal conveys such vulnerability over a soft, simple melody... magnificent. I hear it was about him and his then-wife trying to deal with his little daughter Emma's death.
County Fair - a song with some unexpected twists and turns that make it interesting. At first it seems simple but as it goes along it reveals a sophistication in lyrics and structure that sets it apart. A very underrated song.
Song for Emma - I mentioned before the death of his daughter; most of you know what happened, but a quick summary for those who don't: Emma was Joe Walsh's first child, a daughter he had with his wife Stefanie. When Emma was 3, she died in a car accident on the way to nursery school, killed by a drunk driver who ran a stop sign. Even worse, she wasn't killed outright, but put into an irreversible coma and rendered brain dead - forcing Joe to make the decision to "pull the plug." Meanwhile, the mother was dealing with survivor's guilt since she was the driver. Awful. They got divorced not long after. The album's title actually is inspired by the fact that after Emma's death, nothing seemed important to Joe, so it was like "I'm making an album. So what? Nothing matters anymore." This song's lyrics are poignant in their simple, straightforward expression of grief and the melody is lovely. After the last verse, so softly you can hardly hear it, he whispers "Goodbye, Emma." Chokes me up every time.
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Re: Happy Birthday "So What"
Happy Anniversary 'So What'!!!
Sorry I missed posting this yesterday. I agree with you Soda about Turn to Stone and Help Me Thru the Night - love 'em both. And thanks for your review. I am going to make a point to listen to this album all the way through soon. I knew the anniversary was coming up and had wanted to do it before, but, once again, "the world got in my way". :wink:
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Re: Happy Birthday "So What"
Thanks for the links Soda. As many of us learned after playing Joe's Greatest Hits Survivor, Help Me Though The Night is a song that sneaks up on you and causes you to love it. But now that I know what it's about I'm going to think about it differently. :ack:
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Re: Celebration of "So What"!
I'm reviving this thread because So What was released 35 YEARS AGO on December 1, 1975.
It's Joe's best album, IMHO. C'mon folks, let's give it some love!
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Re: Celebration of "So What"!
Happy Anniversary "So What"! Great album, although I have to say my favorite is.... his greatest hits collection. :hilarious: You got Rocky Mountain Way on one album, Life's Been Good on another, etc etc.
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Re: Celebration of "So What"!
So What has like four of my favorites
Turn To Stone
Welcome To The Club
County Fair
Time Out
Those four stand apart but I really like
Help Me Make It The Night
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Re: Celebration of "So What"!
Quote:
Originally Posted by
MikeA
So What has like four of my favorites
Turn To Stone
Welcome To The Club
County Fair
Time Out
Those four stand apart but I really like
Help Me Make It The Night
Turn to Stone is my favorite from the album. Second favorite is Help Me Through The Night,
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Re: Celebration of "So What"!
LOVE this album and Turn To Stone & County Fair and of course my all time favorite Help Me Thru The Night. :lie: Seriously tho---I have a whole new appreciation for this song thanks to WastedMaid and the survivor game that opened my eyes to it.
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Re: Celebration of "So What"!
Happy anniversary "So What"! Great album! My three favorites on the album would also have to be County Fair, Welcome To The Club, and Turn To Stone.
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Re: Celebration of "So What"!
Well, I'm embarrassed to say I don't have this album, but after reading your comments, old and new, I'm going to have to remedy that!
I do love Turn to Stone and Help Me Through the Night though.
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Re: Celebration of "So What"!
HAPPY 35th ANNIVERSARY SO WHAT!!!
I had run some errands this evening so I had a chance to listen to the CD in my car to celebrate. I also think this is one of my favorite of Joe's solo albums. My favorites are County Fair, Welcome To the Club, Help Me Thru the Night, and Turn To Stone (this is one of my very favorite Joe solo songs).
Thought I'd go ahead and post the front cover of the album just for grins.
http://www.joewalshonline.com/images/sowhat.jpg
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Re: Celebration of "So What"!
Such a contemplative Joe shown there. This is another album/8-track/casette/cd evolution that I've always had in my collection. This was in the midst of one of the most creative times for Joe from James Gang Live, Barnstorm, Smoker, So What and Sick Mind during such a difficult time in his personal life. Reachin' deep and diggin in to survive, the suffering artist phenomenon I guess. I'd challenge any group or artist to be compared to this level of creativity and quality of output over 5 albums in a row. I love every song on here, Turn to Stone in any of its variations is one of my favorites, especially live.
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Re: Celebration of "So What"!
No disrespect to Joe, but that album cover always made me think Joe was trying to stifle a burp.
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Re: Celebration of "So What"!
Love this album, one of my faves
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Re: Celebration of "So What"!
Bringing this thread forward for the 36th anniversary of the release of Joe's So What album!
I've listed the songs from favorite to least favorite like we've done for other albums:
1. Help Me thru the Night
2. Turn to Stone
3. County Fair
4. Welcome to the Club
5. Time Out
6. Falling Down/Pavanne
7. Song for Emma
8. All Night Laundry Mat Blues
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Re: Celebration of "So What"!
Good deal! I like all the songs on this album. Here's my ranking:
1. Help Me Thru the Night
2. Turn to Stone
3. Welcome to the Club
4. Song for Emma
5. All Night Laundry Mat Blues
6. County Fair
7. Time Out
8. Falling Down/Pavanne
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Re: Celebration of "So What"!
HAPPY 36th ANNIVERSARY SO WHAT!!!
I'm gonna pop this in the car CD player to celebrate when I go out this afternoon. This is among my favorites of Joe's albums. I'll rank the songs later. I think I already know the order, but I'll refresh my memory to make sure. :wink:
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Re: Celebration of "So What"!
This is a couple days late, but I wanted to say Happy Anniversary to "So What"! This one is definitely in my top three favorite Walsh albums. And I know some people may disagree, but I just love this album cover. I've got it hanging up in my room:D
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Re: Celebration of "So What"!
I like this album.
Here is my list.
1. Help Me Thru The Night
2. Turn To Stone
3. Welcome To The Club
4. County Fair
5. Song For Emma
6. Time Out
7. All Night Laundry Mat Blues
8. Falling Down/Pavanne
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Re: Celebration of "So What"!
Well - I am finally remembering to post my favs list for this album. First of all, I think this is a very good, underrated album. I really like all of the songs and lyrically, they are very introspective compared to some of Joe's other work (well - except for All Night Laundry Mat Blues :grin: ). I went ahead and combined Falling Down and Pavanne like the rest of you, although to me these are two indivdual songs. My CD also has them listed separately. Anyway, unlike the rest of you, Help Me Thru the Night is not my favorite or even second favorite song on the album. That honor goes to the rockin' Time Out - love that song! So, here goes ...
1. Turn to Stone
2. Time Out
3. Help Me Thru the Night
4. Welcome to the Club
5. Falling Down/Pavanne
6. County Fair
7. Song for Emma
8. All Night Laundry Mat Blues
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Re: Celebration of "So What"!
Well, I finally got around to compiling the results of our "So What" mini-poll. It was very close, but with one point more than Turn to Stone, the leader so far is Help Me Thru the Night. Here is the tabulation ...
1. Help Me Thru the Night - 30 points
2. Turn to Stone - 29 points
3. Welcome to the Club - 22 points
4. County Fair - 17 points
5. Time Out - 16 points
6. Song for Emma - 13 points
7. Falling Down/Pavane - 9 points
8. All Night Laundry Mat Blues - 8 points
Anyone else who wants to weigh in on this, feel free. I'll update the results if others post a list.
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Re: Celebration of "So What"!
Sorry to screw up yur tabulations :P
Can't believe I've listened to this since i was 15....er, I mean 10, or 5 :lie:
No wonder it's like woven into my soul.
1. Turn to Stone - probly my fav Joe song ever, his live version last month was outstanding
2. Help Me - spent a lot of time fantasizing while this played
3. Welcome to the Club - great version on his Nov tour, outstanding opening
4. Time Out - great lyrics
5. County Fair - beautiful feeling
6. Falling Down - moody, slinky, great feel
6 1/2 Pavanne - ditto
7. Song for Emma- beautiful, just too sad esp the whispers at the end
8. All Night Laundry Mat Blues - young Joe's new-found writing style n attitude I like it.
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Re: Celebration of "So What"!
Well, I don't mind retabulating at all Deb, especially since your vote helps out two of my favorites. Time Out is now tied with County Fair for 4th/5th place. And my very favorite, Turn to Stone, is now tied for the lead with Help Me Thru the Night. Here are the latest results ...
1/2. Help Me Thru the Night - 37 points
1/2. Turn to Stone - 37 points
3. Welcome to the Club - 28 points
4/5. County Fair - 21 points
4/5. Time Out - 21 points
6. Song for Emma - 15 points
7. Falling Down/Pavane - 12 points
8. All Night Laundry Mat Blues - 9 points
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Re: Celebration of "So What"!
You don't have to add me in to your poll if it's too much effort, Dreamer. I wanted to share my list just for the heck of it.
1. Turn To Stone <--- brilliant song. Joe can really rock out the solo (especially when TTS was part of the Eagles setlist and Felder played the solo with him.) I'd love to hear it live someday.....
2. Help Me Thru The Night <--- I've never cared for this song until I watched Hell Freezes Over. Now I can't get enough of it!
3. Welcome To The Club <--- Probably among the first few Joe Walsh songs that got me hooked on his music :D
4. County Fair
5. Time Out
6. Falling Down
7. All Night Laundry Mat Blues
8. Song For Emma
9. Pavanne
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Re: Celebration of "So What"!
Hey - I'm glad to add your list in, EF - welcome to the club. :grin: Your votes give us a new leader in the poll. Congratulations to Turn to Stone, who now leads Help Me Thru the Night by one point. Here are the latest results ...
1. Turn to Stone - 45 points
2. Help Me Thru the Night - 44 points
3. Welcome to the Club - 34 points
4. County Fair - 26 points
5. Time Out - 25 points
6. Song for Emma - 16 points
7. Falling Down/Pavane - 15 points
8. All Night Laundry Mat Blues - 11 points
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Re: Celebration of "So What"!
Once again it's the birthday of So What, my fave of Joe's albums! Love it!
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Re: Celebration of "So What"!
HAPPY ANNIVERSARY SO WHAT!!!
Love this album, especially the awesome Turn to Stone. This is definitely one of my favorites of Joe's solo albums. I was trying to decide if I like this one or Analog Man better, but I think it's too soon to tell. Analog Man is still relatively new to me, so I'll probably have to wait and see if it stands up as well as So What over time.
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Re: Celebration of "So What"!
HAPPY BIRTHDAY SO WHAT!
Released on this day in 1975.
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Re: Celebration of "So What"!
My 2nd favorite Joe album! Fell asleep to it last night. What an amazing album!
Hard to pick a favorite song. Turn to Stone from Barnstorm is my all time fav. Joe song. The So What version is great too. I guess if I had to pick an all time favorite for this album it would be Country Fair Time Out Welcome to the Club Falling Down. After thinking about this for way to long I've figured out I can't pick a favorite off of this album because I love them all except Pavane & Laundry.
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Re: Celebration of "So What"!
Turn to Stone is absolutely epic. My favorite of Joe's solo material, along with Help Me Thru the Night.
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Re: Celebration of "So What"!
Happy Birthday "So What"!
My fav on here is definitely TTS. And I love All Night Laundry Mat Blues, as cheesy as it is.
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Re: Celebration of "So What"!
Sorry I'm a day late, but ...
HAPPY ANNIVERSARY SO WHAT!!!
I'm gonna put this one in the CD player this week. In many cases, these anniversary dates for these albums are the only times I get a chance to listen to them. I think, at this point, this is tied with Analog Man as my favorite Joe solo album. I go back and forth between the two.
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Re: Celebration of "So What"!
I'm putting So What in the CD player tonight to celebrate the anniversary of its release!
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Re: Celebration of "So What"!
My 2nd favorite Joe album!
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Re: Celebration of "So What"!
When did the album come out. I saw 1974 and I also saw 1975.
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Re: Celebration of "So What"!
Quote:
Originally Posted by
shunlvswx
When did the album come out. I saw 1974 and I also saw 1975.
I could have sworn it was 1974 but JWO has it as 1975 (I thought Smoker was 1975 but JWO has it as 1973).
http://www.joewalshonline.com/solo/sowhat/index.htm
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Re: Celebration of "So What"!
All Music Guide has it as 1975, but when I got up and looked at the CD, it said 1974. I'll change it.
FP, Smoker is definitely 1973, as I checked that while I was at it. ;)
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Re: Celebration of "So What"!
Wikipedia had 1974 and I know they are not right sometimes. When was that special when Glenn and the two Dons join Joe on HMTTN? Joe join in '75 and that special was before he join the band right?
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Re: Celebration of "So What"!
So What is very dear to me. The first album I bought. It's all I listened to for several months.
I worked out that if I left the arm open on my record player, I could get the last track, Song For Emma, to play over and over again.
At first, I really didn't like the Eagles backing vocals on it but I loved the Walsh/Henley co-write Falling Down.
Those early Walsh albums had fabulous Joe versions of all types of music like folk, Jazz, Blues, Classical, Gospel etc. and especially Rock. He's been a lot less adventurous since he joined the Eagles a year after this album was released
Produced by John Stronach rather than Bill Szymczyk (except Song For Emma. He needed someone very close for the song about his daughter dying). It's about my 4th or 5th favourite Walsh album.
How come Time Out turns up on the following You Can't Argue With A Sick Mind live album but isn't on the video that the album comes from?
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Re: Celebration of "So What"!
Quote:
Originally Posted by
Funk 50
How come Time Out turns up on the following You Can't Argue With A Sick Mind live album but isn't on the video that the album comes from?
The million dollar question. I suspect it was because of the drug references in the song. An Australian mega fan claims he has a copy of it on video but to be perfectly honest, unless I see it, it doesn't exist.
So What? is indeed '74.
It's funny to hear So What? called an early album because I think of the James Gang as his early work!
Also to shun above: Joe filmed his DKRC at the end of Nov. '75 & it aired Jan. '76. I've been told that Joe (& the others) already knew he was an Eagle at the time of filming.