James Gang "Take a Look Around"
(Yer' Album, 1969)
The James Gang's debut album was heavy on covers (the Yardbirds, Buffalo Springfield) and psychedelic effects. But this trippy Walsh song, wrapped in brooding acid-gospel organ, was an early triumph, rich in melodic hooks and soaring guitar soaked in echo.

James Gang "Funk #49"
(Rides Again, 1970)
Like "Funk #48," its predecessor on Yer' Album, this punchy James Gang hit started out as a warm-up riff at sound checks. Walsh's intro may be his best five seconds of guitar on record: heavy-Cream R&B with bent-string bite.

James Gang "Walk Away"
(Thirds, 1971)
Walsh may have been writing about himself. He quit the James Gang soon after this single stopped shy of Billboard's top fifty. The record - a compact mix of overdubbed-guitar crunch, bright harmonies and love-gone-sour poignancy - deserved better.

Joe Walsh "Turn to Stone"
(Barnstorm, 1972)
Walsh was more spaced cowboy than guitar hero on his solo debut, setting his country-flavored writing in luscious pop textures - except on this heavy-blues blowout, where he piles on the riffs and fuzz like a one-man Mountain.

Joe Walsh "Rocky Mountain Way"
(The Smoker You Drink, the Player You Get, 1973)
Walsh's vocal is way back in the mix, like he's already up where the air is rare. But his guitars are the real stars: the beefy main riff, his sinewy slide runs and that voice-box effect in the solo, a gimmick Peter Frampton soon took to the bank.

The Eagles "In The City"
(The Long Run, 1979)
Walsh's guitar work was a highlight of the Eagles' Hotel California - and the saving grace of its woe-is-me follow-up. Co-written by Walsh, "In the City" sounds like an outtake from one of his solo records, with its power-chord hook and arching slide guitar. Which makes it one of the best things on the album.

>> Check out " Joe Walsh Rides Again," our profile of the reluctant rock star..

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