Funk #49 by James Gang

Power trios were all the rage in 1970, and the Cleveland-based James Gang was being touted as the US answer to Cream (Eric Clapton’s recently disbanded trio). The star of the band was a lanky singer/guitarist named Joe Walsh. The riff monster “Funk #49” was the band’s greatest hit, and it’s a song that’s stuck with Walsh over the years. He played it with his solo band in later years, and even plays it nowadays as a member of the Eagles.

Featured on their second album, “Funk #49” was a sequel to a similarly-styled track from the first James Gang album, "Funk #48" (the number came from the box of recording tape). They’ve recently promised that when they get around to making a reunion album, it will include “Funk #50.”

Our testers give this classified info: “Secret! Pretend to be nice to your band mate. Let them pick guitar and keep bass for yourself. You will not regret it!” It is indeed a fun bass part, with a lot of HOPOs and walking, and some wild improvisation at the end.

The guitar part is tricky too. During the repeating riff with the red fret, be ready to reach with your pinky for the orange; but try not to move your hand as you will need to get back down to the green fret quickly.

The drum part is where the “funk” comes in. Watch for the snare hits that don’t come where you’ll expect. The mid-song drum solo is tough, but doable. Like the bass, you get some crazed improv at the end of the song, with beats that don’t repeat and challenging fills. Save your Overdrive!

Walsh went onto become a solo star and an Eagle, while the James Gang carried on for awhile with different singers and guitarists (the late, great Tommy Bolin was one of Walsh’s replacements).

But this James Gang lineup (Walsh, bassist Dale Peters and drummer Jim Fox) came together after 25 years when Clinton asked them to play a rally in 1996. They kept doing sporadic gigs afterwards, even doing a national tour in 2006.

"Funk #49" as performed by The James Gang courtesy of Universal Music Enterprises
James K. Fox; Jim Fox; Dale Peters; Joseph Fidler Walsh published by SONGS OF UNIVERSAL, INC. on behalf of itself and HOME MADE MUSIC CO.