Newborn is the eighth studio album by James Gang, released in 1975, and the only released on Atlantic Records.
Guitarist Tommy Bolin and singer Roy Kenner left the band, and were replaced by guitarist Richard Shack and vocalist Bubba Keith. This album is notable for being perhaps the most boogie-based James Gang release and for featuring a cover of the Elvis Presley classic "Heartbreak Hotel".
Both Newborn and its follow-up Jesse Come Home have been reissued on one CD by Wounded Bird Records.
The album cover artwork features a reproduction of Salvador Dalí's "Geopoliticus Child Watching the Birth of the New Man"
Critical reception
| Review scores | |
|---|---|
| Source | Rating |
| Allmusic |   [1] |
Writing for Allmusic, critic Stephen Thomas Erlewine wrote of the album "The record was another collection of mediocre songs—a problem that plagued the band ever since the departure of Joe Walsh in 1971."[1]
Track listing
All songs by Bubba Keith and Richard Shack, except where noted.
- Side One
- "Merry-Go-Round" – 3:05
- Bubba Keith - lead vocals, guitar
- Richard Shack - guitars, backing vocals, guitar solo
- Dale Peters - bass, backing vocals
- Jim Fox - drums
- David Briggs - organ
- "Gonna Get By" (Bubba Keith, Mark Smith) – 3:59
- Bubba Keith - lead vocals, acoustic guitar
- Richard Shack - electric guitar, backing vocals
- Dale Peters - bass, backing vocals
- Jim Fox - drums
- David Briggs - piano, organ
- "Earthshaker" (Keith) – 3:48
- Bubba Keith - lead vocals, guitar
- Richard Shack - guitars, guitar solo
- Dale Peters - bass
- Jim Fox - drums
- Tom Dowd - cacophony
- Ken Hamann - synth-A
- "All I Have" – 2:17
- Bubba Keith - lead vocals
- Richard Shack - guitar
- Dale Peters - bass
- "Watch It" (Keith) – 3:32
- Bubba Keith - lead vocals, guitar
- Richard Shack - guitars, guitar solo
- Dale Peters - bass, cowbell
- Jim Fox - drums
- Side Two
- "Driftin' Dreamer" – 3:31
- Bubba Keith - lead vocals, acoustic guitar
- Richard Shack - electric guitar, backing vocals
- Dale Peters - bass, backing vocals, tambourine
- Jim Fox - drums, organ
- "Shoulda' Seen Your Face" – 3:46
- Bubba Keith - lead vocals, guitar
- Richard Shack - guitars, guitar solo
- Dale Peters - bass, triangle
- Jim Fox - drums
- "Come With Me" – 2:30
- Bubba Keith - lead vocals
- Richard Shack - guitar
- Donny Brooks - harmonica
- George Ricci - cello
- Arif Mardin - cello and harmonica arrangements
- "Heartbreak Hotel" (Mae Boren Axton & Tommy Durden) – 2:15
- Bubba Keith - lead vocals, guitar
- Richard Shack - guitars, guitar solo
- Dale Peters - bass
- Jim Fox - drums, piano
- "Red Satin Lover" – 2:17
- Bubba Keith - lead vocals, guitar
- Richard Shack - guitars, guitar solo
- Dale Peters - bass, backing vocals, tambourine
- Jim Fox - drums
- "Cold Wind" – 2:34
- Bubba Keith - lead vocals, acoustic guitar
- Richard Shack - electric guitar, guitar solo
- Dale Peters - bass
- Jim Fox - drums
- Al Perkins - steel guitar
- Tom Dowd - piano
Personnel
- Bubba Keith – lead vocals, electric and acoustic guitars
- Richard Shack – electric guitars, backing vocals
- Dale Peters – bass, backing vocals, percussion
- Jim Fox – drums, organ, piano
- Al Perkins – steel guitar
- David Briggs – organ, piano
- Kenneth Hamann – synthesizer
- Don Brooks – harmonica
- George Ricci – cello
Sales chart performance
Album - Billboard (United States)
| Year | Chart | Position |
|---|---|---|
| 1975 | Billboard 200 | 109 |
References
- ^ a b Erlewine, Stephen Thomas. "Newborn > Review". Allmusic. Retrieved July 9, 2011.
