Newborn (album)


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

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."

Track listing

All songs by Bubba Keith and Richard Shack, except where noted.
;Side One
  1. "Merry-Go-Round" – 3:05
  2. * Bubba Keith - lead vocals, guitar
  3. * Richard Shack - guitars, backing vocals, guitar solo
  4. * Dale Peters - bass, backing vocals
  5. * Jim Fox - drums
  6. * David Briggs - organ
  7. "Gonna Get By" – 3:59
  8. * Bubba Keith - lead vocals, acoustic guitar
  9. * Richard Shack - electric guitar, backing vocals
  10. * Dale Peters - bass, backing vocals
  11. * Jim Fox - drums
  12. * David Briggs - piano, organ
  13. "Earthshaker" – 3:48
  14. * Bubba Keith - lead vocals, guitar
  15. * Richard Shack - guitars, guitar solo
  16. * Dale Peters - bass
  17. * Jim Fox - drums
  18. * Tom Dowd - cacophony
  19. * Ken Hamann - synth-A
  20. "All I Have" – 2:17
  21. * Bubba Keith - lead vocals
  22. * Richard Shack - guitar
  23. * Dale Peters - bass
  24. "Watch It" – 3:32
  25. * Bubba Keith - lead vocals, guitar
  26. * Richard Shack - guitars, guitar solo
  27. * Dale Peters - bass, cowbell
  28. * Jim Fox - drums
;Side Two
  2. "Driftin' Dreamer" – 3:31
  3. * Bubba Keith - lead vocals, acoustic guitar
  4. * Richard Shack - electric guitar, backing vocals
  5. * Dale Peters - bass, backing vocals, tambourine
  6. * Jim Fox - drums, organ
  7. "Shoulda' Seen Your Face" – 3:46
  8. * Bubba Keith - lead vocals, guitar
  9. * Richard Shack - guitars, guitar solo
  10. * Dale Peters - bass, triangle
  11. * Jim Fox - drums
  12. "Come With Me" – 2:30
  13. * Bubba Keith - lead vocals
  14. * Richard Shack - guitar
  15. * Donny Brooks - harmonica
  16. * George Ricci - cello
  17. * Arif Mardin - cello and harmonica arrangements
  18. "Heartbreak Hotel" – 2:15
  19. * Bubba Keith - lead vocals, guitar
  20. * Richard Shack - guitars, guitar solo
  21. * Dale Peters - bass
  22. * Jim Fox - drums, piano
  23. "Red Satin Lover" – 2:17
  24. * Bubba Keith - lead vocals, guitar
  25. * Richard Shack - guitars, guitar solo
  26. * Dale Peters - bass, backing vocals, tambourine
  27. * Jim Fox - drums
  28. "Cold Wind" – 2:34
  29. * Bubba Keith - lead vocals, acoustic guitar
  30. * Richard Shack - electric guitar, guitar solo
  31. * Dale Peters - bass
  32. * Jim Fox - drums
  33. * Al Perkins - steel guitar
  34. * Tom Dowd - piano

    Personnel

Album - Billboard
YearChartPosition
1972Billboard 20097