After leaving the James Gang and wanting to branch out his musical horizons, Joe called on bassist Kenny Pasarelli and drummer Joe Vitale to begin a new project called Barnstorm. Recording in Colorado proved to be an inspirational move on Walsh's part and the music contained therein reflects Joe's growing qualities as a writer and performer, moving quite quickly from the "power trio" stereotype he had begun to feel stifled by previously within the James Gang. Opening with "Here We Go" featuring a shimmering 12 string melody strum making for a markedly melodic, bright and organic number to introduce the listener to, its the first of several examples to this disc's desirable quality. From stem to stern, the acoustic angle on songs like "Home", "Midnight Visitor", "Birdcall Morning" and "I'll Tell the World About You"(which is a tribute to his eldest daughter, whom had been killed in a car accident a year previous), show Joe's palette of songwriting craft to be fully realized that was hinted upon previous James Gang numbers such as "Ashes, the Rain and I". He does save a little bit of room for heavier rock overtones on numbers like "Mother Says" and the semi-epic "Turn to Stone" which balances out a bit of the lighter side of things predominately displayed here. The album's closer, "Comin' Down", offers up a simple and sparse melody acoustically, with a lonely wail of harmonica to close out the record on a peaceful and positive note.

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For a debut solo record, Barnstorm is a landmark of sorts for Joe's career and it also stands as a benchmark within his growing discography over the years up to and including his most recent release, Analog Man. If some of you have never heard this record, go out and grab it NOW!!

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Rating Grade- A+