Let's Discuss Bob Welch Solo Albums

[chriskisn]

Originally Posted by nicepace

In general I enjoy Bob's post-FM work a lot. He is a very creative musician with a widely divergent range of styles, which maybe isn't good for career success but gives him a lot of credibility as a musician.

I really love the two Paris albums, especially the second one. I hugely prefer the FM version of "Sentimental Lady" over the Buckinghammed solo version, the arrangement of which I find too sappy. I haven't bought the 'Bop' album because I hate jazz, therefore I know I'd hate the 'Bop' album. I suggest that if you hate the 'Bop' album it's not because it's bad (Bob is too accomplished a musician to make a BAD album if he's in charge of it) but because you don't like jazz.

However, this thread omits a huge piece of Bob's post-FM work, which are the songs available for free on his website. He has several dozen songs that you can download, for free. Some are live versions of songs you've heard before, some are rough demos, some are reasonably finished tracks. They're all worth hearing. Everyone should take advantage of Bob's generosity in making these available, for free. I have them on my hard disk and am planning on making a CD (or two) of my favorite ones when I have finally figured out which ones those are.

Firstly you are probably quite right about the jazz thing, there isn't really any other jazz in my CD collection unless you include Amy Winehouse

You are also right about the stuff on his website, I've downloaded about 40 tracks off there (and there are more available) although I have to admit that I'm not really that keen on all of them and most of them do start to sound the same.

I just wish he'd put out a CD of new material, not a rehashed CD of hits...