Ordinary Average Guy is the ninth solo studio album by American singer-songwriter and multi-instrumentalist Joe Walsh. The album was released in mid 1991. It was Walsh's first album of entirely new music since Got Any Gum? in 1987, and his first solo album to be issued internationally by Epic following a four-year alliance with Warner Bros. Records in the United States and Canada. The album features Ringo Starr, Survivor's lead vocalist Jimi Jamison, and the drummer Joe Vitale from Walsh's former band Barnstorm. Vitale also sings the lead vocals on the final track of the album, "School Days".
Critical reception
Writing for AllMusic, critic Vincent Jeffries wrote of the album "This collection of nostalgia, decent balladry, and quirky anthems probably reinforced any notions of Joe Walsh's creative decline... this reflective, sometimes half-hearted effort belies a weariness that's both sad and difficult to appreciate as this master goes through the motions."
Track listing All songs by Joe Walsh, except where noted.
Personnel Joe Walsh – vocals, keyboards, guitars Joe Vitale – keyboards, drums, percussion, vocals, lead vocals (11) Waddy Wachtel – guitars (5) Rick Rosas – bass (1–4, 6–11), vocals George "Chocolate" Perry – bass (5) Chad Cromwell – drums, percussion Otis Lawrence – saxophones Kelly Hurt – backing vocals Lavestia Miller – backing vocals Al Paris – backing vocals Jeffrey Rogers – backing vocals
Production Scott MacLellan – executive producer Joe Walsh – producer Joe Vitale – producer Dave Reynolds – recording, mixing Jim Nipar – recording (5) Bill Szymczyk – recording (5) Tim Ray – recording assistant, mix assistant Jim Stabile – recording assistant John Walls – recording assistant, mix assistant Vlado Meller – mastering David Coleman – art direction Alan Messer – photography Patrick Cullie – barn photography Willie Gibson – barn photography
Studios Recorded at Pyramid Recording Studio (Lookout Mountain, Tennessee) and Kiva Recording Studio (Memphis, Tennessee). Mixed at Kiva Recording Studio Mastered at Sony Music Studios (New York City, New York).
Charts Chart (1991) Peakposition
See also List of albums released in 1991 Joe Walsh discography
References