Elvin Bishop - My Father's Place (1979)

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Elvin Bishop live @ My Father's Place is Elvin having a party alright. Elvin Bishop music is always good time music, and live he's at his very best. This is a live broadcast from 1979, two years after his official live album "Raisin' Hell'", and it's a treat. A little less polished, but that only adds to the charm of his music. There's no Mickey Thomas present, so the emphasis is less on the singing, more on the picking. Southern Rock with plenty of Funk and Soul. And Blues of course. If you dig Elvin Bishop at all, you'll love this. Wiggle Wobble...

George Hatcher interview on Sweethomemusic

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On French website Sweethomemusic.fr, there's a cool interview with George Hatcher. It's a French site but the interview is in English. You should go check that out. I think it's great he's still around and about to make a comeback in music. George is definitely one of my favorite Southern Rock singers. For those of you who don't know mr. Hatcher, he's released quite a couple of classic Southern Rock gems:
Dry Run (1976)
Talkin' Turkey (1977)
Have Band, Will Travel (1977)
Rich Girl (1978)
Coming Home (1982)
Hindsight (1985)
Check out his music and read about the man here!

Lonnie Jolson Band - Swamp (1981)

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Another fine obscurity provided by The French Connection (thanks guys), it's the Lonnie Johnson Band with "Swamp". A good album, though a little odd, which sounds like it was a product of the early 70's. And sounding nothing like 1981. Pretty obvious there was no major label behind this release. Cause the Lonnie Jolson Band do whatever they please. It starts off as a Country album, but as it progresses starts rocking out quite nicely. Musically it's somewhere in between Country and Swamp Rock. Very much a Southern thing alright. The album features several covers of well known tracks. I was very pleased with the version of Tony Joe White's "They Caught The Devil And Put Him In Jail In Eudora, Arkansas". This album should please fans of Outlaw Country, as well as fans of the mellow side of Southern Rock. Cool.

Don Bowman - Recorded Almost Live (1967)

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A little more zany stuff for all you corn heads out here. "Recorded Almost Live" is album number four by Country Comedian Don Bowman. Another fine slice of absurdities, the kind of silliness Don excels in. Like Don insisting his buddy should fight the man hitting on his woman, since he himself can't stand the sight of blood, on "Let's You And Him Fight". Added as a bonus to this rip is a single he recorded with Skeeter Davis, "For Loving You" backed with "Baby It's Cold Outside". Jimminie Cricket...

Warren Haynes - Live At 23 East Cabaret (1993)

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I always found Gov't Mule fans tend to be sensitive about the best Warren Haynes output. Well, I love the early Warren Haynes solo period best! So, there you have it. Alas, "Tales Of Ordinary Madness" is the only electric Warren Haynes album so far. And I love that album to death. Besides that one, there are the great demos, "Some Ordinary Madness", which are a very welcome addition. But other than that, all that is left are some splendid bootlegs of live shows. This one, "Live At 23 East Cabaret", is among my favorites. So, I'd like to share it with you.
I always thought early Warren Haynes, sometimes billed as the Warren Haynes Band, added a lot more flash to the music. And that don't bother me, cause the songs are strong on their own anyway. Much less sober, especially compared to the first albums, than Gov't Mule.
This live recordings could do with a little more bass in the mix, but it's very much worth your while. It's also a lot funkier than Mule. And you know that's what I love in Southern Rock. Besides tracks of his debut album, Warren also plays "Just Before The Bullets Fly", which first appeared on Gregg Allman's CD of the same name, and which he co-wrote, and "Loaded Dice", which first appeared on the "Seven Turns" album by The Allman Brothers Band. Fire in the kitchen!

Heartwood - Nothin' Fancy (1975)

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Heartwood made two albums in the 70's, this being the last. They were an Atlanta based outfit that played their Southern Rock with some very heavy Country Rock influences. Like The Outlaws, Heartwood were great on vocals harmonies. Stylistically there is a definite West Coast connection. Though it's closer to the first wave of Country Rock bands then later stuff. It's got steel and banjo, and some really nice songs. Winner titles: "Is It My Body Or My Breath" and "Sittin' On The Hood Of My Car". Thanks to Luc for the rip. The album was produced by Paul Hornsby. Sound advice.

Doyle Bramhall II - Doyle Bramhall II (1996)

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Former Arc Angels' Doyle Bramhall II's debut is a lovely piece of art. He's from the Austin school of Blues Rock. But unlike most Austin Blues Rock, this has a lot of Soul influences, as well as a lot more detail in arrangements and instrumentation. And, thankfully, no straightforward Texas Blues Rock.
Listening to this record is almost like being hypnotized. The music just takes you away from the real world, into Doyle's little universe of spellbinding songs. And there's also plenty of Southern feeling to the music. The atmosphere is somewhat melancholic, but the songs have enough bite to stay captivating. The production is splendid, as is the playing. And Doyle's voice sounds very pleasant. I sure do recommend this record. It's been discontinued by its manufacturer, but I saw a copy on Amazon at the nice price of $222.79. That's rather steep. So, maybe you need to check it out first?

Ned - Ned (1973)

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The band Ned released one album, in 1973, which has a very strong Capricorn connection. Produced by Bill Stewart (also drummer for the Capricorn rhythm section) with help from Paul Hornsby and Johnny Sandlin. Playing along are Paul Hornsby and Tommy Talton (of Cowboy). But I have to admit that I don't know any of the Ned members. They are: Nick Talantis (vocals & guitar), Norman Reim (vocals), Jeff Parsons (guitar & vocals) and Alaric Jans (keyboards & vocals) with some help from Doug Mazique (bass & vocals) and Richie Morales (drums), Sammy Creason (drums) and Paul and Tommy.
The music is Southern Rock alright, albeit in its embryonic form. Lots of hippie sensibilities and feel good vibes. But, unless you're looking for a Molly Hatchet style album, it's got most of what you might look for in Southern Rock. I even get some funky licks. It's all very nice and worth listening to, if you don't mind your Southern Rock on the mellow side. All songs are originals and the record was released on Polydor records. Thanks to the French Connection (Jacques & Luc). Sounds like a Matinee Movie...