Travis Tritt - Homesick (1993)

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Travis "Strike-A-Pose" Tritt is one of my favorite 'new' Country singers. Very much inspired by both Outlaw Country and Southern Rock, Travis has produced quite a few tracks which should interest any Southern Rock fan. Trouble with Travis, in my opinion, is that he sounds over produced most of the time. Even when you see him performing on concert videos. And everything looks just a little too neat, the hair way over coiffured, the leather always looking spanking new. Well, you get the picture. It distracts from the music. And music is quite good at times, especially when he's rocking out. Half the time he's pleasing the ladies, singing ballads. The other half he's singing some stompin' Honky Tonk and some Southern Rock added for flavor. Here he is live in concert, a show from 1993 in New York. This features a live version of his version of the Atlanta Rhythm Section's "Homesick", which can be found in the original version on the ARS album "Quinella". This one's for Outlaws like us.

Blackfoot - After The Reign (1994)

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Yep, it's Blackfoot. In name anyway. Cause, really, anything released since the "Vertical Smiles" album could just as well be categorized as yet another Rickey Medlocke solo album. And this is a pretty good one at that. It sounds all rather rootsy, which is a good thing in my book. I prefer that over the slick Southern AOR he produced on "Rick Medlocke And Blackfoot" from 1987. This sounds like real music, played with real instruments. Some great original tunes and some fine covers (splendid version of Van Morrison's "Tupelo Honey"). Since this qualifies as a solo album, I took the liberty of adding two tracks Rickey did for the L.A. Blues Authority series ("Texas Flood" from "Hats Off To Stevie Ray" and "Wrapped Up In Love Again" from "Fit For A. King"). Now, I still hoping for an actual Blackfoot reunion with all surviving members. I'd rather have a new Blackfoot album than anything else. Hang time!

Hank Williams, Jr. - A Time To Sing (1968)

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This album was requested, and here it is. If you dig the Hank Williams, Jr. of the Outlaw Country albums, then look further. This is when he was still doing the solid Country thingy. Nothing spectacular but pretty alright just the same. I reckon this may be a bit too Country for most of this blog's readers. But if you like a little Honky Tonk now and again, this won't disappoint. Oh, and I added some bonus tracks, since this only ran at approx. 23 minutes. A time to sing?

The Marshall Tucker Band - Southern Spirit (1990)

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20 years ago I got this CD as a Xmas present. And it has been one of my favorite Marshall Tucker albums of all time. Even though this is post Toy Caldwell-era, this ranks among their finest albums. But that's just my humble opinion. And that's what I'm giving you. The Marshall Tucker Band I want to hear. Unlike its rather poor predecessor, on which Doug Gray really overdid it on the vibrato and which had pretty bland songs, here they really made good. Excellent songs, very well played: a true Southern Rock classic. Well, to hear it is to believe it. I suppose. Merry Christmas!

Lynyrd Skynyrd - Atlanta 1993 (1993)

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Really, ever since Lynyrd Skynyrd released their second live album, there hardly has been any reason for buying a third or fourth. They mostly feature pretty much the same setlist over and over again. And don't we all crave for them to do something different, actually play some songs from their later albums with Johnny Van Zant? I know I do. Those albums all had some pretty fine tracks, well worth mixing up with the old classic. Well, you must've guessed it already, help is on the way. This album, "Atlanta 1993", is what you need. Lynyrd Skynyrd in support of their "The Last Rebel" album, this gives us a good measure of the new songs, as well as some old. And then some. "Outta Hell In My Dodge", "The Last Rebel" and "Good Lovin's Hard To Find" up against "That Smell" and "Saturday Night Special". And more candy along the way, in the form of "Sweet Home Alabama" sung in duet with Donnie Van Zant. But the real treat here is a sweet version of the Rossington Collins Band classic "Don't Misunderstand Me", sung by Dale Krantz with Travis Tritt. Excellent audio and introduction by their old friend, Mr. Al Kooper. How good can you get it? Hey! I'm modest in demand. I'm a simple man...

Rusty Wier - Stoned, Slow, Rugged (1974)

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This is Rusty Wier's debut album. And it's the one most likely to win over new converts among Southern Rock fans. It's tough yet homey. Above all, it's excellent. I could go on at lengths about Rusty, but what it all boils down to: grab this people! Rusty Wier is too good to miss out on. Great songs, ranging from pure Southern Rock to Outlaw Country. Rusty would never walk the line, he's always had his own plan. Too bad he's no longer among us. But at least he's left us some of the finest music most of you never heard. And I think it's time for a change. Get busted!

Calibre 12 - Toujours Là (2000)

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"Toujours Là" is the second CD from French Rock Sudiste band Calibre 12. Quite a bold move releasing a double CD so soon. And it's not even a live album. So, what you get is loads of French sung Southern Rock. It's all pretty straight forward and quite heavy. Biker music? I know it's made me a heavy drinker alright. Apparently Calibre 12, who made their last album in 2005, have plans to return to recording and touring in 2011. So be sure to check out their site. In the meanwhile, absorb this piece and learn to sing the lyrics by heart. I'm pretty sure that would be appreciated if you go see them next year, whenever they stop in a town near you. Ne Me Reveillez Pas!

Le Roux - Louisiana's Le Roux (1978)

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Louisiana's Le Roux, as this band was originally called on their first two albums, offers yet another original take on Southern Rock. With a definite NOLA twist, this band also had some similarities to bands like Kansas. In sound that is, cause there's no Progressive Rock to be found here (Kerry Livgren did use Le Roux vocalist Jeff Pollard on his excellent "Seeds Of Change", also featuring Mylon LeFevre...). Some superb musicianship, sure enough! This may be a bit slick to some, but it's a far cry from being lackluster. Superior vocal harmonies, terrific songwriting, faultless picking and.. And it's all good stuff, played with verve and pizazz. Check out "New Orleans Ladies", "Take A Ride On A Riverboat" and Slow Burn". Heavenly days .