Sunday, February 06, 2011

The Alabama State Troupers - Road Show (1972)



Excellent album, this one, by Don Nix and his all-star show, The Alabama State Troupers. Don might be best well known for the fact that he wrote the classic Blues track "Going Down", but he played quite a significant role in the early Soul and Southern Rock scene. At the time of this release, Don had already released two solo albums, the first of which was "In God We Trust". That album already featured some appearances by Blues legend Furry Lewis. On this album, a live double one at that (with a very big thank you to Pete, who sent me his copy. much obliged man!), Furry Lewis (78 years old) gets to play the whole of side one. He's a funny and very endearing man, very appreciative of his inclusion on this road show. The record, in spirit, might best be compared to Joe Cocker's "Mad Dogs & Englishmen", or a Charlie Daniels Volunteer Jam avant la lettre. Put together a great bunch of talent from all kinds of musical background and take them on the road. Like the aforementioned Blues, there's Gospel, Country and Rock. The Gospel comes from The Mt. Zion Choir and The Mt. Zion Band (featuring Wayne Perkins on guitar), with some terrific vocal performances by Jeanie Greene. And then there's Don playing his Rock. This being 1972, it's Southern Rock still in its infancy and absolutely gorgeous. Just watch this video of Don playing "Amos Burke" (along with Leon Russell, not on this album but the music is pretty much what you get here as well)..



And some more great rockers, like "Asphalt Outlaw Hero" and the evergeen "Going Down". Jeanie Green, Marlin Greene along with Wayne Perkins also sing a nice version of Cowboy's "Living In The City". All in all, you can't go wrong with this celebration of life and music. Mighty time!

13 comments:

Anonymous said...

Great stuff! Thank you for both of them, he's new to me. Do you have more please?

Cheers

Dab

Skydogg said...

Hi Dab, you're welcome. Do some research on Don and then tell me what you want to hear. Ok?

Anonymous said...

I found this:
http://onlygoodsong.blogspot.com/2010/04/don-nix-going-down-songs-of-don-nix.html

and this:
http://overdoseoffingalcocoa.blogspot.com/search?q=don+nix

Anything else would be great. Keep up the good work.

Dab

Terry said...

Many thanks - I've been looking for this for some time.

Anonymous said...

HOBOS, HEROES AND STREET CORNER CLOWNS (LP) Nd Living By Days, I have if needed.

Mylon Fan!

Anonymous said...

WOW! thanx for this ultra rare disc.

Alec said...

Thank you so much! I've been looking for this for ages.

Anonymous said...

I still have my vinyl copy of this, bought back when it first came out. I loved the album then and still do. This was a great find for me. Many thanks to you. Don has been overlooked for all his contributions to the music world. THANK YOU!

-MoonBear

Only Good Song said...

My friend,
Looking at this a long time and I can say that moment is very much thank you

Anonymous said...

New Album of only gospel songs from the tour
State Troupers - Live Troupers For The Lord
http://www.captaincrawl.com/f.php?link=http://onmuddysavariverbank.blogspot.com/2011/02/alabama-state-troupers-live-troupers.html&title=Alabama State Troupers - Live Troupers For The Lord&pos=0&q=alabama+state+troupers

dwight schrutte said...

How cool - been looking for this for a long time - found your site from about three diferent links from other sites - sorry i dont remember the chain of how I got here! LOL

Skydogg said...

What matters is that you got here. Welcome.

Anonymous said...

Thank you from Brazil !