Target - Live '75 (1975)

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Another year gone. These past few years we've seen quite a few of the old Southern Rockers bite the dust. In 2014 what struck me the most, was the tragic loss of brilliant vocalist Jimi Jamison. Though he was probably best well-known for his work with Survivor, most of my readers know about his Southern rockin' past with bands like Target and Cobra. I have never seen demos or soundboards emerge from this period, so I was well pleased to find this, a radio performance of Target, recorded in 1975. That would make these recordings predate their two terrific albums. And it kinda shows in the setlist. Only five songs, of which four are covers by the likes of Bad Company, ZZ Top and Steve Miller. In the text-file it states that this is a pre-FM broadcast, which led me to assume that this should sound very good. But alas, that is not the case. It sounds tinny, much more like a poor audience recording. I don't usually post shows of this poor quality, but I'll make an exception for Jimi. And I'm hoping this will have somebody come up from the couch and start digging for those old tapes with excellent soundboards featuring Jimi Jamison, pre-Survivor period of course. I read somewhere that Cobra demos exist. They really should appear here, rather sooner than later. About the show here, it's well performed and has some nicely done covers. And Jimi is singing like a bird. So, until we can improve on this offer, I say enjoy! Cheer!

Potliquor - Levee Blues (1971)

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Strange, how I never got around to posting anything by Potliquor. But I was reminded the other day and I'm glad. Formed in Baton Rouge in 1969, Potliquor released four albums in the 70's. And they're all good. This album is their second, and it's superb. Classic Southern Rock alright, with some tasteful boogie piano and excellent vocals. Really nice original songs and a couple of covers done originally (Lady Madonna!). Stand out track for me is a ballad. Listen to 'Beyond The River Jordan', and tell me I ain't right. I am of course ;-). Cheer!

The Winters Brothers Band - Live (1980)

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It's the jolly time of the year again, so here's something nice for under the tree. Classic Southern Rock by The Winters Brothers Band, recorded live in 1980. Mostly excellent SBD recording, though with a few patches of radio noise. Sit this one out though, and you won't be disappointed. Obviously they're playing 'Sang Her Love Songs', but this show gives a great representation of what these cats were (and still are?) all about. Southern Rock smack dab in the middle of Skynyrd, The Allmans and the CDB. Nice to hear an early version of 'Keep On Runnin'', of which a studio version had yet to be released on the 1985 album of the same name. It's a smoking show which will have you up and dancing in no time. Happy holidays everybody! Old stories...

Creed - Believe It (1983)

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Released five years after their debut, this is Creed's second and final official release. And we're talking the original Southern Creed here. A bit like dessert after a main course, since this is a nice little EP with four songs. But it's tasty and you won't be disappointed. Adapting to the 80's, they wound up with four catchy tunes that are really quite a treat. I especially enjoyed 'Really Doesn't Matter', with some real cool guitar. Vocally it's all okay, and the songs are all pretty alright. Apparently they still play occasionally, doing reunion shows in the Memphis area. Anyway, this is good. Go get it! Can't face the night alone...!

Coldwater Army - Peace (1972)

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Another lesson in Southern Rock history. This time it's Coldwater Army with their 1972 release 'Peace'. Coldwater Army featured Bobby Golden and Bob Spearman, and they would wind up in the excellent Stillwater. Whereas Stillwater would provide us with some of the finest Southern Rock albums, the same can't be said of Coldwater Army. Not that it's bad. Not at all. But it's a very different style of music being showcased here. Some songs are just plain hippie drivel, but the better songs - and there are quite a few - are more in the vain of Blood, Sweat & Tears or The Ides of March. There's a very informative interview with Bobby Golden, which you can find here. In it, a second release is being mentioned. Here's hoping that will someday surface on the world wide web. Until then, feast your ears on this. Hey, People!

Cate Brothers - Radioland (1995)

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Some more Cate Brothers for ya (it's been a while). 'Radioland' was released in 1995 and sounds like it too. Cate Brothers were always leaning towards a cleaner, more soulful side of Southern Rock. But in the 90's Blues all of a sudden became a hip thing again. Slick Blues that is. You know, everybody seems to do it at that time. People like Gary Moore and Les Dudek. The kind of Blues that seemed inspired by the likes of Robert Cray. So is it any good? Hell yes, it is. Cate Brothers always had a very tight band, and that hasn't changed. The skillful and tasteful playing combined with the wonderful voice of Ernie Cate, well you just can't go wrong there. To be honest, I miss the Funk and sound of the Asylum albums, but there's not a Cate Brothers album that I don't enjoy. This you can perfectly play late night, wooing your baby. Recovered Soul..

Don Winters & The Winters Brothers - The Yodeling King (1984)

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Well, this record sure put a grin on my face. Yes people, it's the very first yodeling album on Skydog's Elysium. Don Winters (no , not Don Williams!) is (or rather was, since he passed away in 2002) the daddy of Dennis and Donnie Winters of The Winters Brothers Band. He has had a Country career since the late 40's and joined Marty Robbins' band in the 60's. As far as I can tell, he's only had one solo release, and this is it. Yes, it's Country and no, there's hardly any Southern Rock to be found here, save for two tracks. On those two tracks, 'Yodel Our Way To The USA' (which I hereby pronounce to be a definite Southern Rock classic) and 'The Yodeling King', the band playing and singing is basically The Winters Brothers Band, with papa Don yodeling along. Still, all in all, this is a very fine piece of work indeed. This album was provided for by Luc, who did an interesting interview with The Winters Brothers Band, in which this album was discussed as well. Read it here.
For those of y'all with an open mind towards Country, be sure to grab this. The playing and singing is excellent (as is the yodeling) and the songs are well chosen. 'Call Me The Breeze' is done nicely and, of course, this includes the Jimmie Rodgers standard 'T For Texas'. Great stuff that'll make for a good time feeling. Let's yodel our way to the USA.

The Charlie Daniels Band - Volunteer Jam III (1977)

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I think the Volunteer Jams, hosted by Charlie Daniels in the 70's, were the culmination of everything that's good about Southern Rock. Like a celebration of brotherhood and good music, with loads of different artists teaming up, regardless of musical background or preferences. Actually, I think these shows are what Southern Rock used to be all about: a big melting pot of different styles of music, all played with that distinctive feel that makes you recognize it for what it is. Great music from the South played by great musicians from the South and from outside. The original files I got from friendly former blogspot Tell It To The Devil. Those files came with the original commercials in between songs. It gave a nice impression of radio in the 70's, some commercials are quite hilarious to hear now. And it's very nice to hear Ray Charles sing praise to Scotch audio tapes. You can get the original files here.. However, for repeated listening enjoyment, I found they become annoying after a few spins. Therefore I edited those out as much as possible, and tried creating one big show lasting over 90 minutes. Pure ear-candy for the rugged Southern Rock ear. Obviously it starts off with The Charlie Daniels Band doing their thing. Hey, this is 1977, and The Charlie Daniels Band is having their finest hour. A nice set, featuring songs like 'Cumberland Mountain Number Nine', Sweet Louisiana, Roll Mississippi and High Lonesome. Then it's time for Willie Nelson to come up with the goods. And he does with classics like 'Stay A Little Longer' and Good Hearted Woman. Killer track of this show, in my opinion, is 'Green Grass & High Tides' by The Outlaws. Throughout the artists are helped out by people like Bonnie Bramlett, Jimmy Hall,Mylon LeFevre, Chuck Leavell and the boys from Grinderswitch. There's one song by Papa John Creach, of which I don't know the title (help me out here). Toy Caldwell of The Marshall Tucker Band closes up with a little help from a lot of people. All in all, this is a perfect example of what Southern Rock was really all about. Can't You See?!

Grinderswitch - Pullin' Together (1976)

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This album, 'Pullin' Together', was my first introduction to Grinderswitch. And it's still one of my favorites of theirs. It was also the first album with new keyboard player Stephen Miller, which surely contributed to a fuller, richer sound. Besides that, the songs are just plain good/fun. On Sweet Home Music there's a nice interview by Luc with guitarist Dru Lombar, which you can find here. Grinderswitch was one of the main Southern Rock bands (on Capricorn) of the 70's. If you're new to Southern Rock and want to know what it was all about before everybody wound up sounding like Lynyrd Skynyrd, this is a nice place to start. Higher ground.

Cowboy - Boyer & Talton (1974)

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Formed in 1969 in Jacksonville, Florida, Cowboy was a band with many connections. They had Duane Allman playing on their '5'll Get You Ten' album, they accompanied Gregg Allman on his solo tours and halfway through the 70's they would basically become the Capricorn Rhythm Section, playing on quite a few Capricorn releases. This album, 'Boyer & Talton' (a bit like the Rolling Stones calling an album 'Jagger & Richards'), was their third. Musically it's on the Country side of Southern Rock, a lovely laid-back affair. No soaring rock vocals or endless jams, but a nice collection of Southern Country Rock songs. All played tastefully and easy on the ear, Cowboy provides us with the ideal soundtrack to a Sunday morning. Everyone Has A Chance To Feel...

Mother's Finest - Countdown Cafe (1989)

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Countdown Cafe was a Dutch radio show, which aired a lot of great concerts in the 80's and 90's. In 1989 this Mother's Finest (from Funk Rock Georgia!) show was broadcast. Promoting their (arguably worst) album 'Looks Could Kill', they sounded hot as ever. While the studio album was a rather forced attempt at being hip, live there was hardly any difference. Mother's Finest live is always a treat. And since I'm off to go see them tomorrow in Rotterdam, it's the perfect excuse to share this not-so-widely-circulating show. Juts one song of the studio album, a tune called 'Legs And Lipstick', which is so much better live than in the studio. The rest of the set is classic Mother's Finest, with Joyce 'Baby Jean' Kennedy and the rest of the gang burning down the house. Can't fight the feeling!

Joyce Kennedy - Mother's Finest! (1965)

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Here's something I've been looking for myself: the very first recordings by my all-time favorite female singer, Joyce Kennedy of Mother's Finest. I've posted some Mother's Finest before on this blog, and musically that band operated on the borders of Southern Rock. But hey, I'm here to broaden your perspective on good Southern music ;-) Posting this, is taking it even one step further. Theses recordings were done from 1963 up to 1965 and have nothing to do with Rock whatsoever. Instead we get a nice glimpse of somebody who would wind up fronting one of the most exciting bands of the 70's and still doing that to this day. This post includes 9 pre-Soul R&B. Sometimes reminiscent of Ike & Tina Turner, sometimes getting closer to stuff like 'My Boy Lollipop'. Joyce Kennedy was approximately 15 to 17 years old at the time of these recordings. Still a giant leap from the Southern Funk Rock of Mother's Finest. Some track, however, stand out and we can hear the unmistakable voice of 'Baby Jean'. Favorites of mine would be "Darling I Still Love You", "The Hifi Albums And I" and "Does Anybody Love Me". If you dig old school R&B, Soul, Mother's Finest or if you're an open-minded music lover, this set should really please you. Could this be love?

Blackberry Smoke - On The Air (USA-2011-2014)

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Blackberry Smoke, the laid-back Country pickers of Southern Rock at their laid-back-best. This is a fine collection of radio-broadcasts of recent years, mostly acoustic and all very good. Thanks to Bigfootkit for bringing this to our attention! Live from the back porch, that's about the idea. Splendid set to play in the background whilst enjoying your BBQ or sippin' a beer. Quite a few well known tracks from Outlaw Country wonderland. Blackberry Smoke, I love it. Good one comin' on ;-)

Allman Joys - Early Allman (1966)

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Well, this is it. The spark that started the fire, the smouldering ember that would set ablaze Rock & Roll as we knew it and introduce the world to Southern Rock. Arguably? Big words, but there's some truth in them. The Allman Joys were the first recording outfit featuring both Duane and Gregg Allman. Released in 1972, these songs were all recorded way back in 1966. And it's definitely a product of its time. Don't expect a jam oriented, Blues based free-for-all. Instead this album offers a glimpse of what was to be, young boys trying hard to find their identity. All short songs, it has a typical 60's Pop/Rock sound, features quite a few covers and makes for an amusing listen. My favorite songs on this album would have to be 'Changing Of The Guards', written by Gregg, which would finds its way onto The Hour Glass' "Power Of Love" album. Half the album was produced by John Loudermilk, the other half by Buddy Killen. I suppose at the time, they weren't quite ready for the big time, but we all know eventually they sure would. So, dig into some serious Southern Rock history people. This is a new rip, and I'm quite sure how it compares to others (seems there are quite a few around, but I prefer my rip over others I've heard). I just hope you enjoy this little treat. After Allman Joys, Duane and Gregg would have their little adventure in California with The Hour Glass, followed by a recording (as Duane & Gregg Allman, which would also see its release in 1972) with 31st Of February, before forming The Allman Brothers Band. But this is where the story of Southern Rock truly starts. Get yourself a spoonful!

Cobra - First Strike (1983)

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Cobra featured one of the finest voices in Southern Rock music. Sure, his contribution may be limited to little known 70's act Target, but Jimi Jamison sure showed off his pipes on those two albums. Of course later on he would become world famous for singing with AOR slickers Survivor and no trace of Southern influence was to be heard since. But in the in-between years he at least put a smile on my face with this release. This probably has more similarities to Joe Lynn Turner-era Rainbow, but try hard and you will discover some Southern sensibilities. The band was founded by Mandy Meyer, and besides Jimi Jamison also had Jack Holder of The Hot Dogs and Black Oak Arkansas playing. So the singing is pretty brilliant, but the songs stick and I've really enjoyed repeated listening. Some typical early 80's AOR/Hard Rock maybe, but the sound is tougher and more down to earth. Oh well, I guess you figured it out by now: I'm just looking for some good excuses to post this classic Southern AOR/Rock album. And here you have it. First strike!

Gary & Randy Scruggs - All The Way Home (1970)

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'All The Way Home' was the first album by Gary & Randy Scruggs ('The Scruggs Brothers' being their second and just as good). It's from 1070 and sounds like 1970. Early Southern Country Rock at its very best. For those of familiar with The Earl Scruggs Revue, this is very much in that vein. Excellent album, great song, great performances. This is a vinyl rip, though it has been released on CD for a while. If you dig, try and get a hold of the few remaining copies. For those unfamiliar with The Earl Scruggs Revue, expect Bluegrass infused Country Rock with an emphasis on substance. I been playing this constantly since I ripped it and I love it. Let it be...

Who's playing? Need your help...

Somebody sent me a snippet of a song and asked me who it's by. I don't know. I need your help. Anybody? Listen.

Celebrate the 40th Anniversary of TR Crooks with the re-release of the original album (Kickstarter)

In 1976 a band of southern rockers from northwest Tennessee formed a band that has become legendary in Southern Rock lore in the last 40 years.  T. R. Crooks, named after a old time cigar, released their first and only album featuring songs like Farmin' Man,  Song of David, Waitin' for a Better Day, White Lighting and more that are still as popular today as they were in the rocking Seventies.  Only 1000 copies of the original album were released and even today, copies of that album are selling for hundreds of dollars on EBay.  With your help, the surviving members of T.R. Crooks are going to re-release the original album again ON VINYL. They will also be releasing, to some lucky donors, the music on CD as well as unreleased tracks from the aborted second album.  Help make history happen again and join the campaign to see T.R. Crooks on vinyl once again!  

(clic for the link)

Jimmy and Rickey Stewart (Tennessee River Crooks) interview

Tennessee River Crooks were unknown to most of us a few months ago. After having introduce it to you, we were fortunate to be contacted by the band. We jumped at the opportunity and asked the obvious questions to the Stewart brothers.

English version of Bands Of Dixie interview

(clic for a link to the TR Crooks Facebook page)

Garfeel Ruff - Garfeel Ruff (1979)

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Formed in 1974, Garfeel Ruff were arguably the next best Southern Rock band to emerge from South Carolina to The Marshall Tucker Band. And they could've been just as big maybe, weren't it for the fact that they were only signed in the late 70's, when things weren't looking too bright for Southern Rock. This, their debut album, was released in 1979 and it's quite an impressive album. It's a shame they never got big (though they were a force to be reckoned with in South Carolina, playing with most of the Southern Rock elite), really.

This is a great, tight band with excellent pickers: Ronnie Godfrey, Franklin Wilkie (later of The Marshall Tucker Band), Rickey Godfrey, Buddy Strong and Alan Pearson sure know how to create some of the finest music posted on this blog.
Songs that stand out: 'Starshine', 'Take A Look' and 'The Choice Is Yours'. The music is not too mellow and not too loud, but very classy all the same. Good vocals too! You can read the Garfeel Ruff story on Swampland.com.
I included a couple of bonus tracks from the soundtrack of the movie 'The Hitter', to which they contributed some songs. That movie was a blaxplotation realease, and the songs turn out somewhat funkier. Still, pretty good. Take a look...

Les Dudek - Live At Trod Nozzle (1978)

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Excellent, albeit short, performance by Les Dudek on this SBD recording from 1978. Live at Trod Nossel Studios in the same year as he would release 'Ghost Town Parade', this is something of a must-have alright. The quality of the recording is pretty good, but the best part: of the five songs played here, only one song ever made it onto any LP/CD. These are the kind of treasures I crave. Makes me wonder whether there might be unreleased demos out there? More SBD's? Anyway, what we have here is a wonderful little show, obviously very well played and it features some great songs. It kicks off with 'Me & My Guitar', a funky tune with nice vocals. 'City Magic' from his debut album follows and is done nicely. Next up 'The Night It Snowed In San Fransisco', of which Les says he hopes it will make his next album (it didn't) and it's a track that would do beautifully (small wonder?) in an Allman Brothers live set. Then we get a Les rendition of the Blues classic 'Red House'. Nice. Rounding up this recording is a song called 'Street Sweeper', a short instrumental. All in all, this is the kind of thing that makes me want to write a blog ;) I'm hoping this post will have people start digging out their collections for more of Les, SBD's and demos? That would be great! Street sweeper...

Fallenrock - Watch For Fallenrock (1974)

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Back to '74 for another lost gem on the Capricorn label. This was the only album by Tennesseans Fallenrock, a fine piece of lightweight Southern Rock. It has a breezy summer feel to it, sometimes reminiscent to West Coast Country Rock, this has quite a bit more substance to it. I really love all the songs, make me wanna sing along. Fallenrock featured Rafe VanHoy, who would turn out to be quite a prolific songwriter. Don't expect anything like The Allmans or Blackfoot. It's all rather sweet, but in a good way. Nice harmonies, great playing and memorable songs. Watch for Fallenrock.

Raging Slab - Pronounced Eat Shit (2002)

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Some good, heavy stuff for you, this time. You need another dose of Raging Slab. 'Pronounced Eat Shit'(pronounced ēat-shït) was the Slab's latest studio release. I'm just hoping it's not their final. But I wouldn't know, since they haven't updated their homepage in ages, and this album was released twelve years ago(!). If you don't know Raging Slab, you should definitely check them out. They were a different breed, but a welcome one. Initially marketed as a cross between Metallica and Lynyrd Skynyrd, these guys play a splendid variation on Southern Rock that'll put a smirk on your face. Whatever happened to Greg Strzempka? Boogalooser!

Stillwater - I Reserve The Right (1979)

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Stillwater were one of the classic bands on the Capricorn label. That's classic Southern Rock for ya. And this album has it all: great songs, excellent arrangements, terrific guitar picking, plain good vocals and all. Not much left to say after posting several albums before this one. And this one might just be the best of 'em all. The title track is one of the finest Southern Rock tracks ever and should find its place on some compilation, if justice is served. Yes, in my opinion, it's even better than 'Mind bender' from their debut album. The final track is 'Ain't We A Pair', featuring duet vocals from the incomparable miss Bonnie Bramlett. This has everything Southern Rock needs; it's not too soft, not too Country, not too loud, it's got everything just right. And this is a real nice rip as well. If you just started digging into Southern Rock history, this is definitely one to have. And get it now! Fair warning?

Commercial break: SweetKiss Momma

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So, this is a review and recommendation. I don't do much of those, since I don't do this for a job (nope, not making any money here) and I don't like to commit myself to reviewing all the time. Unless I can share the music, that is. But I gladly make an exception for Sweetkiss Momma. The album they sent me, 'A Reckoning Is Coming', is their second. The first was released in 2010 and very well received. Well, this one should do just fine as well. I really enjoyed taking this for a couple of spins. And it's still growing on me.

Though these cats hail from Washington, the sound is definitely steeped deeply in our favorite musical genre. Maybe sometimes leaning more towards Americana/Roots Rock, this should well please any Southern Rock fan. All songs are good, the music has a pleasant muddy, rootsy sound (all in a good way!) and the playing and singing very nice indeed. But judge for yourself, and listen to their acoustic version of "Breathe Rebel" (also done electric on this CD). Then check out their title track "A Reckoning Is Coming" (some definite Allman influences). How about that?! Like it? Support the band and go buy it! This band should surely find an audience with readers of Skydog's Elysium. Get some love ;-)

Blue Steel - No More Lonely Nights (1979)

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This is Blue Steel's first album, released in 1979, and quite a nice rocking little album. Hailed from Texas, this is nothing like ZZ Top. Instead you get a tight, sometimes slightly Poppy but very pleasing slice of vinyl (courtesy of Luc and cleaned up by yours truly). It's not so much the songs that shout out Southern Rock. The playing very much is, though. There's Rock, Pop, Rock & Roll, and a nice hats off to Waylon & Willie. But I love the playing, especially the guitars accompanying these tracks. Everything else is quite ion order as well. I might not take this with me if I had to spend the rest of my life on a deserted island, but this is hardly punishment to the ears. If you like your songs short and sweet, well-written and well-performed, then this might be your cup of tea. If not, there's always one or two songs on this record that would make for a nice addition to your own Southern Rock compilation (best played in you car). Twist one up.

Duane & Gregg Allman - Duane & Gregg Allman (1969)

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Some more history for you Southern Rock scholars. This is where Duane and Gregg Allman (spelled Greg for this release) found themselves after their adventures in California with The Hour Glass and right before they started The Allman Brothers Band. A departure from the dictated course set out by their former employees, this is getting fairly close to what would eventually become known as Southern Rock. This is basically Duane and Gregg jamming with the guys from the 31st Of February (notably Butch Trucks, among others), around the same time they met up with a band called The Second Coming, featuring a guitarist by the name of Dickey Betts. They would soon start jamming together, which would give birth to The Allman Brothers Band. Yes, they're the founding fathers alright. Initially not meant for release, this was brought out in 1973 at the height of The Allmans popularity.
Musically this still has one foot firmly planted in their repertoire with The Hour Glass, while at the same time we notice some uneasy steps towards the more familiar sounding structures that The Allmans would lay down. Of greatest interest must be an early version of one of Gregg's sweetest songs, "Melissa", here surfacing for the first time (slightly different from the popular version). If you're interested in how Southern Rock grew to what it is today, I guess this is essential. Well I know too well...

History of Southern Rock

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Very nice documentary on Southern Rock. Not the full story, but the story told is told very well. Basic but essential Southern Rock knowledge.

Wet Willie - The Bottom Line (1977)

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Wet Willie live at The Bottom Line is a great soundboard, with the band sounding at their hottest. This is an excellent recording and features their finest tunes, like "Keep On Smilin'", "Street Corner Serenade" and "Country Side Of Life". Really, what can I say that I haven't already said about Wet Willie? These guys are the kings of Southern Soul Rock and this show will surely spice up the evening. Jimmy Hall's in great form, as is the whole band. Dixie Rock!

Creed - Creed (1978)

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Don't be fooled by the name, this is the Southern Rock band from the 70's. Very much on the Hard Rock side of the Southern Rock spectrum, this is a rocking good album. Maybe the vocals aren't spectacular, they do the job. But the songs and the playing is all alright. Besides the mandatory good guitar picking, some really nice and tasteful keyboards/synths. This is late 70's rock at its very 70's. Creed were from Memphis and only released another EP before disbanding (though they do play the occasional reunion show). Steve Ingle would later make his appearance on "Down In The Dirt" by the Delta Rebels and Hal Butler would work with Jimi Jamison (of Survivor and Target). You want fireworks? It's a Firecracker!

Sweet Salvation - Sweet Salvation (1972)

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It's funny with this album. I been meaning to make a rip of this album since I started writing this blog, just never got round to it. Cause it's such a nice record with a great mix of Soul, Rock, Gospel and what have you. But completely missing that it had been circulating on the net since 2010. It was even posted on one of my favorite blogs, The Basement Rug, where you can read a lot about this release and its origin. So, I'll just quote this bit: "Led by long-established New Orleans musicians drummer “Big John” John Thomassie, keyboard player Wayne DeVillier and guitarist Don Normand, Sweet Salvation could have been one of the all-time great r&b/funk/rock/gospel bands. Unfortunately due to business mis-steps and bad timing it was not meant to be. Also featuring 2 great women singers, DeEtta Little and Fritz Basket, and Alex Smith on bass, Sweet Salvation covered ground that includes New Orleans second line, blues, r&b, rock and 70€²s funk. They were very much connected to Allen Toussaint and the Meters, but maybe heavier in sound and style, closer to rock."
Apparently, this has also been released on CD. And the rip included here is not the one yet circulating but my own. Oh well, can't get enough of a good thing? Stick with me ;-)

Jimmy Hall - Cadillac Tracks (1982)

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"Cadillac Tracks" is the second solo album by Jimmy Hall, the voice of Wet Willie. This is 1982 and it shows (audio-wise that is ;)). There's not much left of the Wet Willie sound either. Instead, what you get is a decent Southern tinged Pop Rock album. But, admittedly, a good few well crafted tunes, and musically everything is tip-top. Mostly covers, of which several had also been recorded by other artists around this time. My favorites are the two that had Jimmy's hand in writing; "Cadillac Tracks" and "Make A Miracle". But it's a really nice Pop Rock album. And Jimmy is one of the finest vocalists in Southern Rock. It's your move.

Downloading a virus? Not really...

I had several people asking me about downloading from Uploading.com, since it wants you to download with the accelerator. Apparently some virus scanners consider the accelerator to be a virus or malware. However, if you follow the steps below, it should allow you to download regularly. I don't know whether your browser of choice has any influence on it working like this. I use Firefox and it works for me like this: as soon as you open the Uploading.com page, uncheck the box and wait for the countdown to finish. Then you can click 'download file now' without using the accelerator. Hope this helps ;)

Some more information/explanation can be found here: Reputation of uploading.com and DL Accelerator Adware uploading.com (TSULoader) Does that help?

Rich Mountain Tower - Can't You Feel It? (1976)

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Okay, here is number three by Rich Mountain Tower. Or actually their second, but third on this blog. My first posts were well received, so I hope this one will please you just as much. Musically it fits right in with the other two and it's a very nice hippie-esque Souhern Rock album. Good songs, sweet harmonies, great playing. To start off this new year, I say happy new year all! Hundred blessings ;-)