Saturday, January 09, 2016

The Outlaws - Once An Outlaw (2007)


Now, here's a nice surprise. Got this one anonymously with the following information: "I think you know by now that Outlaws - "Once an Outlaw" will never be commercially released. That said, it is out there in select hands in two versions - 11 tracks and 13 tracks. Some say that it is Hughie's finest work when the truth is Hughie had a hand in authoring less than half of the tracks. LA writers wrote the majority except for those HT collaborated on and the excellent "Almost Home" that was penned by bassist Randy Threat and his wife, Alex. The disc is a fine piece of work yet contains an unclear history that HT worshipers refuse to embrace. Line-up was: Hughie Thomasson (guitar and vocals, Chris Anderson (guitar and vocals - lead vox on Trail of Tears), Randy Threet (bass and vox -lead vox on Almost Home), Monte Yoho and David Dix (drums)."

Yes, it's finally out there. And nobody making money on what they don't own, either. So, what about the music on the album? Well, it sounds very good, the playing is excellent and it features some pretty terrific songs as well. Don't expect another 'Diablo Canyon', this is actually closer to their first albums in sound and song choice, though more polished. I really don't much care for the 'Almost Home' track, which is way too sappy but would probably do great on CMT. Other than that, I couldn't find a bad song. My favorite tracks so far are 'Rippin' Through Kentucky', 'Full Circle' and 'Trail Of Tears'. Basically, it's got everything you'd want from a new Outlaws release: great guitars, great harmonies, great song. Happy new year, y'all!

39 comments:

snakeboy said...

When you come back after 4 months away, you come back with a strong post. Thanks.

Anonymous said...

Thanks! Always check in to see what you're up to...

Anonymous said...

Thanks for this album that I really like - good stuff. Keep on your great blog and a happy new year to you too.

Anonymous said...

Wow!!! Thanks a LOT!!!

Skydogg said...

You're very welcome. Remember where you got it first!

RnR said...

Has this been removed ? Tried downloading nothing there. Interested in what tracks are on this as I have a 12 track version.

Skydogg said...

13 tracks here and the link is still alive. Last word of the post will get you there.

RnR said...

Tried every way possible to download this just could not get it to download,I have never had much success with upload in past. Thanks for sharing this anyway a lot of fans have been wanting it, glad to see you back.

Skydogg said...

Try, after the countdown, unticking the box 'Download Manager' below the Captcha. That should do it.

RnR said...

Got it thanks,I had to use my Firefox browser instead of Internet Explorer,worked fine with Firefox for some unknown reason.Thanks again for sharing, just a real shame this will never be officially released, what a great set of songs.

Skydogg said...

At least this way some of the fans of the first hour get a chance to hear it, before they're all dead with the official release somewhere in the 2050's. Ouch!

kobilica said...

Big surprise to me,I don't know about this recordings.Thank you so much...

yusrina said...

hello!! I'm yusrina.. greetings from Malaysia.. please visit me at -
http://albumretro.blogspot.my/

Jack Cutr said...

Thank you so much! I've searched this album everywhere! But as many know this album is never released since 2007...almost ten years ago! This is a big surprise for a big Outlaws fan like me! Thank you again, and RIP Hughie! Green Grass and High Tides forever!

marktdj said...

Thanks my friend. Great to finally hear this album.

Unknown said...

Just discovered this blog and so wish I had learned about this blog sooner. Is there anyway I can obtain a copy of the songs from this unreleased cd? I downloaded four songs years ago and I really like what I heard and wonder what the rest sound like. What a great underrated band, saw them about a dozen times in the 70's and 80's - thanks - Steve

Skydogg said...

Hi Steve. Just click on the last word of each post to redirect you to a download page. Enjoy the album, let me know what you think of it ;-)

ELECTRIC_MUD said...

holy f***in' sh*t guys!!! maybe it's just cause of the long wait but i'm listening this album right now, an' it sounds like one of the best music testament EVER. thank you steve an THANK YOU HUGHIE!!!

Rayvee said...

This is great! Thanks!

Unknown said...

I have honestly been trying to find this album since 2007. Every time The Outlaws post something on their facebook page I go looking for it. Thank you for making what seemed like an impossible dream come true! This is wonderful!

Unknown said...

I just found this website. Is this album still available for download? If so, how do I find and download it?

Skydogg said...

Hi Todd, just click on the last word of each post to get the link. Enjoy!

Unknown said...

Thanks so much for this brother. But I don't see anywhere to download. I'm surprised that Henry Paul hasn't tried to stop this. Greg

Skydogg said...

Er... Greg, last word of each post, brother ;-)

Mike.Tonka said...

Thanks for this. I am really digging this album. I heard some songs from this when I saw the Outlaws in 2007, just months before Hughie's death, with the Volunteer Jam. I'm from Tampa and saw them many times as a toddler. Now as an adult I see them whenever I can. Unfortunately I only got to see the Hughie version as an adult that one time. "Before the burst of tambourines take you there..."

Skydogg said...

You're welcome, Mike. You were lucky to have seen him. I do very much enjoy the current line-up as well. It's all good ;-)

Anonymous said...

how do i get the album? i cant seem to find the dwonload

Skydogg said...

Last word(s) of each post will take you where you need to be. Enjoy!

Vergergc said...

Many Thanks, Skydogg - this is great!! Is it the 11 or 13 track version? Cheers!

John Gellman said...

Is this for sale? If so, I'd like to know where, so I can get paid. Looks like someone took my photo, Henry's logo, and Mary's album, without anyone's permission. -John Gellman

Skydogg said...

Hi John. No this is not for sale. In fact, it's never been released. Which is why it's shared by fans at no cost. Until, that is, it gets released. The cover is fan-made artwork. Nice pic! If it bothers you, I can replace it. If you care for the music, just click on the last words of the post and follow from there.

Bill said...

Just read this in April 2019. Thank you for talking this up. Blogs live for years and I wanted to learn about this release having just discovered. It. Wonderful for us fans.

Unknown said...

How do you get the download

Skydogg said...

Click on the last sentence of this post. Enjoy!

david summerlin said...

HEY FOLKS~!! i'm way behind on this? i'm a retired concert promoter, i knew H.T. very well, and he knew this would be his best work? you wouldn't believe how long ago he had wrote, part or all, of most of these songs?? he started tellin me about them, at a show we did at the time HENRY had got back in the band,it was 2 nights @ SHARKY'S BEACH BAR, PANAMA CITY BCH.,FLA....and the last time i saw & worked with him was right after CHRIS HICKS came on board, and he finished tellin me the story??(there never was or will be, a person on this earth, that could replace; his voice,playing & writeing? H.T. is the OUTLAWS*****) thanks DAVID

Sarge said...

I just bought the cd on Amazon
I never knew it existed, I only heard the work was shelved after HT passed and the other members moved on without any mention of this work.

Skydogg said...

You did?! I can't find it. Can you give a link?

david summerlin said...

HEY MR. SKYDOGG~!!...i got an e-mail from you, about a week ago, it seems to be a response to the message from "SARGE" on may 9, 2021??....this is DAVID SUMMERLIN, and i haven't been in touch since FEB. 3 2020, and i sure would luv to download the "ONCE AN OUTLAW" CD?;;;but,i'm not very computer smart, and i saw the post from RnR, where he got it on FIREFOX, and thats what i have?...but i need some simple directions from YOU OR HIM~!!PLEASE?..thanks DAVID

david summerlin said...

it's been a while:..Mr. SKYDOG~!!!..I FIGURED IT OUT?..how to upload, once an outlaw?...your the best, thanks DAVID