Point Blank - Cold Warrior (1979)

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"Cold Warrior" is the Point Blank bootleg I've come across most often. Which does not mean it's the least of 'em circulating. As a matter of fact, what we have here is yet another fine example of how great a Southern Rock band Point Blank is. They're loud and passionate. This is a show of the band promoting their, in my opinion, finest album, "Airplay". It's an FM broadcast, quality is pretty good. Nuff said. Thunder & Lightning!

SevenMoore - 2003 - SevenMoore

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SevenMoore (or Seven Moore)was a spin-off of The Marshall Tucker Band. It featured MTB's Paul T. Riddle and Jerry Eubanks and this is the only album released (some live shows do exist). It's not quite The Marshall Tucker Band, though. Definitely Southern, but more polished and very melodic. Some excellent picking on this album! It's inoffensive, as in, your old lady would enjoy this as much as you do. But there's some great music to be found here all the same. Really, this is a great record. Including flute and all. But trust me, you won't be disappointed. For those who didn't get this the first time around, here's another chance..

Joe Sun - Out On The Road (1991)

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Yup, it's Outlaw Country time again. And thank you, Frank, for supplying us with yet another fine piece of music from Outlaw extraordinaire, Mr. Joe Sun. I guess there's not much new under the sun, but that won't stop me from enjoying Joe's music at all. Any Joe Sun is way above average, and this is more of the same (goodness). Again, if you like your Country with gravelly voice, the music not too slick and songs well written, this is right up your alley. So, here's Joe, hittin' that ol' highway...

Allgood - IV (1995)

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"IV" was the last recorded studio output by Athens, Georgia band Allgood. However, it never had an actual commercial release. Still, if you dug any previous Allgood recordings, this will surely not disappoint. No sirree! It's all slightly heavier and at times a little darker than their earlier albums. But great Southern Rock to my ears. Allgood remind me at times of Jupiter Coyote. Not too much emphasis on traditional Southern Rock trademarks like twin leads and dualing guitar solos, instead going for more compact Southern Rock songs. And really, you can hardly go wrong with any Allgood music. Face it...

Poker Flatts - Poker Flatts (1977)

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Poker Flatts was based out of the Macomb, Illinois area. This, their only, album is a fine example of well executed Country Rock played with just enough pizazz to grab and hold your attention. The band called it Progressive Country. Well, I guess. It's a real nice album and the Country is played with just the right amount of funky feel to it. Band members are: Bill Studzinski - guitars & vocals; Paul Reynolds - guitars, mandolin & vocals; T.K. Wayland - drums & vocals; Tom Durso - bass. And they had a little help from Ken Pitlik - fiddle & banjo and Karl Warma on harmonica. The record was released on the independent (their own) record label Stacked Deck. Again, this is a bit of a treat, certainly well worth grabbing. So good..

Don Bowman - The All New Don Bowman (1972)

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Don Bowman again, at his very zaniest. "The All New Don Bowman" is one of Don's funniest albums and it introduces the magnificent drunk, Farley McCluth. On "Hello D.J. Don throws a tantrum for not getting his record played on the radio, calling up the D.J. time and again and getting nastier along the way. There's a remake of his classic hit, "Chit Akins Make Me A Star" and it has song titles like "The Monkey Who Became President" and "Freddie Four Toes". Well, just list-in! List-in to this! Poetic justice?

Jimmy O'Neill - Popular Car (1984)

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Jimmy O'Neill was guitarist/vocalist with Mose Jones on "Get Right" and "Mose Knows". He did not participate in the line-up that recorded the third album, "Blackbird". Instead he went on to play with fiddler Vassar Clements. And in 1984 he released a '45 which is presented to you here. As noted, this is from 1984 and it just screams 80's! Still, it's two very nice songs with amusing lyrics. And a Mose Jones rarity for sure. Side one has the track "Popular Car" and the flip side contains the track "City Music". Both are very poppy and quite catchy. Unfortunately Jimmy passed away in September of 2001.


This may also be a good opportunity to point out to you all that Mose Jones has just released a live CD, which features a show from 1974. You can order that from CDBaby. From the press release:
"The songs chosen for this CD were narrowed down from over 2 and half hours of recorded music that night - all original songs were from Mose Jones' 2 albums, "Get Right" 1973 and "Mose Knows" 1974, except for the Mose Allison song "Going to the City", which was combined with the extended jam the band had been performing and having fun with for years...This CD is totally live - no overdubs or post-production enhancements of any kind were used. The original 1/4" tape was found to be in Jimmy O'Neill's possession after his passing in 2001. The tape was baked, then transferred to digital (protools), pre-mastered, then re-mastered by Rodney Mills Master House.

Bryan Cole and Steve McRay, the two surviving members of the original band, and with the appreciative help of friends all along the way, have spent time and money and an undoubtedly labor of love attitude, to release this CD project - and now it has come to fruition. This CD is presented to you, to our old fans and our new fans and listeners, out of respect for Mose Jones and it's legacy, and our love for our two original members and band mates – Randy Lewis and Jimmy O’Neill (RIP)…We sincerely hope you will listen, enjoy, and appreciate this CD and project of love –"
So, go out and buy that. And in the meantime, enjoy Jimmy's single.

Stillwater - Demos (80's)

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And here we have a curiosity for you fans of Stillwater. Thanks to Craig for this set of demos from, probably, somewhere in the 80's. To tell the truth, I have no information on these recordings whatsoever. They sure sound like they're from the 80's, though. I didn't have song titles either, so I took a wild guess. Bear in mind, this is really for fans only. There's lots of wow and flutter, which will not gain Stillwater any new fans. But these tracks can't be heard elsewhere and it's nice to fill in some gaps of the Stillwater history. 7 songs, nothing quite as spectacular as either of their first albums on the Capricorn label. But still a nice listen. If there's anyone out there who can shed some light on the origins of these recordings, please do. Are you ready!?

Wet Willie - Wet Willie (1971)

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This is Wet Willie's debut album from 1971. On this record the band was getting close to becoming that great R&B/Soul infused Southern Rock band, but the music slightly less Funky than their later outings. Some pretty good songs, though. And already you could hear that this band was a class apart. All played with great enthusiasm and verve. Excellent vocals by Jimmy Hall (as always) and splendid picking throughout. If you don't know Wet Willie, I suggest you do something about that right now. Have a good time!

Calibre 12 - A Bout Portant (1998)

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Calibre 12 is a Southern Rock band from France. Yeah, you read that right. Or can't that be so?! Well, there's an interesting discussion for you fans of Southern Rock. Can Southern sounding Rock, which is not actually from any of the Southern United States, be called Southern Rock? And if so, where do you draw the line? I have several examples posted on my blog. Was it OK for me to post Duke Jupiter's "Sweet Cheeks"? They were from New York, but the album was recorded at the Capricorn studios, produced by Chuck Leavell and features Southern Rock veterans like Randall Bramblett, Jai Johanny Johnson and Chuck Leavell guesting. Or what about George Hatcher. He may have been from North Carolina, but his first 4 studio album featured mostly British musicians. Moonshine were from The Netherlands, but their version of "In The Morning" was much appreciated by Mama's Pride's Pat Liston. I guess it depends what you're definition of Southern Rock is. When the first bands from the South emerged, that would later epitomize Southern Rock, the music wasn't called that just yet. They were referred to as Southern Rock because of their geographical origins. Those early years are really special. Because eventhough bands like the Allmans, Charlie Daniels, Wet Willie, Skynyrd and Grinderswitch would play such different styles, you could hear by the tone of their playing that they were from the South. The same tone that could also be heard on old Southern Soul classics, which is only logical, since they were played by white Southern musicians (Travis Wammack, Steve Cropper, Duane Allman) as well. It was only in the second half of the 70's that Southern Rock as a style became the big thing we think it is. When bands like The Outlaws, Molly Hatchet and Doc Holliday entered the scene, and it was quite massive for a moment. Then in the early 80's Southern Rock went almost extinct, some bands trying their hand at AOR and most failing miserably. In Europe Southern Rock was probably only just getting a following when it had all but disappeared. It remained quite popular in Germany and especially France. Which brings us back to Calibre 12. And as far as the music goes, that's solid Southern Rock in my book. This is their debut, and you can still tell they're fans first. The music is pretty much in the Molly Hatchet vein. Great slide guitar. But don't be expecting no Southern drawl here. Maybe a drawl Sudiste (pardon my French). But I reckon that's better than English with a French accent. It does not bother me at all, though I have no clue what they're singing about. You can find the lyrics on their homepage. I wonder what your opinion will be after hearing this. Is Southern Rock now a genre that could come from anywhere? Rock Sudiste!

Grinderswitch - Unfinished Business (2004)

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"Unfinished Business" was issued in 2004. But, as the title suggests, this was stuff that had been laying around for several years, it just never got to being released. The songs on this album were already written and recorded in 1977/1978, intended as a follow-up to the "Redwing" album. It's all good fun with lots of Soul and Blues added to their special brand of Southern Rock. And there be horns! Grinderswitch were one of the original Southern Rock bands from the early days. They never really resembled any other Southern Rock band. The music is a lot more homey than, say, The Allman brothers Band or Lynyrd Skynyrd. I guess Southern Rock started out a lot more versatile than it wound up being. This album features the song "Dr. Hector's Traveling Show", which was probably where Dru Lombar got the idea for Dr. Hector And The Groove Injectors. Great stuff for a swinging little party. That's what you get.

The Outlaws - My Father's Place '86 (1986)

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The Outlaws recorded live at My Father's Place in 1986 is a hot show alright. And a lot more interesting than most live shows I have seen circulating. This was the time when Henry Paul was back for the album "Soldiers Of Fortune", so this show has both the classic songs ("There Goes Another love Song", "Green Grass & High Tides", "Knoxville Girl" etc.) as well as the songs you never heard them play live again ("The Outlaw", "Cold Harbor", "One Last Ride" and a version of Henry's song "Feel The Heat"). But here it all works out very well. The band is playing as tight as ever, both Hughie and Henry are in excellent form vocally and the sound of this recording is splendid. And does anyone have any news on the current state of affairs concerning the release of "Once An Outlaw"? I'm not choosing sides for either Henry Paul or Chris Hicks, I think they're both great. And I'm only in it for the music. Henry Paul and company have recently released a CD under The Outlaws name called "Demos", which, I think, is pretty brilliant. You can listen to that while visiting The Outlaws website. As for now: Get this, you need it. You are the show!

Ian Moore - Modernday Folklore (1995)

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"Modernday Folklore" was Ian Moore's last album for the resurrected Capricorn label. It was also his last Southern Rock album. At least, that's from what I read, since I haven't actually heard anything from Ian's subsequent output. But I have listened to this album pretty often. And it still gets rotation from time to time. It's a bit of an odd record. I guess on this album he was already making the transition from Southern Blues Rock to the well crafted Pop(?) songs of his later work. But this is really good. As a matter of fact, this has his best song (imho), a tune called "Muddy Jesus". There are some songs which recall his Bluesier past, but the majority on this album is, I guess, Southern Rock with a twist. Sometimes reminiscent to Chris Whitley in atmosphere and a quite adventurous listening experience. All songs are very well written. It may not necessarily grab you by the throat at first listen, but give it a few spins and you will find the material definitely grows on you. And as always, great playing and more than pleasant vocals. No mindless Texas Boogie boredom here, just good stuff. Modernday folklore!

Lafauci - Lafauci (1978)

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Oh yes, this is some fine music alright. Thanks to my French connection for this gem. It's a very rare piece of Southern Rock regalia. Only 1000 copies were pressed. The band was led by Sal Lafauci (vocals, drums & organ) and they hailed from Louisiana. Other members were Chip Weil (bass), Steve Dodds (guitars) and Keith Guidroz (guitar). Guests were Billy Stroud (synthesizer)and Sonny Wall (piano, organ, synthesizer, etc).
The first songs kicks of impressively, a song called "Flowing River", which could fool you to believe you got your hands on a Progressive Rock album instead. It's a little bit of everything which makes this album so interesting. It's mostly and most definitely Southern, though. And they do rock out. Other highlights are "Ride Chester", "Lovin' You Is Right" and "Mary, Mary" (some guitar stuff very reminiscent to early Hatchet). Boy, oh boy, are you boys and girls gonna love this one. I'll bet. Great playing and great songs. Pretty great, right?! Help Yourself.