Showing posts with label Jackson Highway. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Jackson Highway. Show all posts

Saturday, August 08, 2009

Jackson Highway - Jackson Highway (1977)



Hot stuff, people! It's the first album by Jackson Highway, released in 1977 on the Muscle Shoals Sound label. I always thought their album "Jackson Highway" album would be my Holy Grail of Southern Rock, since I had been looking for it for over 20 years and it featured members of Blackfoot. When I finally found an MP3 copy I didn't yet realize that was actually their second album. And while I truly like that album lots, I have to say that I even more enjoy their first-born. I would even go as far as to say, this is easily one of my best posts, period. Ranks right up there with the Travis Wammack album "Not For Sale"
I had this rip sent to me by Luc. It was originally ripped by Russell Gulley (bassist/vocalist of Jackson Highway), And he's also the one that gave me green light to post this album. Thanks Luc and thank you very much Russell. Russell has a website on which you can find all about his current whereabouts, and also on his past with Jackson Highway. If you'd like to say hi, check out his MySpace. And listen to some new music there as well. And while you're at it, there's an interview with Russell which you can find here.
This album has everything I'm looking for in Southern Rock. It's got twin lead guitars (sometimes), it's got Soul (always) with vocals to do the job justice and it's got Funk (frequently). And yes, very good songs too! I'm not going to run them by, one by one. Just be convinced already. Share the wealth and spread the joy. Russell mentioned in an e-mail that in the near future some Jackson Highway music might be released on CD. In the meantime you might want to convert some folks to this great music, so when the CD gets a release it will find an audience it deserves. It sure got me dancin'..

Sunday, August 03, 2008

Jackson Highway - Jackson Highway (1980)



Well, my buddy Mawos' gone and done it again. I've been looking for this album for some 20 years now. So was Mawos, but he's found it, sent it to me and I did the editing. And it turned out real well!
Jackson Highway were named by Jimmy Johnson (Muscle Shoals Sound Studios rhythm guitarist) after the address of the famed Sheffield, Alabama studios. Originally from Dayton, here these guys cut this classic Southern Rock album. And these guys are rocking out alright. It's all good here: the songs, the playing and the singing.
My attention got drawn to this album when I read Rick Medlocke and Greg Walker of Blackfoot played along. Tell you the truth, I don't hear it. Then again, mr. Medlocke is playing some drums here, so... But nothing's lost, like I said, it's all good! The band got additional help, obviously, from some Muscle Shoals pickers. So you're right when you expect some tasty playing. Rave on!