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!

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!

D. Beaver & Combinations - Combinations (1973)

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A bit of an oddity, this time. D. Beaver & Combinations was a band (not a D. Beaver solo project) which had emerged from Progressive Rock outfit Edgewood. The band was from Memphis and feature a very young Jimi Jamison (later of Target, Cobra and Survivor) on vocals (not on all tracks, though). Hence the inclusion of this album on my blog: they're from Memphis and feature Jimi Jamison. Though musically this is a whole other ball game.
I have known about this album for ages and was curious because of Jimi's contribution. Thanks to Mr. Tyrone Tieclip (he found it on a blog somewhere, years ago) I now get the chance.
There was some editing to be done on this LP rip. I don't know who ripped it (thank you anyway!), but the songs were badly cut. The music is Progressive Rock, so there were several songs which were supposed to be joined, but which were cut in the wrong places and had gaps in between. I fixed that. It now plays as a gapless album on my iPod.
The music I like a lot. I love Progressive Rock, but I'm not an expert on the subject. So I can't tell you who it resembles. As far as Jimi's vocals go, they're slightly buried in the mix. It's ok, but it's not Target. Still, it's fun to hear him on this record, sounding as young as he does. I would love to have a remastered CD version of this. As for now...

Target - Target (1976)

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This is the first album by Memphis rockers Target. Singer Jimi Jamison is such a great southern rock singer, it's a shame he ever got discovered by Survivor. Then again, if that hadn't happened, we might never have heard from him at all. But we do.
Their debut has more direct soul influences than "Captured". But it's a really great rockin' record. And you want it.

Target - Captured (1977)

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Most people will only know singer Jimi Jamison of the slick radiorock of Survivor (Burning Heart). But only few know him of the terrific Memphis band Target. They released two albums: one in 1976 the second in 1977. This is the 1977 release, and a record I have kept spinning for some 20 years now. A really fine slice of southern rock. Soulful, yet perky. And what a voice!
This one I did not rip, and I'm afraid the bitrate is a mere 128. Still a nice rip though... Enjoy it here...