Jimmy Hall - Cadillac Tracks (1982)

♫

"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.

The Nighthawks - Live At The Bottom Line (1990)

♫

Thanks to Helvis for this nice live document of The Nighthawks, featuring Jimmy Hall of Wet Willie on vocals and Jimmy Nalls of Sea Level on guitar. Musically this is more barroom type Blues/Boogie than Wet Willie's brand of Southern Rock. I don't think the songs stand out much, but the playing is just fine. A very enjoyable live show. Some songs of Wet Willie are played here, and they're the ones I enjoy most. And Jimmy can sing! The sound of this recording is like a decent soundboard. Just think: barroom+beer+rock&roll=goodtimes. Keep on smilin'!

Betts, Hall, Leavell & Trucks - 1983 - Geneva , NY

♫

Betts, Hall, Leavell & Trucks features Dickey Betts and Butch Trucks (Allman Bros), Jimmy Hall (Wet Willie) and Chuck Leavell (Allman Bros & Sea Level). Unlike most Southern Rock bands in the early 80's, this band did not venture into AOR territory. Instead, this is fairly classic Southern Rock, with songs of The Allman Brothers, and Jimmy Hall and Dickey Betts solo cuts. It's a soundboard recording of a gig they played in Geneva, NY, on Jimmy's birthday. The sound is a little thin at the start, but it gets better with the second song. Vocal duties are being shared by both Dickey and Jimmy. I don't know if they ever recorded any studio demos, but this is very nice anyway. The kind of band you'd love to hear on a Charlie Daniels Volunteer Jam. I'm guessing you'll enjoy hearing this lot keep playing Southern Rock like the 80's never happened. Yay!

Wet Willie - Manorisms Live (1978)

♫

I've always loved the energetic, almost hyperactive Southern Soul Rock of Wet Willie. But by the time they changed labels from Capricorn to Epic, things started to mellow down a bit. Or maybe get just a little too slick. But I still think "Manorisms" was quite a good album, though. And I'm glad I did some digging and actually came up with this small treasure. A 5 song live performance of Wet Willie, doing songs from and promoting the "Manorisms" album. I don't know anything about the source, but they sound like professional recordings, ripped from vinyl. Could it be a promo live album for radio stations? Anyway, the sounds is great. And the playing and singing is excellent. Live in front of a very small audience, maybe live in a studio? Added are two Jimmy Hall solo performances from the Charlie Daniels Volunteer Jam VIII. Also very good sounding recordings. Hey, hey, what do you say?!