Elvin Bishop - My Father's Place (1979)

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Elvin Bishop live @ My Father's Place is Elvin having a party alright. Elvin Bishop music is always good time music, and live he's at his very best. This is a live broadcast from 1979, two years after his official live album "Raisin' Hell'", and it's a treat. A little less polished, but that only adds to the charm of his music. There's no Mickey Thomas present, so the emphasis is less on the singing, more on the picking. Southern Rock with plenty of Funk and Soul. And Blues of course. If you dig Elvin Bishop at all, you'll love this. Wiggle Wobble...

George Hatcher interview on Sweethomemusic

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On French website Sweethomemusic.fr, there's a cool interview with George Hatcher. It's a French site but the interview is in English. You should go check that out. I think it's great he's still around and about to make a comeback in music. George is definitely one of my favorite Southern Rock singers. For those of you who don't know mr. Hatcher, he's released quite a couple of classic Southern Rock gems:
Dry Run (1976)
Talkin' Turkey (1977)
Have Band, Will Travel (1977)
Rich Girl (1978)
Coming Home (1982)
Hindsight (1985)
Check out his music and read about the man here!

Lonnie Jolson Band - Swamp (1981)

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Another fine obscurity provided by The French Connection (thanks guys), it's the Lonnie Johnson Band with "Swamp". A good album, though a little odd, which sounds like it was a product of the early 70's. And sounding nothing like 1981. Pretty obvious there was no major label behind this release. Cause the Lonnie Jolson Band do whatever they please. It starts off as a Country album, but as it progresses starts rocking out quite nicely. Musically it's somewhere in between Country and Swamp Rock. Very much a Southern thing alright. The album features several covers of well known tracks. I was very pleased with the version of Tony Joe White's "They Caught The Devil And Put Him In Jail In Eudora, Arkansas". This album should please fans of Outlaw Country, as well as fans of the mellow side of Southern Rock. Cool.

Don Bowman - Recorded Almost Live (1967)

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A little more zany stuff for all you corn heads out here. "Recorded Almost Live" is album number four by Country Comedian Don Bowman. Another fine slice of absurdities, the kind of silliness Don excels in. Like Don insisting his buddy should fight the man hitting on his woman, since he himself can't stand the sight of blood, on "Let's You And Him Fight". Added as a bonus to this rip is a single he recorded with Skeeter Davis, "For Loving You" backed with "Baby It's Cold Outside". Jimminie Cricket...

Warren Haynes - Live At 23 East Cabaret (1993)

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I always found Gov't Mule fans tend to be sensitive about the best Warren Haynes output. Well, I love the early Warren Haynes solo period best! So, there you have it. Alas, "Tales Of Ordinary Madness" is the only electric Warren Haynes album so far. And I love that album to death. Besides that one, there are the great demos, "Some Ordinary Madness", which are a very welcome addition. But other than that, all that is left are some splendid bootlegs of live shows. This one, "Live At 23 East Cabaret", is among my favorites. So, I'd like to share it with you.
I always thought early Warren Haynes, sometimes billed as the Warren Haynes Band, added a lot more flash to the music. And that don't bother me, cause the songs are strong on their own anyway. Much less sober, especially compared to the first albums, than Gov't Mule.
This live recordings could do with a little more bass in the mix, but it's very much worth your while. It's also a lot funkier than Mule. And you know that's what I love in Southern Rock. Besides tracks of his debut album, Warren also plays "Just Before The Bullets Fly", which first appeared on Gregg Allman's CD of the same name, and which he co-wrote, and "Loaded Dice", which first appeared on the "Seven Turns" album by The Allman Brothers Band. Fire in the kitchen!

Heartwood - Nothin' Fancy (1975)

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Heartwood made two albums in the 70's, this being the last. They were an Atlanta based outfit that played their Southern Rock with some very heavy Country Rock influences. Like The Outlaws, Heartwood were great on vocals harmonies. Stylistically there is a definite West Coast connection. Though it's closer to the first wave of Country Rock bands then later stuff. It's got steel and banjo, and some really nice songs. Winner titles: "Is It My Body Or My Breath" and "Sittin' On The Hood Of My Car". Thanks to Luc for the rip. The album was produced by Paul Hornsby. Sound advice.

Doyle Bramhall II - Doyle Bramhall II (1996)

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Former Arc Angels' Doyle Bramhall II's debut is a lovely piece of art. He's from the Austin school of Blues Rock. But unlike most Austin Blues Rock, this has a lot of Soul influences, as well as a lot more detail in arrangements and instrumentation. And, thankfully, no straightforward Texas Blues Rock.
Listening to this record is almost like being hypnotized. The music just takes you away from the real world, into Doyle's little universe of spellbinding songs. And there's also plenty of Southern feeling to the music. The atmosphere is somewhat melancholic, but the songs have enough bite to stay captivating. The production is splendid, as is the playing. And Doyle's voice sounds very pleasant. I sure do recommend this record. It's been discontinued by its manufacturer, but I saw a copy on Amazon at the nice price of $222.79. That's rather steep. So, maybe you need to check it out first?

Ned - Ned (1973)

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The band Ned released one album, in 1973, which has a very strong Capricorn connection. Produced by Bill Stewart (also drummer for the Capricorn rhythm section) with help from Paul Hornsby and Johnny Sandlin. Playing along are Paul Hornsby and Tommy Talton (of Cowboy). But I have to admit that I don't know any of the Ned members. They are: Nick Talantis (vocals & guitar), Norman Reim (vocals), Jeff Parsons (guitar & vocals) and Alaric Jans (keyboards & vocals) with some help from Doug Mazique (bass & vocals) and Richie Morales (drums), Sammy Creason (drums) and Paul and Tommy.
The music is Southern Rock alright, albeit in its embryonic form. Lots of hippie sensibilities and feel good vibes. But, unless you're looking for a Molly Hatchet style album, it's got most of what you might look for in Southern Rock. I even get some funky licks. It's all very nice and worth listening to, if you don't mind your Southern Rock on the mellow side. All songs are originals and the record was released on Polydor records. Thanks to the French Connection (Jacques & Luc). Sounds like a Matinee Movie...

Cry Of Love - The Borderline Presents... (1993)

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Cry Of Love was a real hot band, which (unfortunately) only released two albums. Quite heavy Southern Rock with lots of Classic (British) Rock influences. A mixture of Free, Hendrix and Skynyrd, these guys rock out in style. And Cry Of Love was a great live band as well. As can be heard on the Warren Haynes "Wintertime Blues Benefit", for which they reunited after they had split up. Guitarist Audley Freed would wind up playing for the Black Crowes.
This show, live at The Borderline in London, gives you Cry Of Love at their best. Live and unrestrained. Good sound, very well written songs, sweet picking. If you like your Southern Rock on the raunchy side, get this. Because besides sounding somewhat raunchy, they deliver their repertoire energetically and with class. Old school!

The Cates Gang - Wanted (1970)

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Some splendid news about The Cate Brothers: the 70's albums have had their CD release for the first time. Apparently Wounded Bird Records were listening after all ;-).. So, go on! Buy that stuff!
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And here we have the first album by The Cates Gang, "Wanted" from 1970. At last! I got this from Urk, and I'm well pleased. Thanks man!
I'm loving every minute of this record. Like its follow up, "Come Back Home", this has more to do with Southern Soul than Southern Rock. But it's still the jackpot to me. I guess these must be the oldest recordings of the Cate Bros./The Cate Brothers Band, even predating most of the "Arkansas Soul Siblings"/"Born To Wander" songs. Blue Eyed Soul anyone?

Joe Sun - Twilight Zone (1986)

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Joe Sun has been going for quite some time, releasing albums since 1978 on several labels. Unfortunately he never received the kind of recognition he deserved. And he does. It's perfect Outlaw Country music, which should also easily please fans of Southern Rock, Americana and Singer-Songwriter music. He has a MySpace page, but it hasn't been updated since a 2005 Christmas single release. But judging from the comments, he's still out there making music.
This album was released in 1986 on the French label Dixie Frog. The music is still the same, though. Still very good. Very Joe Sun. Enter the Twilight Zone...

Artimus Pyle Band - Nightcaller (1983)

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After the Lynyrd Skynyrd plane crash, the majority of survivors went on to form the Rossington Collins Band. However, drummer Artimus Pyle was not part of that party. I have no idea why. But he didn't sit still either. Artimus formed A.P.B. or the Artimus Pyle band and released two albums in the 80's. "Nightcaller" is the second album. I don''t know the first, so I have no comparison. This album, judging from the fact that the band is an offspring of Skynyrd and geographically came from the right place, had me expecting it might be a classic Southern Rock record. Well... no. It's the kind of 80's drivel we've seen so many great bands produce during the 80's, like 38 Special and Molly Hatchet. This is even poppier. And the fact that more than half the songs are sung by a female singer, with a real clean voice and hardly a knack for Rock & Roll, doesn't help matters at all. And when some guy sings the other half, it sounds like any 80's Arena Rock band. These cats must've been star-struck. Alas they didn't have what it takes to stand out. It's not the worst, I'll just never play it again myself. But if you're interested in the post-crash Lynyrd Skynyrd, like I was, this might satisfy your curiosity. If someone has a good rip of the first A.P.B., I would still like to hear it. As for "Nightcaller, just give it a try.

Moonshine - 1994 (1994)

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This 1994 Moonshine release predates their debut album "Roughhousin'". It's a four song EP. And, when listening to these tracks, it's fairly obvious that this is actually a demo. It's a band in their formative stage, trying their hand at fresh material. Quite interesting, as demos often are. Two tracks of these recordings would resurface in re-recorded versions on their 1997 album (and sounding better there). Moonshine is a little bit of everything. It rocks mostly, but has some Funk and Country as well. These tracks would fit nicely as bonus tracks on their first proper release. Beer?

Blackhawk - Live At The Troubadour (1997)

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Blackhawk featured singer/guitarist Henry Paul, formerly of The Outlaws. After leaving The Outlaws, he formed the Henry Paul Band and released 4 albums (the last as a solo record). On those albums you saw a fine artist starting off with a great Southern Rock album ("Grey Ghost"), then changing musical paths from Hard Rock to more Pop oriented albums, eventually not getting anywhere. You can blame that on the 80's, which was bad news for music in general and even worse for any kind of roots music.
In 1994 Henry Paul, along with Van Stephenson and Dave Robbins, formed Blackhawk. A Country Rock band - hardly anything to do with Southern Rock - which immediately made an impact on the charts with the song "Goodbye Says It All". Blackhawk often got lumped in with acts such as Little Texas and Restless Heart, but in my view they were a cut above the rest. In all honesty, that probably had everything to do with the characteristic voice of Henry Paul. I was always looking out for his voice on the first 3 albums of The Outlaws, and I think the only decent song on "Soldiers of Fortune" was the Henry Paul song "Cold Harbor". But Blackhawk obviously has more to with Country than with The Outlaws. Still, as far as 90's Country Rock goes, this is as good as it gets. Live From The Troubadour is a radio broadcast from 1997 with Blackhawk performing an acoustic set. I hadn't actually noticed at first, but it's as mr. Paul says: "no amplifiers, just talent". The sound is splendid and the playing and singing are equally good. It does feature live renditions of "Every Once in a While" and "Goodbye Says It All". I really love the song "Just About Right".
These days Henry Paul is once again touring with The Outlaws, assuming the role of main man since the untimely passing on of Hughie Thomasson. Cross our fingers and hope that the new album, so long talked about already, will get a release very soon. Besides The Outlaws, Henry is also still touring with Blackhawk. And this is what they sound like.