Black Oak Arkansas - Leprechauns In Orlando (1979)

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Alright, a little bit of some harder stuff this time. This is a live broadcast of Black Oak Arkansas from 1979, with a 15 year old Shawn Lane picking some fierce guitar. The show comes one year after their dreadful Capricorn release "I'd Rather Be Sailing", but this show is actually quite energetic (as opposed to aforementioned album) and good. Though the recording itself is really raw (not quite in a state to have it officially released), this should well please any BOA fan. Quite a few songs on here which never made it onto any officials release, as well as some classics like "Jim Dandy" and "Race With The Devil". Rough Stuff.

Heartwood - Heartwood (1973)

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This is Heartwood's first album. Or rather, a re-recording of their first album. They recorded these songs and when they were signed to the GRC label, it was suggested they re-record the lot. Which is what they did. And here it is. A pleasant piece of Southern Country Rock. Thanks again to the French Connection (they do provide a lot of what I post). If you like The Outlaws' harmony vocals, this is your stop. And like those early Outlaws records, you get lots of Country too. But not the slick kind. I'm loving this lots.
Former Heartwood drummer Robert Hudson has his own website, where you can read about Heartwood as well. It's here. Then there's more to read on Classicrockmusicblog.com. They have an interview with both Robert Hudson and Tim Hildebrandt (guitar/vocals), which you can find here. They speak mostly of their second album, "Nothin' Fancy. But be sure to check this, their earliest songs, out. You'll love it. Showdown.

Don Bowman - From Mexico With Laughs (1967)

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Crazy man Don Bowman again. Mexican style. He must've figured, since Herb Alpert was cashing in on the Mexican vibe in the 60's, that he could make a good buck too? Well... Let's just say, Don isn't exactly Herb. Thank god. But it gets funny alright. I have included the b-side of the "Tijuana Drum And Bugle Corps" single, a song called "Little Leroy", as a bonus track. Laugh!

Rick Cunha - Folkscene (1976)

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This recording has Rick Cunha live in the studio with some help from Jeff Gilkinson. Folkscene was a radio show on Los Angeles' KPFK station. On this episode we hear Rick playing and talking one year after his "Moving Pictures" was recorded (which wouldn't be released until 1980). The recording suffers from rather heavy tape hiss, but you'll get used to that if you're interested in Rick's career. Later in his musical life, Rick would join Na Kama Hele, playing Hawaiian music. Here we already hear him talk lovingly about Hawaiian music, though the songs played are mostly in the vein of his two solo albums. If you haven't heard Rick before, I suggest you start with his "Cunha Songs" album. If you already know and love his studio albums, get this.

Tony Joe White - The Real Thang (1980)

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Like many Rock musicians in the late 70's, Tony Joe White too got bitten by the Disco bug. And whereas many accused Tony Joe White of selling out, I quite enjoy late 70's flirtations of Rock music with Disco. In Tony Joe's case that would be Swamp Rock with Disco, cause he still sounds swampy, despite the definite Disco beat. And there's some great songs on this album as well. A few remakes of older songs and one that he'd later re-record. And over all a very happy record. Brought a smile to my face for sure! This is a rip I found on the web. I don't know who ripped it, but it's done beautifully. Thanks! So, if the idea of Tony Joe White incorporating Disco doesn't seem like that bad a deal at all, you will not be disappointed with this record. Throw yourself a party and do some booty bumping to this instead. I know I will. Cause I get off on it..

The Ozark Mountain Daredevils - Heart Of The Country (1987)

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The Ozark Mountain Daredevils were always slightly more on the Country Rock side of Southern. And maybe therefore being dismissed as lightweight, not worth investigating. But the OMD made some pretty exciting albums in the 70's. And then came the 80's. Like any other Southern Rock band around that time, time came for a change (for the worse, if you ask me). And The Ozark Mountain Daredevils also embraced that clean, lifeless musical approach. This album sounds at time like Jackson Browne's "Lives In The Balance", productionwise that is. "Heart Of The Country" has some good songs. But there are also a couple of embarrassing tracks featured here, which is mostly because of the sterile 80's production. Which is making the record sound terribly dated, and not aging well... Not my favorite OMD record (which is "The Car Over The Lake Album" from 1975), but it's a nice addition for any OMD fan. Wilder Days?

Jay Boy Adams - Fork In The Road (1978)

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Texan Jay Boy Adams is a singer/songwriter who has released three solo albums. "Fork In The Road" is his second. and it's a great mix of Country Rock and Southern Rock with some West Coast thrown in for good measure. It has a rather slick production but, since the music sounds passionate and driven, that's not a problem at all. What you get is a good sounding record with plenty good songs and some fierce picking. A couple of times the guitars will remind you very much of The Allman Brothers Band, and some vocals harmonies that would make the Eagles go "ooooohh!" (Jackson Browne and David Lindley guesting on this album). I do wish I had a mint copy of this to work with, because the vinyl I worked with for this rip was a bit too worn. Better still, somebody should release this on CD. For his third release the world would have to wait 30 years, 2007's "The Shoe Box". Jay Boy Adams was also a part of Southern Rock supergroup Brothers Of The Southland, which released a wonderful album in 2009, called "Brothers Of The Southland". Buy it. And listen to this record. Superkicker!

Joe Sun - Hank Bogart Still Lives (1989)

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"Hank Bogart Still Lives" is Joe Sun's most Country sounding album. But as Joe himself explains in the liner notes, he had a bit of a theme going on here. Apparently this is the result of a decision to dedicate an album to everything he and his friends loved about the good ol'days, when Hank Williams and Humphrey Bogart were the hottest thing in town. If you know Joe Sun, you'll love this, regardless the theme. If you don't, you may want to check out his "Storms Of Life" album first. I think that's the record that will enthuse Southern Rock fans the most.
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If you dug this video ("Jimmy '93", not on the album, though "Jimmy '55" is...), enjoy the sound of The South being born..

Pride - Just For You (19??)

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This album by Pride was requested by thebavariansouthstaterocker and kindly provided to Skydog's Elysium by Jacques and Luc. Thanks! "Just For You" appears to be the sole release by this quartet. Besides it being offered on Ebay, I could find no information on the band or this release. It appears to be an independent release, recorded in Nashville, with no year of release mentioned on the sleeve or label. The music has some Southern Rock influences, though it's mostly straight up Country Rock. Of the happy kind. All songs are originals by the group. The band members are: Ric Simpson - guitars & vocals, Roger Smith - bass, acoustic guitar & vocals, John Lovins - piano, organ, moog, strings & vocals and Chris Peak - percussion. Several musical contributions made by guest musicians. All information can be found on the scans of the sleeve, added within the file. If someone out there knows anything about this band at all, please share it with us. It's a nice obscure find. Just for you.

Artimus Pyle Band - A.P.B. (1982)

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"A.P.B." is the Artimus Pyle Band debut. While the other Lynyrd Skynrd survivors all joined forces in the Rossington Collins Band, Artimus Pyle started his own group. Musically it's closer to 38 Special than Skynyrd, and if you like that type of Southern Rock (heavy on the A.O.R.), this should well please you. I prefer this release over the "Nightcaller" album, which besides the music itself is also because here all songs are sung by a male singer (I don't care for female Southern Rock singers, sorry..). Nice album. Makes More Rock...

Larry Jon Wilson - Loose Change (1977)

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Aaah, that wonderful voice of Larry Jon Wilson. What the hell is wrong with the world? These Larry Jon Wilson albums from the 70's are like the crown jewels of Outlaw Country music, they should be available to all. But they're not. So, I'll gladly inform y'all on this lost gem. "Loose Change" is album number three by Larry Jon, and like "New Beginnings" and "Let Me Sing My Song To You" it's more of the same. Greatness that is. Sometimes the arrangements are a little lush, but there's always enough raw beauty and substance to keep the music enthralling. The rip is less perfect than the previous two, so if anyone out there has a clean copy, please holler. Also, I'm still looking for "Sojourner".
In 2008 Larry Jon made his first new album since "Sojourner" from 1979. Called "Larry Jon Wilson", the album doesn't resemble his 70's albums very much. Still very good, but since the instrumentation is stripped down to the bare essentials, it's less interesting to me. I love the big arrangements of these albums much better. Well, that's just my humble opinion, you be the judge yourself. It's still available so check it out. He's still got that amazing voice. For now, all I need is some Loose Change..

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.