The Lost Gonzo Band - Thrills (1976)

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The Lost Gonzo Band were mostly known for being the backing band of Jerry Jeff Walker in the 70's. Albums by this band were requested, and I thought it was a pretty good request. It's basically Country Rock from Texas, so it's justified posting this ;-). Uncomplicated good time music, obviously reminiscent of Jerry Jeff. Very loose, very nice. I got this rip from Soulseek, it's fairly good and I didn't do any more work on it. Besides that, this was at one time released on CD (no longer available), so I'd like an upgrade from that (help me out here!). Until then, enjoy this here fine piece of Texas Country Rock. This ain't no dead armadillo.

Randy Howard - Macon Music (2002)

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Randy Howard is from Macon, Georgia. And, as any Southern Rock fan will tell you, that's the home of Southern Rock. Well, Randy doesn't do Southern Rock. But I imagine you can still tell he's from Macon. This is Outlaw Country at its finest, but I said that about Joe Sun and Rusty Wier too. But it's all true. Hey, it's also true of Waylon, Shooter and Tommy Jennings.. Though I prefer his earlier albums (which I will rip and post in the near future), this is a very fine CD. Randy has a very pleasant voice, the Country ain't too Country and the songs will grow on you. Like they should. So, if you like your Country Outlaw style then, by all means, don't hold back. Dixie's arms.

Rudy McNeely - Stars & Bars (1976)

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And another great little contribution by my French connection: this is Rudy McNeely, who I know absolutely nothing about. So, let me tell you what I hear and read. First off, it's a find alright. Vocally not too strong, but this is the kind of Southern Rock that I want to hear. Yes, the kind where they actually spend time on the arrangements. Very tasty stuff, excellent performance. Cool guitar bits and keyboards and real pleasant songs. This features guitarist Chris Leuzinger, who went on to become a star sideman on his own. Rudy, besides singing, plays guitar and piano. There's clavinet (I love that) and more keyboards played by Dwight Scott. And other musicians are: Jamie Nichol - percussion; Steve Krawcyzn - drums & Richard Brannan - bass. This is just plain good old (old school) Southern Rock. I'll have more of these any day! It'll get ya movin!

The Johnny Van Zant Band - No More Dirty Deals (1980)

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Hey-hey, happy new year everybody! Kicking the new year off with one of my favorite classics, it's the debut album by The Johnny Van Zant Band. It's also their most Southern Rock sounding record. This is excellent Southern Rock and there's not a bad song to be found. Take my word for it, but hearing is believing. Just have a listen to what Johnny was up to, before he joined Lynyrd Skynyrd. The song "No More Dirty Deals" is a scorcher, and it deserves a place in the top 25 of best Southern Rock songs of all times. This also has one of the most haunting tributes to Ronnie Van Zant, in the form of the beautiful "Standing In The Darkness". This band rocks and has plenty of Southern Soul. Johnny's singing is perfect here. So, if you missed out on this one before, you know it's never too late!

Travis Tritt - Homesick (1993)

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Travis "Strike-A-Pose" Tritt is one of my favorite 'new' Country singers. Very much inspired by both Outlaw Country and Southern Rock, Travis has produced quite a few tracks which should interest any Southern Rock fan. Trouble with Travis, in my opinion, is that he sounds over produced most of the time. Even when you see him performing on concert videos. And everything looks just a little too neat, the hair way over coiffured, the leather always looking spanking new. Well, you get the picture. It distracts from the music. And music is quite good at times, especially when he's rocking out. Half the time he's pleasing the ladies, singing ballads. The other half he's singing some stompin' Honky Tonk and some Southern Rock added for flavor. Here he is live in concert, a show from 1993 in New York. This features a live version of his version of the Atlanta Rhythm Section's "Homesick", which can be found in the original version on the ARS album "Quinella". This one's for Outlaws like us.

Blackfoot - After The Reign (1994)

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Yep, it's Blackfoot. In name anyway. Cause, really, anything released since the "Vertical Smiles" album could just as well be categorized as yet another Rickey Medlocke solo album. And this is a pretty good one at that. It sounds all rather rootsy, which is a good thing in my book. I prefer that over the slick Southern AOR he produced on "Rick Medlocke And Blackfoot" from 1987. This sounds like real music, played with real instruments. Some great original tunes and some fine covers (splendid version of Van Morrison's "Tupelo Honey"). Since this qualifies as a solo album, I took the liberty of adding two tracks Rickey did for the L.A. Blues Authority series ("Texas Flood" from "Hats Off To Stevie Ray" and "Wrapped Up In Love Again" from "Fit For A. King"). Now, I still hoping for an actual Blackfoot reunion with all surviving members. I'd rather have a new Blackfoot album than anything else. Hang time!

Hank Williams, Jr. - A Time To Sing (1968)

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This album was requested, and here it is. If you dig the Hank Williams, Jr. of the Outlaw Country albums, then look further. This is when he was still doing the solid Country thingy. Nothing spectacular but pretty alright just the same. I reckon this may be a bit too Country for most of this blog's readers. But if you like a little Honky Tonk now and again, this won't disappoint. Oh, and I added some bonus tracks, since this only ran at approx. 23 minutes. A time to sing?

The Marshall Tucker Band - Southern Spirit (1990)

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20 years ago I got this CD as a Xmas present. And it has been one of my favorite Marshall Tucker albums of all time. Even though this is post Toy Caldwell-era, this ranks among their finest albums. But that's just my humble opinion. And that's what I'm giving you. The Marshall Tucker Band I want to hear. Unlike its rather poor predecessor, on which Doug Gray really overdid it on the vibrato and which had pretty bland songs, here they really made good. Excellent songs, very well played: a true Southern Rock classic. Well, to hear it is to believe it. I suppose. Merry Christmas!

Lynyrd Skynyrd - Atlanta 1993 (1993)

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Really, ever since Lynyrd Skynyrd released their second live album, there hardly has been any reason for buying a third or fourth. They mostly feature pretty much the same setlist over and over again. And don't we all crave for them to do something different, actually play some songs from their later albums with Johnny Van Zant? I know I do. Those albums all had some pretty fine tracks, well worth mixing up with the old classic. Well, you must've guessed it already, help is on the way. This album, "Atlanta 1993", is what you need. Lynyrd Skynyrd in support of their "The Last Rebel" album, this gives us a good measure of the new songs, as well as some old. And then some. "Outta Hell In My Dodge", "The Last Rebel" and "Good Lovin's Hard To Find" up against "That Smell" and "Saturday Night Special". And more candy along the way, in the form of "Sweet Home Alabama" sung in duet with Donnie Van Zant. But the real treat here is a sweet version of the Rossington Collins Band classic "Don't Misunderstand Me", sung by Dale Krantz with Travis Tritt. Excellent audio and introduction by their old friend, Mr. Al Kooper. How good can you get it? Hey! I'm modest in demand. I'm a simple man...

Rusty Wier - Stoned, Slow, Rugged (1974)

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This is Rusty Wier's debut album. And it's the one most likely to win over new converts among Southern Rock fans. It's tough yet homey. Above all, it's excellent. I could go on at lengths about Rusty, but what it all boils down to: grab this people! Rusty Wier is too good to miss out on. Great songs, ranging from pure Southern Rock to Outlaw Country. Rusty would never walk the line, he's always had his own plan. Too bad he's no longer among us. But at least he's left us some of the finest music most of you never heard. And I think it's time for a change. Get busted!

Calibre 12 - Toujours Là (2000)

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"Toujours Là" is the second CD from French Rock Sudiste band Calibre 12. Quite a bold move releasing a double CD so soon. And it's not even a live album. So, what you get is loads of French sung Southern Rock. It's all pretty straight forward and quite heavy. Biker music? I know it's made me a heavy drinker alright. Apparently Calibre 12, who made their last album in 2005, have plans to return to recording and touring in 2011. So be sure to check out their site. In the meanwhile, absorb this piece and learn to sing the lyrics by heart. I'm pretty sure that would be appreciated if you go see them next year, whenever they stop in a town near you. Ne Me Reveillez Pas!

Le Roux - Louisiana's Le Roux (1978)

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Louisiana's Le Roux, as this band was originally called on their first two albums, offers yet another original take on Southern Rock. With a definite NOLA twist, this band also had some similarities to bands like Kansas. In sound that is, cause there's no Progressive Rock to be found here (Kerry Livgren did use Le Roux vocalist Jeff Pollard on his excellent "Seeds Of Change", also featuring Mylon LeFevre...). Some superb musicianship, sure enough! This may be a bit slick to some, but it's a far cry from being lackluster. Superior vocal harmonies, terrific songwriting, faultless picking and.. And it's all good stuff, played with verve and pizazz. Check out "New Orleans Ladies", "Take A Ride On A Riverboat" and Slow Burn". Heavenly days .

Amazing Rhythm Aces - Full House - Aces High (1981)

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Like Barefoot Jerry, the Amazing Rhythm Aces were a highly underrated band on the 70's Southern Rock scene. By the mass audience that is. Cause any serious music lover who is into Southern Rock, will praise this band to heaven. Another bunch of clever cats, just a bit too clever too hit the big time. They did produce a hit, however, with the song "Third Rate Romance" from their debut album, "Stacked Deck". And that album, like any album they issued since, was/is a masterpiece. It's all kinda laid back with some Country and lots of Rhythm & Blues. Excellent musicians and the coolest subtle vocals by Mr. Russell Smith. This is a live album which collects their finest songs in a splendid live document. You can buy it at Amazon for 500 bucks. So, you might want to check it out first. I know you won't be sorry. Aces High!

The Jolly Brothers Band - Typical Barroom Scene (1978)

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The Jolly Brothers Band were/are from Missouri. Other than that I could hardly find anything about these guys. They have a Myspace page, but they don't seem to be updating anymore. Still, there are some songs on their playlist there that aren't on this album. And this album is here by courtesy of my French Connection (Luc & Jacques). This album should appeal to all of you fans of the more Country oriented Southern Rock band, like The Outlaws. Not Country Rock of the lame sort, this definitely has more bite to it. Some of the vocals remind me of Billy Jones of The Outlaws. But The Jolly Brothers Band sure are a band of their own. Splendid album, very much worth your time checking out. Not a typical barroom scene...