Lafauci - Lafauci (1978)

♫

Oh yes, this is some fine music alright. Thanks to my French connection for this gem. It's a very rare piece of Southern Rock regalia. Only 1000 copies were pressed. The band was led by Sal Lafauci (vocals, drums & organ) and they hailed from Louisiana. Other members were Chip Weil (bass), Steve Dodds (guitars) and Keith Guidroz (guitar). Guests were Billy Stroud (synthesizer)and Sonny Wall (piano, organ, synthesizer, etc).
The first songs kicks of impressively, a song called "Flowing River", which could fool you to believe you got your hands on a Progressive Rock album instead. It's a little bit of everything which makes this album so interesting. It's mostly and most definitely Southern, though. And they do rock out. Other highlights are "Ride Chester", "Lovin' You Is Right" and "Mary, Mary" (some guitar stuff very reminiscent to early Hatchet). Boy, oh boy, are you boys and girls gonna love this one. I'll bet. Great playing and great songs. Pretty great, right?! Help Yourself.

Eat A Peach - Turbulence & Thunder (1999)

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Eat A Peach was a Southern Rock band from...er...Chicago.. Yes, that's right. But don't let that hold you back checking this out. These guys pretty much hit the nail on the head with this, their debut album from 1999. Nothing fancy going on here, it's very much straight ahead Southern Rock for ya. But any Southern Rock fan should definitely give it a go. It's a bit on the heavy Blues Rock side of Southern. Plenty guitar, some tasty Hammond organ, gravelly vocals, some twin leads. Basically, it's got all you might look for in Southern Rock. It reminded me at times of Molly Hatchet playing The Allmans. This was requested, it's no longer for sale, here you have it. Hot Sauce!

Doc Holliday - Danger Zone (1986)

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"Danger Zone" was released in 1986 on the small Metal Masters label (in the UK anyway), after the Doc Holliday adventures on A&M records ended with the rather disappointing Techno Rock album "Modern Medicine". I always had a soft spot for this album. Sure, it did not have the sound of a big budget album, but the mood was set just right. Back on the Southern Rock trail alright. And that was something pretty rare in the mid 80's, believe you me! It had some of their finest songs, like "Redneck Rock & Roll Band", where Bruce Brookshire did his roll call of Southern Rock heroes (like Charlie Daniels did on "The South's Gonna Do it" and Skynyrd on "When You Got Good Friends"). And some cool heavy rockers like "Danger Zone" and "Thunder & Lightning/Into The Night". This is pretty much Southern Rock as it should be. Just listen. Are you Ready to Burn?!

Rusty Wier - Are We There Yet? (1997)

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"Are We There Yet?" is more classic Rusty Wier for you. Absolutely one of my all-time favorite Outlaws (along with Joe Sun) ever. Very tasty music, ideal for playing in the evening while mellowing down from rocking out all day long. Yeah right. Enjoy Rusty's distinctive voice, lovely melodies, great lyrics and fine picking. Quervo's Gold..

Black Creek Band - Live From Gainesville (1995)

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I had never heard of the Black Creek Band, but thanks to Cagey I now do. And I'm lovin' it! This is the kinda stuff that puts a smile on my face. No mindless Boogie here, nor faceless Hard Rock. This is very much in the vein of The Allman Brothers Band and Warren Haynes (circa his debut). not a bad song in sight. Lotsa geetarz, great improvisation and a guaranteed good time had by all. This is a live album with four bonus tracks in the form of a studio demo which was never released at all. The kind of treasure which makes running a blog like this so much worth spending my time on. I'm sure you will enjoy. So, thank you Cagey. Southride...

Blackfoot - Rick Medlocke & Blackfoot (1987)

♫ By the time this album was put out, it could hardly be called 'Blackfoot' anymore. Gone was the classic line-up with Charlie Hargrett, Greg T. Walker and Jakson Spires and gone was the haywire Southern Rock that graced classic albums like "Strikes", "Tomcattin'" and "Marauder". Enter the slick blandness that killed Southern Rock for good (or so they thought). So, you may wonder, should I dismiss this album right away? Well, that depends. It still has some good songs and it's all played by some of the finest pickers. It's just not very Southern anymore. On this release, Rickey had himself accompanied by Mother's Finest bassist Jerry "Wizzard" Seay, his brother Harold Seay on drums and keyboard player Doug Bare (all of which played on the Mother's Finest album "One Mother To Another". And they can play alright. They do a fine cover version of the Mother's Finest track "Rock 'n' Roll 2 Nite" (from the "Iron Age" record). And there's the somewhat odd choice of covering Dutch rock and roller Herman Brood's "Saturday Night". Ah, what the heck. Just give it a spin. Steady Rockin'.

Cate Brothers - Play By The Rules (2004)

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"Play By The Rules" was the last Cate Brothers studio album. Still playing their sweet blend of Funky Soul and Southern Rock, and every bit as good as the rest of their marvelous repertoire. This features a remake of the song "Yield Not To Temptation", which they previously recorded for my favorite album of theirs, "Cate Bros. Band" from 1977. And a hot version of The Band's song "The Shape I'm In", a band which they accompanied during live shows in the 80's. Alas, this jewel is no longer obtainable. But I hope there's a daring record label out there (Wounded Bird, you listening?!) brave enough to have a go at making this once again available for all you music lovers. Out on a limb!

Bent Creek Band - Treading High Water (1984)

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Thanks go out to Luc for this rip, he's been waiting for it. Bent Creek Band released this album in 1984 and it was recorded in North Carolina. On the internet I could not find anything about this Bent Creek Band, other than some sites having it for sale. The music is Southern Country Rock, well played and pleasing to the ear. Pickers on the album are: Morris Flynn - drums & percussion; Gary Hensley - bass & vocals; Scott Taylor - keyboards, harmonica & vocals and Edward Terry - guitars & vocals. Unfortunately the vinyl wasn't pristine, sometimes there's a little too much crackle and some skipping occurs. Besides that it sounds fine and it's sure to please any Southern Country Rock fan. Ramblin Country Fever.

Laidlaw - First Big Picnic (1999)

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Laidlaw were discovered by Nikki Sixx of Mötley Crue and they were from California. So, any sarcastic comment is expected. But don't let that hold you back from trying this out. These guys sound very Southern and they play some fine heavy rock. If you're into Blackfoot or Johnny's Skynyrd, you'll love this. Great songs, nothing sophisticated, all good fun. I love the vocals and playing. And besides this album, there's only one other release(?) and then: nothing. Short story, but there's not much more to add to this (unless you can think of something...). Get it if you like it loud. Southern Rock, that is. Burnin'!

Larry Jon Wilson dies at 69

Sad news. Larry Jon, may you rest in peace. You left quite a musical treasure. May your soul and your music live forever.

Southern Cross Band - Lady Killer & Outlaw (Josie Wales) (1982)

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Thanks to Jorge for this rare gem. It's a promo single from (New York?) Southern Rockers the Southern Cross Band. I tried to find information about this band on the internet, but found little more than the fact that both these songs had been released on sample albums which featured other bands as well ("The Apple WAPP FM" and "A Double Shot of Local Talent"). No doubt some people will ignore this, simply for being from up North, but if you can look past geographical boundaries, you just might find you get what you need. "Lady Killer" is the uptempo Southern Rocker, while "Outlaw (Josie Wales)" is a terrific classic Southern Rock song. Alas it suffers a few skips and some crackle, but all in all this is splendid stuff.

Joe Sun - Sundries (2006)

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"Sundries" is a collection of unreleased Joe Sun recordings. Thanks to Frank for providing this beaut. Here's the info from the text file: "Tracks 1-4 recorded at the time of the Interchord release. Cuts 5 & 13 recorded by Joe in the mid 80's after he wrote the songs with his lead guitarist of that time Max T Barnes.Track 6 written and recorded in the late 80's. Cuts 7 & 8 were recorded late 80's at a "a" list Nashvuille session. Track 9 witten with Swede Red Jenkins and recorded in 2002. Cuts 10-12 recorded just after the Hank Bogart album. No info' ref track 13. 14 written about his boyhood in Rochester Minnesota and recorded prior to 2006 tour. Album compiled to sell at 2006 UK tour."
Great to get a chance to hear this, otherwise unavailable, music. Like I said before, any Joe Sun is good Joe Sun. And this just proves my point. I ain't crazy!

The Charlie Daniels Band - Party In The Park (1979)

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Recorded in Elmont, New York in 1979, Party In The Park was broadcast on radio, and here you have it. A short set, 5 songs, this is mostly just Charlie Daniels and guitar. Decent recording, sounding sweet. There's a new song called "The Daybreakers", which I hadn't heard before. And I really love the song "Reflections" from the "Million Mile Reflections", also featured here. I have to admit, it still sent shivers down my spine hearing Charlie sing about Ronnie Van Zant. The last two songs feature the full CDB, Southside Johnny and David Bromberg. Check out this Long Haired Country Boy.

Don Bowman - Whispering Country (1970)

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On "Whispering Country" funny man Don Bowman has taken up the task of butchering 'Whispering' Bill Anderson's repertoire. And trust Don to do a thorough job at that. Even in an effort to keep things 'clean', there's enough here to raise an eyebrow or two. Guess I'll go somewhere and find myself a sheep...