BLACK OAK ARKANSAS 1971

The group, originally called "The Knowbody Else", was formed in 1965 in Black Oak, Arkansas, by Ronnie "chicky Hawk Smith (vocals), Rickie Reynolds (guitar), Stanley Knight (guitar), Harvey Jett (guitar), Pat Daugherty (bass), and Wayne Evans (drums). Their first PA system was stolen from a local high school. Members of the group were subsequently charged in absentia with grand larceny and sentenced to 26 years at the Tucker Prison Farm (this sentence was later suspended). This led to their retreat to the hills of rural northeast Arkansas where they lived off the land and refined their musical style.^{[citation needed]} They also lived in Long Beach, Mississippi and played at the local Lobe theater/dance hall. Some of their influences during this time were the Beatles and the Byrds. At some point the band and Ronnie "Chickey Hawk Smith agreed that a mutual friend named James "Jim Dandy" Mangrum would make a better front man, Ronnie Smith agreed that he would make a better stage production manager.

The Knowbody Else moved to Memphis, Tennessee in 1969 and signed a record deal with Stax Records. Their self-titled debut album, and their only album with Stax, was largely ignored by the populace. During this time the band became interested in psychedelia and Eastern spiritualism which, combined with their Southern Baptist upbringing, contributed to their sound.

After several trips to Los Angeles, California, in 1970, the band was signed by Atco Records (whose parent label Atlantic Records once had a partnership with Stax) and rechristened "Black Oak Arkansas". Their self-titled debut album Black Oak Arkansas was released in 1971 while the band toured extensively, gaining a reputation as a live act. The twin album releases that followed in 1972, Keep the Faith and If an Angel Came to See You, Would You Make Her Feel at Home, expanded on the group’s eclectic musical style.

In 1973, Black Oak Arkansas released their fourth album Raunch 'N' Roll Live and introduced a new drummer, Tommy Aldridge. It was their fifth album High on the Hog, released later that year, that established solid commercial success by peaking at number 52 on the Billboard albums chart. Vocalist Ruby Starr also toured with the band during this period. Her raspy voice can be heard on the group's remake of LaVern Baker's 1957 hit "Jim Dandy," which reached number 25 on the Billboard Hot 100.

The band played at the famous California Jam festival in Ontario, California on April 6, 1974. Attracting over 200,000 fans, appearing alongside 70's rock giants Black Sabbath, Eagles, Emerson, Lake & Palmer, Deep Purple, Earth, Wind & Fire, Seals and Crofts and Rare Earth. Portions of the show were telecast on ABC Television in the US, exposing the band to a wider audience.

Also the 1974 release, "Street Party", may have failed to maintain the momentum; however, another 1974 release entitled "Early Times", an overlooked Stax recording, made up for lost time. In 1976 the original lineup of Black Oak Arkansas (minus Harvey Jett, who was replaced by Jimmy Henderson) released their last album, Balls of Fire. A new version of the band called "Black Oak" was formed in 1977 around Jim "Dandy" Mangrum and Jimmy Henderson. Greg Reding (guitar and keyboards), Jack Holder (guitar), Andy Tanas (bass), and Joel Williams (drums) participated on the two Capricorn albums which were recorded in 1977 (Race with the Devil) and 1978 (I'd Rather Be Sailing.) In 1978, guitarist Shawn Lane joined the band at age 14 and toured with the band for four years.

Released in 1984, Ready, as Hell debuted a heavier sound with pinch harmonics and keyboards featured throughout. The album also marked the return of Rickie Lee Reynolds on rhythm guitar. In 1986, The Black Attack Is Back continued the heavy style of the previous album and featured the particularly adventurous track "I Want A Woman With Big Titties". Despite that lack of subtlety, the album is regarded by many as the finest of the band's long career, with arguably the most talented lineup to date. Still, it made no commercial headway.

James Mangrum has continued recording and touring with a series of different Black Oak lineups up to present day. Black Oak Arkansas currently enjoys a loyal fan following. However, the later lineups have yet to duplicate the level of album sales that the original lineup generated in the early-mid 1970s. Jim Dandy is credited with inspiring Van Halen frontman David Lee Roth's image and onstage persona as well. In addition, in the 1980's former Maine State Representative Chris Greeley once 'opened' for them as a member of the rock band Toyz.

Tracks :

1. Uncle Lijiah
2. Memories at the Window
3. The Hills of Arkansas
4. I Could Love You
5. Hot and Nasty
6. Singing the Blues
7. Lord Have Mercy on My Soul
8. When the electricity came to Arkansas

WIGWAM - NUCLEAR NIGHTCLUB 1975

When Finnish band Wigwam signed with England's Virgin label in 1974, it was an indication they wanted international success, and Nuclear Nightclub, the first fruit, showed they'd changed enough to hopefully achieve it. This reissue of that disc, with seven bonus tracks, highlights the wonderfully idiosyncratic songs from the pen of Irish keyboard player/vocalist Jim Pembroke, backed up with some superb, tight musicianship. "Tram Driver," a single, never hit the charts, but still sounded good with its maddening chorus of "tram driver," while the title track offered quirky prog lounge music for a new generation. The band toned down the extended pieces and instrumentals that had featured heavily on its previous albums in favor of new work like "Freddie Are You Ready" (more catchiness) and "Save My Money and My Name," while the playing on "Do or Die" highlighted the chops without the tedium. In many ways they allied themselves to the British Canterbury Scene, especially Caravan, with a strong sense of the absurd, a good sense of the pop songs -- choruses always featured heavily -- and a deftness and lightness of touch that was never more in evidence than on this record. Why it never broke through remains a sad mystery; they certainly deserved better, and this expanded edition of what may well be their finest album (outside of a greatest-hits package only available in Finland) does them and their lovely little ways full justice. ~ Chris Nickson

Tracks :

1. Nuclear nightclub (2:45)
2. Freddie are you ready (5:36)
3. Bless your lucky stars (5:58)
4. Kite (4:15)
5. Do or die (5:03)
6. Simple human kindness (4:02)
7. Save my money and my name (4:07)
8. Pig storm (4:39)

ALEX CAMPBELL, ALAN ROBERTS & DOUGIE MaCLEAN - CRM 1979

Alex Campbell was one of Scotland's best-loved wandering minstrels. Learning the art of busking while traveling with American folk singers Derroll Adams and Ramblin' Jack Elliott during the late '50s, he continued to perform a mixture of traditional Scottish tunes, American work songs, spirituals, and ballads until his death in 1987. He played an important role in introducing the songs of Bob Dylan, Tom Paxton, and Woody Guthrie to audiences in England and the Celtic Isles. Campbell moved to Denmark in the 1960s, settling first in Skagen and then in Tonder. For a brief period, Campbell was married to American folk singer, Peggy Seeger. In 2003, Storyville Records issued both In Copenhagen and At the Tivoli Gardens for the first time on CD. ~ Craig Harris, AllMusic

This has him in a different environment with two other capable musicians doing traditional arrangements. Most of MacLean's later work is his own brilliant compositions and guitar work.
One of the best.

Tracks :


1. The trooper and the maid (3:03)
2. I lo'e nae a lassie but ane (4:15)
3. Jute mill song (2:51)
4. Her fa la la lo (4:03)
5. Wha widna fecht for Charlie (1:40)
6. Leis a lurighan (2:49)
7. Bonnie Mary (3:24)
8. Rattlin' roarin' Willie (2:44)
9. John Anderson, my Jo (4:49)
10. Miss Elspeth Campbell/ Alick C. MacGregor (2:09)
11. Jock Stewart (4:42)
12. Little song (0:31)

DOUGIE MACLEAN - SNAIGOW 1980

Dougie MacLean is one of Scotland's premier singer/songwriters. A past member of the Tannahill Weavers and Silly Wizard, MacLean has used his songs, including "Caledonia," "The Singing Land," and "Solid Ground," to capture the natural beauty of his hometown on the border between the Highlands and the Valley of Strathmore.

MacLean first attracted attention as a teenager when he formed a band with future Silly Wizard members Andy Stewart and Martin Hadden. While performing as a street musician in Kinross in 1974, MacLean was invited to join the Tannahill Weavers. He remained with the group for three years before he moved to Germany and launched his solo career. For a while, MacLean also performed in a trio with Alex Campbell and Alan Roberts. MacLean's breakthrough came with the release of the album Caledonia in 1979. Returning to Scotland in 1980, he spent six months as the replacement for fiddler Johnny Cunningham in Silly Wizard. Although he temporarily returned to the Tannahill Weavers, he resumed his solo career in 1981.

In addition to his busy schedule as a touring singer/songwriter, MacLean has been an influential record executive, having founded Dunkeld recording studios and record label with his wife, Jennifer, in 1983. Among the many tradition-rooted Scottish musicians who have recorded for the label, whose slogan is "Scotland's new heritage music," are Sheena Wellington, David Allison, Gordon Duncan, Hamish Moore, and Frieda Morrison.

A tour of the United States in 1989 was conducted in conjunction with Fiona Ritchie's National Public Radio show, Thistle & Shamrock. The following year, MacLean returned to the U.S. for a 17-concert tour with other Dunkeld artists. In 1995, MacLean played guitar and sang harmony on country artist Kathy Mattea's Good News album and toured as the opening act for Mattea's North American tour. Several of MacLean's songs were heard on the soundtrack of the film The Last of the Mohicans. In 1993, MacLean served as music director of the TAG Theater Company's production of A Scots Quair. A 40-minute documentary on MacLean's life and music, The Land: The Songs of Dougie MacLean was aired by the BBC.

Tracks from MacLean's three albums on the Plant Life label were assembled on the 1997 album The Plant Life Years. A sampling of tunes from MacLean's albums on Dunkeld were included on the 1995 album The Dougie MacLean Collection. MacLean's subsequent noteworthy releases have included Riof (1997), Perthshire Amber and Live from the Ends of the Earth (both 2000), Who Am I (2002), Inside the Thunder (2006), and the limited-edition EP Muir of Gormack (2007).

~ Craig Harris, AllMusic

Tracks :

1) Rolling Home
2) King's Command
3) Mill Brae - Lassies, Trust in Providence - Bonnie Isle o' Whalsay
4) Northern Cowboy
5) Back to the Island
6) Silently Sad
7) Heiland Harry
8) Ye Banks and Braes o' Bonnie Doon
9) John McColl's Reel - Alex Campbell's Reel
10) Loch Tay Boat Song

MAURO PELOSI is an Italian singer/song-writer, who released four personal albums in the 70's,a couple of them being of interest for progressive rock fans.At late 60's he collaborated with Beldisc Label,but soon he would quit due to disagreements related to his musical direction with the director.After doing his military service in 1969,he returned to Milan and he was signed by Phonogram Label.In 1972 he released his first solo output ''La stagione per morire''. PELOSI was helped by a mass of great musicians such as Gianni Leone and Gianni Stinga from ''Il balleto do bronzo'', keyboardist Mike Logan of ''The motowns'' and drummer Dave Baker from early-''Le orme''.

Despite the presence of musicians from the progressive rock scene,''La stagione per morire'' walks on the typical way and style of the Italian singer/song-writer albums with lots of lyrical moments, however it hold also enough progressive sounds.The atmosphere is really calm and pessimistic with depressive lyrics sung, of course, in Italian and Ronnie Jackson (ex- Simon Luca) dominating the compositions with his acoustic guitar...but most of the songs contain some really atmospheric keyboard work :Smooth piano passages,distinctive organ sounds and mostly light symphonic-related mellotron parts of high calibre.There are also some pastoral flute and violin parts in here,which add the album a folkish/traditional flavor.The compositions are quite strong with nice vocal arrangements and inspiring melodies.''La stagione per morire'' heads mainly towards listeners of calm,relaxing yet atmospheric acoustic prog,though fans of Italian prog in general will propably like it as well.Recommended.

Tracks :

Side A
1.Paura
2.Cosa Aspetti Ad Andar Via
3.Vent'anni Di Galera
4.Vendero
5.La Stagione Per Morire

Side B
1.E Dire Cha A Maggio
2.Che Poi Non E Vero
3.Caro Amico
4.Suicidio

SMAK - BLACK LADY 1977

This album is the German release of the successful "Crna dama" project. It contains English lyrics and English song titles, which targeted the Western market at the time. Unlike the similar work done with the later "Dab In The Middle" release, "Black Lady" is much better LP. Musicianship is perfect, almost the same as on the original domestic "Crna dama" record. Arandjelovic's vocal, one of the most troubling element of the SMAK sound that was quite awful on "Dab In The Middle", actually sounds better here. Although I don't think the native English speakers would understand much of this singing, it can be useful to those who have real problems in listening to a totally strange language. This is a very rare issue on German Bellaphon label, but if you find it on the second hand market I would advise you to buy it.

Tracks :

Side 1
1. Black Lady
2. Matter of Love
3. Domestic Lesson

Side 2
1. Hello
2. Suffer
3. Tambourine
4. Here Alone (Sad Once More)

Artwork Included

MICHAEL FENNELY - STRANGER'S BED 1975

Michael Fennelly was born in 1949, in New Jersey, but moved to L.A. where he became involved in California's pop/protest movement. By 1967, Fennelly had secured a publishing deal with songwriter/producer Curt Boettcher's Mee Moo Music and became a member of Boettcher's studio-based collective of musicians, including the two main groups, Sagittarius, and the Millennium. Fennelly -- one of five singer/guitarist/songwriters in the latter group, who were actually intended to be a proper live act -- provided fabulous falsetto vocals in addition to co-writing much of the group's material, often with guitarist/vocalist Joey Stec, another member of the Sagittarius/Millennium collective. In 1969, Fennelly was looking to form a group of his own to showcase his lead vocal talents and songwriting when met the members of a band called Stonehenge, a blues-oriented group who were being scouted by Elektra's David Anderle, a friend of their manager's. The band -- with Fennelly now taking over lead vocals and songwriting duties -- changed their name to Crabby Appleton and signed to Elektra Records. Their first album, Crabby Appleton, was produced by Don Gallucci (from Don & the Good Times) and released in 1970. It enjoyed reasonable success with a catchy Top 40 hit, "Go Back," which peaked at number 36 in July 1970 after five weeks on the charts. Crabby Appleton's second album, Rotten to the Core, was released in October 1971. Despite complimentary reviews, the group's two albums proved ultimately unsuccessful and the band broke up. Fennelly later traveled to England, where he began focusing on a solo career, recording two solo albums. The first, Lane Changer, was recorded in London with the support of ex-Zombies bassist/producer Chris White and Rod Argent on synthesizer. A second solo album, Stranger's Bed, was recorded in L.A., produced by Denny Bruce and engineered by Keith Olsen (incidentally, Fennelly's album was Olsen's last as a engineer -- he was, at the same time, producing Fleetwood Mac's first album with two new members, Lindsey Buckingham and Stevie Nicks). Released by Mercury in 1975, Stranger's Bed failed to chart. Fennelly is still involved in the music business.. ~ Bryan Thomas, Rovi

Tracks : 

Pretty Face / Hard Bargin Driver
Tomorrow's Star
Only A Child
Stranger's Bed
Dreamer
Turn To Me
Sweet Pain
Sad Dream Of Louise
The Day Of The Fire

RICHARD AND LINDA THOMPSON - I WANT TO SEE THE BRIGHT LIGHTS TONIGHT 1974

In 1974, Richard Thompson and the former Linda Peters released their first album together, and I Want to See the Bright Lights Tonight was nothing short of a masterpiece, the starkly beautiful refinement of the promise of Thompson's solo debut, Henry the Human Fly. In Linda Thompson, Richard found a superb collaborator and a world-class vocalist; Linda possessed a voice as clear and rich as Sandy Denny's, but with a strength that could easily support Richard's often weighty material, and she proved capable of tackling anything presented to her, from the delicately mournful "Has He Got a Friend for Me" to the gleeful cynicism of "The Little Beggar Girl." And while Richard had already made clear that he was a songwriter to be reckoned with, on I Want to See the Bright Lights Tonight he went from strength to strength. While the album's mood is decidedly darker than anything he'd recorded before, the sorrow of "Withered and Died," "The End of the Rainbow," and "The Great Valerio" spoke not of self-pity but of the contemplation of life's cruelties by a man who, at 25, had already been witness to more than his share. And though Thompson didn't give himself a guitar showcase quite like "Roll Over Vaughn Williams" on Henry the Human Fly, the brilliant solos that punctuated many of the songs were manna from heaven for any guitar enthusiast. While I Want to See the Bright Lights Tonight may be the darkest music of Richard & Linda Thompson's career, in this chronicle of pain and longing they were able to forge music of striking and unmistakable beauty; if the lyrics often ponder the high stakes of our fate in this life, the music offered a glimpse of the joys that make the struggle worthwhile. 

Tracks : 

1. "When I Get To The Border"
2. "The Calvary Cross"
3. "Withered and Died"
4. "I Want to See the Bright Lights Tonight"
5. "Down Where the Drunkards Roll"
6. "We Sing Hallelujah"
7. "Has He Got A Friend For Me"
8. "The Little Beggar Girl"
9. "The End of the Rainbow"
10. "The Great Valerio"

STING - ON A WINTER'S NIGHT 2009

If on a Winter's Night presents an arc of songs that conjure the season of spirits, the eerie silences of the snow; days of solitude and reflection for some, a time of re-birth and celebration for many. With traditional music of the British Isles as their starting point, Sting and his guest musicians draw the listener in through a collection of songs, carols, and lullabies spanning the centuries - such as The Snow it Melts the Soonest (traditional Newcastle ballad), Soul Cake (traditional English "begging" song) Gabriel's Message (14th century carol), as well as two of Sting's own compositions - Lullaby for an Anxious Child and The Hounds of Winter. Also featured on the album is Hurdy Gurdy Man - a musical reworking and English translation (by Sting) of Der Leiermann from Schubert's classic winter song-cycle Winterreise. For this exploration of the themes and emotions of winter Sting is joined by friend and long time colleague, guitarist Dominic Miller - and an ensemble of three remarkable musicians from Northern England and Scotland: Kathryn Tickell (fiddle and Northumbrian pipes) Julian Sutton (melodian) and Mary MacMaster (metal string Scottish harp). Additional guest artists include Vincent Ségal (cello), Daniel Hope (violin), Chris Botti (trumpet), Ibrahim Maalouf (trumpet), Stile Antico (vocal ensemble), Cyro Baptista (percussion), Bijan Chemirani (percussion) and the Webb Sisters (vocals). Together they've created an album with a wonderful, warm, and unique ensemble sound - an acoustic meditation on winter.

Tracks :

"Gabriel's Message" (2:34)

"Soul Cake" (3:29)

"There is No Rose of Such Virtue" (4:04)

"The Snow It Melts the Soonest" (3:44)

"Christmas at Sea" (4:38)

"Lo, How a Rose E'er Blooming" (2:42)

"Cold Song" (3:16)

"The Burning Babe" (2:45)

"Now Winter Comes Slowly" (3:06)

"The Hounds of Winter" (5:51)

"Balulalow" (3:10)

"Cherry Tree Carol" (3:12)

"Lullaby for an Anxious Child" (2:50)

"The Hurdy-Gurdy Man" (2:51)

"You Only Cross My Mind in Winter" (2:36)

HOLDERLINS TRAUM - HOLDERLINS TRAUM 1971

And what a dream it is! Here's a challenge: how do you describe a great album when you can't understand the lyrics? The album's name is `Traum', which is the German word for dream. Dream-like is as perfect a description as any for this surreal folk. The music is acoustic and often accompanied by flute and dark organ/mellotron. "Waren wir" and the title track, which open and close the album respectively are the most complete songs; they feature the entire band: drum, bass, organ, flute, acoustic guitar. The drummer, whose listed name is simply Michael, is essential to these tracks. His rock-jazz style lends these two tracks an ominous urgency that carries them (and the album as a whole) far above and beyond the rest of the folk-rock that was whizzing about at that time. My favorite is the title track for its funky undertone-some great conga and violin playing on it also. In between the first and last track are some of the dreamiest, acoustic songs you will ever hear. The lead singer, Nanny, is downright haunting as she is accompanied by flute on most of these songs. "peter" sounds like a traditional minstrel song you'd hear in a tavern on a dark night. "strohhalm", which means straw, is an Indian influenced bit complete with tablas and flute. "requiem fur einen wicht", or a requiem for a dwarf or miserable person, shifts moods spectacularly in its middle going from acoustic narrative to full-fledged bass and drum workout and yet still somehow remains grounded in its folky theme. "erwachen", or awaken, is a more medieval song and probably the most fairy-tale like. "wetterbericht", or weather report, is a quiet song with a nice guitar solo. On a side note, this album was crafted in 1970. Another German band at that time, Broselmaschine, was to make their own fantastic splash a year later. That album, like Traum, featured amazing, stream-of-consciousness acoustic folk. Two of Broselmaschine's musicians were guest artists on `strohhalm' providing the tables and sitar.

Info by

Robert Cossaboon

Tracks :

1. Waren wir (4:53)
2. "Peter" (2:52)
3. Strohhalm (2:20)
4. Reqiem für einen Wicht (6:32)
5. Erwachen (4:20)
6. Wetterbericht (6:34)
7. Traum (7:20)