Quaker City Night Hawks – Torquila Torquila (2011)

Texas’ Quaker City Night Hawks play a raw, hard-hitting brand of old-school Southern rock that draws on their love of country and blues. Following their arrival in the 2010s, Quaker City Night Hawks grabbed ears with albums like 2013’s Honcho and having their songs featured on TV’s Sons of Anarchy. In 2016, they broke even wider with their album El Astronauta.

Hailing from Fort Worth, Texas, Quaker City Night Hawks came together in 2009 after singer/songwriter Sam Anderson and singer/songwriter David Matsler decided to put a rock band together after years of hustling for solo acoustic gigs. Anderson, the son of a minister, had grown up singing in church and had picked up guitar as a teenager.

He was enrolled as an art major at Fort Worth’s Texas Tech when he befriended Matsler in 2003 while playing open-mike nights around Lubbock and Fort Worth. Matsler had been taught how to fingerpick guitar by his mother, and grew up listening to folk artists like James Taylor, Paul Simon, and Bob Dylan. He had also studied mandolin at South Plains College in Levelland before meeting Anderson.

Over the next few years, the duo stayed in touch as Anderson transferred to the University of North Texas in Denton and Matsler moved to Austin. Around 2007, they relocated to Fort Worth, splitting their time between coffeehouse gigs, work with various bands, and writing songs together. They eventually decided to officially put a band together, building upon their love of greasy ’70s rock, and influences like ZZ Top, Led Zeppelin, and the Band. Calling themselves Quaker City Night Hawks, a name partially culled from writer Mark Twain’s 1867 travel book The Innocents Abroad, they put together a live group of friends from the Fort Worth area. In 2012, they issued their debut album, Torquila Torquila!, and backed it up by constant touring and live shows.

That same year, the band gained a boost after several of their songs were used on season five of the popular motorcycle TV drama Sons of Anarchy. By the time they released their sophomore album, 2013’s Honcho, Quaker City Night Hawks had gained a loyal cult following with fans popping up around the globe. They eventually signed to Nashville’s Lightning Rod Records home of similarly roots-oriented mavericks like Joe Pug, Jason Isbell, and Ryan Culwell. Their first release for the label, El Astronauta, arrived in 2016 and featured the single “Mockingbird.” It gained significant attention online, including social media support from Jimmy Fallon, Marc Maron, and others. In 2019, they returned with their fourth full-length album, QCNH, which peaked in the Top 40 of the Billboard Top Independent Albums chart. (by Matt Collar)

Or:

Quaker City Night Hawks’ brand of hard rock n’ roll is bred from Texas boogie, Memphis soul and heavy blues. Their music is southern rock right out of ’75, played with the fervor of a sermon crackling out of the radio in a ’68 Lincoln. They’re the whiskey bottle you finished Saturday night and the prayer you said the next morning. Like a country gunshot on a humid night and your first illicit beer, Quaker City Night Hawks are the spirit of rock n’ roll.! (press release)

And here is their first self released album

Rock ‘n’ roll is not what it used to be. But don’t tell that to Fort Worth’s Quaker City Night Hawks, whose debut album, ¡Torquila Torquila!, is clearly from another time—a time when there was nothing better than a drive down a dusty road with a cigarette in your mouth, the top off your Firebird Trans Am and Creedence Clearwater Revival on the radio.

QCNH invoke all of these feelings with their brand of blues-infused boogie rock.

Fort Worth scene veterans Sam Anderson and Matt Mabe handle the singing duties as well as rhythm guitar and drums, respectively, while Patrick Adams and David Matsler handle bass and lead guitar. And the band is clearly well-versed when it comes to the blues. “Crack at the Bottle” features the classic 12-bar blues form with an AAB lyrics structure delivered by Anderson’s smoky vocals. “Hounds of Hell,” meanwhile, calls upon the great Delta bluesman Robert Johnson with its death-is-always-on-my-tail theme.

The straight-forward Southern rock of “Bible Black Lincoln” continues that theme and paints a picture of a devil who will “put a pistol to your head about the time you think you got him beat.”

With ¡Torquila Torquila!, Quaker City Night Hawks have created an album that is both relevant and timeless. This is rock ‘n’ roll. (by Mark Schectman)

A hell of a record, listen to “Some Of Adam’s Blues”.

Personnel:
Pat Adams (bass, vocals)
Sam Anderson (guitar, vocals)
Matt Mabe (drums, voals)
David Matsler (lead guitar, vocals)

Tracklist:
01. Like Old Cain 3.38
02. The Last Ride Of Miguel The Scared 4.00
03. Cold Blues 3.40
04. Bible Black Lincoln 3.57
05 Some Of Adam’s Blues 5.28
06. Ain’t No Kid 5.04
07. Hounds Of Hell 3.38
08. Crack At The Bottle 4.19
09. You’ll Never Have Her To Herself 4.13
10. Don’t Tell Em I’m Coming Home 4.50

All songs written by
Pat Adams – Sam Anderson – Matt Mabe – David Matsler

• (coming soon)
  **

The offical website:

Warren Haynes & Gov’t Mule -Asheville XMas Jam (2006)

Warren Haynes (born April 6, 1960) is an American musician, singer and songwriter. He is best known for his work as longtime guitarist with the Allman Brothers Band and as founding member of the jam band Gov’t Mule.

Early in his career he was a guitarist for David Allan Coe and The Dickey Betts Band. Haynes also is known for his associations with the surviving members of the Grateful Dead, including touring with Phil Lesh and Friends and the Dead.

In addition, Haynes founded and manages Evil Teen Records.

Gov’t Mule (pronounced “Government Mule”) is an American Southern rock jam band, formed in 1994 as a side project of the Allman Brothers Band by guitarist Warren Haynes and bassist Allen Woody. Fans often refer to Gov’t Mule simply as Mule.

The band released their debut album, Gov’t Mule, in 1995, and have since released an additional nine studio albums, plus numerous EPs and live releases. Gov’t Mule has become a staple act at music festivals across North America, with both its members and frequent guests from other notable bands adding various funk and blues rock elements to the band’s sound. (wikipedia)

Starting in 1988, Haynes put together an annual charity benefit show, inviting musicians originally from his home town of Asheville who were home for Christmas, the only time of year they would all be in town at the same time. The first show, held at the 45 Cherry club in Asheville on December 29, 1988, was dubbed “The Christmas Jam: Musician’s X-Mas Reunion.” Some of the artists at the first Christmas Jam were Warren Haynes, Mike Barnes, Matt Sluder, The Crystal Zoo, The Stripp Band, Ronnie Burgin and the McBad Brothers Band.

In the initial years the proceeds from the concert were donated to various charities but eventually the organizers decided to focus on Asheville Area Habitat for Humanity, a non-profit that constructs and preserves homes; advocates for fair and just housing policies; and provides training and access to resources to help families improve their shelter conditions. In tribute to his financial support of Asheville Area Habitat for Humanity, a Habitat neighborhood in Buncombe County, North Carolina, has a street named after Haynes, and another subdivision was named in honor of Warren and Stefanie Hayne’s son. In 2002, Haynes was presented with the key to the city by Asheville mayor Charles Worley. In 2003, Worley proclaimed December 18 as “Warren Haynes Day” in Asheville.

The event has continued to grow every year and is now dubbed “Warren Haynes Presents: The Christmas Jam.” Due to increasing audience demand, the show was eventually moved to the Asheville Civic Center. In 2008, for its twentieth anniversary, “The Christmas Jam” consisted of two nights of music; including “The Christmas Jam By Day,” a series of events including daytime concerts, movie screenings, and art, photo, and poster exhibits taking place in downtown Asheville on the days leading up to the show. The event reverted to one night in 2009, but retained “The Christmas Jam By Day,” and included the new “Christmas Comedy Jam.” The same format was repeated in 2010.

And here´s Gob´t Mule gig from 2006:

Warren Haynes & Gov’t Mule live broadcast from The Orange Peel in Asheville, North Carolina for the Christmas Pre-Jam on 12/15/2006. This live radio broadcast preceded the next day’s 18th Annual Christmas Jam at the Asheville Civic Center, a benefit for Habitat For Humanity.

And … another pretty good jam concert … I think Gov’t Mule are the best jam band in the world

Recorded live at The Orange Peel in Asheville, North Carolina, Decmber 15, 2006

Personnel:
Matt Abts (drums, percussion)
Warren Haynes (guitar, vocals)
Andy Hess (bass)
Danny Louis (keyboards)
+
Mike Barnes (guitar on 10.)
Randall Bramlett (saxophone on 09. +10.)
Henry Butler (keyboards on 10.)
Robert Kearns (bass on 10.)
Branford Marsalis (saxophone on 08.)
Ivan Neville (keyboards on 10.)
Mickey Raphael (harmonica on 03. + 10.)
Dave Schools (bass on 09.)
Kenny Vaughn (guitar on 10.)

Tracklist:

Warren Haynes Set:
01 WNCW . Intro 0.59
02. A Million Miles From Yesterday (Haynes) 4.13
03. Ballerina (Morrison) 6.19
04. Christmas music and intro for Gov’t Mule 1.23

Gov’t Mule Set:
05. Time To Confess (Haynes) 7.36
06. Three String George (Haynes) 6.14
07. Child Of The Earth (Haynes) 6.19
08. Devil Likes It Slow (Haynes) 12.38
09. Low Spark Of High Heeled Boys (Winwood/Capaldi) 15.55
10. I Shall Be Released (Dylan) 12.27

*
**

More from Gov’t Mule:

The official website:

Alex Taylor – Live With Friends And Neighbors (1972)

Alexander Robert Taylor (February 28, 1947 – March 12, 1993) was an American singer.

Alexander Taylor was the eldest child of Gertrude and Isaac M. Taylor. He was a member of a family which produced a number of musicians, the most famous of whom is James Taylor, as well as Livingston, Hugh, and Kate Taylor.

Alex Taylor had two sons, Edward and James. The elder son, Edward was adopted, and lives in North Carolina; his second son James, who resides on Martha’s Vineyard, is the namesake of Alex’s brother James, and inspired his uncle’s 1970 hit “Sweet Baby James.”

Alex Taylor traveled around Florida gigging and recording his finest work at a little studio in Tampa called Progressive Music. Taylor suffered a heart attack on March 7, 1993, in Sanford, Florida, while recording a third album at King Snake Records Studio. He died on March 12, 1993 (James’s birthday), at age 46. He was survived by his wife Brent B. Taylor, then age 46, of West Tisbury; his two sons; and granddaughters Caroline, Anna Kate, Paige, and Claudia.

According to the official Rolling Stone biography of James Taylor, Alex Taylor’s death has been attributed to alcoholism. Livingston Taylor has said in an interview that Taylor suddenly stopped breathing while sleeping in a Kingsnake Records studio and that this occurred shortly after Taylor downed almost an entire bottle of vodka (“what was for him… not an exceptional amount of booze”). James Taylor wrote his song “Enough To Be On Your Way” with Alex’s funeral in mind then changed some of the details to commemorate a fictional “Alice”.

Livingston Taylor called him “generous to the very fiber of his soul” and “the greatest older brother ever.” Livingston also said that Alex supported and protected him during his troubled childhood. (wikipedia)

And here´s a pretty good livw recording

Singer and songwriter Alex Taylor with his band “Friends and Neighbours” opening for the Allman Brothers Band on a concert from early ´72. Features tracks from his second album titled Dinnertime released on Capricorn Records about a week after the show.
This is great Southern Rock and Roll with R´n´B from James Taylor´s older brother accompanied with excellent musicians, including a very young Chuck Leavell. (soundaboard.blogspot.com)

That´s the good old Southern Rock my friends !

Recorded live at the Memorial Coliseum , Auburn, Alabama, February 12, 1972
vry good soundboard recording

Personnel:
Charlie Hayward (bass)
Paul Hornsby (organ)
Chuck Leavell (piano)
Lou Moullenix (drums)
Jimmy Nalls (guitar)
Speedo (percussion)
Bill Steward (drums)
Alex Taylor (vocals)

Tracklist:
01. I Don´t Need No Doctor (Ashford/Simpson/Armstead) 4.48
02. Who´s Been Talking? (Burnett) 5.04
03. When This Battle Is Over (Hill/Rebennack) 4.17
04. Good Morning Miss Brown (Mahal) 4.26
05. You’re Gonna Need Me () 4.31
06. From A Buick Six (Dylan)
07. Night Owl (J.Taylor) 4.18
08. Band introduction 1.00
08. Payday (Winchester) 4.10
09. Who Will The Next Fool Be? (Rich) 5.19
10 Going Down (Nix) 3.12

Alternate frontcover:

*
**

The Marshall Tucker Band – Together Forever (1978)

The Marshall Tucker Band is an American rock band from Spartanburg, South Carolina. Noted for incorporating blues, country, and jazz into an eclectic sound, the Marshall Tucker Band helped establish the Southern rock genre in the early 1970s. While the band had reached the height of its commercial success by the end of the decade, it has recorded and performed continuously under various line-ups for 50 years. Lead vocalist Doug Gray remains the only original member still active with the band.

The original line-up of the Marshall Tucker Band, formed in 1972, included lead guitarist, steel guitarist, vocalist, and primary songwriter Toy Caldwell (1947–1993), lead vocalist Doug Gray (born 1948), keyboard player, saxophone player, and flautist Jerry Eubanks (born 1950), rhythm guitarist George McCorkle (1946–2007), drummer Paul Riddle (born 1953), and bassist Tommy Caldwell (1949–1980). They signed with Capricorn Records and released their first album in 1973, The Marshall Tucker Band.

After Tommy Caldwell was killed in a car accident in 1980, he was replaced by bassist Franklin Wilkie. Most of the original band members had left by the mid-1980s.[2] The band’s current line-up consists of Gray on vocals; keyboard player, saxophonist and flautist Marcus James Henderson; guitarists Chris Hicks and Rick Willis, bassist Tony Black, and drummer B.B. Borden.

Together Forever was the Marshall Tucker Band’s seventh studio album. It was produced by Stewart Levine, founder of CHISA records. This was the band’s last album produced for Capricorn Records. The name of the album reflects the Platonic love of the members towards one another.

The band’s follow-up album, their eighth and final album on the Capricorn label, would be a compilation album entitled Greatest Hits. (wikipedia)

Together Forever boasts a more mainstream rock approach than any of its predecessors, halfway between the country-tinged Long Hard Ride and the pop-oriented Carolina Dreams. Although the band sounds good, the songs don’t match the strength of their performances. (by Stephen Thomas Erlewine)

This is an overlooked gem in the catalog. Of course the first 4 albums are a must, but this one has plenty to offer. Lets not forget that The Marshall Tucker Band was one of the early jam bands who came out of the southern scene. This album really showcases the impeccable and adventurous musical chops that defined the best of Southern Rock. I’ll be Loving You opens the album and its a doozy. The guitar playing of Toy Caldwell is nothing less than superb, and this song absolutely smokes and cooks. Doug Grays voice soars majestically above it all.

Love is a Mystery has a beautiful melody and features the usual brilliant horn arrangements of Jerry Eubanks; a trademark The MTB is known for. Once again, the intoxicating combination of Grays vocals and Caldwell’s screaming thumb-picked leads take the listener to a magical place where all is right in the universe. The second side of the album features another smoking track called Change is Gonna Come, which really combines all the elements of the band into one monster, mother of a song which should be played loudly, in the true spirit of Southern Rock. By all means give this album a serious listen, you won’t be disappointed. (Kevin Smith)

Personnel:
Tommy Caldwell (bass, background vocals)
Toy Caldwell (guitar, pedal steel.guitar, voals on 03. + 07.)
Jerry Eubanks (flute, saxophone, background vocals)
Doug Gray (vocals, percussion)
George McCorkle (guitar, banjo)
Paul Riddle (drums)

Tracklist:
01. I’ll Be Loving You (Toy Caldwell) 5.30
02. Love Is A Mystery (Toy Caldwell) 7.11
03. Singing Rhymes (Toy Caldwell) 3.15
04. Dream Lover (Eubanks/McCorkle) 4.38
05. Everybody Needs Somebody (Gray/Eubanks/McCorkle) 4.42
06. Change Is Gonna Come (Tommy Caldwell) 6.25
07. Asking Too Much Of You (Toy Caldwell) 6.29
+
08. Bound and Determined (recorded live November 2, 1975 Armadillo World HQ – Austin TX) (Toy Caldwell) 5.13

*
**

More from the Marshall Tucker Band:

Tommy Caldwell
(November 9, 1949 – April 28, 1980)

Toy Caldwell
(November 13, 1947 – February 25, 1993)

The official website:

The Second Coming (pre-Allman Brothers Band) – Jacksonville Florida (1969)

Mostly this bootleg is offered under the name “Allman Brothers Band”. That’s wrong !

This a really nice and rare live recording ny a group called “Second Coming”, foundesby Dickey Betts and Berry Oakley.

Dickey Betts, orn in West Palm Beach on December 12, 1943 and raised in Bradenton, Florida, Betts grew up in a musical family listening to traditional bluegrass, country music and Western swing. He started playing ukulele at five and, as his hands got bigger, moved on to mandolin, banjo, and guitar. At sixteen and feeling the need for something “a little faster”, he played in a series of rock bands on the Florida circuit, up the East Coast and into the Midwest before forming Second Coming with Berry Oakley in 1967. According to Rick Derringer, the “group called the Jokers” referenced in “Rock and Roll, Hoochie Koo” was one of Betts’ early groups. (wikipedia)

But things changed in 1969:

Dickey Betts met Duane Allman … and the rest is history !

This album was recorded just four days after the legendary March 26, 1969 “Jacksonville Jam” where The Allman Brothers Band was founded.
But this is actually a “Second Coming” concert. Gregg Allman did not perform.

Alternate front + backcover:

And so here we hear an important part of the later Allman Brothers Band … The Allman Brothers Band in their embryonic phase … it’s a good soundoard recoding and listen to their roots.

Enjoy this rarity !

Personnel:
Dickey Betts (guitar, vocals)
Don Finney (saxophone)
Jai Johanny Johanson (Jaimoe) (drums)
Richard Hombre Price (bass)
Butch Trucks (drums)
Reese Wynans (organ)
+
Duane Allman (guitar, cocals

One more alternate front + backcover:

Tracklist:
01. Don’t Want You No More (Hardn/Davis) 9.00
02. Rock Me Baby (King/Taub) 2.07
03. Crossroads (Johnson) 3.12
04. Born In Chicago (Gravenites) 5.36
05. Willie Jean Jam (Oakley/Trucks/Betts/Allman/Johanson/Wynans) 10.58
06. Born Under A Bad Sign (Bell/Jones) 3.31
07. She Has Funny Cars (Kaukonen/Balin) 8.04
08. Hey Joe (Roberts) 10.52
09. New Shoes Blues (Oakley/Trucks/Betts/Allman/Johanson/Wynans) 11.29
10. Travellin’ Music Jam (Oakley/Trucks/Betts/Allman/Johanson/Wynans) 13.49

*
**

One more another alternate front + backcover:

The Allman Brothers Band – No Exit From The Road Allman Brothers (The Warehouse tapes) (1972)

The Allman Brothers Band was an American rock band formed in Jacksonville, Florida in 1969[3] by brothers Duane Allman (founder, slide guitar and lead guitar) and Gregg Allman (vocals, keyboards, songwriting), as well as Dickey Betts (lead guitar, vocals, songwriting), Berry Oakley (bass), Butch Trucks (drums), and Jai Johanny “Jaimoe” Johanson (drums). Subsequently based in Macon, Georgia, they incorporated elements of blues, jazz, and country music, and their live shows featured jam band-style improvisation and instrumentals.

Their first two studio releases, The Allman Brothers Band (1969) and Idlewild South (1970) (both released by Capricorn Records), stalled commercially, but their 1971 live release At Fillmore East was an artistic and commercial breakthrough. It features extended versions of their songs “In Memory of Elizabeth Reed” and “Whipping Post”, and is considered among the best live albums ever made.

Group leader Duane Allman was killed in a motorcycle accident later that year – on October 29, 1971 – and the band dedicated Eat a Peach (1972) to his memory, a dual studio/live album that cemented the band’s popularity and featured Gregg Allman’s “Melissa” and Dickey Betts’s “Blue Sky”. Following the motorcycling death of bassist Berry Oakley one year and 13 days later on November 11, 1972, the group recruited keyboardist Chuck Leavell and bassist Lamar Williams for 1973’s Brothers and Sisters. The album included Betts’s hit single “Ramblin’ Man” and instrumental “Jessica”, which went on to become classic rock radio staples and placed the group at the forefront of 1970s rock music. Internal turmoil overtook them soon after; the group dissolved in 1976, reformed briefly at the end of the decade with additional personnel changes, and dissolved again in 1982.

The band re-formed once more in 1989, releasing a string of new albums and touring heavily. A series of personnel changes in the late 1990s was capped by the departure of Betts. The group found stability during the 2000s with bassist Oteil Burbridge and guitarists Warren Haynes and Derek Trucks (the nephew of their original drummer) and became renowned for their month-long string of shows at New York City’s Beacon Theatre each spring. The band retired for good in October 2014 after their final show at the Beacon Theatre.

Butch Trucks died of a self-inflicted gunshot wound on January 24, 2017 in West Palm Beach, Florida at the age of 69. Gregg Allman died from complications arising from liver cancer on May 27, 2017 at his home in Georgia, also at 69. The band was awarded seven gold and four platinum albums, and was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1995. Rolling Stone ranked them 52nd on their list of the 100 Greatest Artists of All Time in 2004. (wikipedia)

And here´s another pretty good bootleg:

For The Allman Brothers Band, 1972 was a time of mixed blessings. Having decided to continue as a group, despite the tragic loss of visionary guitar maestro Duane Allman following his motorcycle accident on 29th October 1971, the Allmans released Eat A Peach on 12th February ’72. Featuring a mix of live and studio tracks, the new record exceeded the success of its predecessor, Live At Fillmore East. Containing such classics as ‘Melissa’ – Duane’s favourite song, chosen by Gregg Allman in tribute – ‘One Way Out’, and the Dickey Betts-penned ‘Blue Skies’, Eat A Peach eventually went Platinum in the United States while reaching number four on the Billboard chart. The band played almost 90 shows across North America that year, eager to capitalise on their recent successes and to honour Duane’s memory.

Founding bassist Berry Oakley had been profoundly affected by Duane’s passing, and took solace in drink and drugs. Ironically, on 11th November 1972, while still intoxicated, he crashed his own motorbike into the side of a bus, just three blocks away from where Duane had met his end. Initially declining treatment, he slowly sank into delirium, and died in hospital later that day.

And here´s their New Years Eve concert … with their new line-up (feat Chuck Leavell on piano and Lamar Williams on bass).

A superb selection of newer songs and fan favourites were performed, including ‘Ain’t Wastin’ Time No More’, ‘In Memory Of Elizabeth Reed’, ‘Midnight Rider’ and ‘Whipping Post’. At this juncture in their career one would be forgiven for thinking that the Allman Brothers’ hard times were in the past and it would all be plain sailing for a while.

It’s a soundboard recording, excellent sound, great show  with Elvin Bishop as guest on 4 tracks.

Recorded live at The Warehouse, New Orleans, December 31, 1972 

Personnel:
Gregg Allman (keyboards, vocals)
Dickey Betts (guitar, vocals)
Jai Johanny Johanson (drums)
Chuck Leavell (piano)
Butch Trucks (drums)
Lamar Williams (bass)
+
Elvin Bishop (guitar on 06., 14, – 16.)

Tracklist:
01. Wasted Words (Allman) 7.05
02. Done Somebody Wrong (James/Lewis/Levy) 5.13
03. Statesboro Blues (McTell) 4.54
04. Ain’t Wastin’ Time No More (Allman) 6.23
05. One Way Out (Williamson/James) 10.10
06. Stormy Monday (Walker) 11.06
07. Midnight Rider (Allman) 4.07
08. Ramblin’ Man (Betts) 6.56
09. In Memory Of Elizabeth Reed (Betts) 19.08
10. Hot ‘Lanta (D.Allman/G.Allman/Betts/Oakley/Trucks/Johanson) 6.35
11. Whipping Post (Allman) 19.34
12. You Don´t Love Me (Cobbs) 10.16
13. Les Brers In A Minor (Betts) 18.24
14. Help Me Baby (Williamson) 10.51
15. Drunken Hearted Boy (Bishop) 8.13
16. Don’t Lie To Me (Cobbs) 5.07

*
**

More from The Allman Brothers Band:

The official website:

Lynyrd Skynyrd – Southern Knights (1996)

Lynyrd Skynyrd  is an American rock band formed in Jacksonville, Florida. The group originally formed as My Backyard in 1964 and comprised Ronnie Van Zant (lead vocalist), Gary Rossington (guitar), Allen Collins (guitar), Larry Junstrom (bass guitar) and Bob Burns (drums). The band spent five years touring small venues under various names and with several lineup changes before deciding on “Lynyrd Skynyrd” in 1969. The band released its first album in 1973, having settled on a lineup that included bassist Leon Wilkeson, keyboardist Billy Powell and guitarist Ed King. Burns left and was replaced by Artimus Pyle in 1974. King left in 1975 and was replaced by Steve Gaines in 1976. At the height of their fame in the 1970s, the band popularized the Southern rock genre with songs such as “Sweet Home Alabama” and “Free Bird”. After releasing five studio albums and one live album, the band’s career was abruptly halted on October 20, 1977, when their chartered airplane crashed, killing Van Zant, Steve Gaines, and backup singer Cassie Gaines, and seriously injuring the rest of the band.

Lynyrd Skynyrd reformed in 1987 for a reunion tour with Ronnie’s brother Johnny Van Zant as lead vocalist. They continue to tour and record with co-founder Rossington (the band’s sole continuous member), Johnny Van Zant, and Rickey Medlocke, who first wrote and recorded with the band from 1971 to 1972 before his return in 1996. In January 2018, Lynyrd Skynyrd announced its farewell tour, and continues touring as of October 2019. Members are also working on their fifteenth album.

In 2004, Rolling Stone magazine ranked Lynyrd Skynyrd No. 95 on their list of the “100 Greatest Artists of All Time”. Lynyrd Skynyrd was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame on March 13, 2006. To date, the band has sold more than 28 million records in the United States. (wikipedia)

And here´s another fine live album:

Lynyrd Skynyrd are the kings of Southern Rock and one of the biggest constants in rock scene. Despite the tragic plane crash, when in ’77 killed almost half the band, Lynyrd Skynyrd have sweetened millions of people with their straight, soulful songs the gray everyday life. Southern Knights, recorded in various locations throughout the mid 90s in the United States, includes “Workin ‘For MCA,” “Sweet Home Alabama,” and “Free Bird,” the key skynyrd discography essentials, as well as some lesser known numbers , which should provide also with inveterate fans for the necessary change before the domestic plant.

The beautiful three-dimensional sound leaves no questions unanswered, as the Southern Rock compulsory long guitar solos always remain within the acceptable range, and power tube Johnny Van Zant proves to be a worthy successor to his deceased brother Ronnie. If you would like to get to know handmade rock from its very down-to-earth side, you can buy this double CD as an introduction to the Skynyrd world with a clear conscience. (by oparin 1954)

Personnel:
Mike Estes (guitar)
Owen Hale (drums)
Ed King (guitar)
Billy Powell (keyboards)
Leon Wilkinson (bass)
Johnny van Zant (vocals)
+
background vocals:
Debbie Davis-Estes – Dale Krantz-Rossington

Tracklist:

CD 1:
01. Workin’ For MCA (King, R. van Zant) 5.24
02. I Ain’t The One (Rossington/R. van Zant) 4.11
03. Saturday Night Special (KIng/R. van Zant) 5.46
04. Down South Jukin’ (Rossington/R. van Zant) 2.46
05. Double Trouble (R. van Zant/Collins) 4.19
06. Devil In The Bottle (Rossington/Krantz-Rossington) 3.56
07. T For Texas (Rodgers) 8.39
08. What’s Your Name (Rossington, R. van Zant) 4.05
09. That Smell (R. van Zant/Collins) 7.26

CD 2:
01. Simple Man (Rossington/R. van Zant) 7.55
02. Gimme Three Steps (R. van Zant/Collins) 6.17
03. Sweet Home Alabama (King/Rossington/R. van Zant) 7.49
04. Freebird (Collins/R. van Zant) 13.45

*
**

More from Lynyrd Skynyrd:

The official website:

The Allman Brothers Band – Angeline + Mystery Woman (1980)

I want to reduce my collection of singles:

The Allman Brothers Band was an American rock band formed in Jacksonville, Florida in 1969[3] by brothers Duane Allman (founder, slide guitar and lead guitar) and Gregg Allman (vocals, keyboards, songwriting), as well as Dickey Betts (lead guitar, vocals, songwriting), Berry Oakley (bass guitar), Butch Trucks (drums), and Jai Johanny “Jaimoe” Johanson (drums). Subsequently based in Macon, Georgia, they incorporated elements of blues, jazz, and country music, and their live shows featured jam band-style improvisation and instrumentals.

Their first two studio releases, The Allman Brothers Band (1969) and Idlewild South (1970) (both released by Capricorn Records), stalled commercially, but their 1971 live release At Fillmore East was an artistic and commercial breakthrough. It features extended versions of their songs “In Memory of Elizabeth Reed” and “Whipping Post”, and is considered among the best live albums ever made.

Group leader Duane Allman was killed in a motorcycle accident later that year – on October 29, 1971 – and the band dedicated Eat a Peach (1972) to his memory, a dual studio/live album that cemented the band’s popularity and featured Gregg Allman’s “Melissa” and Dickey Betts’s “Blue Sky”. Following the motorcycling death of bassist Berry Oakley one year and 13 days later on November 11, 1972, the group recruited keyboardist Chuck Leavell and bassist Lamar Williams for 1973’s Brothers and Sisters. The album included Betts’s hit single “Ramblin’ Man” and instrumental “Jessica”, which went on to become classic rock radio staples and placed the group at the forefront of 1970s rock music. Internal turmoil overtook them soon after; the group dissolved in 1976, reformed briefly at the end of the decade with additional personnel changes, and dissolved again in 1982.

The band re-formed once more in 1989, releasing a string of new albums and touring heavily. A series of personnel changes in the late 1990s was capped by the departure of Betts. The group found stability during the 2000s with bassist Oteil Burbridge and guitarists Warren Haynes and Derek Trucks (the nephew of their original drummer) and became renowned for their month-long string of shows at New York City’s Beacon Theatre each spring. The band retired for good in October 2014 after their final show at the Beacon Theatre.

Butch Trucks died of a self-inflicted gunshot wound on January 24, 2017 in West Palm Beach, Florida at the age of 69. Gregg Allman died from complications arising from liver cancer on May 27, 2017 at his home in Georgia, also at 69. The band was awarded seven gold and four platinum albums, and was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1995. Rolling Stone ranked them 52nd on their list of the 100 Greatest Artists of All Time in 2004.

In 1978, Allman and Walden first approached Betts with the idea of a reunion.[95] Their first public appearance together came at a Great Southern show in New York’s Central Park that summer, when Allman, Trucks, and Jaimoe joined the band for a few songs.[84] Williams and Leavell declined to leave Sea Level, so the Allman Brothers Band hired guitarist Dan Toler and bassist David Goldflies from Great Southern. The band reunited with Tom Dowd at Criteria Studios in Miami to cut their reunion album, which was released in February 1979 as Enlightened Rogues, a term Duane had used to describe the band. While the band “tried to make it happen,” they later concluded that the chemistry was not there; the album was a minor commercial success, which was credited to the production work from Dowd.

Betts filed a lawsuit against Walden for nonpayment of record and publishing royalties, and Betts’s lawyer, Steve Massarsky, began managing the group. Betts won the lawsuit, and the rest of the band filed suit while Capricorn declared bankruptcy that October. Massarsky led the successful effort to sign the band with Arista, which pushed the band to “modernize” their sound. “Arista founder Clive Davis destroyed any hope that we had that we could make the thing work again,” said Trucks later. “He wanted us to be a Southern American version of Led Zeppelin and brought in outside producers and it just kept getting worse.”

Their first Arista effort, Reach for the Sky (1980), was produced by Nashville songwriters Mike Lawler and Johnny Cobb.

And here´s a German single rom this album:

The problem of those years was, that the genre of Southern rock was waning considerably in the mainstream. And so they could no longer continue their earlier successes. The magic of their early years was over … but it´s still a good single and the catchy mean-woman blues “Angeline,” which became a minor radio hit.

Personnel:
Gregg Allman  (vocals, keyboards)
Dickey Betts (guitar, slide guitar)
David Goldflies (bass)
Jai Johanny Johanson (drums)
Dan Toler (guitar)
Butch Trucks (drums, percussion)

Tracklist:
01. Angeline (Betts/Cobb/Lawler) 3.38
02. Mystery Woman (Toler/Allman) 3.35

*
**

More from The Allman Brothers Band:

The official website:

Molly Hatchet – Take No Prisoners (1981)

Molly Hatchet is an American southern rock band formed by guitarist Dave Hlubek in Jacksonville, Florida, in 1971. They were a popular band during the late 1970s and early-to-mid 1980s among the Southern rock and hard rock communities. The band released six studio albums on Epic Records between 1978 and 1984, including the platinum-selling hit records Molly Hatchet (1978), Flirtin’ with Disaster (1979) and Beatin’ the Odds (1980). They also had successful hits on the Billboard charts, including “Flirtin’ with Disaster”, “The Rambler”, “Bloody Reunion” and “Satisfied Man”. Molly Hatchet has released eight more studio albums since their split with Epic in 1985, although none of them have been as successful as their early albums, nor charted in the United States.

Molly Hatchet has experienced numerous lineup changes throughout their 51-year career. While its current lineup includes none of the members who played on the band’s first album, who are all deceased, keyboardist John Galvin has been a member of Molly Hatchet since 1984 (with the exception of a break between 1991 and 1994) and Bobby Ingram has been their guitarist since 1987, when he replaced founding member Dave Hlubek, who would rejoin the band 18 years later and stayed with the band until his death in 2017. Also included in the current lineup are drummer Shawn Beamer, bassist Tim Lindsey and vocalist Jimmy Elkins.

Take No Prisoners is the fourth studio album by American southern rock band Molly Hatchet, released in 1981. This is the second and last studio album released with lead singer Jimmy Farrar and the last one with original bass player Banner Thomas and the last to feature drummer Bruce Crump until The Deed Is Done. “Respect Me in the Morning” is a duet between Farrar and Joyce “Baby Jean” Kennedy of Mother’s Finest. The album is also notable because actress Katey Sagal appears as a backup singer. (wikipedia)

Molly Hatchet blazes across the face of rock & roll with another Southern/hard rock set, even paying homage to 1950s rock & roll with a cover of “Long Tall Sally.” Still, the band doesn’t seem able to recreate the intensity of its first couple of releases. “Respect Me in the Morning” appears to start off a set of powerful Hatchet tunes, but the ball gets fumbled halfway into the game. (by Michael B. Smith)

A reasonable album which contains 3 of Mollys best ever tracks, POWERPLAY, BOODY REUNION and the fantastic rocker LOSS OF CONTROL..Southern vocal drawls are as cute as ever and the guitar work is slick..This album does’nt quite have the woe factor of some of the others in their catalogue but its not a bad one either. (Steve Smith)

Personnel:
Bruce Crump (drums)
Jimmy Farrar (vocals)
Dave Hlubek (guitar, slide guitar)
Steve Holland (guitar)
Duane Roland (guitar, slide guitar)
Banner Thomas (bass)
+
Paulinho da Costa (percussion)
Joyce ‘Baby Jean’ Kennedy (vocals on 02.)
Tom Werman (percussion)
Jai Winding (keyboards)
+
Tower Of Power horn section (horns on 01. + 06.)
+
background vocals:
Mindy Sterling – Laurie Bono – Katey Sagal

Tracklist:
01. Bloody Reunion (Farrar/Hlubek/Roland/Thomas) 3.58
02. Respect Me In The Morning (Farrar/Roland) 3.22
03. Long Tall Sally (Blackwell/Johnson/Penniman) 2.55
04. Loss Of Control (Crump/Roland/Thomas) 3.31
05. All Mine (Thomas) 3.59
06. Lady Luck (Hlubek) 3.29
07. Power Play (Holland) 3.45
08. Don’t Mess Around (Roland/Thomas) 3.00
09. Don’t Leave Me Lonely (Crump/Holland) 3.59
10. Dead Giveaway (Hlubek) 3.26

*
**

A nice reminder of the Allman Brothers Band:

More from Molly Hatchet:

The official website:

George Hatcher Band – Have Band Will Travel (1977)

The George Hatcher Band is an American Southern Rock band formed by vocalist/songwriter George Hatcher (born March 8, 1947 in Bennettsville, South Carolina)  after moving to England in the summer of 1975. Between 1976 and 1985, the group released 5 studio albums and one live in-studio EP.

Their first three releases were produced by Tom Allom and issued on United Artists. After a hiatus, Hatcher reformed the band with new members in the 2000s.

Before forming the group, vocalist George Hatcher was a member of Asheville, NC band Flatrock who recorded two albums for North Carolina-based label King Records with producer Shadow Morton. Neither album was released and because of contractual problems, Flatrock broke up and Hatcher travelled to the UK. Arriving in August 1975, the first musicians Hatcher connected with were Curved Air members, drummer Stewart Copeland (later to co-found The Police) and violinist Darryl Way Hatcher joined their project, Stark Naked and the Car Thieves, and played a few club shows before deciding to form his own band.

Hatcher first met drummer Terry Slade, formerly of Renaissance, and then recruited guitarists Phil Swan, whom he knew personally, and John Thomas, whom he met in a club in Birmingham. Keyboardist Steve Wren and bassist Harris Joannou were recruited through friends and word of mouth.

While still unsigned, the group supported Man, Canned Heat and Dr. Feelgood around the UK. After playing a label showcase at Dingwalls at Camden Lock in London, they were approached by A&R executive Andrew Lauder who signed the group to a three-album deal with United Artists.  Through Lauder, the band was introduced to producer Tom Allom who expressed interest in working with the band. They entered Wessex Sound Studios in London in the summer of 1976 and recorded their debut album Dry Run with Allom at the helm. John McFee, aka John McSteel, later to join the Doobie Brothers, would play pedal steel guitar on “Sunshine (Shine Down On Me)”, with Tony Carr providing percussion. To promote the record, they supported label mates, Dr. Feelgood, on their September/October Stupidity UK tour[ and Continental Europe in November[5] as well as headlining their own shows.

The band quickly turned to writing and rehearsing for the next album. On December 12, 1976, they decided to invite a few friends and record some tracks at Olympic Studios in Barnes, London with a live audience. According to Hatcher, some 250 people showed up by four o’clock in the afternoon and the band proceeded to record covers of Blind Willie McTell’s “Statesboro Blues”, based on the version popularized by the Allman Brothers Band, and Loggins and Messina’s “Good Friend” (which also appears on Dry Run), as well as a pair of originals, “Rockin’ in the Morning” and “Drinkin’ Man”, the latter written on the spot and recorded on the first take.  These 4 songs would make up the 1977 Have Band Will Travel 10″ EP.

Hatcher started off the new year with more live work, including a show with UFO in late January at Friars Aylesbury. After supporting Frankie Miller on March 26, 1977 at The Apollo in Glasgow, Scotland, the band headed straight into Wessex Sound Studios through the month of May to record their sophomore album, Talkin’ Turkey, with Tom Allom producing once more. Expanding on their sound, Hatcher brought in musicians from the London Symphony Orchestra, returning guest players Tony Carr and John McFee, as well as McFee’s then Clover bandmate, Huey Lewis, credited as Huey Harp, on harmonica.  Talkin’ Turkey and Have Band Will Travel were released in short succession and the George Hatcher Band appeared on the popular BBC in Concert series, broadcast on June 18.[ They also played the massive Reading Rock Festival on August 27, 1977 with headliners Thin Lizzy topping the bill. Earlier that month, they had supported Ted Nugent during his 2-night stand at London’s Hammersmith Odeon and would return to the Hammersmith on October 25 as openers for AC/DC on their Let There Be Rock UK tour.

Soon thereafter, Hatcher would dissolve the band due to members going in different directions in their personal and professional lives, with guitarist ‘Big’ John Thomas joining Welsh rockers Budgie. By 1978, Hatcher had put together a whole new line-up comprising guitarists James Morgan and Pete Gosling, keyboardist Geraint Watkins, bassist Vic Young, and drummer Mac Poole, best known for his earlier stints with Big Bertha and Warhorse. All but Morgan toured with Mickey Jupp on the “Be Stiff” Tour ’78 as Mickey Jupp & The Cable Layers, documented on Jupp’s 2004 archives release Live At The BBC. Signing a new record deal with German label Shark Records, Hatcher and his band headed to Germany where they recorded Rich Girl[18][19] with engineer and co-producer Manfred ‘Manni’ Neuner at Tonstudio Hiltpoltstein near Nürnberg. The album, a mix of originals and covers, was released under the shortened name George Hatcher and supported with a UK tour.

At the time, Hatcher began to contemplate a return to the U.S. traveling back and forth between England and his native North Carolina. In 1980, Hatcher assembled a new all-American line-up comprising guitarists Curt Stines and David Phelps, bassist Mike Parnell, keyboardist Tad Hough, and drummer Danny Howe. Reverting to the George Hatcher Band moniker, the group returned to Manni Neuner’s Tonstudio Hiltpoltstein in Germany to cut 1980’s Coming Home. They were joined by original GHB guitarist Phil Swan who made a guest appearance on 3 songs. The album’s epic 8-minute title track would become something of signature tune for the band as well as a strong fan favorite. Originally released on Shark and Kaleidoscope, respectively, the album was licensed stateside by The Goods Records in 1982. By then, Hatcher was firmly based in the U.S. again where the band would support major acts such as Black Sabbath, Scorpions, Ted Nugent, Molly Hatchet, The Outlaws, Cheap Trick, Billy Idol, Johnny Van Zant, Black Oak Arkansas, and The Kinks, often as the Charlotte Coliseum.

The George Hatcher Band would record one final album for Trout Records in 1985. Recorded at the legendary Arthur “Guitar Boogie” Smith’s (of “Dueling Banjos” fame) studio in Charlotte, NC. Hindsight featured Hatcher, Stines and Howe in addition to newcomers Ace Philbeck on guitar, Joe Nims on bass, Ricky Kirby on keyboards, and Joey Dunlevy on keyboards and saxophone. Despite no longer recording new music, Hatcher would continue to tour through 2005, including playing in front of 80.000 people with 38 Special during Charlotte’s Speed Street festival in 2002, before putting music on hold and going to college to pursue a Masters Degree in psychology.  The band has since been re-activated and Dry Run and Coming Home were re-issued on CD in 2011 and released digitally.

Original GHB guitarist John Thomas passed away March 3, 2016 from pneumonia. Drummer Mac Poole who recorded the Rich Girl album with Hatcher died on May 21, 2015 after a long battle with throat cancer. (wikipedia)

And here´s their live in the studio EP from the early days … this kind of fiery Southern Rock … just like I love it

Enjoy the power of the George Hatcher Band !…

Recorded live in Olympic Studio 1, Barnes. Sunday Dec 12th 1976
before an invited audience of friends, fans and free loaders

Personnel:
George Hatcher (vocals)
Harris Joannou (bass, vocals)
Terry Slade (drums)
Phil Swan (guitar)
“Big” John Thomas (guitar, vocals)
Steve Wren (keyboards)

Tracklist:
01. Statesboro’ Blues (McTell) 4.24
02. Rockin’ In The Morning (Hatcher/Joannou/Slade/Swan/Thomas/Wren) 5.38
03. Good Friend (Messina) 3.47
04. Drinking Man (Hatcher/Joannou/Slade/Swan/Thomas/Wren) 6.24

*
**

More from the George Hatcher Band:

The official website: