Poco -Oranges

Poco- Self Titled "Oranges"

Sometimes called "ORANGES"  On this, their sophomore effort, the band rocks out harder than on their debut, especially on the opening track "Hurry Up." Furay wrote or co-wrote all of the songs except for "Honky Tonk Downstairs," a song that showed that the band hadn't completely abandoned its country leanings. All of the band's trademarks are here: tight harmony singing, soulful vocals, Messina's economic lead guitar work, and Rusty Young's pedal steel as organ.

This is the only studio album that this configuration of the band released and it's one of the strongest albums of their career. Even the 15-minute-plus instrumental "El Tonto de Nadie, Regresa" is an amazing example of the band's instrumental prowess. [Unlike many of the mindless jams found on other albums of that era. I have on CD all Poco albums ever released. HIGHLY RECOMMENDED

Pure Prairie League-Bustin' Out

Bustin' Out

In mid 1972, `Pure Prairie League' busted out with an impossibly likable song called, "Amie", which shot up the charts. The album soon became a classic country-rock favorite. With breezy acoustic ballads and gentle harmonies, Pure Prairie League was on its way to pop stardom. The opener, "Jazzman" glides along with slide guitar and ample guitar hooks. "Early Morning Riser" and "Amie" are simple upbeat melodic tunes that beg repeated listens. The ballads, `Falling In And Out Of Love", Boulder Skies" and "Call Me, Tell Me" are incredibly imotive with sparse strings that carry that emotional sentiment right to the end of the last song. If anything, this set is too short, but it's sweetly short and an instant classic.

George Strait- Strait Country

Strait Country

This album combines two sure-fire winners: Dean Dillon's formittable songwriting and Mr. Strait, country music's purest voice. Most of the songs on the album can even be appreciated by folks who generally don't care for country. If you fall into this catagory, you'll do well to check out Blame It On Mexico, I Get Along With You, Friday Night Fever, and If You're Thinking You Want A Stranger. These songs could almost be catagorized as soft rock/easy listening. However, songs such as Down And Out, She's Playing Hell.., and Unwound round out the album with their more conventional beer-drinkin' honky tonk sound. Also, the production quality is crisp, clear and tight. For under seven bucks, you'll own the best country album ever recorded. Lastly if your a POCO fan, George covers "Honly Tonk Downstairs" which is on the Poco "Oranges" Album

Chris Hillman and Friends

Chris Hillman and Friends
1975-05-08
Ebbets Field, Denver, CO
FM Broadcast (KDPI) recording, Very Good Quality
mp3 @ 320 kbps

Here's another fine show from what I refer to as Chris's 'Firefallin' Burrito Brothers' tour. This was a quite early show on this tour, which took place immediately after the Souther-Hillman-Furay Band called it quits. Chris called up friend and former FBB alum Rick Roberts, who had recently formed a new band, called Firefall, which was practicing and playing together but did not yet have a record deal or made public performances yet. So, Roberts, along with his Firefall mates guitarist Jock Bartley (who also earlier played with Gram Parsons), bassist Mark Andes (formerly of Spirit), and ex-Byrd-Burrito Michael Clarke joined Chris to form the temporary and hastily put together band later dubbed the Chris Hillman Band, but here only referred to as Chris Hillman and Friends, for this series of concert dates in the Spring-Summer of 1975. These shows became most famous, however, for being the launchpad for Firefall, as towards the end of these show dates, Chris became ill and couldn't perform, so Firefall just took over the full show, and were 'discovered and signed' by Atlantic record execs on the spot (more about that coming later). But in this show, earlier in the tour, Chris was definitely in charge, playing a mixture of tunes from his various bands, from the Byrds, Burritos, Manassas, and SHF Bands. This is a fairly short set (probably edited for the radio broadcast), but is of very good quality.

tracklist
01 - Intro
02 - Safe At Home
03 - Down In The Churchyard
04 - Time Between
05 - High Fashion Queen
06 - Colorado
07 - Fallen Eagle
08 - Christine's Tune
09 - Follow Me Through
10 - Blue Morning
11 - Six Days On The Road
12 - Move Me Real Slow
13 - So You Want To Be A Rock 'N' Roll Star

Chris Hillman - guitar, mandolin, lead vocals
Rick Roberts - rhythm guitar, vocals
Jock Bartley - lead guitar
Mark Andes - bass
Michael Clarke - drums

http://www.mediafire.com/?yjsdbda6dmc3loq

Nitty Gritty Dirt Band-Uncle Charlie and his dog Teddy

Uncle Charlie and His dog Teddy

For me, this album defines the Dirt Band and defies category. It's country and bluegrass and rock and the blend works perfectly. There are are only a couple original tunes: Jeff Hanna's rollicking "The Cure" and Jimmie Fadden's harmonica showpiece "Uncle Charlie." They cover a couple of ex-Monkee Mike Nesmith's best songs: "Some of Shelly's Blues" and "Propinquity." They also do four songs by a then relatively unknown songwriter, Kenny Loggins: "Prodigal's Return," "Yukon Railroad" (both co-written with Dann Lottermoser), "Santa Rosa" and "House at Pooh Corner." And then of course, there is their signature song, Jerry Jeff Walker's "Mr. Bojangles," which became their first (and only) top ten pop hit.
Then there are all the wonderful instrumental interludes, like Les Thompson's mandolin workout on "Billy in the Low Ground," Fadden's wonderful harmonica on "Swanee River," and John McEuen's banjo pyrotechnics on "Randy Lynn Rag." [In the liner notes, composer Earl Scruggs is quoted as saying McEuen's version is the way he always intended to do it.]

Ozark Mountain Daredevils- Men from earth

Men from earth

A must have for all OMD fans. Long awaited and well over due, this is the second release in a series of four from New Era Productions. These four albums have never been available in CD format until now. Digitally remastered from the original studio master tapes, the sound quality is unsurpassed. From the smooth and mellow "You Know Like I Know", "Watermill", and "It's How You Think", to the more upbeat and foot stompin' "Homemade Wine" and "Fly Away Home", you will not be disappointed. In my opinion this is one of their best albums. Also included are three bonus tracks never released on any album. "Better Days" was only released on the B side of the "Jackie Blue" 45. "Roscoe's Rules" and "A Dollar's Worth Of Regular" saw very limited release on a thin red vinyl record. For all of you wanting to replace all of your worn out tapes and vinyl, this is your chance. No more tape hiss or annoying pops and cracks. Next to be released from New Era will be "It's Alive" (Spring 2003), followed by "Don't Look Down" (Fall 2003}.

Stephen Stills-Alone

Stephen Stills -Alone

I discovered this album almost by accident, I had heard "Treetop Flyer" and was intrigued enough to want to find out more about it. I was familiar with Stills' material from the CSNY days, but hadn't heard much of his work beyond that. I must admit I was pleasantly surprised by this album.

"Stills Alone" is just that. Simply Stills on vocals and guitar. A collection of well written songs featuring Stills' skillful guitar work, along with a few covers.

That being said, the production is not perfect. And Stills's voice sounds strained on some of the higher notes on a couple tracks. But I think these slight imperfections actually give the album character, as if you were listing to a live performance.

Some purists may scoff at Stills' guitar tone on this album. It is unusual for an acoustic sound...but in my opinion it gives the album a unique, if sometimes even "eerie" sound.

My only complaint is that the album is pretty short.

My personal favorites are "The Right Girl", "Treetop Flyer", and the outstanding "Blind Fiddler Medley". But this is the sort of album that you feel compelled to listen to from start to finish every time you take it out.

Since this has been out of print for so long, they are expensive. It was alot to pay for a CD, but I wanted one that badly. I am very glad to add this rare gem to my collection.