BLACKHORSE-BLACKHORSE-

As this 3 piece Texas based outfit selfproduced and pressed this obscure masterpiece, one could only wonder? How does the musicindustry really works? This is one of history´s most underrated albums of all time. The blend of Hard/blues/boogie/Southern rock is just aiming straight for the heart… and man…  doesn´t the Arrows hit bulls Eye!!!

This is a production wetdream with great interaction between the harmony singing down to the guitars and solos. I can´t find much to complain about so, this is a double thumbs up. A very solid and great soundin` album with strong songs. Even the slow cooking intro in ” Cannot find my way home” just fits the bill like icecream on a hot summers day. Splendid songwriting.

Whatabout the drummer, John Teague?? This fellow must have been moulded into the drummers seat with this outfit. There are splendid striking abilities with strong Dynamics and mature interaction together with the bass. The hitratio is impressive with a hard and determind drive. The technical skills are up there with the best from the time period and there´s never a loss for “action” playing. This is a very good drummer and fits this band like a fish to water!! Very Very good!! 🙂

As this album was a selfpressed story, moster to be send to promoters and to sell at gigs,  there are few good original copies left to find at a bargain price. But if you are into American Hard/blues/boogie/Southern rock albums in the style of Blackfoot and Molly Hatchet this is a piledriver for sure. Don´t hesitate to put up top dollars, it will be Worth the pricetag. Otherwise there are reissues for half the price and it sounds as good as the original.The bonus part is that there are more Money over for beer to enjoy this dinosaur record!! Mighty Work!!  🙂

VINYLRATING/GRADE

-8-EXCELLENT-HEAD ON RIGHT BETWEEN THE EYES, COLLISION WITH A FREIGHT TRAIN!-

CHAIN-TOWARDS THE BLUES-

This outfit from Australia where to be  recognized as one of the most progressive and famous bluesacts ever to come from the land down under. As this their full length debut released in 1971, the band had already gone through major membership replacements but they nailed it on this Classic recording.

The production is flawless and with the reissues on CD the remasters just put all the songs  in Place. The vocals interact great together with the fine tuned guitar and the steady rhythm section. There are no weak spots in that department. A very solid job!!

Whatabout the drummer, Barry Harvey?? This experienced drummer doesn´t make a fool of himself on this album. The striking abilities and the Dynamics are great. The hitratio and technique are top notch! The great interaction together with bass player Barry Sullivan just fits like a glove. This is an impressive recording with few mistakes and “to much” playing. The solid rhythm on this recording is the Foundation for the Classic reputation it got today. A very impressive job!! 🙂

Original copies are hard to find for a lower pricetag but there are the reissued 30 anniversery edition on CD. This is a must buy for the one´s who´s in for Brittish flavoured blues with a progressive attitude to it. Few records from this time period could reach this fullfillment. This is a true blues gem and let no one tell you otherwise…This is the true Hot, Blue and lonesome affair you been waiting for…Enjoy!!

VINYLRATING/GRADE

-7-VERY GOOD!!-GAME, SET AND MATCH-

HACKENSACK-UP THE HARDWAY-

This outfit which fronted Nicky Moore on lead vocals , guitar and keyboard originates from the UK and this is their debut LP. An erlier release of an EP got the band a spot for larger recordings but they didn´t really nailed it on this on. They are almost there but it got some itching issues along the way.

The production is nice and soft with great interaction with the vocals, guitars and the rhythm section. The songs are mixed with some great uplightning stuff together with more melancolic slowcooking ballads that not really fit into this Picture. The lack of consistancy is apparent and the record company´s(?) tryout to find some sort out path for the band just crash and burn. To bad because the talent is in here….somewhere… 🙂

Whatabout the drummer, Simon Fox?? This is great drummer who follow´s the line of great Brittish drummers. The striking abilities are great together with a perfect Dynamics and an impressive hit ratio.The drive is also impeccable. The only issue I got with this guy may be the fact he´s in the wrong band. The future for this fellow should have been different. A waste of a great talent in my opinion.

If you have an interest in early Hard/Blues/Southern/ rock Music this is an alternative record in some of the songs. Great vocals from Nicky Moore would end up in bands like Samson and the NWOBHM wave to come. Original copies of this album are hard to find and with that comes a Heavy pricetag that doesn´t match the album. Go for the reissues if you have the interest and save yourself some money for future highlights to come! 🙂

VINYLRATING/GRADE

-4-CHEESY-AVARAGE-

FARM-FARM-

As an alternative to the obscure Hard/Prog/psych overload, this album released in 1971 is a fresh input of American Hard/blues/Psych/country rock music. This outfit by the name of Farm originated from Mount Vernon Illinois. They recorded their sole album in the tiny studio of Golden voice in South Pekin .

The production is very good with great interaction between the guitars and vocals. The harp and background rhythm is also very well balanced. This is a great album!! The Contemporary bands like Canned Heat and Allman Brothers Band could be traced in some songs but the execution is done with such great personal input that they almost overrides the original. This a very good job put into this very rare and obscure record.

Whatabout the drummer, Mike Young?? As this is a through and trough blues inspired album this fellow certainly does the job. The drive is impeccable and the striking abilities are top notch. Several impressive dynamic passages are boldly held back with great perfection and the hit ratio is left second to none. This is a very well skilled drummer! Impressive work!! 🙂

This album must be counted as one of the most obscure and rare of all time. The songs doesn´t persue nothing new in the genre but it is so well crafted that you just wonder what would happened if there was a continuence. The saying “reap what you sow” is very much true in this outfit.. I´m very happy to have this album….. 🙂

Great copies are out there for the one who doesn´t have to look in his wallet every time a purchase is made. Prices are high but you can retrieve good reissues for smaller numbers. If you have a thing for Hard/Blues/psych/country rock from the beginning of the ´70s this is a milestone! I need a Cold beer to chill out with this one… 🙂

VINYLRATING/GRADE

-7-VERY GOOD!-GAME, SET AND MATCH-