Classic Rock Album of the Day- Black Oak Arkansas - Self Titled- (1971) *** 1/2
Way back in the day, we in middle America had late night radio station, that was called Beaker Street. Beaker Street resided at KAAY in Little Rock, Arkansas, and from 11 pm- 2am played underground rock music that wasn't heard or available anywhere else on AM in the early to mid 1970's. This station pre-dated the FM rock stations that we loved in late 1970's - 1990's. Back in the day we were slaves to radio reception, and on really good nights we could get a clear signal of this mainstay of rock of the day. In those early days, most of our AM were Country Stations or Easy Listening. KAAY was our ticket into Rock that was unavailable elsewhere. Back in those early 1970's where else could you hear the latest from Bloodrock, Grand Funk, Uriah Heep, Alice Cooper, Black Sabbath and many others.
One band that got a lot of airplay from KAAY were the local boys from Black Oak. Band was named after their small town in Arkansas. Their 1st self titled LP, was very unique, took the dueling guitar bit to a good sound, infused country, blues, and enough eery strangeness to give this 1st one a mystique that sadly was never reproduced. The band succumbed to the lifestyle, numerous lineup changeups, silly female backup singers, and magic and continuity that was not there or seemed achievable.
But the overall product is very crisp. There is a lot more musicanship here than you would expect. These aren't hacks with scrub boards and jew harps. There is some really good dueling guitar jams. 50 years later this work has a charm that demonstrates how variable and expansive the world of rock was at the time. Many purist might thumb their nose, but listening to this has a special place and memories of the day.
Side 1-
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Uncle Lijah- Tune starts with a amost pre-historic Marshall Tucker sound, done very nicley. Nice entertaining song about a song of old 105 year old Uncle Lijah. Standard rocker, but right out of the gate you are blown away by Jim Dandy (Mangrum)'s signature growl that works to a "T". I also love the religious and redemption motif, and that is a subject repeated on the LP. 5
Memories at the Window- Boys strain on the ballad concept. The message is good, Swampy blusey, not bad, but not great. 7
The Hills of Arkansas- Country fare done very nicely. Sounds like another one that easily could have been lifted by the Marshall Tucker Band. Lot of soul put into this number, and you can tell these guys are really into their craft. 3
I Could Love You- Woooo.... Shaft like clicking riffs, with some pretty nice searing dual guitar work. Repetive line structure , but works nicey in a blusey manner. Fine song..... Had forgot how good it was. '70's Jamming for sure. 2
Side 2-
------------
Hot and Nasty- Black Oak's first signature song. The one that early got the air play. Very interesting innovative vocal play that you can tell is a meme builder working on Mangrum's stage presence. Though it has some pretty nice guitar interplay, 50 years later, it feels more like a novelty song. 6
Singng the Blues- 50 years ago, I screamed at the speakers at this country remake. There was plenty of Buck Owens on the radio. I didn't ask for this. Now, I kind of view the band playing it as somewhat of a parody, with the nasally tone included. They did the song fine, but I don't think it was really homage, but just to show some possible flexibility in style. Geez, who knows. 8
Lord Have Mercy on My Soul- Band returns to the religion/redemption theme, in what may be one of the most eery songs of that era. Song is narrated by a low speaking preacher, explaining his near death experience and being drawn both to the evil and good. Background includes amost what would sound like the gnashing of teeth in hell. After the speech, a rocking number ensues. Fantastic bass line and some addtional interesting dualing guitar work in Southern Rock style. 1
When Electricity Came to Arkansas- Speaking of Scrub Boards-
Percussion centerd and featured number that breaks out into a southern jam session, and finally goes balls to walls blusey-ville. Man they sure sounded like they had a good time recording it. 4
Way back in the day, we in middle America had late night radio station, that was called Beaker Street. Beaker Street resided at KAAY in Little Rock, Arkansas, and from 11 pm- 2am played underground rock music that wasn't heard or available anywhere else on AM in the early to mid 1970's. This station pre-dated the FM rock stations that we loved in late 1970's - 1990's. Back in the day we were slaves to radio reception, and on really good nights we could get a clear signal of this mainstay of rock of the day. In those early days, most of our AM were Country Stations or Easy Listening. KAAY was our ticket into Rock that was unavailable elsewhere. Back in those early 1970's where else could you hear the latest from Bloodrock, Grand Funk, Uriah Heep, Alice Cooper, Black Sabbath and many others.
One band that got a lot of airplay from KAAY were the local boys from Black Oak. Band was named after their small town in Arkansas. Their 1st self titled LP, was very unique, took the dueling guitar bit to a good sound, infused country, blues, and enough eery strangeness to give this 1st one a mystique that sadly was never reproduced. The band succumbed to the lifestyle, numerous lineup changeups, silly female backup singers, and magic and continuity that was not there or seemed achievable.
But the overall product is very crisp. There is a lot more musicanship here than you would expect. These aren't hacks with scrub boards and jew harps. There is some really good dueling guitar jams. 50 years later this work has a charm that demonstrates how variable and expansive the world of rock was at the time. Many purist might thumb their nose, but listening to this has a special place and memories of the day.
Side 1-
----------
Uncle Lijah- Tune starts with a amost pre-historic Marshall Tucker sound, done very nicley. Nice entertaining song about a song of old 105 year old Uncle Lijah. Standard rocker, but right out of the gate you are blown away by Jim Dandy (Mangrum)'s signature growl that works to a "T". I also love the religious and redemption motif, and that is a subject repeated on the LP. 5
Memories at the Window- Boys strain on the ballad concept. The message is good, Swampy blusey, not bad, but not great. 7
The Hills of Arkansas- Country fare done very nicely. Sounds like another one that easily could have been lifted by the Marshall Tucker Band. Lot of soul put into this number, and you can tell these guys are really into their craft. 3
I Could Love You- Woooo.... Shaft like clicking riffs, with some pretty nice searing dual guitar work. Repetive line structure , but works nicey in a blusey manner. Fine song..... Had forgot how good it was. '70's Jamming for sure. 2
Side 2-
------------
Hot and Nasty- Black Oak's first signature song. The one that early got the air play. Very interesting innovative vocal play that you can tell is a meme builder working on Mangrum's stage presence. Though it has some pretty nice guitar interplay, 50 years later, it feels more like a novelty song. 6
Singng the Blues- 50 years ago, I screamed at the speakers at this country remake. There was plenty of Buck Owens on the radio. I didn't ask for this. Now, I kind of view the band playing it as somewhat of a parody, with the nasally tone included. They did the song fine, but I don't think it was really homage, but just to show some possible flexibility in style. Geez, who knows. 8
Lord Have Mercy on My Soul- Band returns to the religion/redemption theme, in what may be one of the most eery songs of that era. Song is narrated by a low speaking preacher, explaining his near death experience and being drawn both to the evil and good. Background includes amost what would sound like the gnashing of teeth in hell. After the speech, a rocking number ensues. Fantastic bass line and some addtional interesting dualing guitar work in Southern Rock style. 1
When Electricity Came to Arkansas- Speaking of Scrub Boards-
Percussion centerd and featured number that breaks out into a southern jam session, and finally goes balls to walls blusey-ville. Man they sure sounded like they had a good time recording it. 4
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