Tag: blackfoot

I reviewed Siogo a couple of weeks ago and I mentioned the bands’ golden period. This was the pinnacle, and at the same time, the end of their classic period.

This was probably as heavy as any other southern band ever were. At the same time, the ballad Diary Of A Working Man is one of the few ballads I can appreciate. Not sure why I connect with this song so much, maybe it’s Ricky’s delivery or the subject matter, either way it’s a great song.

Fly Away was released as a single and it did quite well, but it’s the harder groove songs that really make this baby sing. Good Morning is a full tilt opener, Too Hard To Handle has a killer latin vibe that builds and builds, Dry County is southern soaked through and through, and Rattle Snake Rock N’ Roller is a sure fire boogie delight complete with Shorty Medlocke banjo intro. My favourite track is the Skynyrd inspired Searchin’ with obligatory killer rambling solo.  

In their time they were a great band, and this album is the best of the lot.

8.5/10 from The Grooveman.

Blackfoot had a classic period with a trio of great albums from 79 -81 with Strikes, Tomcattin, and Marauder. Then it all went a bit weird and limp starting with this one.

The first thing you notice on the album is the keyboards, with the introduction of the mighty Ken Hensley. Now, I’m a big Uriah Heep fan and I loved Ken’s big Hammond sound but using that here with Blackfoot’s hard rockin’ southern groove just doesn’t work for me. Not only that, but the songs just aren’t that strong either.

I’m struggling for a favourite song as it’s all a bit meh and mediocre, but We’re Goin Done does kinda live up to the band’s hard rockin’ reputation.

6.5/10 from The Grooveman.

This album (which was the band’s third release and came out in ’79) was part of a trio of albums which also included Tomcattain and Marauder that were the band at their creative peak. A mixture of some well chosen covers and originals, this is one of my favourite Blackfoot albums. Plus, the cherry on top is you get the band’s awesome signature tune Highway Song.

Although, my favourite track is a little less known ditty: Left Turn On A Red Light. It’s got Southern USA stamped all over it and is a fine continuation of what Skynyrd had started. Love the riff and those harmonies sure hit the spot. Also of note is the appearance of Rick Medlocke’s grandad Shorty on a rip roaring version of his song Train Train. Although, the cover of Free’s Wishing Well is pretty much a straight note for note cover it doesn’t hit the spot for me.

A killer band live that I caught on a couple of occasions. Highway Song always brought the house down and is a bonafide classic, that’s for sure.

8/10 from The Grooveman.

I’ll admit to having a huge admiration for Mr. Ricky Rattlesnake Medlocke, this guy has lived it, breathed it, and walked it all at the same time. In early ’71, before Lynyrd Skynyrd recorded their first classic album, he was a member of the band when they did demos at Muscle Shoals. We all know he would rejoin the band at a much later date – he also had a lung removed! Ladies and gentleman this guy has lived.

Blackfoot were actually a band in ’72 and the name was chosen as three of the band are Native Americans. This album is actually the fourth album, and the first to bring them to the attention of a wider audience. Very southern in style, but with that very hard rock edge. All sorts of influences from the southern ages are evident, but for me ZZ Top are the main one as I can hear Billy G’s influences everywhere.

The album opens with the great Warped, a good hard rockin’ opener. On The Run has lots of ZZ grooves added to the mix – a great song with a great vocal from Medlocke. If you have heard the Tejas album by ZZ, you will know where the inspiration for Dream On came from – a wonderful track. Street Fighter is up next and is the perfect blend of southern fried groove and hard rock. The side closes out with Gimme Gimme Gimme, a good old fashioned boogie woogie drinkin’ song to get the party started.

Side 2 starts with possibly the band’s best known song, Every Man Should Know Queenie, a song that has everything: the big riff, the catchy chorus, the sing-a-long section, and it’s very well written. In The Night starts with the Mr. Big drum groove, but slightly faster, and has some mean harp playing care of Shorty Medlocke. Reckless Abandoner is another great solid track with a perfect vocal from Medlocke. Spending Cabbage is next up and wins the head scratching award for what the hell does that mean?! A very southern/country traditional ditty. The album closes out with Fox Chase, and an awesome intro again from Shorty. It’s my favourite on the album.

A very enjoyable album.

8.5/10 from The Grooveman.