Both albums that constitute this ‘2 for 1’ single CD reissue, respectively they date from 1975 and 1976, were produced by David Anderle who had worked from the outset on the recordings made by this Springfield, Missouri based sextet. On “The Car Over The Lake Album” the band was blessed by the presence of four ‘in-house’ songwriters [all original band members], namely John Dillon, Larry Lee, Steve Cash and Randle Chowning, although the latter party had departed, to launch his solo recording career, by the time “Men From Earth” was issued. Chowning’s place in the band was filled by Norwegian born Rune Walle [guitars, mandolin, sitar]. U.K. based BGO Records issued the band’s debut and sophomore recordings, respectively “The Ozark Mountain Daredevils” [1973] and “It’ll Shine When It Shines” [1974], as a ‘2 for 1’ CD package during January 2005. The latter pairing, co-produced by Glyn Johns and David Anderle, each yielded one U.S. Pop Chart hit single - the only major commercial success the Ozarks were to enjoy. “If You Want To Get To Heaven” made the lower reaches of the Top 30, while the subsequent “Jackie Blue” achieved the heady # 3 position.
Having mentioned the quartet of songwriters in the band, a non-band member contributed to one cut on “The Car Over The Lake Album.” Minnesota bred hit country songwriter Elizabeth Anderson [Lynn Anderson’s mother] co-penned the penultimate cut “Out On The Sea” with Dillon. Following the appearance midway through 1968 of the Byrds country collection “Sweetheart Of The Rodeo,” a rash of long-haired country-rock influenced combos were formed during the ensuing years. Prior to working with OMD, music history records that Glyn Johns produced The Eagles’ 1972 self-titled debut album and their sophomore ‘thematic’ release “Desperado” [1973].
As might be inferred from the song title, Dillon’s “Keep On Churnin’” is a frantic paced number and it kicks off the “Car” collection replete with a rowdy rock ’n’ roll guitar riff. The considerably slower Lee/Cash soft-pop sounding collaboration “If I Only Knew” scored the band a Top 50 U.S. Pop single, and it’s followed by Chowning’s “Leatherwood” a ‘take it easy in the backwoods’ themed number. The latter is the first truly country sounding cut on “The Car…” In truth there are only a handful of “Car” and “Men” tunes that truly satisfy the country formula. The lyric to Cash’s “Cobblestone Mountain” [also] possesses a backwoods feel, while Lee’s “Mr. Powell” is a vocal harmony rich cut, as is the later Lee/Dillon collaboration “From Time To Time.” Featuring another backwoods themed lyric, Chowning and Cash were responsible for the hoedown paced “Gypsy Forest,” although sadly it’s followed by their uninspired love song “Thin Ice” – the repeated “We’re travelling on thin ice baby” pretty much reveals the total content of this three minute long cut. “Southern Cross” is simply riff rock filler, while Chowning’s gentle sounding “Whippoorwill” closes the Ozarks third album.
Following Chowning’s departure, Dillon, Cash and Lee fulfilled the songwriting duties on “The Car Over The Lake Album,” and like its predecessor it opens with a John Dillon composition - in this instance, the gospel tinged “Fly Away Home.” Chart wise the band’s slow ‘chart hit’ demise continued with Lee’s ‘easy listening’ “You Know Like I Know” peaking toward the nether reaches of Top 75 U.S. Pop. “Breakaway [From Those Chains]” is another of Dillon’s guitar-riff heavy creations. In terms of melodic content “Men From Earth” pretty much follows the rocker/ballad formula of its predecessor. “Watermill” [Cash/Dillon] and “It’s How You Think” [Lee] are vocal harmony rich ballads, Cash’s “Arroyo” is underpinned by a funky, cyclical guitar figure, and “Men From Earth” closes with the fiddle, mandolin and [James Burton/Albert Lee style] lead guitar lick filled, Larry Lee penned country song “Homemade Wine.”
The twenty-page liner booklet that accompanies this release contains a short history of the band by journalist/writer John Tobler, and also features the lyrics to all the songs.
by Arthur Wood, Kerrville Kronikles 01/2007
1. Keep On Churnin' (John Dillon) - 2:58
2. If I Only Knew (Larry Lee, Steve Cash) - 3:23
3. Leatherwood (Randle Chowning) - 4:01
4. Cobblestone Mountain (Steve Cash) - 2:23
5. Mr. Powell (Larry Lee) - 3:14
6. Gypsy Forest (Randle Chowning, Steve Cash) - 2:54
7. Thin Ice (Randle Chowning, Steve Cash) - 2:55
8. From Time To Time (Larry Lee, John Dillon) - 3:54
9. Southern Cross (Steve Cash, John Dillon) - 3:29
10.Out On The Sea (John Dillon, Elizabeth Anderson) - 3:42
11.Whippoorwill (Randle Chowning) - 5:10
12.Fly Away Home (John Dillon) - 2:50
13.You Know Like I Know (Larry Lee) - 4:05
14.Breakaway (From Those Chains) (John Dillon) - 3:59
15.The Red Plum (Steve Cash, John Dillon) - 2:03
16.Mountain Range (John Dillon) - 4:46
17.Watermill (Steve Cash, John Dillon) - 4:11
18.Noah (John Dillon) - 3:08
19.It's How You Think (Larry Lee) - 4:23
20.Arroyo (Steve Cash) - 5:12
21.Homemade Wine (Larry Lee) - 2:37
The Ozark Mountain Daredevils
*Buddy Brayfield - Piano, Electric Piano, Organ, Oboe
*Steve Cash - Harp
*Randle Chowning - Guitars, Mandolin, Harp
*John Dillon - Guitars, Mandolin, Harp
*Mike Granda - Bass
*Larry Lee - Drums, Acoustic Guitar, Synthesizer
Guests
1975 The Car Over The Lake Album
*Weldon Myrick - Pedal Steel Guitar
*Farrell Morris - Orchestra Bells
*Nancy Blake - Cello
1976 Men From Earth
*Bill Jones - Horns, Flutes, Synthesizer
*Randle Chowning - Guitars, Vocals
*Steve Canaday - Drums, Fair Witness
*Connie Canaday - Vocals
*Bean - Definition Of Pachuco
*Bobbye Hall - Congas, Percussion
*Jerry Mills - Mandolin
1973-74 The Ozark Mountain Daredevils / It'll Shine When It Shines (2004 double disc set)
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