Wednesday, September 23, 2020

The Ozark Mountain Daredevils - Don't Look Down (1977 us, wonderful country rock, 2005 bonus tracks remaster)



The Ozark Mountain Daredevils combines humor and diverse talents of the writers and musicians in the band to play feel good, cozy alt country, Appalachian rock & roll. In short, they created timeless Southern rock.

The Ozark Mountain Daredevils was formed in Missouri during the early ’70s  with and Steve Cash and John Dillon on guitars, Michael Granda  on bass, Randle Chowning on vocals, Buddy Brayfield on keyboards and Larry Lee on drums.

The Ozark Mountain Daredevils, while not being the most successful country-rock outfit, had released five fine albums prior to Don't Look Down. Their sound had changed little over the years, which suited most fans who frankly wanted more of the same. This release is somewhat more polished than earlier recordings.

Fine musicianship is present as usual, but the move to a lighter rock style has forced guitar solos to take a backseat throughout. Don't Look Down is consistent enough, and is undoubtedly an enjoyable album.

In 1978 they releade a double live album "It’s Alive" but like the previous one saw decreasing sales, multiple personnel changes and Ozark Mountain Daredevils was finally dropped from A&M roster in late 70’s.

In 1980 The Ozark Mountain Daredevils signed to CBS records and made one more album, but buying audience didn’t agree with their modern sound and The Ozark Mountain Daredevils slowly faded away from music scene before making their comeback in mid-nineties.

After forty years and over two million albums sold, even today The Ozark Mountain Daredevils keeps performing live on selected dates with original members Michael Granda, Steve Cash and John Dillon.
by Ben Davies and parts of Pure Southern Rock
Tracks
1. River To The Sun (Steve Cash, John Dillon) -3:25
2. Crazy Lovin' (Steve Cash, John Dillon) -3:53
3. Giving It All To The Wind (Larry Lee) - 4:13
4. The Fox (Steve Cash) -2:45
5. Backroads (Steve Canady) -3:13
6. Snowbound (Steve Cash, John Dillon) - 3:30
7. Following The Way That I Feel (Larry Lee) - 3:35
8. Love Makes The Lover (John Dillon, Steve Cash) - 3:21
9. True Believer (Larry Lee, Steve Cash) - 4:13
10.Moon On The Rise (Larry Lee, Steve Cash) - 3:05
11.Stinghead (Michael Granda) - 2:09
12.Sweetwood (John Dillon, Kevin Wray, Cathy Wray) - 4:32
13 Plainity (Michael Granda) - 2:34
14.Valencia Road (Steve Canady) - 2:54

The Ozark Mountain Daredevils
*Larry Lee - Drums, Acoustic Guitar, Synthesizer, Vocals
*Steve Cash - Harp, Percussion, Vocals
*John Dillon - Guitars, Fiddle, Piano, Vocals
*Michael "Supe" Granda - Bass, Acoustic Guitar, Vocals
*Steve Canaday - Guitar, Drums, Vocals
*Jerry Mills - Mandolin
*Rune Walle - Guitars, Sitar, Banjo, Vocals 
*Ruell Chappell - Keyboards, Vocals
With
*Randle Chowining - Guitar, Mandolin, Vocals (Tracks 12-14)
*Buddy Brayfield - Keyboards, Vocals (Tracks 12-14)

1973-74  The Ozark Mountain Daredevils / It'll Shine When It Shines (2004 double disc set) 
1975-76  The Ozark Mountain Daredevils - The Car Over The Lake Album / Men From Earth (2006 remaster)