Southern Rock band featuring ex-Molly Hatchet guitarist Dave Hlubek, ex-Blackfoot drummer Jakson Spires, guitarist/vocalist Jay Johnson and bassist Charles Hart.
Southern Rock Allstars
Southern Rock
band featuring ex-Molly Hatchet
guitarist Dave Hlubek, ex-Blackfoot
drummer Jakson Spires, guitarist/vocalist Jay Johnson and bassist Charles Hart.
Southern
Rock Allstars-Crazy Again (independant)
2001
1. "Train of Sorrow" (4:15)
2. "Dreaming" (4:02)
3. "Ghost of You" (4:06)
4. "Knight in Shining Arms" (4:27)
5. "Crazy Again" (3:59)
6. "Trouble's Comin'" (4:40)
7. "Ship of Tears" (3:02)
8. "Traveller" (2:54)
9. "Better Off Alone" (5:01)
10. "Don't Believe a Word" (2:24)
11. "The Answer Lies With You" (2:24)
When I heard that members from my two favorite Southern Rock bands (Molly Hatchet & Blackfoot) had formed a new band I was anxious to get a copy. I tried several times to win a copy on eBay but eventually gave up and just ordered it directly from the band. I must admit I may have psyched myself out a bit because upon first listen I was disappointed. First of all, I was under the impression that Dave Hlubek had done some of the writing for this album. What I discovered was that ex-Blackfoot drummer Jakson Spires wrote almost all the material with no song writing credits by Dave at all. Now this isn't neccesarily a bad thing as I am a Blackfoot fan too, but I suppose I was expecting something just a bit more energetic and perhaps more akin to "Flirtin with Disaster" or "No Guts No Glory." The cd starts off very strong with a rocking southern romp called 'Train of Sorrow," a song co-written by Rick Medlocke. After this, however, the music gets a bit more generic up until about cut five, which is the title cut where the band seems to cut loose a bit. Of course I also immediately loved the Thin Lizzy cover "Don't Believe a Word." A majority of the other songs just don't have the Southern draw that you would expect from Hatchet, Blackfoot, or even a band calling themselves the Southern Rock Allstars. I think a big part of this is the vocals just lack any charisma, or the southern charm of a Danny Joe Brown or Rick Medlocke. After the intial disappointment wore off, however, I listened several more times and must admit that the disc grew on me and I enjoy it quite a bit now. Still, I hope this independent disc is only a precursor of greater things to come by this band. I also hope that Mr. Hlubek begins to write some stellar material for these guys like he did with Hatchet. Here's to the future! The South will rise again!
The Southern Rock Allstars also recorded a stellar version of "Southbound" for the Thin Lizzy tribute, The Spirit of the Back Rose-A Tribute to Phillip Parris Lynott Black Rose.