Customer Reviews

Ozark Mountain Daredevils

5 star:		(36)
4 star:		(3)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

My girlfriend's daughter dismisses this as 'hillbilly music' and I agree. I also consider it a compliment of the highest order. As produced by Dave Anderle and Glyn Johns (Eagles, Austin's Marc Benno and a host of others) it does have a certain studiofied sheen to it but there is no denying the Daredevils' earthy muse. 'Country Girl' manages to be both wistful and joyous at the same time ("we'd set on a cloud and cry out loud 'til tomorrow is yesterday") and 'Road To Glory', with its sustained-vibrato fiddle, subtle piano and high-and-lonesome harmonica, soars right off the road and off the map. 'Chicken Train' is as whimsical as its title and 'If You Wanna Get To Heaven' (by the way, what the hell is a 'weird' radio?) is a statement of intent. 'Colorado Song' is as expansive as its title demands and 'Spaceship Orion' picks up where 'Road To Glory' soars off. This is country music in the best sense. It ain't country-rock. It ain't progressive country, whatever that is or was. And it sure ain't country-western. Country without the western, maybe. Yep, there's still beauty in that river. It's eclectic and it's organic. It's from 1973 and it's beautiful and it's timeless.

Original buyers of the Vinyl Record from 1973, probably still rate this as one of the Best Albums they ever brought. This was the Album that started it all for The Ozark mountain Daredevils. 10 fisrt rate songs, including the bizarre "Chicken Train"! The Album was also memorable for it's Hit "If you wanna get to Heaven." Which is currently being re-recorded by one of the New Breed of 90's Country Singers. No band has even come close to the stlye that these guys have developed over the years. There must have been something in the water in Missouri in 1973, because whatever they did back then it's helped them develop a style of music that still to this day, remains basically unchanged since this first Album. In fact the U.S.State of Missouri liked what the Band was doing so much, they declared November the 28th 1977, Ozark Mountain Daredevils Day! Every track is as enjoyable as the last, with each one diplaying a different mood and Character of the Band.

From the Country Rock tinged track "Country Girl" to the dreamy, thought provoking "Spaceship Orion",this Album can only be desribed as "Ozark" Music! If you looking for something a little different for your muisc collection this is a great place to start. Its Ozark Country Hillbilly Rock best listened to with a glass of Homemade Wine.

One of the earlier reviewers said they wore out the vinyl. ME TOO. As a computer jockey, I get to have a CD player with headphones and my choice of music - all day long. I've just started collecting my all time favorite "ALBUMS". This is certainly in my top three, and trust me, my taste is eclectic. I bought, several weeks ago, "The Best of the Ozark Mountain Daredevils" and found I liked it very much. There were some cuts I hadn't heard that made me want to track down other albums too. BUT the reason I'm buying the "Ozark Mountain Daredevils" - even though this produces redundancies in my collection - is I miss the original order of the songs and I miss the tunes that didn't make the "Best" CD. Whoever put the "Best" together messed with perfection (and could have saved me some money). All the tunes from the original album should have been included on the "Best" CD in their original order. These guys are trully GREAT. Oh by the way, to the Scottish reviewer - 'hill music' has its roots sunk deep in Celtic turf, don't you agree?

This is an excellent album.I've listened to it for years,but what I would like to know is when are the rest of their original albums going to be offered on cd?Albums like"It'll Shine When It Shines"or "The Car Over The Lake Album"?Does any one know?

For anybody who grew up in the mid-70's this is a must-have CD. I first purchased this album right after Jackie Blue (from the "It'll Shine When It Shines" album) became a hit and it very quickly became my favorite Ozark Mountain Daredevil recording. When it was released on CD a couple of years ago I couldn't get it fast enough. The beauty and clarity of their lyrics, harmonies and music are even more impressive to me now as an adult. Maybe it's because they have been remastered and sound better than vinyl, or maybe it's because they are just great songs. What can I say? A fantastic group of songs that were a must for my LP collection and now are a must for my CD collection!

This for me is the definitive ozarks lp. Take a band with a log cabin full of ideas, one of the music industries top producers (Glynn Johns)and the famous Olympic Studios here in my beloved UK and you are likely to have something special.

Although not a monster commercial success, the critics loved this mix of country rock and bluegrass from the Ozark Plateau. It all came together here: the harmonies, the songs, the lyrics to provide one the best lps in the rock genre.

There is a purity and honesty in this music that could easily have been lost in a Californinan studio. The band could have followed a commercial path, but stayed close to their roots and influences and allowed each band member to play their part.

'If you want to get to heaven' was a minor hit for the band and showed the more gritty rockin side to their work, whilst tracks like the gospel 'beauty in the river' and 'standing on the rock' would have got full billing on the Nitty Gritty's 'Will the circle be unbroken' landmark release given the chance. Randle Chowning's 'county girl' adds to the joy as a breezy opener to this great disc.

But what is really top flight here are the two more experimental tracks - Chowning's Road to Glory (which is their finest moment in my opinion) where the harmonica and guitar and Randle's voice work perfectly, and the awesome 'Colorado Song'. Starting as a sparse acoustic ballard it builds into a majestic instrumental harmony number evoking the mountain landscapes I am sure it was trying to create.

All in all a really great lp and one I will always cherish.

I got this on vinyl back when it came out in '73. I was 11 years old at the time. During my high school years, when I went to sleep at night, I would put it on the turntable. When CD's came in, I had always wanted to get it. My husband surprised me by getting the CD for me for my birthday, and I have been listening to it at LEAST once a day ever since. This is good country-rock-roots-blues music at its very best. The Ozarks' sound can't be pigeonholed or duplicated, and that is what makes it so wonderful. The sound is fun, and down home. After so many years of not hearing this recording, I was amazed at how spiritual many of the songs are as well. To anyone looking for something different but you're not sure if it will live up to your expectations, don't hesitate to pick this one up. It's a true winner and a must-have for anyone who loves good music.

Back when I was in high school and college, I loved listening to these guys and hearing their music on CD brings back great memories. They sound better than I remember them, which is is pretty darn awesome. When they played in Whitefish, Montana in 1986, we danced on a wood floor and sang along. Twenty years ago and I know they would have the same affect on me if I could hear them play again. I married a "Country Girl" and got "Back to the Country" and I still love playing harmonica along with the Daredevils in the loft of my garage.

In my youth, ozark mountaian daredevils were an outlet for my troubles. They helped me get through many hard times.I really loved every song they sang, standing on the rock,and the ever popular chicken train. I love the banjo mouthharp(harmonica, guitar,and the chicken effects of chicken train...............

Glad to see that one of my favorite bands is still doing well. I got to see them when they were first starting out. This is a great album. Just try to hold still when "Chicken Train" or "If You Want to Get to Heaven" is playing...a nice nostalgic trip; especially for a transplant like myself.