Customer Reviews

Stray Dog

5 star:		(7)
4 star:		(3)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

Of the 2 or 3 albums(not CD's) that I have searched for over the last 15 years to replace lost classics from my collection, This is the One I have looked for the hardest. I finally found again and it has made a part of my youth come back to life. Stray Dog was THE most Unappreciated band of their time and defined a segment and a time in U.S. history that only those over forty can truly remember. Life was good, cars were fast and everyone had a dream of stardom and riches. Welcome to the audio version of the dream.

Like the other reviewers of this long lost gem, I too searched far and long to replace my original vinyl of this album. I was speechless when it was re-mastered and released on CD.

Stray Dog was without doubt one of the most over-looked bands of the seventies. Featuring the brilliant guitar work of E.G. "Snuffy" Walden,(Hendrix,Clapton & Beck influences abound), Bassist/Vocalist Al Roberts (Reminiscent of Glenn Hughes during his Trapeze Days), and Drummer Leslie Sampson (John Bonham meets Mitch Mitchell),the album is a musicians paradise of tasty chops and intricate melodies.

The opener "Tramp", a tune dedicated to the excess of the rock n' roll lifestyle of the day, attacks your senses, and nails them to the floor, serving notice that these boys ain't foolin' around. "Crazy" continues in the same aggressive fashion, filled with some wicked time changes. "A Letter" slows things down and shows the more ethereal side of the band, ala Hendrix. "Chevrolet" is a re-make of the ZZ Top classic, that absolutely burns, and makes ZZ's original version seem tame.
"Speak of the Devil" is yet another tale of R N' R Debauchery served up with slick time changes, Beck-Like Guitar chops,and great vocal harmonies. "Slave" is Bassist Robert's chance to take the lead vocal spotlight (Snuffy Walden handles the lead vocals on the rest of the album), and he shines on a song that has dynamics that will keep you on the edge of your seat. The album's closer is a classic. "Rocky Mountain Suite" starts off with a shimmering 12-string and dobro guitar intro which segues into a hard blues-rock tune that explodes with a theatrical rave-up ending.

This CD has been out of print for a while now. If you can find a used copy, buy it at any cost. It makes today's crop of alleged "heavy bands" pale in comparison. My only complaint of this treasure is that it was too short. Guess they wanted to leave us wanting more.....it worked!

This CD is killer, great songs, great playing, however, search the net and for a little more money you can find the two CD version which has all these songs plus another ten tracks of songs from their second album, alternate takes, and live cuts. This band, like Moby Grape (from the late 60's) never really made it even tho they put out one of the best rock albums in the 70's. If you like Cream, Mountain, or any of the great power trio's, this is a MUST HAVE CD.

i wore out the original vinyl and was ecstatic to find it one CD. if you are a musician like me, or just a rock fan, and havent heard this album, you have a major hole in your collection. totally original sound, unique, play it as loud as possible and take a time trip to when rock was made and played by men that meant it. the greatest unheard of band of all time! buy two.

Somebody drilled the Blues straight into the "hard rock" of Texas and touched off a gusher of power trios back in the early to mid 70's (Johnny Winter,ZZ Top, Nitzinger, etc). Stray Dog was one of the hardest driving outfits to ever come out of the Lone Star state. You know that iconic advertising image of the headphoned music fan hunkered down in his armchair with his hair blowing back? I think he's listening to "Tramp", a jaw-dropping 7 minute epic that opens the album with a semi-classical ELP-style keyboard buildup, interrupted by guitarist/vocalist Snuffy Walden screaming "Fasten your SEAT BELTS!"...into some frighteningly heavy blues-rock, with a rave-up ending that makes the Yardbirds sound like Nick Drake. Not for the squeamish! Leader Walden went on to do some moonlighting with Free and Back Street Crawler, and by the the mid-80's had become a respected TV ("Thirtysomething") and film music composer!

EVERY SO OFTEN AN ALBUM COMES ALONG THAT EVERYONE THAT IS A ROCK FAN SHOULD HAVE IN THEIR COLLECTION.STRAY DOG'S DEBUT ALBUM IS ONE OF THEM.WHY,BECAUSE THIS ALBUM JUST ABSOLUTELY WAS AHEAD OF IT'S TIME IN 1973.THE SOUND WAS UNIQUE FOR THE ERA'S MUSIC SCENE.IT'S HARD EDGED ROCK WAS PRODUCED BY THREE VERY FINE MUSICIAN THAT COMBINED TIGHT POWER CHORDS,VERY TIMELY INSTRUMENT SOLOS AND LYRICS THAT ARE FUN ONE MINUTE AND SERIOUS THE NEXT..

There are not enough words to describe this CD. If you are a classic rock fanatic, and want to be blown away by incredible 1970's style melodic bluesy hard rock, with beautiful and astounding guitar playing > JUST BUY THIS CD !!! Everything said about this band is true.. Snuffy Walden is the the genius rock guitarist (turned t.v. / film composer) responsible for this amazing band. The quantity of music released by this band was FAR TOO LITTLE and left everyone who experienced them wanting MORE ! (Even over 30 years later ! - This is absolutely one of my top 10 desert island CD's ). This band was one of the best kept secrets of the 1970's !

I bought this album back in the day on vinyl. I loved it, so now I'm replacing a lot of my old vinyl albums with CD's. After listening to Stray Dog I remember why I loved it so much back then. It seems there is a little too much bass on some of the songs, but it is possible it was bassy back then too, I just don't recall.

I think I paid too much for this CD, but it is an import and I haven't been able to find it anywhere else, so what is a guy to do if you want it bad enough. Never let be said I stole songs by downloading them, I pay for my music!!

Anyway, it is a great album and the sound is good enough to enjoy, so I don't regret it at all. Now I can work on purchasing some of my other oldies but goodies!!

The last time that I listened to this album was on Vinyl many years ago. I had sort of given up on replacing it. I was vey happy to find this on CD. The transfer is very good. Not as good as DDD, but the sound is good enough. It is not distraction. Great album - Basically a blues / rock band with excellent songwriting. The only band to record on ELP's Manticore record label other than ELP.

This album is worth owning.

If you like hard rock, power trios, awesome guitar work and just plain great
rock music you should buy this CD. Having said that I would suggest that you do not purchase "While you're down there", it's nothing like the first CD.
The first is classic 70's hard rock. If you like Captain Beyond, Montrose, Bedlam, Armageddon, etc you will not be disapointed.
Snuffy kicks butt and it's a shame he never got the recognition he deserved.
I saw them open for ELP and they were inredibly heavy. Go for it!