Ozark Mountain Daredevils Men From Earth A&M Records 1976

Ozark Mountain Daredevils Men From Earth A&M Records 1976 CAT #SP-4601

Although they continued several more years past this release, this LP marks the end of a pretty good run for the Springfield, MO band that made a huge impression on Kansas City in their early days. This effort wasn't as consistent as their prior releases, but it's the same odd blend of old-time bluegrass, smooth pop, and country rock that sometimes goes song to song and other times within a single track.

There's a crazy story about founding member, Randle Chowning getting into a fight with his bandmates in Europe and quitting the band around the time of this LPs release. Apparently, a band sound mix pissed Chowning off, so he turned it to 11. After the show, he argued with band members and held a grudge all the way back home and ended up leaving the band. Despite that, he's listed as a sideman in the credits for 'Sideman From Earth', obviously appearing on some of the album tracks. Also interesting, the album was recorded EVERYWHERE. In Nashville, as well at the legendary Caribou Ranch in Colorado, and surprisingly at American Artist Studio in Springfield, Missouri, the same studio that drummed up business releasing a bunch of local custom and private press records in the area.

Again, 'Men from Earth' is a bit more uneven than the prior LPs, maybe due to the all the different recording locations. But, it's not a miss by any means, it has its share of enjoyable tracks, just lacking an obvious hit.

Fly Away Home

The Outpost Family Band How About You? Privately Released Unknown Year

The Outpost Family Band How About You? Privately Released 1982 CAT# OP-74

This appears to be the first LP by the Outpost Family Band as it gives a lengthy introduction to the band on the backside, written by Donna Wise, wife to founder of the band, Don Wise. Wasn't aware when listening to the other LP I have from the group, but Don Wise is paralyzed from the waist down due to an apparent diving accident

Although the year is unlisted, the follow up LP indicates the prior album (which I'm almost positive is this) was recorded in 1982. It's a pleasant mixture of religious, traditional and some bluegrass reworkings of old rock n' roll. Don Wise contributes a few of his own songs and they aren't half bad. It's sounds homespun and was put out by the band privately.

The Outpost Family Band A Little Outpost of Heaven Outpost Records 1984

The Outpost Family Band A Little Outpost of Heaven Outpost Records 1984 CAT# NR15302

The Outpost Family Band is a legitimate family band that is still playing bluegrass throughout Kansas. On this 1985 LP, the band was made up of 5 players with additional add-ons from their family members. The wives might sing or play here or there and a number of tracks feature youngsters taking lead vocals. They play country styled gospel and traditional bluegrass.

It sounds like a gimmick and it probably should be, but the band sounds honest and real. They are from Winfield, KS, home of one of the nation's biggest bluegrass festivals, so they can't get all Ozarks, MO on people, it isn't a tourist town. This LP is a pleasant mixture of gospel tunes, traditionals and some decent originals. You can't crap on pleasant, it's a good album.

The liners do give some insight to the members who were very active throughout the 80's in the Kansas and area bluegrass and traditional stringed music scenes. Winning numerous awards throughout Kansas and nearby states.

A Little Outpost of Heaven

Chuck Cowan Phonograph Record Generic Phonograph Records Unknown Year

Chuck Cowan Phonograph Record Generic Phonograph Records Unknown Year CAT# NR12966

From what can be gathered, Chuck Cowan was a native Kansan, who toured and tried his luck out West as a musician. He is a member of the rockabilly hall of fame, likely for his work with Bob Willis and the Texas Playboys, but he stretched out much further than that. He played guitar for a number of well known artists, Sammy Davis Jr., Keely Smith, Don Ho, among others.

Currently, he resides near the KC Metro. At the time of this oddball release, which the year is unknown, but would guess early 80's, possibly the late-70s, he was in and around Emporia, KS. He's got a pretty sharp sense of humor displayed on the LP jacket. For one, no label for his private press release other than stating Generic Phonograph Records of Oceanview, KS. Obviously, there is no Oceanview, KS, because there's no Ocean anywhere to view. He provides a guarantee that, "This album Is Not a Retread." And, obviously the title, not really clever, but humorous.

The music is all over the place with Chuck Cowan's humor sprinkled throughout. It's focus is primarily country/western sounds, but there's a genuine pysch-blues track and songs too rooted in folk to be country. Heck, there's even a song sung in Spanish. The variety on the LP makes it an interesting and worthwhile listen. Cowan either challenged himself not to be stuck in a single genre or just got bored with the last song he recorded. Either way, it highlights his talents and the LP never gets old after repeated listens.

Chuck Cowan Show

The Dillards Tribute to the American Duck Poppy 1973

The Dillards Tribute to the American Duck Poppy 1973 CAT# PP-LA175-F

Looking at the back of this LP, the first thing you'll notice is that there is really only one Dilllard in the Dillards on this LP. However, Independence, Missouri native, Dean Webb was still going strong with the band.

It's not a very strong LP, but, it's not terrible. The band was continuing to try come up with a nice mixture of pop/rock and bluegrass, like a more homespun version of the country-rock genre. They win some, they lose some, but their harmonies remained great.

In addition to the band minus a Dillard, there are quite a few guest spots throughout the album, most noticeably, John Hartford on fiddle. Outside of some decent players, the band goes down some odd paths here in there, the experimentation can be interesting.

Music is Music (ignore the incorrect album cover)

Jody Wisecup Natural Energy dB 1978

Jody Wisecup Natural Energy dB 1978 CAT# dB 027S

Fairly certain that although this album was recorded in St. Louis, MO, Jody Wisecup is a Kansas City guy. He performed primarily with Mitch and Mike O'Roark in the area as their banjo player. Sure he gigged around with some other guys, but his name shows up on almost all the O'Roark releases.

I assume this LP was scratched out while performing at a festival in or around St. Louis. Maybe it was the only way the O'Roark brothers could convince Jody Wisecup to go, in exchange for his time on stage, they'd help him track out an album. Unfortunately, it's not a terribly exciting LP and does appear hurried based on song selection. With the exception of one song, it's all covers with no vocals. Sure, it has Natural Energy, but no high energy like other regional bluegrass albums. In comparison, it's pretty tame.

It is a competent set of songs and it's not like it's un-listenable. The only question is, was anyone ever going to listen to it again? There's nothing here that hasn't been done before, so there's really nothing you'd need to come back for. But, again, solid players, talented group of guys, just, meh.

The Grand Poo-Bah Beaner Band It Must Be A Breakdown Rising Star Records 1976

The Grand Poo-Bah Beaner Band It Must Be A Breakdown Rising Star Records 1976 CAT# RS 3301/D-1027

Can't be too sure where these guys are from, but all indications support that the Grand Poo-Bah Beaner Band was from Salina, Kansas, as they seemed to be playing shows there in the late-70's per the Salina Journal. However, they may have just had a following in Salina and could just as easily be from KC or nearby. The album was recorded in Independence, Missouri, at Shapple Wood studios, a studio that would become Chapman and engineers had ties to the now legendary Cavern Studios.

Regardless of where the Grand Poo-Bah Beaner Band is from, this is a fantastic piece of local bluegrass. Fast-paced and tons of energy. It fits alongside other Missouri artists such as the Dillards and John Hartford. Unlike those artists, however, the Grand Poo-Bah Bearner Band wasn't much for original songs as only one song by the guitarist is found on the album. It appears the group was just doing this for the joy of playing, not concerned with taking outside of their locale.

That said, it's a solid selection of traditional songs and progressive covers. They bluegrass up "Friend of the Devil" by the Grateful Dead which may seem surprising at first, but considering Jerry Garcia was heavily involved in traditional music isn't that much of a stretch. They do a Dillard's tune and a solid cover of Dylan's "I Shall Be Released." They even cover the New Grass Revival with "Cold Sailor". They go to the roots with the Carter Family's "Foggy Mountaintop" and Bill Monroe's "Fire On the Mountain." They stay traditional with other covers like "House of the Rising Sun" and "Reuben's Ridge."

All the covers won't make this a collector's album by any means...nevermind, no one cares about bluegrass. But overall, it's worth a listen due to the quality and musicianship.

The Dilliards Copperfields Elektra 1970

The Dilliards Copperfields Elektra 1970 CAT# EKS-74054

Pretty clever LP by the Dillards and the last thing they released on Elektra. It follows the formula of the highly regarded LP, Wheatstraw Suite. Copperfields find the band effortlessly combining traditional bluegrass with pop and rock tendencies. The harmonies are great, the cover tunes are well selected for the most part (I could do without another version of "Yesterday", although pure vocal version is kind of cool) and the originals are solid.

Personally, I think bands like the Dillards get overlooked. The problem seems to be these guys were country first and then added rock influences. However, if you're the Byrds and take your folk-rock sound and add country, people lose their shit. People swear by Sweetheart of the Rodeo. And, they should, it's an excellent album, pretty sure it has a the Dillard brothers signing on it. Point is, there's a wealth of material out there that coincides with Sweetheart that's worth checking out, including this band and this album with their Kansas City connection and bluegrass roots.

Close the Door Lightly

The Dillards Roots and Branches Anthem 1972

The Dillards Roots and Branches Anthem 1972 CAT #ANS 5901

It's a bit of stretch to throw the Dillards into this blog, but the connections to Kansas City are there. The band is from Salem, Missouri which is 4 hours East of Kansas City. However, the Dillard brothers worked extensively with Bonner Springs native and Byrd, Gene Clark. The album Dillard & Clark is a tough one to track down and well worth it if you can find it. Further, mandolin player Dean Webb, was from Independence, MO. Overall, just including them for the association with Clark and the proximity, oh, and they're awesome. If I could, I'd also include John Hartford, but haven't figured out how to get him in here...he's undeniably from St. Louis.

Put out in 1972, Roots and Branches, is a bit more polished than the band's earlier work which was released by Elektra. Their early LPs focused on roots driven bluegrass with great vocal harmonies. After leaving Elektra, the band attempted a more commercial sound on this LP. The harmonies are still there, the roots feel is still there, but there are elements of the laid-back California country-rock scene that was prevalent at the time. Still, this is pretty far away from the Eagles. You'll hear similar harmonies, but you have to remember it was the Dillards who first influenced bands like the Eagles; these guys were just trying to cash in on the scene they helped start.

Highlights on the LP include the fuzzed out lead track, "Redbone Hound." The Shel Silverstien cover of "Last Morning," is light, airy, and rural. The rollicking feel of "Get on the Road" can sound a bit disingenuous, but, it's a nice attempt at putting some more rock into the band's countrified sound. The must-hear moment on the LP though is vocal rendition of "Man of Constant Sorrow", with all it's hillbilly harmonies.

Redbone Hound

The Alfred Packer Memorial String Band Live in Concert Friends for Lunch Private 1984

The Alfred Packer Memorial String Band Live in Concert Friends for Lunch Private 1984 No CAT#

Today, these guys would be considered hipsters.  Lawrence, KS, in 1984 with civil war uniforms and old time attire, I imagine they blended into the weirdness just fine, but likely got noticed around the town by the squares.

The album was recorded live at Ramona Studios in Lawrence, Kansas.  Apparently, not just live as in single takes on the tracks, but as in live in a studio in front of an audience you can hear between tracks.  I imagine this was done as the band realized they were a "live" band.  They play old-timey and bluegrass tunes.  Their original tracks are in the same vein and filled with a lot of humor, but I imagine some of the appeal was their performance and stage personas.  Unfortunately, despite attempts to recreate that on LP, everything falls kind of flat on the album.

The band's namesake, Alfred Packer, was a convicted cannibal and murder in the United States.  Despite his grotesque crimes, history has placed him as the center of jokes.  To which the Alfred Packer Memorial String Band play up on their back cover by stating they go through the story of Packer during live shows.  The albums name, "Friends for Lunch", is a jab at Packer's cannibalism.

With all the jokes and character costumes, they just come off as the cooler, hipper version of some sort of Ozark old-time band.  Granted, the Alfred Packer Memorial String Band is far more entertaining than their Ozark counterparts, the whole package puts them on the same level.  Like they're saying, "Here's our free-state take on your hillbilly country."  And, admidtly, they do understand the old-time music stems from Irish and Scottish immigrants, whereas that whole thing goes right over the head of any family band from the Ozarks (or even Springfield).  Further, I'm assuming their live shows feel much more genuine than some tourist attraction.  The band still performs and it appears the "shtick" is a little toned down now-a-days, but they still tell the jokes.

Also interesting, this LP is completely private.  No claimed label, no catalog number, just honesty and something the band did to sell to fans at shows.  To boot, they put the record on virgin vinyl, that's pretty hip.

Their Song "Alfred Packer" recorded live in 2013

Split Lip Rayfield Old No. Six B/W How Many Biscuts Can You Eat Bloodshot 2003

Split Lip Rayfield Old No. Six B/W How Many Biscuts Can You Eat Bloodshot 2003 CAT# BS 107

This Wichita band is legendary for the live shows and their constant touring, yet, if you want the tunes on vinyl, this is it.  Out of 7 full length albums none of which were pressed on vinyl, just this lone 7".

In Kansas and everywhere, it seemed as if this band was always in your town playing.  When I was in college, I'm pretty sure they packed the Bottleneck at least once a month.  And, they did that everywhere they were welcome.  If they could pack a club, they'd be there all the time with their raucous brand of bluegrass and alt. country.  Unfortunately, in 2007 one of the band's founders, Kirk Rundstrom, passed away.  So it would seem they don't gig as much as they once did, but don't be fooled, the band is still out there and playing and recording new tracks.

It's important to mention how important this band is to country/bluegrass scene in Kansas.  They've been called the founders of the "Stage 5" sound.  Stage 5 is an "unofficial" stage found at Winfield, Kansas' Walnut Bluegrass festival in which the artists that play it often have a less traditional bluegrass sound.  It was likely the only place Split Lip Rayfield fit while performing at the festival.  This band managed to blow down doors while playing traditional stringed instruments and the sound is found on this 7" just like all the band's output.  Highly recommended.

LIVE VERSION of Old No. Six

Mike & Mitch O'Roark and the Freeborn Men Live Program Audio 1978

Mike & Mitch O'Roark and the Freeborn Men Live Program Audio 1978 CAT# 07278

Sometimes this regional private press stuff is such a mess.  The same problem is prevalent, the titles and cover are just a jumble of nonsense.  This is not a Kansas City thing, it's an everywhere thing.  This album for one lists the band as "Mike and Mitch O'Roark and the Freeborn Men", no problem, until you see the back and you realize the "Freeborn Men" consists of a single banjo player by the name of Jody Wisecup.  Further, the back lists the artist as The O'Roark Brotheres, the spine offers nothing, but the record label uses the cover moniker.  The title, also confusing, it's either Live Live Recorded at the Ozark Mountain Bluegrass Festival Eminence Missouri or it's just Live.  The record label lists it as the latter.  It's not that big of deal, and all told, but the private press charm, but you'd think someone would proof read things for consistency and not just run a quick spell check.

Moving on, I was excited I found this record after listening to a  Freeborn Men album on Kansas City's K Records.  I thought the regional bluegrass album showed promise, enough that I was scoping out other albums by the Freeborn Men or the O'Roark Brothers.  They are available, but when people online get a hold of private stuff, due the rarity they try to charge absurd amounts.  Given that most this regional country and bluegrass is usually goes the way of Nashville Pop after an album or two, I wasn't about to make that kind of investment.

Again, I was stoked (but not surprised, this can be found in and around KC with patience) when I picked this up for a dollar or two.  I can't say it should be worth a lot more than that, it's not ground breaking.  The live recording aspect of it doesn't add anything despite being done well.  But, it is a good listen.  The O'Roark brothers weren't sucked into Nashville garbage (well, they do a Kenny Rogers tune, but it's "Rueben James", which is pretty hardcore for Rogers).  The covers they choose (which is the whole album) are well selected, from traditional bluegrass tunes to outlaw country, to something like "July, You're a Woman" by John Stewart.  The O'Roark brothers are legit, enjoyable regional country/bluegrass, at least until I find another album.

Riverrock Still Live & Pickin' Rockin' W Records 1977

Riverrock Still Live & Pickin' Rockin' W Records 1977 RW4503

This is a live LP recorded live at Putsch's Strawberry Patch in 1977.  I'm not too clear what type of venue the Strawberry Patch was, but it appears in the late-70's there was somewhat of a country/bluegrass scene centered around this venue.  I'd like to know more, the name was trademarked and there's references to a restaurant called Mr. Putsch's that artists appeared at along with the Strawberry Patch which appears to be a proper venue.

The band plays through most of the tunes at break-neck speed, obviously feeding off some sort of energy from the crowd.  However, it couldn't have been that rowdy at the Strawberry Patch, this is still Kansas City, so even their attempt at speeding up Hank Willaims' "I Saw the Light" can't touch anything you'd call honky-tonk or rockabilly.  

Overall, Riverrock stays true to bluegrass.  When they go straight country, they do so by ruining Willie Nelson's "Gotta Get Drunk," but, props for digging deep on an early Nelson track.  The live recording doesn't make them any better or more exciting as a band.  Compared to their debut LP, it's a bit of let down.  The first time I heard the debut I was pleasantly surprised.  The first time listening to Still Live & Pickin' is a shrug of the shoulders, it's what you'd expect from a regional country/bluegrass LP.  Lots of covers, some goofy originals, nothing amazing.

Riverrock Self-Titled Private 1975

Riverrock Self-Titled Private 1975 CAT# SRK-585

I spotted this at a Salvation Army and the awful cover photo just screamed private press.  An old-timey, sepia-toned, portrait shot that looks like it was done at Worlds of Fun (for those of you not familiar to KC, Worlds of Fun is an amusement park owned by the Hunt family, it's kind of hokey, but fun).  Picked it up and discovered these bad-asses are from Overland Park, KS, so I took it home.

When I first put it on the turntable, I expected country, I just didn't expect to be all that enjoyable.  I figured guys from the suburb of Overland Park would be highly influenced by the Nashville country-pop sound, y'know, loads of sentimental, hard-luck, ballads.  A bunch of shitty studio effects and a bunch of filler.  Instead, it's a roots driven and weighted in traditional country.

To be sure, there are the hokey and hillbilly moments, the instrumental "Buffalo Chips" comes to mind for using a kazoo.  Overall though, traditional instruments and no pretension.  It's a very homespun LP and while it contains some hoe-down moments better suited for live shows, solid harmonies and songwriting.  In addition, there's a cover of the Beatles "With a Little Help From My Friends," and an even better cover of Dylan's, "You Ain't Goin' Nowhere," simlar to the version that showed up on the Byrd's Sweetheart LP.

It's a surprisingly good album.  These were guys weren't rebelling against the Nashville sound, but they weren't following it rules, either (didn't have to in Kansas).  It's not an "outlaw" or "rebel" album, but it's certainly rooted in traditional country, coming close to the 'Newgrass' scene that was growing throughout the 70's.  Later, the band would make an 8 hour drive to Nashville to record an album that disregards everything enjoyable about this album, but I'll get to that at another time.

http://www.riverrockkc.com/

The Joy Bells Down Home With

The Joy Bells Down Home With Self Released Unknown Year Cat #TJB 11385

I go to thrift stores a lot.  Every lunch break, I go to a thrift store and look at records.  I come across an absurd amount of strange white gospel music.  If I had to put a percentage on the stuff I look through at thrift stores I'd estimate 10% Christmas albums (regardless of the time of year), 40% absurdly popular vocal artists (Neil Diamond, Barbara Streisand, Rod McKuen, Tom Jones, etc), 25% mix of easy listening, oddball, and classical, 1% music someone actually would like to purchase, and 24% creepy white gospel.

I usually flip past the creepy white gospel, occasionally, if it looks absurd, obviously self-released, or somewhat psychedelic, I'll pick it up and look a little closer.  Some of it I glance and find out its from Kansas or Kansas City, but after looking over the track listing I usually lose interest.  Odd though, about 80% of the creepy white gospel music is from Nashville, TN.  What's the deal?  Was Nashville just pumping out religious bands and sending them to all corners of the globe to play in any church that would allow it?  When was poorly produced, badly performed gospel music a thing?  A scene?

Head scratcher aside, I picked up this one because it was obviously self-released and touts itself as "Bluegrass Gospel."  I like Bluegrass, I like oddball self releases, I don't mind gospel so for a dollar I was game.  Playing it, they sing about Jesus a lot.  Not too keen on that, but whatever.  Overall, it's competent, they got the right instrumentation, these old guys keep it old timey without ever straying into hillbilly territory.  They never try to flash it up or try to make it sound polished and professional.  It sounds as if they put an add in the Church Newsletter for players, then got together and laid down some traditional gospel tunes with Bluegrass as the backdrop.  They do throw in some originals, which aren't terrible, but nothing to brag about.  And, as much as I value a live production sound, they do sound a bit flat and lack energy.  But, it's cute, grandma and grandpa made a gospel Bluegrass album.

Mike O' Roark and the Free Born Men How Do You Like It So Far? Big K Records

Mike O' Roark and the Free Born Men How Do You Like It So Far? Big K Records NO YEAR LISTED CAT# BK-11873

This LP was put out by Big K Records in Kansas City.  The label is a bit of unknown, likely due to the fact that there isn't as big of an interest in obscure country as there is rock n' roll, but they put out a bunch of vinyl regionally in their day.  The label focused on rural sounds in the Kansas and Missouri area and was located in Kansas City, Missouri.

This LP was typical of the label's releases.  Focused around traditional country and bluegrass.  During a time when Nashville was focusing on Countrypolitain, there were labels like Big K trying to provide people the traditional stuff.  All the players are native to the Kansas City area according to the back sleeve and even features a 15 year old on the stand up bass, Mitch O'Roark, who is obviously the band leader's younger brother.

The concern I always have for regional country is the fact that it was regional to Kansas, Missouri, Nebraska, Oklahoma; y'know the middle states, which means a lot of this stuff can tend to be drenched in Jesus and influenced by the Ozark and Branson scenes.  Good news about this LP is it suffers only slightly from the Ozark scene.  None of that hillbilly Ozark Mountain crap though, there's no fiddle (well, truth be told, one song features it), but no spoons or washboards, just stringed instruments.  Also, there's no religion which is always a huge plus in my book (not that I mind the occasional gospel tune, but, when they start with their originals on the subject, fuck, I don't have time for that).

Overall, I'm not enough of bluegrass, old-time expert to know if this a long lost gem.  What I can say with authority is that it's rooted in traditional bluegrass and old-time music.  No original tunes by Mr. O'Roark, but he's credited for the arrangements.  It is an interesting Kansas City nugget for sure.  Also, "the Free Born Men" is clearly a reference to being from Kansas and not Missouri, right?  Points for that.