The Reflections My Heroes Have Always Been Cowboys American Artists

The Reflections My Heroes Have Always Been Cowboys American Artists Unknown Year CAT #AAS-1500-LP

Not sure of the year on this, but it's gotta be sometime in the 80's judging by the scorching cover of 'Fame.'

Also, not exactly sure where The Reflections are actually from, but searching the large lists of names on the back cover would indicate most players resided around Pittsburgh, Kansas. The group is made up a large group of teenagers, some with guitars, a few with keyboards, even some horns, and a single drummer keeping the Reflections in place.

It's basically a high school style music review, but with songs the kids were actually interested in. Which for the area, is country...lots of country. 'Long Haired Country Boy' by Charlie Daniels is probably the highlight as it's way too adult for the kids performing it. Other than that, the attempts at pop songs are fun, the horns are usually heavy in those tracks and the cover of Olivia Newton-John's 'Totally Hot' gets pretty dirty.

The amateurishness of these types of LPs are endearing and The Reflections are strong in that regard.

Dewayne Bowman and the I.R.S. and Krissi Victims of the Pretty Things in Life B/W I'm Sorry Antique 1976

Dewayne Bowman and the I.R.S. and Krissi Victims of the Pretty Things in Life B/W I'm Sorry Antique 1976 CAT# UR 4323

I had every reason to believe this would just suck. From the idiotic band name to the absurd song titles and due to the association with the producer that did THIS. So, not just suck, but be this shit-tastic garbage pile of country cliches. I had all these great, mean-spirited things to say, but that was before I listened to it.

And well, it's not terrible. It's not good, either. Overall, I could see a bunch of drunk old guys in Pittsburgh, KS bar hearing this and saying it was pretty good. Dewayne Bowman has this big, booming country voice. It's a little over the top, but again, it's not the worse thing you'll hear all day. He is covered in a honky-tonk/country backdrop which, yeah, gets a bit cliche. He doesn't write, depends on two covers for this release. It's forgettable, but again, it's not terrible.

Meh, It's pretty bad

The Sensational Little Shana Lynette On Her Way Up Yellow Brick Records Unknown Year

The Sensational Little Shana Lynette On Her Way Up Yellow Brick Records Unknown Year CAT YB 2001

Shana Lynette was a child performer around Pittsburgh, Kansas. Apparently, she gained some sort of notoriety or regional attention with a Christmas song entitled, "Mister Russian, Please Don't Shoot Down Santa's Sleigh," which in turn convinced people to record a full length LP.

Reviewing the credits, the album was put together by producer Gene Strasser and songwriter Jim Iori. Can't find much on Jim Iori, but Strasser is still out in Pittsburgh, KS recording and pushing his tunes around. Back cover indicates Shana was growing up in Elk City, KS, and 9 years old when she recorded the Christmas tune, 10 years old when she sang the songs here. Mostly, she was the vessel for Iori and Strasser. Interesting though, the back cover indicates she is a distant relative of the legendary Bob Willis. Today, she also can be found on the internet still singing country tunes.

As far as quality, well, it's privately issued country music sung by a 10 year old. For a 10 year old, I guess it's okay. For a country production team in Pittsburgh, Kansas, I guess it's alright. But, being just okay or alright doesn't get you very far, especially if you're trying to get there from Nowhere, Kansas. Had they attempted something novelty like the Red, White and Blue of their Christmas song, maybe there would be something here to remember, even if it was just a bad joke, but there's not.

Despite the middle of the road-ness found on the album, it makes up for it with all it's Kansas. Shana's got the cowgirl-Western apparel. The label is Yellow Brick Records, a homage to The Wizard of Oz. The cover even has a tornado in the background.

Angel in the Snow
Daddy's Song