Oh What a Mighty Time

I listened to this from my Brother's albums when I was just 15 and was enthralled and when his album collection was stored at his friends, someone broke in the storage unit and stole all his albums. I was heartbroken, as this one was a from a cut out bin that he had gotten at a truck stop somewhere when he used to drive big rigs and I was never able to find it since the late 70's. My Brother died about 10 years ago and this is in tribute to my Brother Brent !Up Against the Wall Rednecks !

I'd have to agree with the previous reviewer - a much derided release that has all the joy of the mid-life Riders (Up against the Wall, Redneck' a particular favourite, the gospel fand Sly Stone brew of the title track). The musicianship is excellent as it always was when Buddy Cage was on the pedal steel and Dawson and Nelson were up front. Skip Battin brought his (ill-fitting) Byrds like contributions co-written with Kim Fowley but after they dominated Brujo, Stranger on a Train was their only offering before he became the next to jump ship and Mike Love (I think) took over bass (and some song-writing) duties for 'Who are Those Guys' which, I must admit, is not anywhere near as fine as this album (so why did it get a CD release on Wounded Bird?)I have to note this is not the first CD release of the album. The excellent Cactus Juice combines Brujo, Oh, What a Mighty Time and Home, Home on the Road as a 2-CD package with a couple of bonus tracks and is well worth the coinage - that's where my (CD) version of this album is located.

I've had this album for about 40 years it's great to finally have the CD. Great music with Jerry Garcia on pedal steel for a couple of songs. The covers they do are great versions as well.

Just What I Wanted

At the time that this recording was released, it received HORRENDOUS reviews from the critics and is listed as the "worst" release that the band had done to that point and maybe ever. I personally don't see it. I have been a NRPS fan from near the beginning and I love this album! I have been looking for this CD ever since I made the transition from vinyl to CD's.I had pretty much given up ever seeing this in CD. It has fun and joy that characterized the band. The songs are wonderful. I particularly love the musicianship in "Take A Letter Maria" It's my favorite track even though I would have liked to have it mixed so that the second verse was fully audible. Other personal favorites are Strangers on a Train and Farewell, Angelina. Give it a listen; you may be pleasantly surprised!

I could sweat that's Jerry Jeff Walker singing the lead on "Redneck Mothers"! Either he is and the notes don't say so or NRPS listened to some of the early takes with Ray Wylie Hubbard riding along, as well