The Outlaws had a long history as a band prior to the release of this debut album. Formed originally in 1967 in Tampa, Florida, the original name for the group was "The Four Letter Words." They toured off and on through the early 70's, and made an aborted attempt at an album the late 60's. Finally, they were signed by Clive Davis and Arista Records while opening for Lynyrd Skynyrd. Ronnie Van Zant told Davis and future Outlaws manager Charlie Brusco, "If you don't sign Outlaws, you're the dumbest music person I've ever met - and I know you're not."The debut and eponymously named album Outlaws would blend Southern rock with Country and hard rock, and would create a great concert draw for the band. Their use of three guitars would come to be known as "the Florida Guitar Army." Hughie Thomasson and Billy Jones both provided lead guitar and vocals, and Henry Paul would provide further electric and acoustic guitar as well as vocals. Monte Yoho on drums and Frank O'Keefe on bass would round out the group.While there's definitely a Southern Rock feel to the Outlaws, there is also a lot of Country and even bluegrass mixed in. The technical chops are impressive, and there is a lot of harmony employed in the group as well. The album would peak at number 13 on the Billboard Top LP's & Tape chart.Wayne takes us through this guitar-driven Southern Rock album for this week's podcast. WaterholeThis instrumental song leads off side two of the album, and has a bluegrass feel. It is the opening track to side two of the album.There Goes Another Love SongThe hit single on the album also is the leading track. It peaked at number 34 on the Billboard Hot 100, and features Hughie Thomasson on lead vocals. The lyrics depict a guy on the road who is missing his faraway love, and seems to encounter love songs one after another.Song for YouThis may appear to be an instrumental at first because of the long intro before the vocals come in. The lyrics reflect a guy who is breaking a girl's heart, but can't seem to avoid doing so. There are some great harmonies in this track.Green Grass and High TidesThe last song on the album is a true epic. The album version is almost 10 minutes long, but has been stretched to 30-minute versions in concert jams. Hughie Thomasson conceived the album while at a beach cookout and imagining all the rock greats who had passed on rising from the grave to play a show. The name comes from a Rolling Stones' "Best of" album title. ENTERTAINMENT TRACK:Main theme from the motion picture “The Apple Dumpling Gang”Walt Disney Productions put out this comedy western about a gambler tricked into taking care of a group of orphans. Bill Bixby, Don Knotts, and Tim Conway star in this movie. STAFF PICKS:One of These Nights by the EaglesLynch starts off the staff picks with a song penned by the duo of Glenn Frey and Don Henley. It became the second number 1 single for the group in the US, behind "Best of My Love." This track takes inspiration from soul music like Al Green and B.B. King, and has been described as an anthem for procrastinators and dreamers. Blue Sky by Joan BaezRob profiles a cover song originally performed by the Allman Brothers on their 1972 album, "Eat a Peach." Originally written by Dickey Betts about his girlfriend Sandy "Bluesky" Wabegijig, Baez covers this on her 1975 album "Diamonds & Rust." If it sounds familiar to you, Baez is actually backed up by the Allman Brothers Band for this single.Landslide by Fleetwood MacBruce features a song written by Stevie Nicks at a time when she was considering whether to continue to pursue life as a musician or give up her dream and go back to school. Despite its popularity today, the song was not originally released as a single until the live version from "The Dance" in 1997.Motorhead by HawkwindWayne closes out the staff picks with a B-side from the prog rock group Hawkwind written by bassist Ian "Lemmy" Kilmister while he was with the group. Lemmy was fired from the band one day before the album's release, but would go on to fame in the band Motorhead. INSTRUMENTAL TRACK:Journey of the Sorcerer by the EaglesA rare instrumental from the Eagles takes us out this week. Thanks for listening to “What the Riff?!?” NOTE: To adjust the loudness of the music or voices, you may adjust the balance on your device. VOICES are stronger in the LEFT channel, and MUSIC is stronger on the RIGHT channel.Please follow us on Facebook https://www.facebook.com/whattheriffpodcast/, and message or email us with what you'd like to hear, what you think of the show, and any rock-worthy memes we can share.Of course we'd love for you to rate the show in your podcast platform!**NOTE: What the Riff?!? does not own the rights to any of these songs and we neither sell, nor profit from them. We share them so you can learn about them and purchase them for your own collections.
