Ozark Mountain Daredevils Time Warp: The Very Best Of... CD

Digitally remastered by Jim Phillips (Universal Mastering Studios West, North Hollywood, California).

Although it omits three songs from the far less comprehensive (and deleted) 1983 12-track Best Of, and doesn't include any live or post-A&M music, this 2000 release stands as the final word on the Ozark Mountain Daredevils' career. Cherry-picking 21 tunes from their five studio album stint circa 1974-1978 -- with the lion's share coming from their first three albums and only three selections from the final two -- this is pretty much all you'll need from the under-recognized band that worked in the '70s country-rock shadows of Poco and Firefall, but weren't as dependable or pop savvy as either. In fact, their biggest hit, the Hall & Oates, blue-eyed soul-styled "Jackie Blue," was so atypical of the band's characteristically down-home approach that it ultimately may have been more damaging to their career than if they had clicked with a song more representative of their crisp, rural country pop/rock. As enjoyable and pleasantly organic as they were, the group lacked a distinctive vocalist, direction, and most importantly great songs. This collection focuses on their less commercially rocking, more rootsy side, and as such it's a consistently listenable, predominantly chronological compilation that is all any but the most die-hard fan will ever need. An extensive essay (including quotes from bandmembers) and rare photos in the disc's 16-page booklet sweeten the pot and make this as definitive an overview from a talented also-ran outfit as necessary. Like its closing title track, the Ozark Mountain Daredevils lived in a stylistic time warp, comfortable within its own limitations and unwilling -- but not unable -- to break free of them. ~ Hal Horowitz

Includes liner notes by Bill DeYoung.

Compilation producer: Mike Ragogna.

Personnel: Rune Walle (vocals, guitar, banjo, sitar); Randle Chowning (vocals, acoustic guitar, electric guitar, National guitar, dobro, harp, mandolin); John Dillon (vocals, acoustic guitar, electric guitar, dulcimer, autoharp, mandolin, fiddle, mouth bow, percussion); Larry Lee (vocals, acoustic guitar, keyboards, synthesizer, drums, percussion, musical saw); Steve Cash (vocals, harp, percussion); Buddy Brayfield (vocals, piano, electric piano, harpsichord, organ, keyboards, percussion); Jerry Mills (mandolin); Geoff Richardson (viola); Nancy Blake (cello); Bill Jones (flute, horns, synthesizer); Nick DeCaro (accordion); Steve Canady (drums); Bobbye Hall (congas, percussion).

Liner Note Author: Bill DeYoung.

Photographers: Stan Plesser; Mark Hanauer.

Personnel: Buddy Brayfield (vocals, piano, electric piano, harpsichord, organ, keyboards, percussion); John Dillon (vocals, acoustic & electric guitars, mandolin, fiddle, dulcimer, autoharp); Randle Chowning (vocals, acoustic, electric & National guitars, harmonica); Larry Lee (vocals, acoustic guitar, synthesizer, drums, percussion); Michael "Supe" Granda (vocals, electric guitar, bass); Steve Canaday (vocals, electric guitar, drums); Rune Wall (vocals, electric guitar); Steve Cash (vocals, harmonica, percussion); Jerry Mills (mandolin); Nancy Blake (cello); Geoff Richardson (viola); Nick De Caro (accordion); Bill Jones (flute, horns, synthesizer); Bobbye Hall (congas, percussion); Farrell Morris (bells).

Producers include: David Anderle, Glyn Johns, David Kershenbaum.

Valley