OZARK MOUNTAIN DAREDEVILS
Time Warp (A&M)
Reviewed by John Sekerka

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During the wrapping stages of their second record Larry Lee was sitting around plunking out a ditty on a piano when legendary producer Glyn Johns walked by, stopped dead in his tracks and demanded they record that "hit". It was a song about drug dealer friend, which Johns had changed to a tune about a girl. "Jackie Blue" remains a classic rock radio staple to this day, and unfortunately, a bit of an albatross on the back of the Ozark Mountain Daredevils. It was a wonderful piece of hook-filled pop, sung in a delicious falsetto. It was also not very indicative of what the band was about. Not that the Daredevils had any one style, switching from bayou boogie to backporch country at will, they just couldn't settle into a formula. In a time when The Eagles and Poco ruled the land, the Daredevils seemed a good fit, and though single chart action dwindled, their albums sold well. This collection is a good gathering of material showcasing their diverse talents, starting with another radio staple, the stomping boogie of "If You Wanna Get to Heaven" and ending with the silly "Time Warp". The best moments come from the loose banjo jigs like the latter, when the band just sits and plays. The worst when they meander back into smooth pop land. Unkempt hillbillies with big beards, patched jeans and devilish smirks, the Daredevils are still doing their thing around Missouri way, and every now and then, Jackie Blue comes on the car AM.

© 2001 - John Sekerka