Black Oak Arkansas

I think I read a good review of their debut. I was also intrigued by the album cover (rarely a good reason to purchase music), so I bought it. At that point in time I was high on Derek and the Dominoes and The Allman Brothers Band, who were nearing their peak. I was looking for more of the same energy and guitar virtuosity, and thought I'd find it on this record. On first listen, I couldn't figure out how this band got a record deal. I gave it a second chance, but felt even more puzzled. I finally gave the record away to a female friend who was primarily interested in Jim Mangrum's physique. A big disappointment, for sure. However, a few years later I saw them on TV doing an outdoor concert, and had to admit that they'd grown into a solid rock band. Still, this recording will always make wonder what a record company heard in them to offer them a record deal.

The Mighty 1090 KAAY blasted AOR from 1100-0200 M-Sat and I stayed up whenever I could and heard music otherwise unobtainable --- Deep Purple,King Crimson -- and a band that had my home state in its name -- Black Oak Arkansas! The mainstays were Lord Have Mercy on My Soul and When Electricity Came to Arkansas. Imagine being 12 and getting raw , genuine rock for the first time! Perhaps BOA wasn't perfect but I didn't care then and I certainly do not now!! An album that you can listen to front to back is rare. I went on to punk rock and the lessons of being genius started here. Glad iTunes carries it and hope others discover it .

This is the bands first album as BOA, and possibly their best. The fact that they're still forging an identity and seeking direction at this point actually works for them. It makes for an album with much diversity where as some later albums seemed almost obsessed with songs and themes intending to promote the band as wild sexual degenerates on the loose. This is BOA at their early, unadulterated origins and the vibes on this album are extremely honest and refreshing. It gives the music an infectious ( in a good way) quality. Highly recommended.

When I first heard Jim Dandy's raspy growl at the beginning of this song, I knew I was hooked! This is the best Black Oak Arkansas album you can get. If you like southern rock then this is as good as southern gets! This album will always be one of my favorite and memorable albums.

I was raised on this music!! Loved it , I am 56 , now and still love it to this day! I just met the main man as a matter of fact ! Still some of the best music in the world!!

I had this album on 8-track and honestly believe it played more than any other 8-track I ever owned. Thanks Black Oak arkansas for all the partying good times music ya'll came out with. SFC

This is my first album I got when I was 13 played the crap out of it on a cheap radio shack record player now I listen to it on a mp3 how times change

There is not a bad song on this album. Just push play and enjoy 40 minutes of legit Southern Country Rock. This is a very Allman Brothers-esque album, but at the same time you realize it could only be them boys from Black Oak, Arkansas. Shame they never had the success they deserved with this album

This album has some excellent cuts and a fantastic selection to choose from so you can compile your own library of these bombastic southern rockers. Take your time doing some research of all their albums and you can save some money by choosing your songs off of various albums at only 69 cents a piece rather than the albums that sell cuts at 99 cents. It pays to shop. From the school of Southern Rockers, these guys are certainly worthy of being placed in your personal 'ROCK' quarry!

I saw this group live in 1971 at St. Bonaventure as a lead-on group for Iron Butterfly, and we didn't want them to leave the stage. I finally found their album at a campus bookstore at Hamilton College and gobbled it up. Enjoyed it ever since, and am now going to download it on my iPod. Great tunes!