Friday, June 22, 2012

Black Oak Arkansas - High on the Hog, Part One


Black Oak Arkansas -  High on the Hog.  K.A.C. - Killer Album Cover!  Don't you think?  This was the band's most commercially successful album by what is described as southern rock band.  This record is mainly known for its cover version of the LaVern Baker song "Jim Dandy," which reached number 25 on the Billboard Hot 100.  The album prominently featured southern electric guitar licks and James Mangrum's scratchy, hillbilly vocals.  But to me - it's all about the cover!  Oh, and I just checked - it was produced by one of the all-time greatest record producers in history and the guy I would have used if ever given the chance: the legendary Tom Dowd.  So it's no wonder why is was recorded at Criteria Studios, in Miami, and later mixed using Wally Heider's facility. The Band also had a album, their 9th, with the same name.  The phrase is said to be based on the fact that the best cuts of meat on a pig come from the back and upper leg; that the wealthy ate cuts from 'high on the hog', while the paupers ate belly pork and trotters.  Black Oak Arkansas played with Ruby Star, performing "Jim Dandy" at the California Jam at the Ontario Motor Speedway in Ontario, California on April 6, 1974.

2 comments:

  1. Who are these guys? It's about the image below. It's the Pat Travers Band, Crash and Burn (1980) 4,99 CD in Amazon

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  2. I was at the 1974 California Jam, twenty yards from the stage. I have a sealed record of this with a big California Jam sticker on the front. I'd post a pic, but no option for that.

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