High On The Hog (Remastered) Black Oak Arkansas

• 1 Swimmin' In Quicksand 03:23
• 2 Back To The Land 02:28
• 3 Movin' 03:16
• 4 Happy Hooker 05:31
• 5 Red Hot Lovin' 02:49
• 6 Jim Dandy 02:43
• 7 Moonshine Sonata 05:31
• 8 Why Souldn't I Smile 02:25
• 9 High 'N' Dry 02:30
• 10 Mad Man 03:48
• Total Runtime 34:24

Info for High On The Hog (Remastered)

This is probably the best-known album in the Black Oak Arkansas catalog, thanks in large to part to its hit cover of the LaVern Baker R&B classic 'Jim Dandy.'

This effective update combines a countrified touch, some electric guitar fireworks, and a frenetic double-time tempo with the inimitable hillbilly vocals of Jim 'Dandy' Mangrum to create a song that became a hit with both country and pop listeners.

It is definitely High on the Hog's undisputed highlight, but the other tracks surrounding it also have plenty to offer. Although they were too eccentric a band to fit a strict 'Southern rock' label à la Lynyrd Skynyrd, Black Oak Arkansas did have an ability to dish up both country and rock sounds with style. For instance, 'Red Hot Lovin'' is a punchy rocker about the joys of loving a red-haired woman, while 'Back to the Land' is a tribute to rural life delivered in a convincing, pure country style. Elsewhere, the group also shows a surprisingly ability to mix elements of pure funk into their country-rock stew: 'Swimmin' in Quicksand' glides along on some funky wah-wah guitar licks that could have been lifted from a Funkadelic record. The band also gets a solid showcase for their chops on 'Moonshine Sonata,' a tasty little instrumental that starts off as sprightly country-rock rave-up before shifting into a down-home ballad tempo for a surprisingly lovely and mellow finale.

In the end, High on the Hog probably won't appeal to anyone who isn't already a Southern rock fan, but anyone who enjoys this genre will find plenty to like on this album.“ (Donald A. Guarisco)

Jim 'Dandy' Mangrum, vocals
Harvey Jett, guitars
Stanley Knight, guitars
Rick Reynolds, guitars
Pat Daugherty, bass
Tommy Aldridge, drums
Additional musicians:
Ruby Starr, backing vocals (on 'Jim Dandy“)

Recorded at Criteria Sound, Miami, Florida, 15–19 September 1972 and Wally Heider Recording, Hollywood, California, 4–29 August 1973
Engineered by Ron Albert, Howie Albert
Produced by Tom Dowd

Digitally remastered

Black Oak Arkansas
Southern rockers Black Oak Arkansas never raised to same level of success enjoyed by Lynyrd Skynyrd or Molly Hatchet, but kept a strong cult following thorough the years, thanks to their charismatic vocalist, Jim Dandy Mangrum. Named after his hometown, Black Oak Arkansas eventually managed to release ten charting albums between 1971 and 1976.

Origins of Black Oak Arkansas can be traced back to late '60s, when they released one album under the name Knowbody Else, with a line-up of Mangrum in vocals; Ricky 'Ricochet' Reynolds, Stanley 'Goober' Knight, and Harvey 'Burley' Jett; on guitars, Pat Daugherty on bass and Wayne Evans on drums. In early 70’s they started using the name Black Oak Arkansas and released self-titled debut album in 1971. Album sold modestly, but the band toured extensively and gained a reputation as an exceptional live act.

Black Oak Arkansas released two albums the following year, Keep the Faith and If an Angel Came to See You, Would You Make Her Feel at Home? Both were produced by Tom Dowd, southern rock legend, who had previously worked with the The Allman Brothers Band. Album sales remained low, but with constant touring, they kept building up an enthusiastic fan base. Hard work paid off in 1973 when they released High on the Hog, which with the help of single 'Jim Dandy to the Rescue”, became their most commercially successful release.

During the mid-’70s Black Oak Arkansas kept releasing couple albums a year, but failed to repeat the success of High on The Hog. They still draw huge crowds on the U.S. concert circuit, but due to continuous personnel changes, by 1977 Mangrum was the only original member of the band and they finally called it quits in 1980 after Mangrum suffered a heart attack. During 80´s and 90’s, Black Oak Arkansas has continued touring with different line-ups up to present day and also released new studio album in 1999, called The Wild Bunch.

This album contains no booklet.