Search - Black Oak Arkansas :: Balls of Fire

Ohhhhhh sooooo slick! Where's the magic?

G. Putman | Las Vegas, NV United States | 02/08/2006

(2 out of 5 stars)

"Having been a big fan of BOA when I was a teenager way back in the 70's I recently decided to "re-discover" the band and hunt down all of their albums on CD. I have now gotten pretty much all of the Atlantic (or Atco) stuff which accounts for the first 7 albums. They are all so great in their own ways. Granted, I sometimes feel that some of the lead guitar playing was a little weak, but the way all three guitarist interacted together in the band helped make BOA one of the most unique bands ever. Let's face it, for a "Southern Rock" band, they were pretty wierd. After Tommy Aldridge took over on drums their musicianship really went up a notch, and I feel that it went up another notch after Jimmy Henderson came in on guitar as well. I always felt that Patrick Daugherty was an incredible bass player, and that he really locked in with Aldridge for a smokin' rhythm section. I really don't know what to say about Jim Dandy. Sometimes I think that his voice is so cool and so unique, and sometimes I just think that it is obnoxious. He kind of sounds like a mutant Captian Beefheart singing with a southern drawwwwwwl.



Balls Of Fire is their third album after signing with MCA (I think). As far as this album goes, the musicianship is top-notch all the way around here, but it seems like they have lost their personality. To be honest, it sounds like generic southern hard-rock that is way to produced (the disco infused last song, and sappy ballad do not help matters at all). There is a lot of rock solid lead guitar here, but gone is the cool strangeness and the magic interaction between the players that made BOA amazing during their heyday. Tommy Aldridge sounds really laid back on this one too. Maybe he was bored?



If you want to try out the band for the first time, then start somewhere else, like "High On The Hog", "If An Angel Came To See You....", "Raunch n Roll", "Ain't Life Grand", "Live Mutha", or "Keep The Faith".



Also, FORGET about the next album "10 Year Overnight Sucess" the two lousy albums that came out after that on Capicorn. They were pretty much a different band by that time and these three albums are bad news."

If you're a BOA dabbler get Raunch &Roll

Jerome E. Owens | 03/15/2007

(3 out of 5 stars)

"I have been a Black Oak fan since I was 12,1972.I've worn out both lp& cassette formats on a lot of BOA releases.This wasn't one of them!!!! No, it's not their best,but it's ok for the price.Unless you're saveing for the new Justin Timberlake cd.

I saw them in 74 I think.I'm going to see them this year also.I bet Jim Dandy don't move like he did either.30years and a broken back will do that.Ozzy don't get around so good,Eddie VanHalen has had a hip replacement.These guys all ROCK.

To me the ultimate lineup for BOA will always be the original PLUS Tommy Aldridge Arguebly the best drummer for a 25 year period.In my mind they're frozen in time of the Raunch-n-Roll era.

I do of course agree that when you GUT a band that played together for years,they will sound different.Sort of like a bunch of guys playin together.As opposed to their first releaseBlack Oak Arkansas,or Keep the Faith,or High on the Hog.That lineup started out together in 1965,they wrote music together,they half near starved to death together in the hills of Arkansas.

This ain't you're 1972 BOA,BUT,if you're a fan,buy it natural evolution of a band.If you're not,Buy Raunch& Roll or MUTHA LIVE.You may end up a BOA fan.

"

ROCK IN THE 70s IS THE BEST!!

Dan C. Mercado | Riyadh, Saudi Arabia | 05/31/2007

(5 out of 5 stars)

"What can I say about Jim Dandy? Hey y'all this is the man who had influenced the great David Lee Roth. His vocal chord is so unique as if he was chewing tobacco and drinking wine while singing. All songs here are great! The unbeatable Tommy Aldridge is on the drums. Jim Henderson on guitars, Ricky Reynolds on guitars, Pat Daugherty on bass, Stan Knight on guitars. Did I forget someone else?



Songs are;

1. Ramblin' Gamblin' Man

2. Fistful of Love

3. Make That Scene

4. I Can Feel Forever

5. Rock 'N' Roll

6. Great Balls of Fire

7. Just to Fall in Love

8. Leather Angel

9. Storm of Passion

10. All My Troubles



BUY NOW IF YOU'RE A BOA FAN OR A ROCK ENTHUSIAST OR A COLLECTOR!



Get also their album X-RATED. It's their best album for me!"