Search - Ozark Mountain Daredevils :: Archive Alive

Great Early Daredevils!

CKL | Pa. | 04/29/2000

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Recorded live in Missouri on consecutive nights in March, 1973 this disk captures the Daredevils in full control and on the verge of breaking into the big time. A couple months later, they signed with A&M and headed to England to record their first album. An interesting revelation (for me, at least) is to see that their set consisted of a lot of songs that wouldn't make it to vinyl until the later albums. Of the twelve tracks, three debuted on the first album. However three were held until the fourth album (MEN FROM EARTH from 1976), one until the fifth (DON'T LOOK DOWN from 1977) and one didn't appear until IT'S ALIVE in 1978. This also results in what I think makes this collection superior to IT'S ALIVE: the versions of these songs are at an earlier stage of development here. In some cases, they are significantly different from the studio versions (and in all instances, just as good!) and this gives us recordings that compliment our OMD collection, rather than duplicating it.Of the three unreleased tracks (the studio version of "(I Threw Away) The Chains" was released on THE LOST CABIN SESSIONS in 1985) "Sonora" is the jewel. A classic Cash/Dillon tune that we almost didn't get. The other two are instrumentals: "Absolute Zero" (a short bit of Daredevil hubris) and "Reudi Valley Boogie".The tight playing and the down-to-earth vibe underscores what made these guys so endearing. In a bit of between song banter that sums up the mood, someone from the band (Steve Cash?) tells the audience in his best hippy-ese: "With all the tornado warnings out.... maybe we can make a tornado come and pick up Cowtown Ballroom and take us to the Wizard of Oz.... and then we'd all BE there, man!" I'd go in a minute!(Total Disk Time: 54:09)"

It's Alive Re-visited

Plain Truth | Australia | 01/23/2000

(3 out of 5 stars)

"In 1978 A&M Records released The Ozark Mountain Daredevils Double Album "Its Alive". For those unlucky enough not to have that "Live" Ozark experience, this is the next best thing. Released in 1997 by Archive Recordings this CD features a selection of recordings taken from around 1973 in Missouri at the Cowtown Ballroom, Kansas City & The Kiel Opera House in St Louis. Unlike the earlier 1978 Live Vinyl release this CD only includes songs written and played up until March 1973. Although it does feature songs which would appear on future Album releases. There all all your old favourites, including the Classic "Chicken Train" and a sneak preview of "Homemade Wine", which would later be released on the 1976 Album "Men From Earth". There are a couple of other "Gems" on the Album which would also find their way onto other releases. As with any Live Album it has it's faults. It's biggest downfall is the recording quality. This is to be expected though considering it was recorded in 1973. Unfortnately the Digital Era was still a long way off. Taking this into account it is still quite acceptable, even compared to some Live Albums released today. Twelve tracks in all on the CD sleeve,but thirteen appear on the CD. I am not sure if this is a printing mistake or I just sampled an early "prototype" . If you really want to hear them "JAM" check out all 8 minutes of "River To The Sun"! It may not be in the same league as it's 1978 Double Album cousin, but for those Die-Hard fans who want to re-live the feel of an early "Ozark" concert with full Re-mastered Digital conveinience, this ones for you!"

Archive Alive is truly a living thing!

T. Humphries | Jefferson Texas USA | 06/20/2000

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Until A&M Records decides to release the remainder of the Ozarks' albums, this potpourri of hits and oddities, recorded live at the onset of the bands career, will be the "must have" CD for OMD fans worldwide. The truly amazing thing about this album is the quality of the recording. I actually rivals many contemporary live albums in production quality."