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The Outlaw Blues Band by Victor Alemán

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PLAY: “TOBACCO ROAD”

PLAY: “TRIED TO BE A GOOD BOY”

PLAY: I’VE GOT TO HAVE PEACE ON MY MIND

PLAY: TWO ‘TRANES RUNNING

PLAY: DEATH DOG OF DOOM

The Outlaw  Blues Band

by Victor Alemán

As their name suggests, this was a blues-rock outfit from Los Angeles, California. They were one of the several new acts signed by Bob Thiele, an American record producer who worked on countless classic jazz albums and record labels such artists as John Coltrane, Louis Armstrong, Charles Mingus, Dizzy Gillespie, Gato Barbieri, Sonny Rollins and others for the ABC Record label.

Their first album “The Outlaw Blues Band and the People” recorded in 1967; features lots of fluid guitar and you should enjoy this if blues-rock is your thing. Even if it isn’t, you might still like it.

Certainly “Got To Have Peace On My Mind” is very imaginative with interesting sound effects and it extends far beyond the usual blues-rock format. The band also has strong jazz influences, particularly in the drumming and the sax-flute interludes.

Other highlights include an interesting reinterpretation of John D. Loudermilk’s “Tobacco Road”, the instrumental “Death Dog of Doom”, “Tried to Be a Good Boy” and “Two ‘Tranes Running” (not a misspelling but homage to John Coltrane).

This musical group was founded and directed by Victor Aleman who was born in El Salvador. He immigrated to Los Angeles, California in the early 1960’s and found his first artistic muse as the director and drummer for the Outlaw Blues Band. As the chief architect of their unique, groundbreaking sound, he recorded two albums for ABC Bluesway Records, released in 1968 and 1969.

Songs:

1. Tobacco Road
(John D. Loudermilk)

2. Tried to Be a Good Boy
(Aleman, Whiteman, John, Gonzalez, Rubenhold)

3. I’ve Got To Have Peace on My Mind
(Aleman, Whiteman, John, Gonzalez, Rubenhold)

4. Death Dog of Doom
(Aleman, Whiteman, John, Gonzalez, Rubenhold)

5. Two ‘Tranes Running
(Aleman, Whiteman, John, Gonzalez, Rubenhold)

Personnel:

VICTOR ALEMAN drums, percussion
PHILLIP JOHN lead guitar, vocals
JOE WHITEMAN sax, flute, vibraphone
JOE FRANCIS GONZALES bass
LEON RUBENHOLD harmonica

This first album was original recorded at United and Western Studios in Hollywood, California in 1967 for ABC Bluesway Records.

Produced by BOB THIELE

Directed and arranged by the OUTLAW BLUES BAND

Victor Aleman, Phillip John and Joe Francis had previously played with Rosie and The Originals (Angel Baby), in the early sixties. Joe Whiteman played with the Premiers (Farmer John and Duffy’s Blues).

The musical sounds are in the roots of the blues: One of the only original American music, naked and pure.

 

FRONT ALBUM COVER / THE OUTLAW BLUES BAND AND THE PEOPLE

The Outlaws Blues Band and the People’s front album cover (1968) by Felipe Leon

The heart with ears that lives forever at the beat of music, is the image on the front album cover of the Outlaws Blues Band. It was inspired by their musical rhythms, at times when man defied nature. Doctor Christiaan Neethling Barnard a South African cardiac surgeon, performed the first
human-to-human heart transplant. That defiance was accepted by humanity, setting the new cultural ways that prevail up to the beginning of the 21st century. It changed our music.

Today, our heart, ears, soul, vision and mind are essential to enjoy and perceive the message of contemporary music.” – Felipe Leon (Architectural designer, illustrator, artist and writer)

 

 

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