Dryewater - 1974 - Southpaw

Dryewater

1974

Southpaw

01. Winterground - 3:02

02. Trouble - 4:07

03. Give Yourself Time To Live - 3:24

04. Don’t Let Her Sleep Too Long - 2:58

05. Let Me Take You - 3:31

06. Thunder - 2:57

07. See Them Run - 2:02

08. Revelation - 2:23

09. Set Out On The River - 2:49

10. After All - 6:30

Richard Drye - Guitar, Lead Vocals

Shaye Drye - Keyboards, Vocals

Robert Blair - Bass, Vocals

Garland Walker Stidham - Drums

Big time obscurity from Charlotte, North Carolina. Released in an era when the American hard rock scene had no guides or bellwethers. This is roadhouse rock n' roll, where some tracks are for dancin', others for drinkin', and more for thinkin'. Similar to the nearby J. Teal Band in that way. If a real A&R representative of a major label would just show up - then we'd get signed up immediately! But why would they leave the major media centers? Too much hassle to get there and there's nothing in the middle of the country to do anyway. Certainly no hookers and blow! Hence America missed out almost entirely on the mid 1970s expansive experience, perfectly willing to let England lead the way. Exceptions to Los Angeles and New York City, with the rare Chicago and San Francisco band making the Billboard play list. We'd finally get it right in the 80s with heavy metal, but just imagine if they were focused on the American interior in the mid 70s? You could expect a 500% return on what we got. A tragic tale that requires a dissertation for historical reflection and penance. Dryewater are yet one more victim of the broken dream. Perfectly legitimate quality proggy hard rock that was considerably better than what the majors were spitting out in 1974.

Now a highly regarded release among the collectors of early '70s U.S. rock, Dryewater's Southpaw album was privately released to little fanfare on the J.T.B. label in 1974. The North Carolina based four piece pressed just 500 copies of the album (fewer still with actual covers!) and the rarity value of this initial release has since increased as it's since become known that the band destroyed the copies they failed to sell at the time! Maybe they had higher expectations for the album, and this is justifiable, as in hindsight the ten original compositions show a very confident release by an obviously proficient line up. Strong rhythm guitar work forms the basis of most of the songs, but also evident is some melodic, perhaps slightly progressive keyboard work, that both underpins the occasional acid lead guitar solos and maintains the overall momentum of each performance. With a tight rhythm section and strong vocals too, this all makes for a rockin' rollercoaster ride. A fine example of the harder West Coast sound of the time. Check out the melodic "Don't Let Her Sleep Too Long," the riff-heavy track 2, and rolling rhythms of track 10, Dryewater were certainly overlooked at the time.