The Outlaws are a southern rock band formed in back in 1972 by guitarists/vocalists Hughie Thomasson and Henry Paul, bassist Frank O'Keefe, and drummer Monte Yoho with Billy Jones (vocals/keys/guitar). These two albums were first released back in 1974 and 1975 and both have aged very well indeed.

The Outlaws made good use of their three vocalists to produce some great harmonies, not dissimilar to the Little River Band or Poco and also more country than say Lynyrd Skynyrd's harder rocking approach.

The debut album includes the ban's 'Freebird' - 'Green Grass & High Tides', an amazing nine minutes of harmonies and twin guitar soloing. You also have 'Song In The Breeze' which beats the Eagles at their own game and 'There Goes Another Love Song', an instantly catchy tune.

'Lady In Waiting' sees a slight shift to more country sounding songs with 'Freeborn Man' a little bit too country for me personally. But the good time rock 'n' roll of 'Breaker-Breaker' and 'Stick Around For Rock 'N' Roll', the later again an air guitarists heaven.

The band still tour today with Henry Paul and Monto Yoho still in the line-up although Hughie Thomasson recently passed away after being in fellow southern rock band Lynyrd Skynyrd for many years. Definitely worth adding to your collection if you like Skynyrd, Blackfoot, Molly Hatchett plus more country sounding bands like Poco.

****

Review by Jason Ritchie