1977’s “Race With The Devil” must have surprised quite a few of BLACK OAK ARKANSAS followers, as that album began and ended with borrowed songs, so there’s no reason to be staggered by the band’s forthcoming platter which consists almost solely, save for bonus cuts, of covers – especially given the record’s title. Bearing the legend “The Devil’s Jukebox” and scheduled for release on September 1st, it features rather unexpected – on both interpretative and conceptual level – choices.
While no one should be astonished upon hearing the veterans’ take on a couple of BUFFALO SPRINGFIELD classics or two staples of Jimi Hendrix’s repertoire, their versions of a QUEEN smash or a MONSTER MAGNET number, their lone nod to contemporary rock, might raise some brows. And whereas a handling of “California Dreamin'” (listen below) seems interesting when voiced by Jim Dandy and delivered by his compadres, their reading of “Southern Man” may feels shocking for a Southern rock collective, what with LYNYRD SKYNYRD’s critique of Neil Young’s sentiment. Which is why this collection of familiar perennials can’t be treated as your regular cover album.
The Devil’s Jukebox
1. Sympathy For The Devil (THE ROLLING STONES)
2. Space Lord (MONSTER MAGNET)
3. All Along The Watchtower (Bob Dylan)
4. California Dreamin’ (THE MAMAS & THE PAPAS)
5. Rock ‘N’ Roll Woman (BUFFALO SPRINGFIELD)
6. I’m A Man (THE SPENCER DAVIS GROUP)
7. Somebody To Love (QUEEN)
8. Bold As Love (Jimi Hendrix)
9. Mr. Soul (BUFFALO SPRINGFIELD)
10. Southern Man (Neil Young)
bonus tracks:
11. Goin’ Back
12. Christmas Everywhere
