THE OUTLAWS- “COMING ON STRONG”

BILLY JONES OF THE OUTLAWS AT WINTERLAND ON MARCH 6, 1976. PHOTO/ART BY BEN UPHAM.

CLICK THE LINKS BELOW TO SEE MORE OUTLAWS PHOTOS:

OUTLAWS AT WINTERLAND 1975 & 1976
AND
OUTLAWS ARTWORK BY BEN UPHAM III

THE OUTLAWS-
“COMING ON STRONG”
BY J.J. SYRJA
THE SEQUIN GAZETTE ENTERPRISE
SEQUIN, TEXAS
FEBRUARY 28, 1980

Counted out long ago from these quarters, the Outlaws debuted in 1975 with promise. If the vocals were just adequate, there was reason to believe they would improve, while the material, from the AM radio hit “There Goes Another Love Song” to “Green Grass and High Tides,” an FM killer, was more than accomplished.

Since that time, the Outlaws have been little more than an energetic sextet without A-1 songs or singers. Their guitar firepower has kept them in the ballgame, which tells one where America’s head is at these days. The group’s new LP, “In The Eye of the Storm” (Arista), then, takes steps to dent more than just the eardrums, and with success.

One major accomplishment is looking for songs from outside sources. “The Lights Are On (But Nobody’s Home)” is pushed across by a solid plot, strong harmonics, and a crying guitar line which echoes frustration over and over. Elvis Costello’s” Miracle Man” (an excellent choice) is given pounding, melodic treatment — there’s no doubting the Outlaws’ instrumental prowess, and it grows when they have something to work with.

“Comin’ Home.” a fine Billy Jones shuffle, and “(Come on) Dance With Me” (co-written with Hughie Thomasson and Harvey Dalton Arnold) state their mission with clarity and rock out. Aided by Johnny Sandlin’s bright production, “In The Eye of the Storm” offers a way out. Let’s hope the Outlaws will continue to work this hard at improvement and avoiding stagnation.

THE OUTLAWS DISCOGRAPHY:

1975 The Outlaws
1976 Lady in Waiting
1977 Hurry Sundown
1978 Bring it Back Alive
1978 Playin’ to Win
1979 In the Eye of the Storm
1980 Ghost Riders
1982 Los Hombres Malo
1986 Soldiers of Fortune
1993 Hittin’ The Road
1994 Diablo Canyon
1999 So Low

CLICK THE LINK BELOW TO SEE OUTLAWS PHOTOS:
OUTLAWS AT WINTERLAND 1975 & 1976
AND
OUTLAWS ARTWORK BY BEN UPHAM III