As requested, here’s the Rock Candy Records Remastered & Reloaded release of THE OUTLAWS “Playin’ To Win” album. This is the band’s fourth LP and the first without guitarist and singer / songwriter Henry Paul, who left to form his own band.
During the Seventies southern rock music was at its zenith. Several groups reigned supreme, helping to fly the confederate flag loud and proud, whilst also receiving huge commercial accolades and setting out a mandate that would carry through to the next decade.
The Outlaws were one of the movement’s most accomplished acts, securing a prime position in the southern rock hierarchy because they delivered the goods time after time.
Following a career defining double live album, the band made preparations for their fourth studio LP, one that would not only showcase their roots but also pave the way for the future. The Outlaws wanted a more ‘rocking’ approach, still blues based, but with increased punch and loud guitars.
To do this they tapped into a new producer, a young Robert ‘Mutt’ Lange, then just another rising star behind the tape-desk.
Recognizing a creative genius, the band set about recording “Playing To Win”in Georgia with Lange at the helm and Rodney Mills (.38 Special, Lynyrd Skynyrd) in the engineer’s seat. This was to prove a highly potent combination.
Originally issued in 1978, Outlaw’s “Playin’ To Win” showcased a band in search of something fresh but not crazy enough to abandon their heritage. As you might expect, the focus with Lange in the driving seat was on songs and melody, showcasing a style that sounded big, beefy and highly commercial.
This was also a record to feature new guitarist Freddie Salem, a man who plied his trade with copious amounts of brawn, helping the band to evolve into a heavier rock territory.
Check out songs such as ‘Take It Anyway You Want It’ and ‘You Are The Show’ for proof.
THE OUTLAWS - Playin' To Win [Rock Candy remastered] (2017) back
In the same league of Blackfoot, Montrose and Molly Hatchet, The Outlaw’s “Playin’ To Win” rocks hard and with great vibes.
There’s a feel of ‘liveness’ all over the record, and you can hear some of the guitar sounds ‘Mutt’ Lange would later use for AC/DC’s classic album Black In Black.
Remastered for the first time, this baby rocks.
01 – Take It Anyway You Want It
02 – Cry Some More
03 – You Are The Show
04 – You Can Have It
05 – If Dreams Came True
06 – A Real Good Feelin’
07 – Love At First Sight
08 – Falling Rain
09 – Dirty City
Hughie Thomasson – vocals, guitar, pedal steel
Harvey Dalton Arnold – bass, guitar, vocals
David Dix – drums, percussion
Mike Duke – keyboards
Billy Jones – guitar, vocals
Freddie Salem – guitar, vocals, slide guitar
Monte Yoho – percussion, drums
Arranged & Produced by Robert John “Mutt” Lange
Hughie Thomasson - vocals, guitar, pedal steel
Harvey Dalton Arnold - bass, guitar, vocals
David Dix - drums, percussion
Mike Duke - keyboards
Billy Jones - guitar, vocals
Freddie Salem - guitar, vocals, slide guitar
Monte Yoho - percussion, drums
Arranged & Produced by Robert John "Mutt" Lange
THE OUTLAWS – Playin’ To Win [Rock Candy remastered] (2017)
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