Top 10 Black Oak Arkansas Songs

Photo: Jim Summaria, http://www.jimsummariaphoto.com [CC BY-SA 3.0}

When discussing the greatest Southern rock bands of all time, fans usually spit out names such as The Allman Brothers Band, Lynyrd Skynyrd, The Outlaws, Marshall Tucker Band, or the Charlie Daniels Band. One band that will seldom come up is Black Oak Arkansas. The band was initially formed in 1963 under The Knowbody Else. The band, The Knowbody Else, signed with Stax Records in the late 1960s and released a self-titled album in 1969. Since the album did not sell well, the band returned to Arkansas and changed their name to Black Oak Arkansas.

The legendary co-founder and president of Atlantic Records, Ahmet Ertegun, was supposedly a fan of Mangrum’s original vocal style. Black Oak Arkansas signed with Atlantic Records in 1970 and released their debut album under their new name in 1971. The band developed a loyal following in the 1970s due to its brand of southern rock juxtaposed against a spiritual southern boogie inspired by its Southern Baptist roots.

Standing center stage was the band’s lead singer, Jim Dandy Mangrum. The singer’s voice and looks were contradictory. With his long blonde hair, slim build, and tight-as-hell pants that defined his religion, Jim Dandy Mangrum set the mold for the persona of late-1970s rock stars like David Lee Roth and the eventual hair-band movement of the 1980s. However, Mangrum’s voice was more bitter than sweet and stood in stark contrast to the voices of singers like David Lee Roth, Bon Jovi, and others. Mangrum’s voice was more Tom Waits meets Axel Rose.

Defining the sound of Black Oak Arkansas, beyond Jim Dandy Mangrum’s legendary voice, was a band of musicians who lit it up nightly. The band’s twin lead guitar sound echoed the styles of The Allman Brothers Band and Thin Lizzy. In 1972, the band added drummer Tommy Aldridge, whose double-bass drumming kicked the band into even heavier gear. In the early years, it was Harvey “Burley” Jett and Rickie Lee “Risky”/”Ricochet” Reynolds who served as the band’s guitar players. On bass, the band featured Pat “Dirty” Daugherty. From 1977 on, the band underwent many personnel changes, which is quite an understatement. Over sixty musicians have performed as members of Black Oak Arkansas.

For those of you who may have never heard of the band, we hope our Top 10 Black Oak Arkansas List serves as a welcome introduction to a band that rocked the world of young teenage rock fans in the 1970s classic rock era.

# 10 – Full Moon Ride

If An Angel Came To See You Would You Make Her Feel At Home

Starting our Top 10 Black Oak Arkansas Songs list is the killer track “Full Moon Ride.” The song first appeared on the Black Oak Arkansas album If an Angel Came to See You, Would You Make Her Feel at Home? The album was released in 1973. It was the band’s third studio release. The song’s opening minor-chord guitar licks set the tone, and Jim Dandy Mangrum’s haunting vocals are cast in the shadows of late-1960s psychedelia.

# 9 – Hey Ya’ll

Black Oak Arkansas 1974 album Street Party featured one of their all-time big hits, “Hey Ya’ll.” The album followed the band’s most successful album of their career, High On The Hog. There was nothing like catching a live Black Oak Arkansas show. Check out this great dual guitar opening to “Hey Ya’ll,” a track recorded live at London’s Royal Albert Hall.

# 8 – Jim Dandy

Coming in at number eight on our Top 10 Black Oak Arkansas list is the excellent track “Jim Dandy.” The song was issued on the very successful High on the Hog album released in 1973. This was one of those great party songs that never actually became popular. But for a time, it did get some significant airplay. And oh, by the way, the video also features the great Ruby Starr. This video was taken from the legendary Don Kirshner’s Rock Concert television show.

# 7 – Up

The Complete Raunch 'N' Roll Live (2-CD Set)

The fantastic performance of “Up,” hailed as one of the greatest Black Oak Arkansas Songs, closed out their magnificent live album Raunch ‘N’ Roll Live. The album was released in 1972. The song featured one of the most exciting pure rock and roll drum solos ever captured on vinyl. Don’t miss Tommy Aldridge’s powerhouse drum solo on this one. Aldridge’s performances and recordings throughout his career prove that he should go down as one of rock’s greatest drummers alongside the likes of Led Zeppelin’s John Bonham, Rush’s Neil Peart, and The Who’s Keith Moon.

# 6 – Hot And Nasty

The great Black Oak Arkansas song “Hot and Nasty” was originally released on their 1971 debut album. The song opened up the album’s second side. The album was produced by Lee Dorman & Mike Pinera. The song also appeared as the sixth track on their Raunch ‘n Roll Live album released in 1973.

# 5 – Mutants Of The Monster

Also appearing on the great Raunch ‘n Roll live album was the kicking track “Mutants Of The Monster.” The song was first released on the band’s third studio album If an Angel Came to See You, Would You Make Her Feel at Home? How could you not love the song’s great opening and slick and creepy bass line? It’s just one of those perfectly named tunes. This video hails from the legendary California Jam concert of 1974. The concert featured some of the most iconic bands in classic rock history. At the festival, besides Black Oak Arkansas, there were bands such as Black Sabbath, Deep Purple, Emerson, Lake & Palmer, Seals & Crofts, Rare Earth, The Eagles, and Earth, Wind & Fire.

# 4 – Hot Rod

“Hot Rod” was released on the Raunch ‘N’ Roll Live album. So many of the songs on our Top 10 Black Oak Arkansas list can be found on their legendary Raunch ‘N’ Roll Live album. It was a record that defined what made Black Oak Arkansas such an essential band in defining the raw sound of early 1970s American classic rock and the shift away from the British Invasion sound of the 1960s.

# 3 – Gigolo

With an onstage persona like Jim Dandy Mangrum’s, it’s no surprise that the band would compose and record a song titled “Gigolo.” The song, however, defined the band’s great dual-guitar sound and gave fans a track that transcended the line between southern rock and southern soul. The song “Gigolo” was released on the Raunch ‘N’ Roll Live album.

# 2 – When Electricity Came To Arkansas

One of the particulars that set Black Oak Arkansas apart from other rock bands of the classic rock era was Jim Dandy Mangrum’s use of the washboard. This great video from the legendary California Jam concert perfectly presents Jim and his washboard. That aside, it’s also one of the band’s greatest Black Oak Arkansas songs ever released. “When Electricity Came To Arkansas” was issued on the Raunch ‘N’ Roll Live album.

# 1 – Gettin’ Kinda” Cocky

Landing in the Number One spot on our Top 10 Black Oak Arkansas songs list is the outstanding track “Getting Kinda Cocky.” Once again, the band composed and recorded a song that defined their spirit and Mangrum’s stage persona. The song was released on the Raunch ‘N’ Roll Live album. The live album’s opening track defined how special the song was. When making a statement, you try to make it immediately. Opening your best album with your best track is further proof as to why the song “Getting Kinda Cocky” has landed in the number one position on our Top 10 Black Oak Arkansas Songs List!