Top 10 Sea Level Songs

Photo: Carl Lender, CC BY 2.5 <https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.5>, via Wikimedia Commons

Our Top 10 Sea Level songs list looks back at the music of a tremendous Southern-style rock band that began as an offshoot of the Allman Brothers Band. The group was founded in the mid-1970s after the break-up of the Allman Brothers Band. Three members of the Allman Brothers Band’s classic rhythm section, including piano player Chuck Leavell, drummer Jai Johanny Johanson, who most people knew as just Jaimoe, and bassist Lamar Williams, decided to form their musical group to keep playing. The three knew they already had an audience, as the Allman Brothers Band had millions of fans. The three former Allman Brothers Band musicians would add a guitarist, Jimmy Nalls, to form a rock-solid quartet. The group called itself after Chuck Leavell in a twist on the piano player’s name.

Sea Level released its first album in 1977. That same year, the band followed up its debut album with its sophomore record, Cats On The Coast. The band’s second album featured a much larger group, as the band added another guitarist named Davis Causey, an additional drummer named George Weaver, and multi-instrumentalist and songwriter Randall Bramblett.

Sea Level’s musical journey would not last long, although they did release a lot of music in just a few years. They released their third album, On The Edge, in 1978. Their fourth record, Long Walk On A Short Pier, was released in 1979. The final Sea Level album, Ball Room, was issued in 1980.

During the band’s short run, the group would form a loyal cult following. They continued the Allman Brothers Band tradition with their own unique sound, which was highly centered on Chuck Leavell’s brilliant piano playing. Chuck Leavell would eventually become a touring member of the Rolling Stones, becoming a central part of the Rolling Stones sound on stage for many years.

Our Top 10 Sea Level Songs list looks back at some of the band’s great rocking songs, which the band released during its short run in the late 1970s.

# 10 – Tidal Wave

We open our top 10 Sea Level songs list with the smoking instrumental song “Tidal Wave.” The song was released on the album entitled Sea Level. We thought it was just the perfect song to open up our Sea Level songs list. Right from the opening moments, Chuck Leavell’s talents are on display. “Tidal Wave” is an instrumental that echoes the work of classic Allman Brothers Band instrumentals like “In Memory Of Elizabeth Reed.” Although Chuck Leavell’s keyboards are front and center, there is also some nice guitar work on this one.

# 9 – Canine Man

Continuing with our top 10 Sea Level songs list, we listen to the rocking song entitled “Canine Man.” The song was released on the Long Walk on a Short Pier album. The album was released in 1979. This is a very different-sounding song than the first one we introduced on the list. This one is all about the guitar. Randall Bramblett wrote the song. Jimmy Nalls plays some killer Southern blues guitar riffs and solos on this outstanding track, which may surprise some fans who have never heard this one before. This really good album is one of classic rock’s overlooked gems.

# 8 – Anxiously Awaiting

In the number eight spot on our top 10 Sea Level songs list, we present the song “Anxiously Awaiting.” The song was released on the band’s final album, Ball Room, released in 1980. Some great guitar work and an addictive chorus made this our favorite track on the band’s final album. One can hear the changing sound of Southern rock as music headed into the era of the big 80s.

# 7 – On The Wing

Sea Level: On The Edge LP VG++/NM Canada Capricorn Records CPN 0212

In the number seven position on our top 10 Sea Level songs list is the song entitled “On The Wing.” The song was released on the album entitled On the Edge. The album was released in 1978. The band’s sound changed dramatically in their third album as the disco era clearly influenced the group as they seemed to be looking to cash in on the popularity of the disco era. Many of the songs on the album are fueled by disco grooves, which turned many older fans off. Nonetheless, the album closer to “On The Wing” paid more tribute to their earlier sound in a fine instrumental that balanced the changing times with the glory days of the past.

# 6 – Just A Good Feeling

Landing in the number six spot on our top 10 Sea Level songs list, we present the song “Just A Good Feeling.” The song was released on the album entitled Sea Level. Listen to Chuck play that piano. The man is such a killer player. The song “Just A Good Feeling” served as the album’s closing number. Southern rock meets funk as the song would also serve as notice to some of the directions the band would eventually take away from their southern roots.

# 5 – Nothing Matters But The Fever

At the halfway point on our top 10 Sea Level songs list is the song “Nothing Matters But The Fever.” Can’t you just hear Gregg Allman singing this one? It has such a distinct Allman Brothers Band groove. The song was issued on the band’s debut album, Sea Level, written by Chuck Leavell. It was the longest-running track on the album, coming in at over seven minutes long.

# 4 – Rain In Spain

This fun list’s fourth spot goes to the stunning song “Rain In Spain.” This great instrumental by Sea Level, released on the band’s debut album, reflects the influence of Chick Corea and his band Return To Forever.

# 3 – That’s Your Secret

Surfing along on our top 10 Sea Level songs list, we present the song “That’s Your Secret.” The band Sea Level was not a hit-making machine; they had no hits on commercial radio at all. The closest they got was this fabulous tune called “That’s Your Secret.” It was the band’s only charting song, hitting number fifty on the US Billboard Hot 100. The song was released on the album Cats On The Coast, which was released in 1977.

# 2 – Grand Larceny

Just off the top spot on our top 10 Sea Level songs list, we celebrate the song “Grand Larceny.” It’s fitting that the last two songs on our Sea Level songs list turn out to be instrumentals. It’s just in the band’s DNA. The song was released on the album Sea Level. This is just such a well-written and performed piece of music. Chuck is on fire, and his keyboard work on the song is simply dazzling.

# 1 – Storm Warning

We close out our top 10 Sea Level songs list with the instrumental song “Storm Warning.” The band, at times, sounds like a cross between the Allman Brothers Band, which half of them were, and Chick Corea’s Return To Forever. Sea Level was a great instrumental band at their best, and “Storm Warning” was the best instrumental they ever recorded. The song was released on the band’s second album entitled Cats On The Coast. The album was released in 1977.