Barefoot Jerry (1971) Hospitality Song - LOST 70s GEMS

 Barefoot Jerry a long term southern/country rock band had a debut album in 1971 called Southern Delight that bore one of my favourite album covers of all time; it was a still of the band walkin up a dirt road in their plaid shirts carrying whiskey and even a coffee mug seemingly unprepared for the shot. but that's not all hanging above them is a publicity still, a group shot with dividing white lines in between each band member that runs from the top to the bottom of the cover perfectly dividing up the band members in the photo with themselves in the picture below, walkin up that hill. And where you would expect their individual name tags you get in white letters the band name repeated several times, marking the group more important in some respects though the white lines and the combined use of head shots and a relatively close group shot would suggest otherwise.
The striking cover with the use of closeups of a band, framed like they were Mount Rushmore, on their debut album no less, prompted me to check out the music within..and I wasn't disappointed!

Nobody Knows is a odd little soul number built on a bed of perfectly harmonised 'oohs' while a deep barrelled voice sings in tandem with spongy lead guitar; both vamping along in 1.20 barbershop flavoured ditty. Smokies is rootsy chugging folk rocker with fanciful na na na singing and more deep twangy lead vocals. Though halfway through a Moog and organ create a sudden wash along with some more elevated group vocals like a distorted choir. The band liked to indulge in these keyboard moments from time to time and it didn't always mesh into the fabric of the song.


Thats' OK He'll Be Your Brother Soon is a slow rock showcase with steady, dramatic work from the drummer and the backing pianist who expertly amp up the tension in the track. While the lead guitar is all funky blues with fluid lines drenched in fuzz tone and it's all capped off by the robust galloping bass and the heavenly sweet harmonies returning in full gospel message singing the title together in a hopeful weariness.

Anyone of these songs could have been the highlight; they are all well arranged mixing exquisite trebbly downhome lead vocals with sweet harmonies, enormous synth washes, gospel power, flowing lead guitar and rock steady drumming.
But as was the case with many early 70s unknowns the opening track is the strongest. Here that is the mistitled Hospitality Song, which is still impressive despite the strength of the prior tracks and correctly sets you up for the ambitious soul/prog/country rock album to follow.

Starting with another gospel opening full of splintering lead guitar licks to a rumbling piano and pleasant, rustic harmonica. Then comes the verse structure with a hoe down oriented drum beat with the 'smooth as honey', baritone singer caresses you with a circular melody singin in an accommodating low register.
Then the response vocal sung in a higher, strained Southern voice chiming in with "We don't care what state you come from? We don't care what state you're mind is in"


Then there is a quiet pop bridge with twinkly vibraphone and tender harmonies of "its right before your eyes, the key is in the answer. The secret to the skies"; the gentle melody counteracted with more the drummers' double time shuffle works so well. I wish this track lasted longer it's mix of groove, rock and sweet soul is done so tastefully and never outstays its welcome. From the meaty, high register lead guitar playing soaring notes to the mix of steady drumming, angelic harmonies and gruff lead singers is all my favourite 70s sounds in one band; incredible!

They remind me of the Ozark Mountain Daredevils with their mix of Southern Rock, Country rock and bluegrass ballads and particularly in the baritone singers and high harmonies. They are like Desperado era Eagles mixed with Ozark Mountain Daredevils groovers and some Hall and Oates harmony and synth laden soul.