Barefoot Jerry (1977) Headin for the Hills - LOST 70s GEMS

The Barefootin album was the sixth and final album by Barefoot Jerry capping of a six year period, however it was also arguably their strongest. In fact their last two albums are their most complete works on a musical and songwriting basis. 

 Headin for the Hills is bluegrass ditty with buzzy harmonica and persistent banjo running through it and some truly liquid, Duane Allman Pedal steel patterns. The downhome coutnry vocal is placid while the lyrics are very timely about the "Welfare state and escalating bills" "No need for tranquilliser pills" and claiming inner city folks are 'reaping what they sown' with the true answer being the countryside, waking up to the sun "shining on your windowsill" It's still relevant as he talks about 'ulcer and migraines won't get you anywhere, your doctors and your analysts won't help you keep your hair' , whilst also railing against 'hookers and pimps' and even 'ripoff loans'' "parking spots downtown" etc. all delivered in a carefree set of vocals.

Tokin' Ticket is has an its upbeat early 70s Beach Boys rock style on a song all about harsh punishments for marijuana possession taking it state by state; like a druggie edition of the Beach Boys 'California Girls making the style of the song a lever refrence or an affectionate pastiche like The Beatles' Back in the USSR; the message is "it don't matter what you smoke, its where you smoke it at" 

Keep On Funkin' has, as you guessed it, a good funky 'chaka chaka' rhythm style married with their angelic country rock voices and glam rock n roll swagger. The title track has a really syncopated riff, its all old school 50s swing and RnB dressed in clean 70s rock production with some great circular turnaround licks at the end of each verse; their speciality. Sentimental Man is an even toned folk rocker with Stephen Stills sounding vocal and cutting pedal steel licks with descending arpeggios and melodies that remind me of Rush in their softer moments.  Diana is another clear folk song which always matched their uncluttered vocals with a supporting backing of acoustic picking.

There's some nonsense rock n roll and disco in the album as well, but that incredible pedal steel tone always pokes through with it's smooth, laser cut lines playing jazz inspired, itty-bitty notes in lightning fast fills or some tasty mini solos or intricate riffs to animate the songs. Though Highland Grass is an instrumental miss hit from my perspective with it's irritating little run of notes based on a descending scale sounding more monotone and childish than impressive. 

 Hiroshima Hole features more of their Prog fascination with global events in the past, this features a Bill Withers styled arrangement with preaching lyrics about the cost of energy of jangly acoustic chords strummed breezily with a hi-hat beat and some truly three dimensional synth patches. To just briefly catalogue; we get some screaming synth parts interwoven with some meowing pedal steel, a more spooky/glassy synth and even some droning fuzz Moog doing a 'THX' styled vamp into the stratosphere, though on a smaller scale than that Styx sample used for Lucas films logo. The song ends with a gong to complete the song title reference that frankly goes over my head with its atomic worries, it's good but I'm going for Headin with it's timeless lyrics that are really effecting to me here in the Big Smoke!