Dryewater – Southpaw (1974) (FLAC) [Artwork – 24-Bit/96 kHz]

Southpaw is the sole album from North Carolina rock band Dryewater, released in 1974 on the private J.T.B. label. As well-known reviewers such as those quoted above have already plentifully described, the LP is a full-blooded serving of Southern hard rock that ranks among the best of its style.

Recorded between two small studios in Taylorsville and Charlotte, N.C., the recording (and pressing) sound more like a major label's professional studio job than the band-sponsored micropressing that it is. While Richard Drye's treblely vocals receive mixed reviews -- for me, they took some growing-on -- the convincing lyrics, backed by heavy guitar, electric piano, and animated drum work are more than compelling enough to qualify it for this blog. Personally I find that its dynamic arrangements support tuneful melodies at the level of radio hits. Given these tremendous strengths, the record has become well-known by collectors, and though there are a few reissues, its rare original pressing still sounds the best.

Tracklist
1. Winterground
2. Trouble
3. Give Yourself Time To Live
4. Don't Let Her Sleep Too Long
5. Let Me Take You
6. Thunder
7. See Them Run
8. Revelation
9. Set Out On The River
10. After All (I Ain't Sleepy)

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