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It's a shame there's no way to separate this group from the later American group of the same name. Folks, these Outlaws are the band poached by Joe Meek from his one-time recording artist Mike Berry. Throughout their career they included Chas Hodges on bass. Bobby Graham played drums for a while. Ritchie Blackmore--yes THAT Ritchie Blackmore--played guitar for their last two years or so.
The Outlaws were Meek's answer to the Shadows, and a fine answer they were. Most of the time, they performed Meek's own originals--pleasant lilting guitar tunes with a vaguely western feel. On here you get an exciting version of "Swingin' Low" as well as a gorgeous echo-drenched ballad "Valley of the Sioux." And there is a fabulous cut-up piece of Meek art called "Crazy Drums" that is really hard to believe came from 1961. Then, right at the end, the Outlaws decided to go vocal. Their singing wasn't much to remember, but their screaming rock 'n roll sound sure was. This is when Ritchie Blackmore broke from his restraints and their versions of "Keep a Knockin'" and "Shake with Me" blow out your speakers. If you thought that "You Really Got Me" was the loudest raunchiest sound to come out of the U.K. in 1964, these two tracks will correct that mistake real fast. [Randall E. Adams]
The Outlaws were Meek's answer to the Shadows, and a fine answer they were. Most of the time, they performed Meek's own originals--pleasant lilting guitar tunes with a vaguely western feel. On here you get an exciting version of "Swingin' Low" as well as a gorgeous echo-drenched ballad "Valley of the Sioux." And there is a fabulous cut-up piece of Meek art called "Crazy Drums" that is really hard to believe came from 1961. Then, right at the end, the Outlaws decided to go vocal. Their singing wasn't much to remember, but their screaming rock 'n roll sound sure was. This is when Ritchie Blackmore broke from his restraints and their versions of "Keep a Knockin'" and "Shake with Me" blow out your speakers. If you thought that "You Really Got Me" was the loudest raunchiest sound to come out of the U.K. in 1964, these two tracks will correct that mistake real fast. [Randall E. Adams]
