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Commander Cody and His Lost Planet Airmen
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Commander Cody and His Lost Planet Airmen guitar tabs

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Live from Deep in the Heart of Texas

Commander Cody and His Lost Planet Airmen - Live from Deep in the Heart of Texas Audio CD

A fair review of the Commander Cody and His Lost Planet Airmen "Live from Deep in the Heart of Texas" Audio CD. Please note that the below review is the views of the authors, and authors only. You can get a complete list of all Commander Cody and His Lost Planet Airmen reviews here, or go back to the Commander Cody and His Lost Planet Airmen tabs.

Band: Commander Cody and His Lost Planet Airmen
Title: Live from Deep in the Heart of Texas
Rating:

Release Date: 1990-04-11
Media: Audio CD

Tracks: 1: Armadillo Stomp 2: Good Rockin' Tonight 3: I'm Coming Home 4: Seeds and Stems Again Blues 5: Sunset on the Sage 6: Little Sally Walker 7: Git It 8: Oh Momma Momma 9: Cryin' Time 10: Diggy Liggy Lo 11: Riot in Cell Block #9 12: Too Much Fun 13: Mean Woman Blues

Re-visiting a timeless live recording from Deep in the Heart of Texas
I always have been and always will be. I am a huge fan of Commander Cody and His Lost Planet Airmen. They recorded some great albums back in the early 70's. Lost in the Ozone, Country Casanova, and their self titled, 1975 release, Commander Cody and His Lost Planet Airmen, to name a few. They were all great, but none could touch Live, From Deep in the Heart of Texas.

One of the components that made this recording so good is where it was recorded, The Armadillo World Headquarters in Austin. The Armadillo World Headquarters is still held in reverence by virtually everyone who actually experienced the energy the hall emanated during its reign of live performances from 1970, until its destruction (to make room for yet another unsightly high rise) in 1980.

However, the main factor one would have to figure into the equation to explain the success of this recording would be the crowd itself. They have been given an assist in making this such a special album. They couldn't stop moving and cheering and were into every single note of every single song performed. This was before mosh pits, but I'm quite frankly, amazed no one thought of it during this particular event. The audience never had time to sit down and literally danced the entire night. They danced on the chairs, in the aisles, on the stage, everywhere. It was truly a mind-blowing experience those in attendance have never, and will never forget. One side note; the crowd was so into this concert, the noise the crowd emitted, is still dubbed into live recordings to this very day!

On this particular evening, the concert was a success from the beginning with the announcement, "Live, from deep in the heart of Texas, Commander Cody and His Lost Planet Airmen!" to the finish, with "Mean Woman Blues". The band never let up, not even for a moment.

Billy C. Farlow's vocals were powerful, Bill Kirchner on guitar blew everyone away, and Andy Stein on the fiddle and sax with help from John Tichy were absolutely incredible. You throw in Bobby Black on steel guitar and the old Commander himself on keyboards and vocals, all giving the best performances of their lives at the exact same moment, and this is what you get, the "perfect storm" of concert events.

They assembled one of the best compilations of songs ever put together. Songs such as, Seeds and Stems Again Blues, Git It, Diggy Liggy Lo, Riot in Cell Block #9, and many more. The audience was mesmerized the entire time on this crisp November evening in 1973.

Jim Franklin, a popular artist from Austin, who was known for his drawings of armadillos, was the artist chosen to design the album cover for this recording. Back in the late 1960's and early 1970's his drawings of armadillos had become the accepted symbol of the "hippie" counter culture of Texas. Franklin had drawn album covers for the 13th Floor Elevators, Freddie King, and Canned Heat. His drawing for Deep in the Heart of Texas was truly a most original piece and was a fine representation of the music found inside the album.

I've been listening to this record for thirty-five years now and my ears have never tired of hearing it. Timeless would be a great word to describe the recording. So timeless it is.

'Rebel' Rod says; go re-visit this incredible American, progressive country classic. You will not be sorry.
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Rock & Roll with the Commander
I guess you could call it vocal driven, good time 50's greaser rock with a hint of 60's hipster Tabasco for flavor. This was an album that one of my cronies had back in college, and I remember it fondly. No space jams, just lots of fun.

One heck of a live show!!!
We said "Who???" My friend said, "Just go, you won't regret it. Sometime in late 1974 or early 1975 a friend recommended that my buddies and we drive to Austin to catch this band, Commander Cody & His Lost Planet Airmen. "
So we all went to the Armadillo World Headquarters. It was a night I'll never forget. I never enjoyed a concert as much before or since then.
The next day, I promptly went out and bought "Live from Deep. . . . " It had been recorded from a previous concert at the 'Dillo. I played the album until the grooves wore out, then bought a cassette. I played it to death, then bought the CD, when it became available. I now have it on my Ipod. Let's hear it for technology!!!
This was probably the tightest live act to hit a stage.
I continue to relive that fantastic concert over 30 years later.
GET YOURSELF A COPY!!!!.

Long Ago & Far Away - Unfortunately
If you only have one Cody CD, make it this one. Easily one of the finest live performance albums ever recorded. .

Great Gig
Since there is no definitive Commander "Best Of" album out there, (the "Too Much Fun" album is probably the best but still less than satisfactory), Cody fans should just go out and get all their early albums (i. The Commander and his Airmen were my favourite rockin' country band of the 70's and this album shows them at their very best. e. those albums released prior to 1976). Start with "Lost in the Ozone", "Hot Licks, Cold Steel and Trucker's Favourites", this Armadillo live album (and its companion piece "Sleazy Roadhouse Stories" - the rest of the Armadillo concert) and then go from there. The Airmen were not just a bunch of stoned, drunk musos but instrumentalists (and songwriters) of the highest quality. Many are still making a living from music over 30 years later. They may seem rough and ready on the albums but that was the effect they sought. Listen closely and you will hear superb musicianship, arranging, singing and songwriting (including inspired selection of covers).

CCAHLPA burned hot and bright for a short time and this live album is the pinnacle of their recorded work. .

You can see a complete list of all Commander Cody and His Lost Planet Airmen discography, or go back to the Commander Cody and His Lost Planet Airmen tabs. There is also a good guide on how to read guitar tabs here.