That's What I Like About The South

The immortal Wonga Philip Harris, bandleader, voice of Baloo and all-round great guy, wrote the hit That's What I Like About The South, but baked ribs and candied yams, sugar-cured hams and a basement full of berry jams is not what this post is about. It's about Southern Rock in its finest form; twin lead guitars, harmony singing and a country-sprung beat that borders on boogie.

Chain Lightning do it better than most. You have to be, uh, ready to rawk to appreciate this, and at our age maybe that's asking too much. But if you're up for some arthritic air guitar when nobody's looking, or something to make the dash rattle on the Toyota Xanax, then Ain't Just Whistlin' Dixie will make you a very happy man. There's plenty of that duelling geetar, a couple of fist-pumping ballads you can fall off the porch to, some sweet steel guitar, and the songs are just swell. Fans of th' Allmans - and who isn't? - will be well pleased with this unfeasibly accomplished and little-known album. Even if the south ain't really gonna rise again. Or ever did, much.

(In the mean time, if any of youse guys gots Phil Harris, especially his phenomenal big band, I does wants!)