Lost Souls Volume 2 review

This is another second shot, but rather than being a separate album by the same artist, it is instead a further compilation of old recordings by bands from the old days, i.e. the Sixties and thereabouts. One can definitely discern the British invasion influences on these bands (and the pieces are a great deal of fun to listen to and to cogitate on, e.g. there is one track that is so very Buddy Holly, by whom the Brit bands were heavily influenced). They are mostly from Arkansas, but there are a couple of Missouri bands in the mix as well. The liner notes give a lot of information on the groups and where they recorded and even in some cases how they went on to reform as different bands; in fact, it is almost as much fun to read them as it is to listen to the music. The is an instrumental track featuring Jonesboro native Gary Baker, who invented his own instruments and was obviously influenced by jazz organist Jimmy Smith. This is a classic blast from the past and should be in the collection of any follower of music history or fan of music from what we could call a gentler era and, while most of the cuts are dated, there are some that will remind you of bands playing today. The more things change, the more they stay the same? Go to psychofthesouth.com for more data. --Nightflying Magazine