Danny O'Keefe's first album is a tentative affair, stylistically diverse
and unfocused with a handful of strong songs. One of the latter, "Good
Time Charlie's Got the Blues," appears in a markedly inferior early
arrangement (O'Keefe would re-record the song and enjoy a Top Ten hit
the following year). Combining elements of country, blues, folk, and jazz
with Bob Dylan-inflected vocals and songwriting, Danny O'Keefe is more
promising than effective. "Steel Guitar" and "Covered Wagon"
are strong country-rock efforts, while "Rev. Stone" is strange,
artsy, and intense. Fans of O'Keefe's later work may be interested in
this formative and uneven effort, but newbies are advised to begin with
Breezy Stories or another of his later albums.
(by Greg Adams, All
Music Guide)
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