The group, originally called "The Knowbody Else", was formed in 1965 in Black Oak, Arkansas, by Jim "Dandy" Mangrum (vocals), Rickie Reynolds (guitar), Stanley Knight (guitar), Harvey Jett (guitar), Pat Daugherty (bass), and Wayne Evans (drums). Their first PA system was stolen from a local high school. Members of the group were subsequently charged in absentia with grand larceny and sentenced to 26 years at the Tucker Prison Farm (this sentence was later suspended). This led to their retreat to the hills of rural northeast Arkansas where they lived off the land and refined their musical style. Some of their influences during this time were The Beatles and The Byrds.
The Knowbody Else moved to Memphis, Tennessee, in 1969 and signed a record deal with Stax Records. Their debut album (and only album with Stax), The Knowbody Else, was largely ignored by the populace. During this time the band became interested in psychedelia and Eastern spiritualism which, combined with their Southern Baptist upbringing, contributed to their sound.
After several trips to Los Angeles, California, in 1970, the band was signed by Atco Records and rechristened "Black Oak Arkansas". Their new debut album, Black Oak Arkansas, was released in 1971 while the band toured extensively, gaining a reputation as a live act. The twin album releases that followed in 1972, Keep The Faith and If An Angel Came To See You, Would You Make Her Feel At Home, expanded on the group’s eclectic musical style.
In 1973, Black Oak Arkansas released their fourth album, Raunch 'N' Roll Live and introduced a new drummer, Tommy Aldridge. It was their fifth album, High on the Hog, released later that year, that established solid commercial success by peaking at number 52 on the Billboard charts. Vocalist Ruby Starr also toured with the band during this period. Her raspy voice can be heard on the group's remake of LaVern Baker's 1957 hit "Jim Dandy," which reached number 25 on Billboard's Hot 100.
The 1974 release of Street Party may have failed to maintain the momentum. However, another 1974 release, entitled Early Times, an overlooked Stax recording, made up for lost time. In 1975, the original lineup of Black Oak Arkansas (minus Harvey Jett, who was replaced by Jimmy Henderson) released their last album, Ain't Life Grand. A new version of the band, called Black Oak, was formed in 1977 around Jim "Dandy" Mangrum and Jimmy Henderson. Greg Reding (guitar and keyboards), Jack Holder (guitar), Andy Tanas (bass), and Joel Williams (drums) participated on the two Capricorn albums which were recorded in 1977 (Race with the Devil) and 1978 (I'd Rather Be Sailing). In 1978, guitarist Shawn Lane joined the band at age 14 and toured with the band for four years.
Released in 1984, Ready as Hell debuted a heavier sound with pinch harmonics and keyboards featured throughout. The album also marked the return of Rickie Lee Reynolds on rhythm guitar. In 1986, The Black Attack Is Back continued the heavy style of the previous album and featured the particularly adventurous track "I Want A Woman With Big Titties". Despite that lack of subtlety, the album is widely regarded as the finest of the band's long career, with the greatest lineup to date. Still, it made no commercial headway.
James Mangrum has continued recording and touring with a series of different Black Oak lineups up to present day. Black Oak Arkansas currently enjoys a loyal fan following. However, the later lineups have yet to duplicate the level of album sales that the original lineup generated in the early-mid 1970s. Jim Dandy is credited with inspiring Van Halen front-man David Lee Roth's image and onstage persona as well.
In 2008, Boston newspaper 'The Phoenix' named them the All Time Best Band from Arkansas.
Band Members
* James L. "Jim Dandy" Mangrum - lead vocals, washboard (1965-present)
* Rickie Lee "Ricky" "Ricochet" Reynolds - twelve-string guitar, vocals (1965-1977, 1984-present)
* Hal McCormack - lead guitar (2003-present)
* Johnnie Bolin - drums ( -present)
* George Hughen - bass guitar ( -present)
* Stanley Knight - lead guitar, steel guitar, organ, vocals (1965-1976)
* Pat Daugherty - bass guitar, vocals (1965-1977, 2000-2002)
* Harvey Jett - lead guitar, banjo, piano, vocals (1965-1974)
* Wayne Evans - drums (1965-1973)
* Tommy Aldridge - drums (1973-1977)
* Paul Simmons - drums (1985-1986)
* James Henderson - guitar (1975-1979)
* Jack Holder - guitar (1977-1979)
* Greg Reding - guitar, keyboards (1977-1979)
* Andy Tanas - bass (1977-1980)
* Joel Williams - drums (1977-1978)
* Marius Penczner - keyboards (1975-1977)
* Shawn Lane - guitar (1977-1981)
* Chris Craig - drums (late 70's - early 80's)
* Jon "Thunder Paws" Wells - drums (Ready As Hell)
* Dave Wilson - Bass Guitar (1979-1981)
* William Lemuel - bass guitar (Ready As Hell)
* Steve "The Axe" Nuenmacher - lead guitar, rhythm guitar (Ready As Hell)
* Billy Batte - keyboards, violin (Ready As Hell)
* Michael "Narley Dude" Martin (R.I.P.) - Lead Guitar (The Black Attack Is Back)
* "Big" Mike Fowler - bass guitar (The Black Attack Is Back)
* Biff Bingham - 2nd lead guitarist (Ready as Hell, The Black Attack is Back)
* Jerry A. Williams - drums (Ready as Hell, The Black Attack is Back) (1985-1986)
* Darrell Miller - drums (1970's)
* Les John - drums (1979-1980)
* Cozy Johnson - drums (early 80's)
* James "Little Jim" Mangrum Jr. - drum technician
* Danny Leath - lead guitar
* Rocky Athas - lead guitar (1996-2001)
* John Roth - guitar (mid 80's)
High 'N' Dry
Black Oak Arkansas Lyrics
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When the dams are all a bustin' and it’s floodin' down below
And the rushin' of the river tells ya there’s no place ta hide
You’ll be high 'n dry babe right by my side
High 'n dry with the waters down below
Runnin' where they want to go
But they can’t judge you no more
With you here by my side we're high 'n dry
When the streams are all a swollen and the rivers are a swellin'
And you cannot find a hole in which to hide 'cept one you fell in
And that muddy old man river tries to take you for a ride
You'll be high ‘n dry babe right by my side
High 'n dry with the waters down below
Runnin' where they want to go
But they can't judge you no more
High 'n dry with the waters at high tide
With you here by my side we’re high 'n dry
High 'n dry with the waters down below
Runnin' where they want to go
But they can't judge you no more
High 'n dry with the waters at high tide
With you here by my side we're high 'n dry
The lyrics to Black Oak Arkansas’s song “High ‘n’ Dry” describe a scenario where natural disasters are threatening to take over, and the only safe place to be is with the person they love. The song suggests that even though natural calamities are occurring, there is a sense of safety and security when you have someone by your side. The first verse talks about when the waters are rising, the dams are bursting, and it is flooding down below, with no place to hide; the only protection is being high and dry with the singer's lover by their side. The chorus repeats the phrase "High 'n' dry with the waters down below, running where they want to go, but they can't judge you no more," emphasizing that the singer and their lover are safe from the floods.
Line by Line Meaning
When the water is a risin' tell me where you gonna go
If there's a flood coming and the water level is rising, where do you plan to go?
When the dams are all a bustin' and it's floodin' down below
If the dams are breaking and there's flooding happening down below, what is your next move?
And the rushin' of the river tells ya there's no place ta hide
When the sound of the rushing river tells you there's nowhere to hide, what do you do?
You'll be high 'n dry babe right by my side
I promise you'll be safe and dry by my side.
High 'n dry with the waters down below
We'll be safely above the water that's down below us.
Runnin' where they want to go
The water that's flowing is not controlled by anyone and is moving where it pleases.
But they can't judge you no more
The water won't have control and won't be able to harm you anymore.
High 'n dry with the waters at high tide
Even if the water level rises to high tide, we'll still be safe and dry.
With you here by my side we're high 'n dry
As long as we're together, we'll stay high and dry, no matter what happens.
When the streams are all a swollen and the rivers are a swellin'
If the streams are enlarged and the rivers are overflowing,
And you cannot find a hole in which to hide 'cept one you fell in
If you can't find anywhere to hide except for a hole you accidentally fell into,
And that muddy old man river tries to take you for a ride
If that muddy old river tries to wash you away,
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
Written by: BLACK OAK ARKANSAS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind