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)
No One and the Sun
Black Oak Arkansas Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Days don't seem too long,
Happiness is fading into dawn.
No one sees it, such simplicity,
No one sees it but me.
In the afternoons I sometimes see,
No one sees it, such simplicity,
No one sees it but me.
But every sun that shines its light,
It shines its light for me,
And every morning sun will break,
Lookin' to the sea.
And every day the sun will stay,
Until it has to leave me
When there comes an evenin'
In the evenings,
Leaves are folding in,
And we wonder where the time has been.
No one sees it, such simplicity,
No one sees it but me.
But every mornin' sun that shines,
It shines its light for me,
And every rainbow on its rays,
Ready to be free.
And every day the sun will stay,
Till it has to leave me.
When there comes, yeah, the evenin' ,
Yeah, oh, the evenin' has come and gone my friend.
This song by Black Oak Arkansas, "No One and the Sun" is a contemplative and introspective journey through the day and night cycles, as the singer muses about the fleeting passage of time and the beauty of the natural world. The lyrics suggest that while happiness may seem abundant during the night, it fades as dawn approaches, and the singer seems to be the only one who is aware of this transition. The simplicity of this realization is also highlighted, suggesting that it may be a common occurrence that many people overlook or take for granted.
As the verse progresses, the singer speaks of the different times of day as a continuum of light and darkness, each with its own specific qualities. The afternoons are associated with images of suns, perhaps a symbol of hope or aspiration, and again, only the singer seems to take note of these details. The chorus repeats the idea that every sun that shines its light does so for the singer's benefit, suggesting a sense of personal empowerment or spiritual enlightenment.
As the song progresses, the evening brings closure to the day and symbolizes the end of something, perhaps a metaphor for death or the end of a relationship. In the end, the singer seems to accept the inevitability of the passage of time, and the cycle begins anew. Overall, "No One and the Sun" is a reflective and philosophical song that encourages listeners to appreciate the beauty in simplicity and the transience of life.
Line by Line Meaning
In the nighttimes,
During the night, time seems to pass quickly.
Days don't seem too long,
Days don't seem long enough to do everything that needs to be done.
Happiness is fading into dawn.
The happiness of the night fades away when dawn arrives.
No one sees it, such simplicity,
This experience is simple but precious and goes unnoticed by everyone else.
No one sees it but me.
This experience is only visible to me.
In the afternoons I sometimes see,
Sometimes in the afternoon I have visions of a better place.
Images of suns that wait for me.
I see images of suns waiting for me in this better place.
But every sun that shines its light,
Every sun represents hope for me.
It shines its light for me,
This hope is specifically for me.
And every morning sun will break,
Every new day starts with hope.
Lookin' to the sea.
The sea represents something unreachable yet inspiring.
And every day the sun will stay,
The hope and inspiration will last throughout the day.
Until it has to leave me
However, eventually the hope and inspiration will fade away.
In the evenings,
During the evenings.
Leaves are folding in,
The world starts to slow down and quiet down.
And we wonder where the time has been.
We start to question where the time has gone and what we have done with it.
And every mornin' sun that shines,
Hope and inspiration will return with every new day.
And every rainbow on its rays,
There's always something beautiful waiting for me when hope and inspiration are present.
Ready to be free.
This beauty represents something that is desired but difficult to obtain.
When there comes, yeah, the evenin' ,
When the evening arrives.
Yeah, oh, the evenin' has come and gone my friend.
The evening has already come and passed, bringing the day to a close.
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: RICK REYNOLDS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Jose Medina
Muchas Gracias por compartir este album. Mi hermano llevó este album a casa, se nos perdió. Lo busqué mucho y no lo pude encontrar. Después de muchos años lo escucho de nuevo. Me sigue gustando mucho.
Kathy Scott
One of my favorites, this one, when I'm gone, and strong enough to be gentle. Good Lord. ❤
Kathy Scott
Beautiful
Reptile Dysfunction
Very nice. Thanks for putting this up. A weird tune from a weird album. Some redone Knowbody Else tunes with Tommy A. overdubbing the drums.
Norm Hansen
Only boa album i had. Just now found it here. 1969? Wow.