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)
Sly Fox
Black Oak Arkansas Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
And sly fox did smell it in the breeze
The fox looked up and sweetly spoke
O Raven, on your perch of oak
Your coat is black and your beak is yellow
If only now your voice were mellow
Yes if only your voice were mellow
Be the fairest, in the woods
Ole raven overjoyed by praise
And sure he'd earned it in all ways
Breathed in deep and let a croak
And dropped the luncheon from the oak
Snatchin' of this tasty prize
Sly ole' fox was very wise
To fall for flattery
Good bird
You know it's vanity it's vanity
It's vanity
It must have hurt
Which lessened if you please
Undoubtably as with the cheese
A bit too late the raven swore
The road would never cheat him no more
The lyrics to Black Oak Arkansas’ song Sly Fox tell a cautionary tale of flattery and vanity. The story begins with an old raven having lunch in his perch on an oak tree. The sly fox catches a whiff of the cheese and begins to sweetly speak to the raven. The fox tells the raven that with his black coat and yellow beak, if only he had a mellow voice, he would be the fairest in the woods. The raven, overjoyed by the praise, lets out a croak and drops his lunch from the oak.
The sly fox outsmarts the raven and snatches the prize, all while the raven is left lamenting his own vanity. The lyrics suggest that vanity and pride can lead to one’s downfall, as the raven’s arrogance and eagerness to be flattered prove to be his ultimate undoing. The song is a commentary on the detrimental effects of vanity and serves as a warning to those who seek to be praised excessively.
Line by Line Meaning
Old Raven had a lunch of cheese
The Raven had a delicious cheese lunch.
And sly fox did smell it in the breeze
The sly fox could smell the Raven's cheese from a distance.
The fox looked up and sweetly spoke
The fox looked up at the Raven and spoke gently.
O Raven, on your perch of oak
The fox called the Raven on his oak perch.
Your coat is black and your beak is yellow
The fox complimented the Raven's physical appearance.
If only now your voice were mellow
The fox wished the Raven's voice was smoother.
Yes if only your voice were mellow
The fox emphasized his wish for a smoother voice.
You'd be the fairest. Be the fairest
The fox gave the Raven false praise to trick him.
Be the fairest, in the woods
The fox encouraged the Raven to be the best in the forest.
Ole raven overjoyed by praise
The Raven was very happy with the fox's praise.
And sure he'd earned it in all ways
The Raven felt like he deserved the praise.
Breathed in deep and let a croak
The Raven took a deep breath and let out a croaky voice.
And dropped the luncheon from the oak
Startled by the compliment, the Raven dropped his lunch from the tree.
Snatchin' of this tasty prize
The sly fox quickly grabbed the Raven's lunch.
Sly ole' fox was very wise
The fox was smart to flatter the Raven to steal his lunch.
To fall for flattery
The Raven fell for the fox's false praise.
Good bird
The fox mocked the Raven for being naive.
You know it's vanity it's vanity
The fox knew the Raven was full of himself.
It's vanity
The fox emphasized the Raven's vanity.
It must have hurt
The fox thought it was funny that the Raven was easily tricked.
Which lessened if you please
The Raven regretted not being more careful.
Undoubtably as with the cheese
The Raven regretted losing both his lunch and his pride.
A bit too late the raven swore
The Raven realized his mistake too late.
The road would never cheat him no more
The Raven learned his lesson and vowed not to let himself be tricked again.
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: JAMES LESLIE MANGRUM, WILLIAM HARVEY JETT
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@JoseMedina-sv8uy
Muy buena canción. De hecho todo el album es muy bueno. Creo que este grupo merecía llegar mucho más lejos.
@normhansen444
I remember this. Played it over and over again.