The Ozark Mountain Da… Read Full Bio ↴Alternative tag The Ozark Mountain Daredevils.
The Ozark Mountain Daredevils started in 1971 in Springfield, Missouri in an attempt by the singer/songwriter members to have a vehicle in which to display and promote their music. At first, they played in bars and on porches. However, a record executive from A&M records discovered the band, and they began their recording path.
The original members of the band consisted of:
John Dillion - (vocals, guitars, mandolin, fiddle, piano, harp, autoharp, dulcimer, jawbone, percussion, keyboards)
Mike "Supe" Granda - (vocals, bass, acoustic guitar, mandolin, percussion, chicken squawks)
Buddy Brayfield - (vocals, oboe, piano, harpsichord, organ, percussion, electric piano)
Randle Chowning - (vocals, lead electric & acoustic guitars, harp, national steel, mandolin)
Steve Cash - (vocals, harp, percussion, harpsichord)
Larry Lee - (vocals, drums, acoustic guitar, synthesizer, piano, percussion, saw, saw & board)
The Daredevils peaked commercially in 1973-1974 and were best known for "Jackie Blue" and "If You Wanna Get To Heaven", which both got national coverage. However, there was a wide range of music that the Daredevils produced that was widely missed. The influences of the locale and the talents of the band members produced some unique sounds that could be related to "rockabilly" influences. There was also a good body of music that could be classified as country, rock, ballads, folk or blues.
The band changed throughout the years, but played prevantly throughout the '70s and gained and lost members during that time. To this day, there is still a loyal and avid fan following. There are discs still being released by the group, mostly of past performances in the '70s. In addition, many of the members are currently still working on other interests including Randle Chowning, Larry Lee ("Beyond Reach") Mike "Supe" Granda, and possibly others.
A reunion concert was held in Springfield, Missouri at the refurbished Gilloiz Theatre, in May of 2007. The three nights they performed were entirely sold out, weeks in advance of the concert.
Mr Powell
Ozark Mountain Daredevils Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Ten men rode their way down the mighty colorado
And as I read about their journey
I couldn't help but feel a very similar yearning
To mr. powell
And I wish that I could have been there with him
The way he talked about the river I could tell
The realization of what a man's supposed to do, I feel it too
(FLUTE SOLO)
As they would ride over the waves
As they would glide over the waves
The river forged its way through the canyons
That were so high that the clouds would float within them
Cascade fountains moss surrounded
On through a gorge grand beyond description
The river rolls
And like a whirlpool it sets my mind to spinnin'
Can you imagine walls that went so high
The sky would be nothing more than a single thin blue line
And rocks would rainbow their way up to the sky
As they would ride over the waves
As they would glide over the waves
You'd hear them singing, singing
Ahhh, ahhh, ahhh, ahhh,
The Ozark Mountain Daredevils' song "Mr. Powell" is a tribute to the explorer, John Wesley Powell, who navigated the Colorado River through the Grand Canyon in 1869. The song begins with the lyric "Just about a hundred years or so ago, ten men rode their way down the mighty Colorado". This line sets the time and place of the song and informs us that the subject of the song is the journey through the Grand Canyon. The lead singer then expresses his desire to have been there to experience the river in the way that John Wesley Powell did. He admires the way the river must have affected Powell and how he realized what a man's supposed to do, something which the singer feels too.
Throughout the song, the lyrics paint vivid images of the beauty and wonder of the Grand Canyon. The canyons are described as being so high that clouds would float within them, with cascade fountains and moss surrounding them. The entire gorge is described as being grand beyond description. The lead singer seems to be in awe of the natural beauty of the place and how it must have made Powell feel.
Ultimately, the song is a tribute to the journey taken by a group of men through one of America's most stunning natural wonders, and to the man who led them. It communicates a sense of awe and admiration for the beauty of the canyon, and for those who have navigated it.
Line by Line Meaning
Just about a hundred years or so ago
The events I am describing occurred approximately one hundred years ago.
Ten men rode their way down the mighty colorado
A group of ten individuals traveled down the powerful Colorado River.
And as I read about their journey
As I learned about their adventure through reading.
I couldn't help but feel a very similar yearning
I felt a longing that was strikingly similar to what they must have felt.
To mr. powell
Specifically directed at Mr. Powell, the leader of the group.
And I wish that I could have been there with him
I desire to have been present alongside Mr. Powell during their excursion.
The way he talked about the river I could tell
From the way Mr. Powell described the river, I gathered that he had a deep appreciation for it.
The revelations he must have felt within himself
I imagine that Mr. Powell had significant personal realizations during his time on the river.
The realization of what a man's supposed to do, I feel it too
In the same way, I have also come to understand what it means to be a responsible and capable person.
(FLUTE SOLO)
Instrumental music played by a flute.
The river forged its way through the canyons
The river created a path through the canyons.
That were so high that the clouds would float within them
The canyons were so tall that clouds drifted between their walls.
Cascade fountains moss surrounded
Waterfalls and fountains were surrounded by green moss.
On through a gorge grand beyond description
The river continued to flow through a stunning and indescribable gorge.
The river rolls
The river continues to flow and move forward.
And like a whirlpool it sets my mind to spinnin'
The river's power and majesty leave me in awe and amazement.
Can you imagine walls that went so high
Imagine an incredibly tall canyon wall.
The sky would be nothing more than a single thin blue line
The sky would appear as a mere blue line above the canyon walls.
And rocks would rainbow their way up to the sky
The rocks would appear to form a colorful rainbow reaching towards the sky.
You'd hear them singing, singing
The men would sing while traveling on the river.
Ahhh, ahhh, ahhh, ahhh
Syllables conveying the sound of the men's singing.
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: LARRY M. LEE
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Charles W
The song commemorates the first men to go down the Colorado River, from Wyoming through to southern Nevada, all uncharted, in 1869. The leader, Major John Wesley Powell, lost an arm in the Civil War. Three men gave up and went overland; all the rest made it through. Powell's Journals are still in print and Wallace Stegner wrote the book Beyond the 100th Meridian about their trip. Powell is considered the father of the US Geographical Survey, as well as a pioneering anthropologist, geologist and ethnographer. It was an amazing accomplishment - and this song celebrates it perfectly.
Guy Sharwood
Thanks for the info, Charles. It's been several years, but that was the very first Stegner book I ever read. I've read many others since. Amazing author.
Michael M.
The 3 that left were never heard from again.
Bell D
One of the best songs ever written and performed.
Rene'
I have been listening to the "Ozarks mountain Daredevils" since 1974, they still have the sound to touch the "Soul". Harmony is awesome with a touch of class.
Peter Redding
Me toooooo
Rich Wendel
A stunning tribute to John Wesley Powell's expedition (1869) down the Colorado River. Likely the first to traverse the Grand Canyon by boat. Lake Powell named in his honor. Thank you OMD!
Guy Sharwood
First book I ever read by Wallace Stegner. I've read many since.
Phil Sheridan
I love all of your comments. OMD (or the 'Zarks, as my sister and brother-in-law refer to them as) are also one of my all-time favorites. Since I first heard "If You Wanna Get to Heaven" in high school, I was hooked. After that, I couldn't wait until the next LP came out, and I loved them all. This is my favorite too (album AND song!), although their self-titled first album is so close! After that, "It'll Shine When It Shines" and "Men From Earth", in no particular order. I love and miss the 'Zarks!
Richard Scott
Sacred music from our Missouri geniuses. Can't thank you enough guys.