Appaloosa-Appaloosa (1969)

Appaloosa's only album was one of the most understated examples of baroque folk from the late 1960s, a style that was widespread at the time and perfectly described a fusion of folk and symphonic classical music. Emerging from the Boston folk scene, the group consisted of guitarist and vocalist John Parker, who was also the main songwriter, bassist David Raiser, and string players Robin Batteau and Eugene Rosov. For a time, the band focused on small gigs at Cambridge University in Boston and even opened for Tim Hardin on occasion before moving to New York. There, they connected with Al Kooper, who, after hearing them, offered them a contract with Columbia Records to record an LP. Released in 1969, the self-titled album was produced by Kooper himself, who also played several instruments on the recording, along with other session musicians from Columbia's New York studios. The eleven songs included epitomize the folk-rock of the Boston area, with certain similarities to the work of Earth Opera or James Taylor. The opening track, "Tulu Rogers", is a delightful piece of country folk with Bach influences; "Pascal's Paradox" follows in the same vein, while the nostalgic "Yesterday's Road" and the jazzy "Thoughts of Polly", "Billy-Weekly", and "Now That I Want You" bear the unmistakable stamp of Al Kooper. "Rosalie", for its part, is a folk song with hints of country. Despite the incredible quality of this album, it went largely unnoticed, although its legacy would remain as a model for some later baroque folk artists.

The Outlaws Blues Band-The Outlaws Blues Band And The People (1968)

The Outlaws Blues Band (not to be confused with the Southern rock band The Outlaws) were another leading blues-rock band of the late 1960s, direct rivals of contemporaries like Canned Heat. Despite this, they were forgotten for decades and are now being rediscovered by blues and jazz fans. Formed in Los Angeles in the early 1960s by drummer Victor Alemán, bassist Joe Francis Gonzalez, and guitarist Phillip John Diaz, they were influenced by blues, R&B, and soul greats like Sam Cooke and Muddy Waters, to which they added sounds from the British Invasion. Later, as they began to build a solid reputation thanks to their dynamic live performances, the band signed a contract with Bluesway Records, a subsidiary of ABC, and recorded the albums "The Outlaw Blues Band and The People" in 1968 and "Breaking In" in 1969, both with legendary producer Bob Thiele. Their debut album opened with a particularly funky version of the greasy blues track "Tobacco Road", followed by a bluesier side with "Tried To Be A Good Boy", featuring jazzy sounds thanks to tenor flute by Joe Whiteman. Meanwhile, the band showcased their eclectic style with the soulful blues of "How Bad Love Can Be", the scorching "Lost In The Blues", and the chaotic eight-minute instrumental "Death Dog Of Doom", where they perfectly blended blues, rock, jazz, funk, and soul with Latin influences and a wild edge. A silky, smoky version of B.B. King's "Sweet Sixteen" and the cacophonous "Two Trains Running" closed out a memorable album a vibrant and unique mix of blues, rock, jazz, and soul, with multiracial compositions and a profound influence from the sounds of Electric Flag, Paul Butterfield Blues Band, Santana, and The Allman Brothers Band.

Black Cat Bones-Barbed Wire Sandwich (1970)

"Barbed Wire Sandwich" was the only recording by Black Cat Bones, a British band formed in 1966. For a time, they served as the backing band for several veteran American bluesmen who experienced a resurgence in England thanks to the blues revival, particularly Champion Jack Dupree. The original Black Cat Bones lineup included guitarist Paul Kossoff, drummer Terry Sims, vocalist Paul Tiller, bassist Stuart Brooks, and his brother, guitarist Derek Brooks. Some time later, drummer Simon Kirke replaced Sims. Thanks to Blues Horizon label owner Mike Vernon, they secured a role as the backing band for Champion Jack Dupree on a UK tour. After the tour, Simon Kirke and Paul Kossoff left the band to join Paul Rodgers and Andy Fraser in forming the core of Free. With a new lineup featuring Brian Short on vocals, Rod Price on guitar, drummer Phil Lenoir, Stu Books on bass, and rhythm guitarist Derek Brooks, Black Cat Bones entered the studio to record their debut album, which would be released by Deram Records, the progressive rock division of Decca Records. "Barbed Wire Sandwich", released in 1970, is an album built on a series of compositions with simple yet effective and irresistible structures. Price's guitar work is commendable, with a sound that is simultaneously refined, sharp, raw, and saturated, featuring heavy and powerful riffs. From the opening track, "Chaffeur", a robust heavy blues number, followed by the superb "Death Valley Blues" and the dense "Save My Love" and "Good Lookin' Woman", Black Cat Bones displays enviable consistency and a solid synergy among all its members. However, the psychedelic "Four Women" and the acoustic blues "Sylverrster's Blues" differ considerably from the rest of the album, detracting somewhat from the coherence and balance of the final result. Even so, "Barbed Wire Sandwich" is one of the most interesting British heavy blues albums of the late 60s, and despite its horrendous cover (one of the ugliest ever made), its legacy has endured as the seed for many subsequent bands and those nostalgic for an era they never experienced.