The Outlaws - Legacy (Live) (2016)

Personnel:
Henry Paul: guitars, vocals
Monte Yoho: drums
Chris Anderson: lead guitar, vocals
Randy Threet: bass, vocals
Dave Robbins: keyboards, vocals
Steve Grisham: lead guitar, vocals

Pretty much coming full force right out of the gate with one of the best live mixes I’ve heard in a long time, The Outlaws hit it diamond-edge precise on their two-CD set Legacy Live, celebrating their 40th anniversary.

Opening with a twangy “There Goes Another Love Song,” slipping into that Outlaws’ lead guitar attack on “Hurry Sundown” and harmony vocal richness of “Hidin’ Out In Tennessee” this first disc of 11 really showcases how well Henry Paul, Monte Yoho, Steve Grisham, Chris Anderson, Dave Robbins and Randy Threet are doing their thing these days.

The sextet slow down on the very country “Girl From Ohio” from their 1976 Lady in Waiting album and then slip into the first Henry Paul Band album’s title track “Grey Ghost.” With more of that signature multi-guitar lead layering

“South Carolina” “So Long” “Prisoner” and “Cold Harbor ” start off CD two, and it all ends with a rousing one-two punch combination of “Green Grass & High Tides Forever” (Paul’s vocal is the best it gets on this classic). followed by the band’s infamous cover of Stan Jones’ “(Ghost) Riders In The Sky.”

Four decades in, decidedly with some personnel changes, band member deaths, and some hits as well as misses, the Outlaws are standing strong as Legacy Live attests. ~Ralph Greco, Jr.