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The Bellamy Brothers Howard and David are one
of country music's continuing popular duos who regularly
return to our British shores. It was 30 years ago
that Howard Bellamy was a roadie for Jim Stafford
when he sang lead on the recording session of "Let
Your Love Flow" in November 1975 seeing the number
rise to #1 on the Billboard Hot 100 charts. Seemingly
destined to be a one-hit wonder, the Bellamys established
themselves in Europe when they found themselves in
a situation when they were signed to a record company
in the US who wouldn't even return their phone calls.
Sliding into the country-rock genre the Bellamys have
racked-up more than 40 hit singles with 14 #1 country
singles since the late 1970's. Two UK Top Ten hits
"Let Your Love Flow" and "If I Said
You Had A
Beautiful Body Would You Hold It Against Me"
making #3 (#1 USA) laid the foundation for their ever
growing British fan base.
The Bellamy Brothers' new release Angels &
Outlaws Vol 1 presents 11 of their great classic tracks
plus one new number recorded with some of country
music's biggest stars. We find seventeen artists joining
the Bellamys on this album. Alan Jackson joins the
boys on the opening track for a thrilling rendition
of "You Ain't Just Whistlin' Dixie". The
Bellamy's Top Ten hit "Old Hippy" depicts
an aging relic of the 1960's with David and Howard
joining up with Montgomery Gentry as they weave through
its references of Woodstock, Vietnam and the death
of John Lennon. Hal Ketchum and Lisa Brokop join the
boys for the number that started the Bellamys off
in 1976 with their #1 pop hit "Let Your Love
Flow", while Willie Nelson lends his weathered
vocals to "Guardian Angel". Dolly Parton
pops up to add her breathy and highly appealing contribution
to "Beautiful Body" (who else would you
choose!!!). Other stand-out tracks sees Pat Green
joining the Bellamy Brothers for a foot-tapping version
of "Redneck Girl", George Jones "Sugar
Daddy", "Reggae Cowboy" featuring Tanya
Tucker and David Allan Coe and Charlie Daniels with
Bobby Bare on "Kids Of The  Baby
Boom".
Angels & Outlaws is an aptly titled handle
for this album, bringing together some of country
music's heavyweight and most loved artists. We even
get Chris Hillman, Herb Pederson and Rhonda Vincent
putting a slightly bluegrass twist to "Crazy From
The Heart". The final track on Angels &
Outlaws Vol 1 has John Anderson joining the Bellamys
for the only new song "Alligator Alley" with
that east-coast Florida beat. There is no Nashville
vanilla flavoured fluff here, this is an album with
something to appeal for all country music fans and
especially Bellamy fans who will love the new versions
of some of their best known songs….. just can't wait
for Vol 2!!!
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