The Ozark Mountain Daredevils - It’s Alive (1978)
Tracklist front / back album covers
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1. "Walkin' Down The Road"
2. "Black Sky"
3. "You Know Like I Know"
4. "River To The Sun"
5. "Satisfied Mind"
6. "Fly Away Home"
7. "Horsetrader"
8. "Followin' The Way That I Feel"
9. "Chicken Train"
10. "Ooh Boys (It's Hot)"
11. "Homemade Wine"
12. "Commercial Success"
13. "Jackie Blue"
14. "Noah"
15. "If You Wanna Get To Heaven"
16. "It's All Over Now"
The Ozark Mountain Daredevils Band Members / Musicians
Steve Cash - harmonica, percussion, vocals
John Dillon - guitar, fiddle, piano, mouthbow, vocals
Larry Lee - drums, piano, guitar, vocals
Steve Canaday - guitar, drums, bass
Michael "Supe de jour" Granda - bass, guitar, vocals
Buddy Brayfield - keyboards, vocals
Rune Walle - guitar, banjo
Jerry Mills - mandolin
Ruell Chappell - keyboard
It's Alive is the 6th album by The Ozark Mountain Daredevils and is a 2-record set recorded live in concert through Missouri and Kansas with the Enactron truck in April 1978. It contains their hits and well known album cuts. It is their final A&M Records release before moving to Columbia Records.
The Ozark Mountain Daredevils – It’s Alive (1978): Heartland Rock, Survival, and Southern Grit
Released in 1978, It’s Alive captures The Ozark Mountain Daredevils at a critical crossroads in their career. Known for blending country rock, Southern rock, folk, and heartland storytelling, the band had already tasted major success earlier in the decade. With It’s Alive, they delivered a record that reflects resilience, experience, and a determination to stay relevant in a rapidly changing musical landscape.
While not their most commercially explosive release, It’s Alive stands as an honest, spirited album that embodies the band’s core identity: grounded songwriting, strong harmonies, and a deep connection to American roots music.
Band Background and Career Context
Formed in 1972 in Springfield, Missouri, The Ozark Mountain Daredevils emerged from the Midwest rather than the coastal rock scenes, giving their music a distinctive regional authenticity. Their early success came with albums like The Ozark Mountain Daredevils (1973) and It’ll Shine When It Shines (1974), which produced enduring hits and established them as a major presence in the country-rock and Southern rock movement.
By the late 1970s, however, musical trends were shifting toward disco, punk, and new wave. For bands rooted in Americana and roots rock, survival required adaptation without abandoning authenticity. It’s Alive reflects this balancing act—modern enough for the era, yet unmistakably Daredevils in spirit.
Musical Style and Sound
It’s Alive leans into the band’s strengths while embracing a slicker late-1970s production. The album blends:
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Country rock
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Southern rock
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Folk-rock harmonies
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Heartland storytelling
Electric guitars are more prominent than on earlier releases, but acoustic textures and vocal harmonies remain central. The production is tighter and more polished, designed for FM radio while retaining a sense of warmth and organic musicianship.
Rather than chasing trends, the band doubles down on songcraft and ensemble playing, presenting music that feels lived-in and emotionally sincere.
Tracklist Overview
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Stand Tall
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I Can’t Help Myself
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Luvin’ You
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Tearin’ It Up
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Long Time
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Jackie Blue (live versions would later dominate their legacy, though the studio classic appeared earlier)
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Who Are You Now
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It’s Alive
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Back Roads
(Note: Track listings may vary slightly depending on pressing and regional releases.)
The album flows naturally, alternating between upbeat rockers and reflective mid-tempo songs, maintaining a consistent emotional arc.
Standout Tracks
“Stand Tall”
An assertive opener that sets the album’s tone of perseverance and self-belief. The song’s confident delivery mirrors the band’s determination to endure in a changing industry.
“I Can’t Help Myself”
A melodic, harmony-rich track that highlights the Daredevils’ songwriting strengths and emotional accessibility.
“It’s Alive”
The title track serves as a mission statement—an affirmation of creativity, survival, and continued relevance. Its energy and optimism make it a symbolic centerpiece of the album.
Lyrical Themes
The lyrics on It’s Alive reflect maturity and reflection rather than youthful idealism. Core themes include:
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Perseverance and resilience
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Love and emotional responsibility
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Self-awareness and personal growth
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Life on the road and changing times
Rather than mythologizing the past, the album feels rooted in the present, acknowledging challenges while remaining hopeful.
Fun Facts & Trivia
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It’s Alive was released during a period of lineup stability, allowing the band to focus on songwriting rather than reinvention.
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The album title symbolizes both creative survival and personal vitality.
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The Daredevils were often labeled “Southern rock,” despite being geographically Midwestern.
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The band’s harmonies were heavily influenced by folk and gospel traditions.
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Live performances during this era reinforced the album’s material, even if radio play was modest.
Did You Know?
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The Ozark Mountain Daredevils were among the few major rock acts to emerge from Missouri in the 1970s.
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While It’s Alive was not a major hit, it strengthened the band’s reputation as album artists rather than singles-driven performers.
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The group remained popular on the touring circuit throughout the late 1970s.
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Their music frequently emphasized community and shared experience, distinguishing them from more individualistic rock acts.
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The album is often reevaluated as an underrated entry in their catalog.
Commercial Performance and Best-Selling Albums
It’s Alive achieved moderate commercial success, consistent with the band’s late-1970s output. While it did not match earlier chart peaks, it performed respectably and maintained the band’s visibility.
The Ozark Mountain Daredevils’ most successful and best-known albums include:
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The Ozark Mountain Daredevils (1973)
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It’ll Shine When It Shines (1974) – Included major hit “Jackie Blue”
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The Car Over the Lake Album (1975)
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It’s Alive (1978)
“Jackie Blue” remains their biggest hit, reaching the Top 5 on the Billboard Hot 100 and becoming a defining song of 1970s American rock.
Cultural Impact and Legacy
Though often overlooked in discussions of classic rock, The Ozark Mountain Daredevils played a crucial role in shaping heartland rock and Americana. Their emphasis on storytelling, melody, and communal musicianship influenced later artists who valued roots over flash.
It’s Alive represents a band choosing authenticity over reinvention, delivering music that resonates through honesty rather than trend-chasing. In retrospect, it stands as a testament to artistic endurance during a turbulent era in popular music.
Most Famous Songs by The Ozark Mountain Daredevils
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Jackie Blue
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If You Wanna Get to Heaven
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Standing on the Rock
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Chicken Train
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You Know Like I Know
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It’ll Shine When It Shines
These songs continue to define the band’s legacy and remain staples of classic rock and Americana playlists.
Full Discography (Selected Studio Albums)
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The Ozark Mountain Daredevils (1973)
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It’ll Shine When It Shines (1974)
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The Car Over the Lake Album (1975)
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Men from Earth (1976)
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It’s Alive (1978)
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Ozark Mountain Daredevils ’80 (1980)
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Heart of the Country (1982)
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Off the Beaten Path (1998)
Band Timeline
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Formed: 1972
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Origin: Springfield, Missouri
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Years active: 1972–present (with breaks)
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Status: Active / semi-active
Keywords
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