Two forgotten bands : Allgood, Tangier
by John Molet - Octobre 2003

ALLGOOD : 1991-1994
The too short musical career of Allgood will always be something strange for the people who dsicovered them back in the early 90's. This band from Athens, GA had everything to make a success, high quality musicians, a major label with them (A & M), so why didn't they make it ? May be it could be explained by the musical direction they went to, I mean they were more of a "jam band" (ala Blues Traveler, Screamin' Scheetah, with a bit of the Allman Brothers) than the classic southern rock bands. So, the members had certainly their mind focused more on the music than what is generally associated with rock music. Allgood has alwas been a "shy" band, they never went to press conferences or interviews, which was certainly not appreciated by their record label. Even if many people didn't get their albums, let's talk about them.

RIDE THE BEE - 1991
The Allgood's discography starts back in 1991 with this first album entitled "Ride the bee" which determines real well the band's style, a mix of blues-rock music and 90's tones with a bit of progressive music. For the lovers of long tunes with changing tempos, where the guitars solos are present everywhere, Allgood is really well appreciated. As an example, the two songs, "Semprini" and "Trilogy" are over 9 minutes and let you appreciate the high musical level of the musicians . Of course, that kind of music didn't have the perfect format for the radio stations. The band is mainly oriented around the two songwriters and guitar players, John Carter and Clay Fuller. On this album, there is also a great cover of "Can't get next to you" from Savoy Brown, as well as nice songs such as "Funky house" or "Train song". In fact, this is a great album, you just have to like their musical style ! Let's note one of the guest musicians is none other than the great Chuck Leavell.

UNCOMMON GOAL - 1993
Allgood, with this second album, wiil confirm the musical direction they took and also the high musical level of its members. The blues rock is still the basis of their music and is really oriented towards the improvisation. This is certainly not the best way to access mass media and public. Is it because of their label but this album, released two years after their first one, sees some musical differences. As I already said, the basis of their music is still the same, but the long improvisations seem to be on a standby mode. With this "Uncommon goal", Allgood tries to get a wider audience, but they don't change their way of writing music. The recognition and the sales didn't get real high, and their future was not certain. Nevertheless, with great songs such as "Ease on my way", "Deadly", "Open it up", Allgood acquired respect and recognition from a too small amount of music fans.

KICKIN & SCREAMIN - 1994
After the non success of their first two releases, Allgood certainly wanted to end their career with a last try. And that was the case with this fabulous 5 tracks live album. The band proves, of necessary, they were just a great band with great music, even if the commercial success wasn't here. "Trilogy" which is almost 16 minutes long is certainly one of the best live performances by a "jam band". 16 minutes of real intensity, which kind of give their album "Funky house" and "Uncommon goal" a new dimension. The conclusion matched the high musical quality pf the band and once again the quality is not related to the success, which we all know !

TANGIER : 1989-1991
Tangier is the perfect example of a band having a great potentiel but who couldn't make it to the top. They started back in 1984 with the lead vocalist Bill Matson and the lead guitar player Doug Gordon. Tangier's music is mainly american rock-hard blues. Juicy guitars all over, sometimes bluesy tempos, somthing hard tempos. To be more precise, they are somewhere between Bad Company, Blackfoot and Molly Hatchet.

FOUR WINDS - 1989
Back then, they were mainly booked in bars and clubs and Atlantic Records offer them a record contract with ATCO. That's also when there will be some changes in the lineup, just before they stared wthe work on their first album. "Four winds" is released in 1989 and I have to admit it's a master piece. Even if this album didn't get a wide audience, the fans of hard rock'n roll music found everything they wanted to hear, I mean, the sound, the style, the southern atmospheres, everything was there ! The titles "Sweet surender", "Good lovin'", "Mississipi", "On the line", and the wonderful "Four winds" are just killer songs to me. Unfortunately, they didn't get that much of success and some major changes are gonna come.

STRANGED - 1991
For sure, the recognition was not real there when they released their first album, but ATCO still believed in them and sends them back in the studio, after they insisted to make a few changes in the band. So, it was a real different Tangier who worked on this new album, back in early '91. Bill Matson, Gari Saint and Garry Nutt had left the band which now is a four piece band with no real lead singer. Bass guitar Mike LEcomte and lead guitar Doug Gordon are now in charge of the vocals. This new album is mainly hard FM oriented but unfortunately, it won't give Tangier a second life and the band won't survive. But when I re-listen to these two albums, I'm sure there are fans of this kind of music who really missed this great band. So, if you have a chance to find one of this album, do not hesitate, it's worth the few euros you'll spend !

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