Rock that boogie (Commander Cody and his Lost Planet Airmen) (LP 518 - 520)

Commander Cody and his Lost Planet Airmen Country Casanova (Vinyl, Paramount Records, 1973) *** 

Commander Cody and his Lost Planet Airmen Commander Cody and his Lost Planet Airmen (Vinyl, Warner Brothers Records, 1975) *** 

Commander Cody and his Lost Planet Airmen Tales From the Ozone (Vinyl, Paramount Records, 1975) *** 

Genre: Country 

Places I remember: First two came from Real Groovy, third was from a second hand shop in Manchester.

Fab, and all the other pimply hyperboles: Rock That Boogie (Country Casanova)

Gear costume: Smoke Smoke Smoke (That Cigarette) 

Active compensatory factors: I have a soft spot for Commander Cody and his Lost Planet Airmen. They don't take themselves too seriously; they are a lot of fun; they boogie and they swing in a down home country way; they don't sound slick and polished - more like a garage band than a bunch of Nashville cats; and their album covers are a real hoot!

Each album is a rewarding experience. The second one here (actually their 4th studio album) sounds more honed, and Willin' is the perfect song for the boys to do.

Tales From the Ozone was their fifth studio album and the last one to feature most of the original lineup. It continues the varied approach - from Minnie The Moocher to The Band like Lightnin' Bar Blues.

Where do they all belong? That wraps up the Commander's albums. If you want a great sampler - Too Much Fun has all the high spots.

Too much fun (Commander Cody) (LP 216 - 217)

Commander Cody and His Lost Planet Airmen Live From Deep in The Heart Of Texas (Vinyl - Paramount Records, 1973) ***
Commander Cody and His Lost Planet Airmen We've Got A Live One Here! (Vinyl - Warner Bros. records, 1976) ***

Genre: Country  

Places I remember:  Real Groovy Records (Auckland)

Fab, and all the other pimply hyperboles: I'm Comin' Home (Live from Deep in the Heart of Texas)




Gear costume: Too Much Fun/ Riot in Cell Block #9 (Live FDITHOT); Rock That Boogie (WGALOH)

Active compensatory factors: Although there are boogie woogie, rock'n'roll, and western swing elements to the Airmen's repertoire, overall the country genre is a big one and Cody has a place there. Yes, he does.

Actually, come to think of it, the old Country and Western tag fits their endeavours more but that term has gone wildly out of date and only those of us of a certain vintage would even know about it. But take my word for it young 'uns - Cody and his swinging Airmen fit it to a T.

Live...starts off as all good live albums should! With an introduction. Then it's onwards fulfilling the good rockin' tonite credo.

Give the folks what they want! It ain't brain surgery.

Of the two We've Got A Live One is the better overall experience as it traces the pace of an actual performance - building up to the climax of side 4 and classic killer song after classic killer song - Don't Let Go - Too Much Fun - Hot Rod Lincoln - Lost in the Ozone.

The main take away from these six sides of live Commander Cody and his Airmen is how much genuine fun they seem to have playing and how much fun they provide for us.

Too much fun? Ha!

Where do they all belong? They link to the previous entry on Texas Roadhouse Favorites. That's it though for their part in this on-going story.

Lost in the ozone (Commander Cody and his Lost Planet Airmen) (LP 177 - 178)

Commander Cody and his Lost Planet Airmen Lost in The Ozone (Vinyl - MCA, 1971) ***
Commander Cody and his Lost Planet Airmen Hot Licks, Cold Steel and Truckers Favorites (Vinyl - Paramount Records, 1972) ***


Genre: Country 

Places I remember: Real Groovy Records (Auckland) 

Fab, and all the other pimply hyperboles: Hot Rod Lincoln (can't go past it!). Two versions here - studio and a smokin' live one that I've used afore but what the heckfire!






Gear costume:  Beat me Daddy, Eight To The Bar (Lost...), Mama Hated Diesels (Hot Licks...)

Active compensatory factors: The first two albums from the fantastically named Commander Cody and His Lost Planet Airmen are the real deal!  

Songs about truckers, songs about hot rods, songs about artificial stimulants - all the bases are covered!

Hot Rod Lincoln was among the earliest clutch of singles I bought and thrashed mercilessly. The fun aspect is a big component on the Airmen: their compilation Too Much Fun is titled that for good reason!

Second album, Hot Licks... is a concept album of sorts, built around the Truckers' Favourites tag. Fun ingredient still very much intact! 

Where do they all belong? Live albums to follow.