Our local record store here, Noble Records, has its own record label. They released the album from Underground Fire a couple months back and now it is time for their second release. This time around, it is actually another North Carolina band called Dryewater. They were based out of Charlotte, North Carolina and the album originally came out back in 1974 which was called ‘Southpaw’. The band on that album was only together for around a year and consisted of Richard Drye on guitar and lead vocals plus his wife Shaye Drye on keyboards. That wasn’t all, you had Robert Blair on bass and Garland Walker Stidham on drums. The original album had only 500 copies and was mostly given away by the band so if you want a hard to find album, this is probably one of them.

Luckily for us, Noble Records contacted the remaining band members and obtained the license to distribute this album again. Once they obtained the rights, they needed a copy of the album to master and re-issue, but the problem was there was no master tape of the album. As a result, using a very clean copy of the vinyl, the did what you call a needledrop mix of the album. Test pressings were run and you could hear the album as it was originally released. And being the hardcore supporter I have been with Noble Records, Dillon was kind enough to give me one of the test pressings. This test pressing was back from September 18, 2023.

I note the date because after he received the test pressings and before it went to print, guess what happened. They found the master tapes from the recordings. And if that wasn’t all, they found an unreleased song and an extended version of one of the original songs that had not been released either. So, we now had two unreleased tracks. Lo and behold, the tapes were great and they were mastered for a new pressing. I bought one of the test pressings he had for this next run as well. This time around, the date was January 9, 2024.

It wasn’t until November 2024 before the album actually saw the light of day due to vinyl pressing plants being so backed-up and I am sure there were other reasons. But what we were given was a high quality release with a stellar cover and a 12 page booklet included with a brand new interview from Shaye and a lot of fantastic pictures of the band. Dillon spends a lot of time and effort giving us nothing but the best. He released a standard black version as well as a winterground ice version which was limited to only 1,000 copies. That is the one I bought and it is beautiful.

As far as the music goes, this is straight up 70’s rock & roll with great guitar work, powerful bass, banging keys and slamming drums. What I like is that you can hear all the instruments equally well. These are seasoned musicians with great songs and being an analog recording on 180g vinyl, it sounds even better. You can even stream it if you’d like. Since this site is all about the music, I believe we should get to the music. Let’s do it.

SIDE 1:

The album kicks off with “Winterground” which is a haunting rocker with gritty guitar work, some funky bass work that matches well during the guitar breaks. Plus, the drums are masterful with great fills. Richard’s vocals have enough character to make for a solid rock vocal performance.

Then they go into “Trouble” and it rocks out even harder. Listen to the bass runs, they are so tasty. One of my favorite tracks on the album. Such a lively, fun track. I can imagine how well this would play live. The keyboards are relentless and the band jams with reckless abandon. How this wasn’t a radio hit is beyond me. It is amazing what bands don’t get contracts when they are sometimes better than the stuff that did get that kind of break. Wasteful.

Then they send you in a folky direction. “Give Yourself Time to Live” feels like something James Taylor would sing. Shaye said in the interview from the booklet that this was a life-affirming song and I can hear and feel that. I love how it shows how Richard can rock out vocally and reign it in as well. Very talented.

Things get a little darker and morose with “Don’t Let Her Sleep Too Long”. Shaye’s keyboard work gives so much color to the song. They really garner a lot of sound in just those four instruments. I can only imagine what they would’ve been if they ever got a deal and spent more time together.

The final song on Side 1 is “Let Me Take You” and you can hear that Zeppelin influence. A little bluesy, a little funky and the “Uh Ah Ohh’s” screams are crazy and so unexpected. There is a killer drum break right in to one of the best solos on the album. The song feels all over the place at times, but somehow it works on every level. Another fun, rocking track.

SIDE 2:

Side 2 kicks of with “Thunder” and things get more serious. Another darker toned song with a bass line that screams sadness. Another of my favorites on here as there is such maturity in the song and some fine guitar playing as he seems to know exactly what to play to fit the mood. Then the song changes tempo and style before going back to that darker, slower vibe.

“See Them Run” opens with a quick drum barrage and killer keys and deeper toned guitar sound until that solo which is killer. Straight up rocker that feels a little psychedelic too at times. A lot of grit in this one and fine keyboards end it all. Simply fantastic.

“Revelation” sees more of that nasty bass, with an R&B groove filled with rock drums and more tasty keyboards. Richard delivers another fantastic vocal performance too. I like how the guitar takes a backseat and every other instrument shines brightly.

“Set Out On the River” is the song that gets an extended version and it makes the song even better. This is a musician showcase with everyone showing what they can do. The last few minutes are a stellar jam session. Put on the headphones, sit back and enjoy!

Next up is “After All (I Ain’t Sleepy)” was done to show off what Richard could do both vocally and guitar wise…but don’t worry, all the other players are still as killer. Just listen to those drums and you’ll know what I mean. Richard gets a little croony and melodic on the vocals and a little rocking on the guitar with some fine picking and all around killer at both. At over 6 minutes, by far the longest song on here and it is too short as you want more and more.

The final track is a bonus track and never before released. “Don’t Believe Your Mother” is another rocker and it does have a slightly different feel to the rest of the album, but doesn’t mean it ain’t good. Richard sings a little deeper, the song is a little heavier sounding and overall doesn’t quite feel as finished, however, it is as good as anything else on the album. Guitar is really loud in the mix too and yet again…not a bad thing. Cool to get a song never heard before.

And there you have it. Another gem found by Noble Records that needs to be heard. If you like hard rock from the 70’s, this will meet every need you have it. The band is full of talent. Everything sounds so loud and clear so great mastering. The bass is thumping throughout, the drums and fills are spectular, the fingers are flying over the keys and the guitar sound is sensational. Throw in Richard’s vocals and you have a band that should’ve been discovered and done more than they did. Such a killer find from Noble Records. My Overall Score is a 5.0 out of 5.0 Stars. Only two so far from Noble, but this one is my favorite (at this point).