Lost Planet Airmen Back From The Ozone (CD)

(Last Music Company) 12 tracks, gatefold sleeve, digifile

The original band Commander Cody & his Lost Planet Airmen was formed in 1967, and back then there was nothing quite like this wild collection of long-haired cowboy-shirted men who came together as a tight, swinging, rocking unit with their debut album Lost in the Ozone. Their eclectic tastes and versatility were second to none, then as now.  More than fifty years later, they have reunited to record "Back From The Ozone". The classic mix of material on this album features Bill Kirchen and John Tichy on guitars and "Buffalo" Bruce Barlow on bass. Taking turns on drums are Bobby Black, still going strong at eighty, and Peter Siegel, whose resume goes back to the early 60s and the Even Dozen Jug Band (with Stefan Grossman, John Sebastian, David Grisman and Maria Muldaur). Together with drummer Paul Revelli and pianist Austin de Lone, who replaces the late George "Commander" Frayne, the Lost Planet Airmen of 2023 are a great band.

The album opens with the Airmen classic "Ain't Nothin' Shakin'" and captivates the listener for three quarters of an hour before the campfire goes out on the ti-yi-yippy "On the Cowboy Trail".

This may be a reunion, but it's also a supergroup. Then as now, they are excellent musicians having too much fun.