It had taken Blackfoot more than ten years to reach the levels of success that ‘Strikes’, ‘Tomcattin’ and ‘Marauder’ had bought. However, ‘Siogo’ shifted course into broad hard rock range, with slight hints of their previous sound. Hensley’s keyboards seemed happy in the background, hardly alienating the overall effect.
Written by: Dangerzone
ARTIST: Blackfoot
ALBUM: Siogo
LABEL: Atco
SERIAL: 90080-1
YEAR: 1983
CD REISSUE: Discogs Reissue List
COUNTRY OF ORIGIN: USA
LINEUP: Rick Medlocke – lead vocals, guitars * Charlie Hargrett – lead guitars * Greg T Walker – bass * Jakson Spires – drums * Ken Hensley – keyboards
TRACK LISTING: 01 Send Me An Angel * 02 Crossfire * 03 Heart’s Grown Cold * 04 We’re Goin’ Down * 05 Teenage Idol * 06 Goin’ In Circles * 07 Run For Cover * 08 White Man’s Land * 09 Sail Away * 10 Drivin’ Fool
WEBLINKS: Site Link
Background
It had taken Blackfoot more than ten years to reach the levels of success that ‘Strikes’, ‘Tomcattin’ and ‘Marauder’ had bought. However their management thought Southern rock was dead and metal was the new thing.
They encouraged the band to hire a keyboard player and change their musical direction. Rick Medlocke did just that and chose ex Uriah Heep man Ken Hensley, after initially wanting Jon Lord (Deep Purple) for the new role.
‘Siogo’ shifted course into broad hard rock range, with slight hints of their previous sound. Hensley’s keyboards seemed happy in the background, hardly alienating the overall effect.
‘Siogo’ hit 28 in England, based on their famous appearance at the Donnington rock festival in 1981. In the US sales were paltry. Hardcore fans weren’t buying the new image and direction.
The Songs
‘Send Me An Angel’ opens to a salvo of synths and organ, a clear indication of the changes at hand. The lyrics are more reality based, no ‘rattlesnake rock ‘n’ roller’ ones. The melody is AOR based, but still heavy.
‘Crossfire’ makes the grade with an unrelentingly melodic chorus and hard main riff. The guitar work centers on basic rock riffing rather than the southern boogie of yesteryear.
‘We’re Goin’ Down’ is one of ‘Siogo’s heaviest moments, with an opening assault of organ and brutal riffing. It leads to a Purple styled Hammond organ vs guitar solo later on. The lone Southern throwback ‘White Man’s Land’ creates a stir. It fits with the sound of ‘Marauder’, the boogie riffs bringing back fond memories.
‘Sail Away’ is a moody, dense epic with a brief hint of Van Halen-ish guitar overtones. This lasts for mere seconds. Closer ‘Drivin’ Fool’ cranks it up to eleven, full throttle rock and roll that rates with the best AC/DC material. Superlative.
In Summary
Obscenely more discussion raged over what ‘siogo’ meant. Allegedly it means closeness in native Indian, but in reality it stood for ‘suck it or get out’, a phrase coined by Blackfoot’s roadies (hey what about ‘Vertical Smiles’.. have a guess what that meant!! Ed).
After this album, Charlie Hargrett quit, frustrated by the new sound. 1984’s ‘Vertical Smiles’ fared even more dismally and then band split. Medlocke revived the name in 1987, 1990 and 1994 but the magic was gone. He since moved on to Lynyrd Skynyrd.
As for ‘Siogo’ I can’t find any fault with it, a vehicle of hard rock perfection for Blackfoot though long time fans would probably disagree. Nowhere near as bad as many have claimed. Newly released on CD, ‘Siogo’ deserves another chance.
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