Rock N Roll Again / Flying Dreams

Digitally remastered two-fer containing a pair of albums on one CD. Commander Cody and His Lost Planet Airmen is an American country rock band formed in 1967. The group's founder was George Frayne IV (alias Commander Cody) on keyboards and vocals. The band's style mixed country, rock 'n' roll, western swing, rockabilly, and jump blues together on a foundation of boogie-woogie piano. They were among the first country-rock bands to take their lead less from folk-rock and bluegrass and more from the rowdy bar room country of the Ernest Tubb and Ray Price style. The band became known for marathon live shows. Rock 'n Roll Again was released in 1977 and relies heavily on sidemen associated with New Riders of the Purple Sage, Quicksilver Messenger Service, and Jefferson Starship. The production is enhanced by the presence of vocalist Nicolette Larson and her sidekick Charra Penny giving many of the tracks a strong female singing presence that works well with Commander Cody's own vocals. The set list marks something of a change in musical direction from the earlier influence of Western swing to a style more typical of a local bar band. Flying Dreams came the following year and is full of catchy tunes.