Tampa Bay and Southern rock go way back. The Outlaws formed here, Gregg Allman used to live in Bradenton, and Dickey Betts still dwells near Sarasota. Duane Allman's only concert performance with Derek and the Dominos took place at the old Curtis Hixon Hall. Former Nobodys/Murder Junkie/Gotohells member Sonny Harlan is definitely a fan of the greasy sounds that haunt his hometown. However, Harlan's music is more Molly Hatchet than Allman Brothers. On the EP High Hell Reckoning, Harlan sings, plays guitar and drums on every song — songs that tend to run together. The standout, though — a searing rocker called "Payin' and Prayin'" — features the fierce slide guitar work of Brian Jeffries, who really should be all over this disc. 3 stars (MySpace.com/harlanrockfrenzy)
This article appears in Aug 22-28, 2007.
