The Charlatans - Alabama Bound (1969)

Formed in 1964 in San Francisco, this group was the first to play the style which would eventually be known as the San Francisco Sound. By they themselves wearing Victorian and Wild West-styled clothing, they would also become highly influential in more than just a musical regard, influencing the Haight-Ashbury area’s hippie clothing style. In 1965, the group created a promotional poster for their gig in Nevada, now collectively known as “The Seed,” which would later be regarded as the first psychedelic concert poster. Despite heavily influencing the psychedelic scene in San Francisco, they ironically had more of a folk/jug-band type of sound. And although the band was very popular locally from 1965 through 1967, they weren’t able to release their only full-length album, The Charlatans, until 1969 due to internal conflicts. That long delay, unfortunately, would break the group. By the time of that album’s release, the group’s sound was considered to be outdated and the album didn’t sell as well at all.

That’s not to say, however, that the group wasn’t recording music prior to 1969. The group’s recordings from 1966 until 1968 were gathered and released on a 1996 CD titled The Amazing Charlatans. Unfortunately, it’s been said that the recordings don’t feature the same energy that their live performances showcased. This song, a traditional tune from 1909 (and inspired as far back as 1849), was released on the band’s 1969 album, The Charlatans. It was rearranged by the band, as many traditional songs are, to give it the band’s personal touch. This version has a strong psychedelic sound to it, while two alternate versions of the song released on The Amazing Charlatans were more folk sounding.



The Charlatans - Alabama Bound (1969)

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Lyrics:

Don't you leave me here
Don't you leave me here
If you must go please leave a dime for beer
Don't you leave me here
Don't you leave me here
And don't you leave me here

Don't you do like me
Don't you do like me
Drink your good cherry wine
Let that whiskey be
Let that whiskey be
And let that whiskey be

I'm Alabama bound
I'm Alabama bound
If that train don't stop and turn around
I'm Alabama bound
I'm Alabama bound
I'm Alabama bound
Yes I am

I'm Alabama bound
I'm Alabama bound
If that train don't stop and turn around
I'm Alabama bound
I'm Alabama bound
I'm Alabama bound

Yes I am, yes I am
Yes I am, yes I am
I’m Alabama bound
(Yes I am, yes I am)
I’m Alabama bound
(Yes I am, yes I am)
I’m Alabama bound
(Yes I am, yes I am)
I’m Alabama bound
(Yes I am, yes I am)
Alabama bound
(Yes I am, yes I am)
Alabama bound
(Yes I am)
Alabama bound
(Yes I am)
Alabama bound
(Yes I am)
Alabama bound
(Yes I am)
Alabama bound
(Yes I am)
Alabama bound
(Yes I am)
Alabama bound
(Yes I am)
Alabama bound
(Yes I am)
Alabama bound
(Yes I am)
Alabama bound
(Yes I am)
Alabama bound
(Yes I am)
Alabama bound
(Yes I am)
Alabama bound…