One Album Wonders: How many Buffalo did you say you've seen?

60 000 000 Buffalo weren't supposed to be one album wonders. Unlike some others in this series, they didn't struggle through self-publishing or difficult record company dealings. They were contracted for two albums by the mid-sized Atco label, but after completing Nevada Jukebox the band soon broke up afterwards. Which is a shame because lead singer Judy Roderick was an absolute powerhouse and Don Debacker on guitar was no slouch either. The group was in a friendly competition with fellow Colorado band Zephyr, whose lead singer Candy Givens - like Judy Roderick - somewhat recalled Janis Joplin. I'd say Roderick was less obviously imitating Joplin, and while Zephyr had its moments, I overall prefer the country-fried vibe of Nevada Jukebox. 

In many ways, 60 000 000 Buffalo are somewhat typical of a hippie band in 1972, freewheelin' while generally staying in a blues rock framework with some country influences mixed in as was the style of the day. "Lovely Ladies" with its slightly sludgy midtempo blues stomp is probably a good representation of their style, while "Denver Dame" does the same thing in a more relaxed register. "Canyon Persuasion" shows that Roderick is equally effective with a ballad, while Don Debacker gets a vocal cameo on the old timey country rag "Shake it & Break It". But the real highlights of the album are the lilting "Country Girl Again" and their turbo-charged cover of the traditional "Maid Of Constant Sorrow" which old time One Buck Heads might remember from all the way back on All Pearl, No Swine Vol. 2. 

This is a nice rock'n'roll'n'blues'n'country record from back in the day - nothing more, nothing less. But sometimes that is quite enough.