This is a very hard luck band. Their lead guitarist, Les Harvey (younger brother of Alex Harvey) was electrocuted on stage in 1972 during a live performance. While popular on the local circuits, they never achieved a breakthrough and commercial success. They disbanded in 1973.
Ode To John Law is Stone The Crow’s second album, released later in 1970. The albums contained here are a packaged re-release of their first two albums, with some additional live tracks thrown in. The original Ode to John Law album began with “Sad Mary” and ended with “Danger Zone”.
Their style is largely blues rock, with flashes of prog as seasoning, heavy on the guitars and Hammond organ with the excellent, gritty voice of Maggie Bell, drawing comparisons with Janis Joplin. If you’re a fan of this style, I’m sure you’re a fan of this band.
They were in their element in live shows where they could jam out. I feel that these songs provide a good hint to what they could do live. The songs contain both ambitious instrumental and strong vocal segments; it comes together quite organically and enjoyably. Sadly, a couple of themes touched on (the state of the world, view on law & order) haven’t really evolved from 1970.