Back in early 1970, Jerry G Hludzik and Bill Kelly garnished a #13 Billboard Magazine hit with The Buoys’ Timothy, penned by Rupert Holmes. Moving on in 1977, they formed The Jerry-Kelly Band, which eventually in 1979-80 became Dakota.

1978 saw the release of the Jerry-Kelly album on Epic/CBS, and 1980 brought a self-titled Dakota lp on Columbia/CBS. Both were co-produced by Chicago's Danny Seraphine and Rufus' David "Hawk" Wolinski. This is the era of the songs embodied in this recording- a documentation of some of their works from 1977 thru 1982. A rare 11-song live collection, and 6 bonus tracks: 2 songs recorded in 1982, and 4 songs recorded on a 4-track in early 1977. The latter 4 written to be part of the Jerry-Kelly lp.

If you WERE or ARE still a fan of the group, this piece certainly will enhance your collection. The only one of it's kind and a one-time, limited pressing.

The performance here was on a hot night in 1980, playing in front of a small intimate audience, before gearing up to hit the road in support of the new Dakota lp. All songs were a live feed from the mixing console, directly to 2-track recorder. Modern technology could have easily been used to make the small crowd sound like 20,000 people, and doctor some of the playing and vocal clunkers- but the band wanted it exactly as it happened on that night- live and in your face!

With this release, along with the 1996 re-issue of Lost Tracks (as Mr. Lucky), and the 1997 release of the newest studio recording, The Last Standing Man, the band’s 21-year history is neatly framed. Now sit back and enjoy the show... Live from them to you, Dakota ...THREE liveTIMES AGO...

Tracks 1 thru 11 from WVIA Studios in 1980, recorded and mixed live, directly to 2-track by Mike Keating and George Graham.
Tracks 12 and 13 recorded at Sheffield Studios in 1982, produced by Danny Seraphine. Additional keys by Rick Manwiller.
Tracks 14 thru 17 recorded and mixed at WVIA Studios in 1977 by George Graham.

Special Thanks to:
Mike Stahl, Rick Manwiller, Scott Sosebee and all at Thoughtscape Sounds, George Graham, Greg Bilinski, Carl Josel, Bill Stevenson, Bill McCue, Paul LaBelle, John Heil, Louie Morey, Danny Seraphine, Hawk Wolinski, Tom Borthwick, Don Murley, Skip Ward, Bob Haduck, Tommy Nast, Dan Nardozzi, Leo Connor and Buddy Mecca. To both Gary Driscoll -a great player and friend- and Tom Jans - a great songwriter and friend- you are dearly missed.

Dakota's road crew:
Mike Keating, Dave Skaff, Tom Cush, George Penyak, John Spagnoletti, Tony Calabro and Dave Lang.

Additional Dakota members 1981 - 1986:
Rick Manwiller, Joe Andes, Tom Navagh, Robbie Spagnoletti and Jimmy Fricano.

● Thanks also to all DAKOTA fans old and new in the USA, Europe, and Japan.

● Photos by Stew Schrauger, graphic layout/design by Rick Manwiller.
● Mastered July 1998 by Rick Manwiller and Jerry Hludzik at Closet Studios, Clarks Summit, PA.
● All songs written by Jerry G. Hludzik and Bill Kelly except ¹Jerry G Hludzik, and ²Bill Kelly.

● ©1977-78-80-82 Street Sense Music/Jakota Music/Eljerabby Music, distributed world-wide by Thoughtscape Sounds.
HahDaddy Productions, ©1998 by Dak Records.
● All rights reserved. Unauthorized duplication is a violation of applicable laws. Made in USA.

For correspondence- email: dakota@damall.com  /  website: www.damall.com