ARTIST: Jason & the Scorchers 
TITLE: Fervor
YEAR RELEASED: 1983
CHART ACTION: None
SINGLES: None – it was an EP
OTHER SONGS YOU MAY KNOW: Help There’s a Fire, Absolutely Sweet Marie
LINEUP: Jason Ringenberg, Perry Baggs, Warner Hodges, Jeff Johnson. Michael Stipe backs up on a track.
WHAT’S IT ALL ABOUT: A band to put the ROCK in country-rock, the Scorchers created a proto alt-country sound with some hot rock guitar and cool country ballads.
SOME WORDS, PHRASES AND CLAUSES ABOUT THIS RECORD: From Cornfield, USA (Sheffield, IL), Jason Ringenberg journeyed to Nashville and formed the Scorchers as a raw rock band with definite country leanings. After a four-track EP that was more style than substance, EMI put out this seven track EP to whet the appetite of the public.
The Dylan cover “Absolutely Sweet Marie” kills, as does the original “Help There’s a Fire” (remade from the original EP). They show their range with “Pray for Me, Mama (I’m a Gypsy Now)”, where Jason sings a sad country song.
Warner Hodges’ guitar work on electric and steel is stellar. Jason’s croon fits every song. It’s seven tracks of fun.
NOTES & MINUTIAE: The four track EP, Reckless Country Soul (credited to Jason & the Nashville Scorchers), is on a compilation called Wildfires & Misfires)
IS THERE A DELUXE VERSION: No, but it’s on an EMI Years compilation though
GRADE: A-: It’s a damn roadhouse party in seven tracks.
But Is It Any Good? 