REVIEWS:
While definitely the progenitors of Southern Rock, be careful not to lump the Allman Brothers Band into the usual Skynyrd-Molly Hatchet-Blackfoot, etc. category. Unlike the aforementioned glorified bar-boogie bands (yes, that is an oversimplification, but I'm trying to keep this from turning into an essay), the Allmans were very special, drawing on a hodgepodge of influences and creating their own unique sound in the process. Nobody has ever sounded quite like them, to be honest. They're well worth looking into as I found out, and I hope you'll fall in love with their music like I have. But don't fall for Leah. If you don't get that....read on, mis amigos.
--Kevin Baker
Post your comments about Allman Brothers Band
(reviewed by Kevin Baker)
You know, school's almost out down here in the state which God blessed, and this same God may be thanked for that, because another day in that zoo would probably drive me over the frickin' edge! The only good thing there is Leah Whitehead. Not that you all know Leah from a drawlin', mispronunciatin', West Texas English teacher named Mrs. Nicholson (who I genuinely like as a teacher, mind you), but you know what, Leah is a very special person to me, and the Allman Brothers Band is a very speical band to me, so dang it, Leah and the Allman Bros. are goin' hand in hand!
Just as Leah is the loveliest person I've ever laid eyes on, Idlewild South is a lovely record, but in my opinion, not the best the Allmans ever did, even if it does contain my absolute favorite song by them. That song would be In Memory Of Elizabeth Reed. It's really very unique, and a bit difficult to describe in all honesty. It's a melting pot of influences, ranging from jazz to blues to Santana-ish solos to about anything else you can imagine. Gregg Allman lays out a melancholy, smooooooth organ base, beneath which Berry Oakley's bass helps propel the song along. The rhythm section is tight, and the congas, etc. are a nice touch. Of course, with Duane and Dickey playing on the song, it's not hard to see who the real starts are here. They trade solos back and forth, and each one is a masterpiece. Everybody needs to here that song once in their lifetime. It's awesome, pure and simple. Just like Leah.......
Elsewhere, the Allmans decide not to disappoint us. The opener, Revival, really is a gospel-ish clap-along and sing-along. It really starts Idlewild out on a joyous note that pervades even the heaviest blues moment on here. Meanwhile, Midnight Rider is another classic, with a perfect acoustic riff and some dang good singin' by the white king of soul, Gregg Allman. Of course, the guys don't leave us disappointed in da blues department either. My favorite of these is Hoochie Coochie Man, which kicks hard and has some perfectly suited gruff vocals from Berry. This is one great blues song! Don't Keep Me Wonderin' is pretty good, with some more good guitar interplay. Please Call Home is a slower blues ditty with Gregg on piano instead of his usual organ, and the closing Leave My Blues At Home cooks as well.
Now, as much as I love Lizzy Reed (and Leah:-), I can't give it a ten just on account of it. Plus, how odd would it be for me to give the Allmans all 10s? It's tempting, but the Allmans that I know and love aren't 100% arrived yet. BUT, a 9'll do quite nicely. To quote George Starostin, "this is a good place to begin your musical education, actually." I concur. If you like the Allmans or think you might want to, you need this one. You may want to get Beginnings, which has this and their 1969 debut together, but this is a simply excellent record. But don't you dare think about going after Leah; I'd have to kill you.
Post your comments / reviews for this album
(reviewed by Kevin Baker)
It's no small wonder the Allmans are known as a quintessential live band; each member was practically a virtuoso at their instrument, their songs were practically made for jammin', and hey, their music's pretty dang catchy and cool. So, it's small wonder their best live album is often called the band's best overall. I'm not quite sure if I agree, but I have to give this a ten. It is an awesome live album, and I honestly seldom get bored during it. If memory serves, this was recorded in 1971 just a few months before the Fillmore East closed down. I may be wrong about that, and if I am, please feel free to say so. Anyways, it's a pretty good collection of songs.
The opener is an avowed classic, Statesboro Blues, which is excellent, but not my favorite on here. It's got some cool lead lines and slidework, plus some good vocals from Gregg Allman. It should be said that 4 of the 7 songs are covers of blues classics, but these dudes totally make them their own, and they do so in amazing ways. Done Somebody wrong is our next listening pleasure, and it indeed lives up to that distinction, possessing more excellent guitarmanship. But it's Stormy Monday that really sucks the listener in. The moody organ, the impeccable playing, the groove of the song, ooh baby....this is a classic.
If you have 20 minutes to spare, I do recommend our fourth song to you. You Don't Love Me is way long but way cool. The main song part is among the Allman's best, and the jamming is no worse. It's great to hear a band be able to play so tight for so long. They even weave in part of a Christmas carol into the end of the song/jam! Cool. Then we have Hot 'Lanta, which is more of an organ and percussion workout, and they do us a favor and keep it short and tight. Nothing worse than a bad drum and organ jam. Then they do my favorite Allman Bros. song, In Memory Of Elizabeth Reed. WHAT A SONG! I can't pick a favorite version of it; they're all awesome and uplifting and fulfilling and beautiful and a gift from God to man quite frankly.
They then jam out on Whipping Post, my 2nd fave by the ABB. This one COULD stand to lose a few minutes, but the song itself is better than the original. I recommend this to any Allman fan, any blues fan, and anyone who likes good music and doesn't mind some good ole fashioned jammin'. It's nearly perfect, and I love it dearly. Not as dearly as Leah Whitehead, but we won't go there. At least not in this review.
Post your comments / reviews for this album
(reviewed by Kevin Baker)
Yep, almost back to where I initially started out when I began reviewing---one of my all-time favorite bands, the Allman Brothers Band. I don't listen to 'em near as much as I did back in the day, but I love 'em just the same. Back when I first started reviewing Gregg, Duane, and the boys, I did not actually own this album. That's probably some sort of ABB sacrilege, but it's true, dangit! I'll commit another ABB sacrilege, too---I don't own Brothers And Sisters, either---but I've heard all the songs on it so many times that it's practically burned into my memory. At any rate, I'm finally getting around to talking about this here lovely Allman Joy, and it's a good one. A dang good one, but it's not a 10. Care to know why, o noble reader?
Simple. Mountain Jam. It's long. Too long. On top of that, Duane and Dickey don't even sound like they're trying on it---of course, the playing IS good, but for goodness' sake, if you're going to jam for 34 minutes, PLEASE try to make it memorable. Or at the very least, don't hit as many sour notes as they do. Now, a few sour notes in over a half hour's worth of guitar playing really doesn't amount for a whole heck of a lot, and considering MY guitar playing, I can't be too critical. However, when I can go put on Fillmore East and hear long jams with immaculate playing, I no longer see the need for this truly monstrous creation. I'm docking a point for this. Ok, and also the Russian judge said they'd let the French ice dancing team win, so it's kinda like a payoff, too.
Fortunately, the rest of Eat A Peach is great. I no longer feel the need to be all serious with this review now that the hard part is over! I can just sit here in my underwear at 12:25 AM CST and type bunk! Bunkbunubunkbunkbunkbunk!!! Ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha!!! But seriously, the rest of the material on here ranges from being nice to AWESOME. Les Brers In A Minor would be in the former category; the simply gorgeous beyond words Melissa would be in the latter. And no, I do not mean the two Melissas I go to school with. I mean the song. Just because I ramble on and on about Leah in everything else on this page doesn't mean I'm going to get bogged down in the same old lovesick swamp of angsty muck in THIS review! I'll find a new swamp full of muck to get bogged down in! Such as aimlessly typing the word "bunk" over and over! Bunkbunkbunkbunkbunkbunk!
Now that I'm covered in stinky swamp muck, I can continue. Melissa is simply a great song from the plaintive opening chords to the delicate slide guitar. Speaking of great songs, One Way Out and Blue Sky are both in that category as well. The former (recorded live) features some GREAT guitarwork.....Duane and Dickey apparently have a little playing contest, and it's sweet! On Blue Sky, you get a really sweet, pretty song with a mind-bogglingly upbeat and awesome guitar solo. There are other songs on here, and they are good----nothing extraordinary, but good. Avoid Mountain Jam and you've got an awesome set from the Allmans!
Post your comments / reviews for this album
(reviewed by Kevin Baker)
I'll own up to be an Allman lover; after the Byrds, they're probably my 2nd favorite band. Note to others---I love the Beatles. The Beatles are not a band, they are a force of nature than no one else can ever approach. Therefore, I void them in terms of my naming of favorite band, etc. But back to the Allmans. They really did have a unique style, and I think it is best displayed here on Brothers And Sisters. 7 songs, and each of them a winner. This is a "springtime in the Texas Hill Country" record if I've ever heard one. If you've never been to central Texas, I pity you. Get there ASAP but do yourself a favor and avoid Austin. But I digress again. The music on this one sounds and feels like green grass and rolling hills and lotsa blooming wildflowers.
We open with one of my personal favorites 'Wasted Words'. That guitar part that follows the vocal lines just before the chorus is what does it for me. Very fascinating song. Then, we can't forget the two giants. 'Ramblin' Man' is one of my very favorite songs. Those Betts solos just drive me blinkin wild everytime I here 'em. Who ever said they needed Duane for incendiary guitars? That's a lie. Dickey Betts gets so little respect because he'd been so overshadowed. 'Jessica' is a great song, maybe the best instrumental they ever did (but I love 'In Memory Of Elizabeth Reed' on an unnatural and unhealthy level), and hot mama does that thing just roll on, smooth and flowing. Not an awkward second or note in the whole blame thing.
'Southbound' is another great one. Gotta love the guitarwork on it. Ever since I took up playing, I've gained a much better respect for good players, and I've gained a better ear for stuff. The Allmans are ear candy for guitar players, and this song is a particularly tasty bite. 'Pony Boy' is a lot of fun; I love the dobro. The other two songs are good as well but how can you compare with the rest? I think every Backstreet Boys and N'Sync fan needs to be locked in a booth with this one until they come to their senses. Perfect album from the Allmans.
Post your comments / reviews for this album
(reviewed by Kevin Baker)
Well, since the luffly Texas sun is confining me inside for the moment, I think I'll do a quick review of the CD that first introduced me to Gregg, Duane, Dickey, Berry, Butch, and Jaimoe. Granted, I COULD be in the pool or reading or thinking about the 12 hour-long party I was at yesterday, but no, I'd rather do this. This is a compilation, but compilations are often the best introduction to a band, and this is no exception. They cover all the classic albums here, with one song from 1979's "comeback", Enlightened Rogues. Curiously enough, that's the only song on here that's not any good. Crazy Love is it's name, though it is of no relation to the quite good song of the same name by Van Morrison.
Elsewhere, their debut is represented by Dreams and Whipping Post. This is basically all-out blues rock, with only a hint of the glories to come. Idlewild South is represented by Midnight Rider, Revival, and In Memory Of Elizabeth Reed. Well, they picked the three best from Idlewild, so no complaints here.... Live At The Fillmore East just has Statesboro Blues on here, but that's OK. It's a good enough song, but they must have preferred.... Eat A Peach, because all but like 2 songs from it are on here. Melissa, Ain't Wastin' Time No More, Little Martha, Blue Sky, and One Way out are all on here, and they're all great. I don't have Eat A Peach yet, partly because I have like half the album on here. They also must like Bros. and Sisters because 4 of it's 7 songs are on here. But I don't mind, as Ramblin' Man, Jessica, Southbound, and Wasted Words are all good songs. This is a pretty good Allmans sampler, really. This should be your first ABB buy to see what you like, then go from there.
Post your comments / reviews for this album