This double-disc live set is definitely worth getting. The band plays a great set of bluesy material and the guitars are spectacular. Moreover, the surround mix is fairly appropriate for a smaller venue such as the Fillmore. The rear channels help to convey a sense of space and intimacy. Music stays up front except for the somewhat strongly reverberated sound. Also, there is some audience noise; but that�s part of this disc�s charm. If I grab a beer and close my eyes I can almost transport myself off the living room sofa and into the Fillmore. All in all a good job of remixing for SACD. So when it came time to write up a review my only challenge was to determine how many Kazaamies to assign it. Well... Let�s compare it to some other live sets that we�ve already seen on multi-channel SACD. It�s not as good as the 2-disc live set from Alison Krauss and Union Station. (That is probably one of the best SACDs ever.) It also may not be quite as good as Sam Cooke�s live SACD, either. But �At The Fillmore East� is certainly much much better than the SACD of George Harrison�s live set from the Tokyo performances. (Not that it, too, isn�t still good in its own way.) So that must mean the Allman Brothers Band should get either a very solid �4� or an exceptional �4-1/2� rating. Right? Four or four-and-a-half? Hmmm.... Let me see. For some reason that I can�t really explain I�ve decided to go with just the �4�. I�ll try to explain. It won�t make sense, but I�ll try. Basically, I feel there needs to be a little more magic of some sort to pump the rating up to �4-1/2�. So does that mean I�m waiting to see Duane pull a rabbit out of his hat? Beats me. (Probably two rabbits would do it, though.) I guess when it comes right down to it, the number I�ve rated it isn�t all that important. I mean, this disc really does have everything you need; it�s even a hybrid with a CD-compatible layer. Just go out and get this disc! Allman Brothers Band fans and, I would like to think, fans of blues and blues-based rock will likely be happy with this SACD.
Note: I wonder if I should've possibly gone slightly higher than a 4 of 5 rating, afterall?
