The Fillmore Concerts
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Audio CD (20 October, 1992)
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Features

• Live

Reviews (59)

Great music - the mixes are what they are
First, I want to clear up a very common misconception, one which isn't helped by the liner notes. "Elizabeth Reed" is note for note identical to the version on "At Fillmore East". Assuming the dates are correct and two takes were used, Tom Dowd must have forgotten that he used two takes back in 1971.

"Trouble No More" is a totally different take from the one on "Eat A Peach". "You Don't Love Me" (another edit of two takes) is the same as on "At Fillmore East", except that the edit in the middle of the song comes a few seconds sooner here.

Yes, the biggest difference here is the mix. There's a lot less compression and EQ to punch certain elements up. There's also some added reverb to make things seem more "live". Compare the snare hits - the original mixes are very dry and upfront, while these remixes have more of an "ambient" sound. Which is better? I tend to lean toward the original mixes, but both have their strengths. This and the Deluxe Edition of "At Fillmore East" are both good choices.

White free jazz
I'm not into southern rock or even jam bands, but this is much different, no Lynyrd Skynyrd or Dead are/ever were capable of "Mountain Jam"...it's closer to free jazz, or even post-rock decades ahead of its time.

Pinnacle of Southern Rock
The Allman Brothers were a kick ass band live or otherwise and these 2 discs verify that. The extended jams - Whipping Post and Mountain Jam are superlative and a testament to Duane Allmans' skills as a master improviser non pareil.

This would be the last major appearance for Duane - what a testament! ... Read more

Asin: B000001E0D
Sales Rank: 20807
Subjects:  1. Album Rock    2. Blues-Rock    3. Boogie Rock    4. Hard Rock    5. Pop    6. Rock    7. Slide Guitar Blues    8. Southern Rock   

Beginnings
Average Customer Review:
Audio CD (14 October, 1997)
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Editorial Review

For once, a record label actually gives us more bang for the buck, combining two indisputable classics--1969's self-titled debut and the 1970 follow-up Idlewild South--onto one glorious CD. Five urgent notes kick off Spencer Davis's "Don't Want You No More," and by the time that searing instrumental morphs into Gregg Allman's superb slow blues "It's Not My Cross to Bear," it's clear these Georgians mean business. Everyone talks of the Muddy Waters and Willie Dixon covers, the furious twin leads of Duane and Dickey Betts, Gregg's soulful voice and formidable organ, the percussion attack of Jaimoe and Butch Trucks, but what about the songwriting skills? Just start with "Cross to Bear," "Whipping Post," "Dreams," "Revival," "Elizabeth Reed"--are you kidding? These two records blend gritty blues, Southern soul, and psychedelic rock into an exciting creation, and they serve notice: the Allmans will contend for the title of best American rock & roll band. --Marc Greilsamer ... Read more

Features

• Original recording remastered

Reviews (25)

The Enitre Gang's Here
If you have bought 'Live At the Fillmore East' and are now looking for some more stuff from this band, I think this is the album you are looking for. Most of it is blues/rock but 'Dreams' has got a jazzy feel to it and 'Black Hearted
Woman' is a bit faster than the rest of the songs. Although I enjoy all of these songs I'd have to say the strongest point is 'Whipping Post' and the weakest point is 'Hoochie Coochie Man' a song sung by bassist Berry Oakley.

I think that everyone in this band is amazing Duane and Dickey's solos are really inspiring to any guitarist. Greg's skills on the hammond b-3 and the way he sings some of these songs tells you that he's felt this sorrow before.

There is 70+ minutes of music on this CD, so it's very good value.

The "real" Allman brothers
The only reason I'm not giving this a 5 is because this "beginnings" package seems overproduced. I had these two original albums at onetime, and this was overdigitized or something. It's missing the raw power the original records had.

A must have!
The *Beginnings* album is actually a compilation of their first two albums: Idlewild South and The Allman Brothers Band [first record], which were both excellent.

This album is actually a bonus...you don't have to buy the first two.They are famous for doing repeat recordings and renaming albums.Regardless, they are the best and so is this album.

Duane Allman is featured on this and all albums through *Eat a Peach*.He died during the making of that album, and Berry Oakley died soon after.

Subsequent albums are good, but these are the best.Enjoy! ... Read more

Asin: B000003CMA
Subjects:  1. Pop    2. Rock   

Eat a Peach
Average Customer Review:
Audio CD (14 October, 1997)
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Editorial Review

Having firmly established themselves as "The Grateful Dead of the South" via their enormously successful 1971 Live at the Fillmore East double album, the Allman Brothers had just begun work on a new studio collection when slide guitarist Duane Allman died in a motorcycle accident. Undaunted, the group rallied together and completed Eat a Peach, which, via inclusion of the 34-minute-plus "Mountain Jam," blossomed into a double LP. While keyboardist-singer Gregg Allman shone on tracks like Sonny Boy Williamson's "One Way Out" and his own "Melissa," it was second guitarist Dickey Betts who came out from under the departed Allman's shadow with his lead vocal on "Blue Sky" and his incendiary playing throughout. --Billy Altman ... Read more

Features

• Original recording remastered

Reviews (68)

simply another brilliant Allman offering
most of the classic songs the Allman's are known for are on here, making this the definitive peak and best studio album.If you like southern inflected jam rock you really need this cd, it is one of the best albums I have heard in a long time.Be sure to get this one and Fillmore East for the definitive Allman collection.guitar hero Duane lives on in the terrific music of these two collections.

Music from heaven
Eat A Peach is the Allman Brothers' fourth album and along with their previous live release At Fillmore East cemented their legend. During the recording of this album, the band was dealt a devastating blow when their founder and guitarist Duane Allman was tragically killed in a motorcycle accident. With heavy hearts, the remaining members completed the album, even writing three more tunes for the release that were among their best work. Therefore, while At Fillmore East showed a phenomenal live band at the height of their powers, Eat A Peach shows this as well as the band's improved songwriting skills on the studio cuts, in effect creating one of the best albums ever released in American music.

The album's opening track "Ain't Wasting Time No More" is a eulogy to their fallen leader. Gregg Allman's lyrics and somber vocals along with Dickey Betts' slide guitar are a fitting tribute to Duane. "Les Brers In A Minor" is one of their best instrumentals right alongside the more acclaimed "In Memory Of Elizabeth Reed" and "Jessica." Gregg Allman's "Melissa" is a great country tune that has become one of the band's most endearing songs. The remaining three studio tracks were cut with Duane Allman and show the band exploring different avenues. "Stand Back", highlighted by Duane's slide guitar, is one of their funkiest tracks. Betts' "Blue Sky" would not only contain his first lead vocal but also provide a prelude to the country-rock that would play a large part on their future albums. "Little Martha" is a tender acoustic ballad with just Duane and Dickey. The live tracks are pure gold. It's rare that a band could take a cover song and perform it so well that they literally make it their own. Amazingly, the band does it here twice with their versions of Elmore James' "One Way Out" and Muddy Waters' "Trouble No More." While both songs stay somewhat true to the original, it's the band's interplay that brings both these tracks to new heights. Then at last there's "Mountain Jam", 33 minutes of musical heaven where the band takes the improvisation of jazz to new heights without ever being overindulgent. The track is similar to watching a classic movie in that you pick up something new everytime you listen to it. This album should be part of every music fan's collection. Highly recommended.

An Allman Brothers Classic!!!
"Eat A Peach" is The Allman Brothers Band's 1972 album that marked the end of an era and the beginning of a new one for the band. Guitarist Duane Allman died in a tragic motorcycle accident during the making of this album so, "Eat A Peach" not only serves as Duane's swan-song but also marks the start of the band carrying on without their legendary co-leader.
The albums opening three tracks are the ABB's first recordings following Duane's death. "Ain't Wastin' Time No More" is a solid Gregg Allman rocker with a light gospel touch to it. "Les Brers in A Minor" is a 9-minute instrumental tour-de-force composed by guitarist Dickey Betts that has a slight Santana and jazz fusion feel to it. Betts does an amazing job tackling the Allman's trademark duo lead guitar style by overdubbing both guitar parts himself. While Duane Allman is ultimately absent on this track, his presence is definitely felt here. "Melissa" is a tender country-tinged Gregg Allman ballad which became one of the ABB's well-known hits. There is some great guitar work by Betts on this track as well.
The next three tracks are leftovers from ABB's excellent "Live At Fillmore East" album and feature the full classic original line-up of the band. "Mountain Jam" originally took up two sides of the album's original double-vinyl and clocks in at an epic 33:38. Here, Duane and Dickey's dual guitars play off each other effortlessly while Gregg displays some flawless Hammond organ solos. While Donavan Leitch's "First There Is A Mountain" is mentioned in the credits as forming the basis for this long piece, there are also references to Jimi Hendrix's "Third Stone From The Sun" heard throughout it as well. Definitely a centerpiece for the entire album. The other live tracks are the blues-based "One Way Out" and "Trouble No More", both of which have since become Allman Brothers classics and fan favorites.
"Eat A Peach's" final three studio tracks are the very last ever recorded with Duane Allman. "Stand Back" is a driving blues piece which once again highlights Gregg's soulful vocals that deliver a sound reminiscent of Ray Charles. "Blue Sky" is another country-rock piece in which Dickey Betts grabs the spotlight as lead vocalist with his emotional singing. The closing piece is a poignant acoustic Duane Allman-penned instrumental entitled "Little Martha" played by Duane and Dickey. This short track serves as a fitting epitaph to Duane's musical legacy and seems appropriate since this was his final album with the band.
Tragedy could not stop the Allman Brothers band as clearly proven with this album. The following year, they would suffer another devistating loss with the death of bassist Berry Oakley (also killed in a motorcycle accident). Even this could not halt the band as they continue to record and perform to this day. "Eat A Peach" not only contains some great music, it also serves as a fitting tribute to Duane Allman and points the Allman Brothers Band to their next musical chapter. The album also serves as a great companion to their "Live At Fillmore East" album as it includes some excellent performances from those classic concerts.
Truly An Allman Brothers Classic!!! ... Read more

Asin: B000003CMC
Subjects:  1. Pop    2. Rock   

Brothers and Sisters
Average Customer Review:
Audio CD (14 October, 1997)
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Editorial Review

Their first full studio album without guitarist Duane, 1973's Brothers and Sisters doesn't match what came before it but would probably be considered a masterpiece if it came from most other bands. The Allman(s) move away from their rougher blues rock toward a groovier Southern rock, a shift that reflects the increased influence of Dickey Betts and new pianist Chuck Leavell. Betts contributes chestnuts such as "Ramblin' Man," "Southbound," and the classic instrumental "Jessica," plus the acoustic finale "Pony Boy," which showcases his work on Dobro. Gregg's impact is not nearly what it once was, although his "Come and Go Blues" and "Jelly Jelly" hit the mark. Original bassist Berry Oakley passed away during these sessions and is heard on just two cuts. --Marc Greilsamer ... Read more

Features

• Original recording remastered

Reviews (27)

beginning of the road
for me "ramblin man" was the 1st taste i got of the allman brothers and i've been a fan ever since...i've heard people say that "ramblin" is a tired radio fave and "jessica" is the standout and it is,but when i heard the harmony guitars at the end i was an allman fan for life...

significant brothers
'Brothers and Sisters' is the last significant work by the Allman Brothers Band.Their legacy began with studio albums released in 1969 and 1970, and coupled with their classic Fillmore East recordings, released in 1971, they established themselves as the premier southern blues-rock amalgam.The loss of legendary slide guitar impresario Duane Allman to a motorcycle accident in October of 1972 prompted the band to dedicate their epic 'Eat a Peach' double album to his memory.The band then began a transition to a country-rock tuning under the tutelage of Duanes surrogate, lead guitarist and songwriter Dickie "Lucky" Betts. 'Brothers and Sisters' was visited with tragedy as well when bassist Barry Oakley was killed in another motorcycle accident only thirteen months and three blocks removed from the site of Duane's accident.Oakley's bass can be heard only on the first two cuts from 'Brothers and Sisters', the second consecutive disc to be "dedicated to a brother".

'Brothers and Sisters' shows few signs that the band was in decline, but they would not release another album until 1975, and by then the significance of losing Duane and Barry would be fully realized.In particular the loss of Duane ripped much of the heart and soul from the Brothers, and Betts could only mask the rupture for so long.Despite their tragic demise, 'Eat a Peach' and 'Brothers and Sisters' represent the last of the cream from the Allman Brothers catalog.

'Brothers and Sisters' features the best-selling single ever released by the band, though they were never known for their Top 40 successes.'Ramblin' Man', a number penned and sung by Dickie Betts, reached number two on the national charts in September of 1973.Betts also contributes the final three songs on the disc, the most notable being 'Jessica', which many people regard to be one of the Allman's best songs, and certainly their finest instrumental.Another Betts composition, 'Southbound', is sung by Gregg Allman, and possesses a sound much more in the traditional ABB mode.Betts final number, 'Pony Boy', is the purest country song on the disc, and the most laid-back number offered.

Brother Gregg Allman contributes three songs.The opener, 'Wasted Words' is another Allman classic, with Betts slide guitar sounding errily reminiscent of lost Brother Duane's specialty.I caught the ABB fall tour in support of 'Brothers and Sisters' at Cobo Arena in Detroit in 1973, and they used 'Wasted Words' for their opening number.I remember that Gregg opened the Cobo show playing rhythm guitar on this track before settling down behind his organ for the rest of the evening, and I note that he plays rhythm guitar on this studio version as well.

Gregg's two other compositions are traditional blues numbers.Both 'Come and Go Blues' and 'Jelly Jelly' start out slow and build nicely and evenly in intensity.They aren't the best songs Gregg has ever written or performed, but they're sturdy in their own right and serve to maintain the band's trademark sound from drifing too much towards Nashville.

The liner notes are sparse, offering three listings of the songs but no running times, although the performers are listed for each of the seven tracks.Sadly, the disc doesn't even offer the 'family portrait' photograph offered on the inside of the gatefold in the vinyl version.It's disappointing that the artists and producers don't do more to beef up the offerings on classic rock albums.Is it really that much to offer a couple alternate takes, bonus tracks, lyrics, and some liner notes?It would seem the least they could do for customers who may be purchasing these same songs for the second or third time around.

****1/2 - the last of the Allmans' "classic" albums
Well, unless you count the live "Wipe The Windows, Check The Oil, Dollar Gas" which is pretty great.

"Brothers And Sisters" features tighter songs and a more country-flavoured style than the group's previous albums. It went platinum and topped the charts for several weeks, helped by the hit singles "Ramblin' Man" (a Billboard #2) and "Jessica".

This album was the first to feature the Allman Brothers Band's new lineup: Dickey Betts as the sole guitarist and co-lead vocalist, new bassist Lamarr Williams (on the last five songs), and the great Chuck Leavell on piano.
Opening with the great, tough blues-rocker "Wasted Words", "Brothers And Sisters" presents the seven songs in the order in which they were recorded. Gregg Allman and Dickey Betts split songwriting credits about equally, with Allman's material being the bluesiest and Betts' the most country-esque, and Dickey Betts also takes two lead vocals (the driving "Ramblin' Man" and the lovely slide dobro-showcase "Pony Boy").

Gregg Allman's "Come And Go Blues" is another highlight, as is the classic instrumental "Jessica" and the rollicking "Southbound". And the slow "Jelly Jelly" is not bad either. And, well, that's pretty much the entire album. The only thing you should be aware of is that many of these songs are available in even better renditions on the underrated but very atmospheric 1976 live album "Wipe The Windows"...etc.
So get that one as well, okay? ... Read more

Asin: B000003CMD
Subjects:  1. Pop    2. Rock   

Anthology
Average Customer Review:
Audio CD (25 October, 1990)
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Editorial Review

While his recording career only lasted a little more than six years ('66-'71), Duane Allman's playing was heard not only with the Allman Brothers Band, but on a variety of important records by other artists as well. Hence this posthumous 1972 double-album collection, which--besides five Allman Brothers tracks--includes many memorable solos by the distinctive slide guitarist from sessions at the fabled Fame and Muscle Shoals studios. Highlights include soul versions of "Hey Jude" (Wilson Pickett), "The Weight" (Aretha Franklin), and "Games People Play" (King Curtis), as well as the time-stopping "Somebody Loan Me a Dime" (Boz Scaggs) and Derek and the Dominoes' classic, "Layla." --Billy Altman ... Read more

Reviews (17)

Fire from his fingers
The Hourglass were a blues crew waiting for distribution:a young band work up B.B. King, John Lee Hooker, and Mel London with such passion.That grieving, woeful organ player is Paul Hornsby; Gregg melts the microphone with anguished howls and heart-wrenching pleas.B.B. taught Duane how fingertips cut diamonds.Note the Albert King-like influence (on "Loan Me a Dime") formation of his style, including the repetitive phrases that follow one-two in milli-second quickness, lay down a note, ring it again in a bell-like manner, or pull it off on the second try.

Wilson Pickett's scalding cover of "Hey Jude" would praise the Beatles, the Muscle Shoals players, or Pickett himself, but Duane's great white shark bite solo made the hair stand up on the back of your neck.On "The Road of Love," Clarence Carter proudly said, "I like what I'm listening to!" as he admired the fuzzy distortions of Allman's slide.Contemplate, however, when Duane reunited with Hourglass friends Hornsby and Sandlin, and added newcomer Berry Oakley for a string-bending prophetic eulogy on Champion Jack Dupree's "Goin' Down Slow."Duane's vocals could handle slow crooning without being annoying, and his guitar wept where his voice wouldn't go.Other good people lent Duane their voice or let him be their spokesman:just imagine him nodding his head in agreement, his slide dancing to Aretha's statements when she belted out "The Weight," or the slinky, sinewy electric sitar that pulsated alongside buddy King Curtis, a man with talent to blow--a Meerschaum pipe if possible?--and make notes this beautiful on "Games People Play."A ventriloquist throwing his voice, Duane added a `talking slide' dimension to his bottleneck on John Hammond's version of Willie Dixon's "Shake for Me," mimicking human frustrations and gestures that hoot and wag wildly beside the unbridled, frenzied vocals.

Perhaps "Loan Me a Dime" is the tune that describes Duane's closeness in letting his instrument speak the words that the soul cannot say.Boz Scaggs carries the heavy hurtin' blues, but Duane's introductory solo also cried to the heavens like his heart had been pulled from his living, beating chest.Boz faces his last day on Earth with no love or hope, and Duane plays as though he's losing his, too.The follow-up solo, criticized for engineering coordination (Duane's mix get buried midway), is apparent that he did not stop playing this tune--ever. The recording session ended, the sun went down, the band went home, but Duane played this way every time:nothing came between him and the feelings he needed to release.Sensitive regional touches and dobro/slide playing find themselves nestled in the comfort of the Delta's warmth as he, Johnny Jenkins, and Berry settle back at the old farmhouse, finding shelter from that summer heat in Muddy Waters's "Rollin' Stone."Visualize baking-hot red earth beneath your bare feet back as the three men pick and pluck those strings.

Delaney & Bonnie & Friends were Duane's second family unit; his slide has the wildest time with pals "Out on the Open Road," continuing when Johnny Jenkins comes back again in "Down Along The Cove." Gentle times return when Scott Boyer and Cowboy hitch their wagon and give the reins a tug in "Please Be With Me," and Duane shimmers on dobro.Eric Clapton gives/gets a lesson in acoustic slide with Duane on Layla's "Mean Old World."The final songs embrace the group scene, and his five-alarm siren call at the opening of "Layla" make it the epic monolith of unreturned love affairs.Happily, the other five cuts are as fundamental as the laws of gravity: "Statesboro Blues"; "Don't Keep Me Wondering" (the studio version); "Stand Back," and "Dreams": the very best that modern recording could portray in bottleneck phrasing, tone, composition, and originality. By the divine right of kings, Duane had sole ownership of the inner secrets of electric slide."Little Martha" wraps up (but not the Dreams box set with Berry's bass foundation).

Mortal perfection
Duane Allman's mastery of the guitar is beyond mortal.This album is an enjoyable listen only because of the beautiful guitarmanship peppered throughout each studio session.The most impressive of all of these is from Wisconsin alumni Boz Skaggs, and his song "Somebody loan me a dime."Allman's outro solo is akin to the sound of God.An album like this dissuades guitar players (I know), because it is so impressive, and makes one feel that they'll never reach that level of wide open virtuosity.

A dust covered Gem
The musicologist in me loves this compilation.But as I grow older I'm loosing interest in this genre.I absolutely loved it when it first came out (on vinyl), we hung on every note Duane played back when he was alive and well.After his death, we hung on every note he had played, hence this release filled a void of material that was rarely heard or languishing in some bargain record bin at the K-mart.Remember those? Three quarters of my record collection came from there.But I digress.Duane Allman was a musical force in the up and coming days of late 60's and 70's rock.He was a guitarist's guitarist and for quite a while only guitarists appreciated his prowess on the instrument.IF you're a devotee of the Duane Allman guitar society then by all means -- this one's for you.If not -- go with the more mainstream selections, which featured Duane in a more prominent setting. ... Read more

Asin: B000001FLK
Subjects:  1. Blues-Rock    2. Pop    3. Rock    4. Slide Guitar Blues    5. Southern Rock   

Wintertime Blues: The Benefit Concert
Average Customer Review:
Audio CD (05 December, 2000)
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Features

• Live

Reviews (5)

wanna jam?
This cd starts out with some acoustic numbers from Edwin McCain. They hold up to repeated listening because of Warren Haynes' tasteful and impressive acoustic lead and slide playing. The Derek Trucks Band is as an exciting band that is working today and their set is a joy. But it gets even more thrilling as virtually each extended jam features one great artist after another. The Cry of Love set adds hard rock and is alittle weak.Then Gov't Mule takes over. It's set is more like, but maybe even beter than, disc one (as opposed to the stellar disc two) to "With a Little Help from Our Friends" and holds up well to repeated listening. "But" you may wonder, "isn't this just another one of those blues based extended jam albums that I already have in abundance in my collection?" No! Herring, Haynes and Trucks deliver (together no less) on song after song on this cd, plus, and I must say surprisingly, the sound quality here is outstanding. One last thing, Haynes, McKay and the various and asundry good friend/guest vocalists can belt it out -- not an embarrassing note among them.

Habitat for the Blues
The 1999 11th Annual Warren Haynes benefit concert for Habitat for Humanity offers something for everyone.Disc One opens with soul-filled acoustics by Edwin McCain and Warren Hayes.They are followed by a rolling blues jam hosted by Derek Trucks.Derek Trucks leads with "Rastaman Chant" -- a bow to Reggae that keeps you bouncing.Trucks then lays a solid foundation with the jazzy Chicken Strut for a five-song set that closes out the first disc.The set features guest after guest pushing each other to new heights.Jimmy Herring, Col. Bruce Hampton, Susan Tedeschi, and Larry McCray mix and match as song after song delivers first rate blues.Larry McCray sizzles on "Ain't That Loving You" and Col. Bruce Hampton will have you kneeling at the altar of the blues with his "Yield Not to Temptation".Tucks closes Disc One with Tedeschi's "Just Won't Burn" (Oh, but she does and so will you).

Tedeschi opens the second disc with a version of "Angle from Montgomery" that rivals Bonnie's rendition. Cry of Love returns after a five-year absence to rock the concert.On "Piece Pipe" they beat out a powerful song that resurrects the spirit of the 60s.Government Mule then does for Disc Two what Tucks did for Disc One - they host a rolling jam featuring Johnny Neal, Jimmy Herring, Col. Bruce Hampton, Mike Barnes, and Little Milton. Jimmy Neal rips out one great line after another on "Falling Down". Hampton, Neal and Mike Barnes have some fun with Willie Dixon's "Spoonful".The second disc closes with Little Milton reaching new heights on "When the Blues Come Knockin'" followed by Government Mule, Derek Trucks, Little Milton, Johnny Neal and Little Milton in an unforgettable version of "Merry Christmas Baby".

This is a solid two CD set for the serious Blues-Rock fan who appreciates live music and artists who love to jam.

Wanna Jam?
This cd starts out with some acoustic numbers from Mr. McCain. They hold up to repeated listening because of Mr. Haynes' tasteful and impressive acoustic lead and slide playing.The Derek Trucks Band is as an exciting band that is working today and their set is a joy.But it gets even more thrilling as virtually each extended jam features one great artist after another.The Cry of Love set adds some welcomed, tuneful hard rock and then Gov't Mule takes over.It's set is more like, but maybe even beter than, disc one (as opposed to the stellar disc two) to "With a Little Help from Our Friends" and holds up well to repeated listening. "But" you may wonder, "isn't this just another one of those blues based extended jam albums that I already have in abundance in my collection?" No! Herring, Haynes and Trucks are the "it" boys and they deliver (together no less) on song after song on this cd, plus, and I must say surprisingly, the sound quality here is outstanding.One last thing, Haynes, McKay and the various and asundry good friend/guest vocalists can belt it out -- not an embarrassing note among them. ... Read more

Asin: B0000521VS
Sales Rank: 19615
Subjects:  1. Blues-Rock    2. Modern Electric Blues    3. Pop    4. Rock    5. Singer/Songwriter    6. Southern Rock   

An Evening With The Allman Brothers Band
Average Customer Review:
Audio CD (09 June, 1992)
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Features

• Live

Reviews (12)

GREAT!!!
As allways, The Allman Brothers Band deliver the goods! What an amazing band! Great performances from all the guys, all the way through. This band have made so many great cd's that whatever songs they choose to play at a concert it will be a great concert. I love this bands combinations of jazz, blues, greens, reds and pinks. This is a true jam-band- this is the original jam-band!

I don't know what more to say, except: BUY THIS CD!!! And while you're at it: Buy the rest of their catalogue, old and new:-) You won't be dissapointed, and you can take that to the bank!!!

A delightful live performance
For most people, the Fillmore shows and the live portion of "Eat A Peach" stands as the highwater mark as far as live Allman Brothers is concerned.
But to me, "An Evening With The Allman Brothers Band - First Set" and its sister volume, "2nd Set", are almost as good. The sound is excellent, clean, crisp, and loud, and the performances are as tight as ten-minute songs can possibly be.

Listeners who prefer their blues-rock lean and in three-minute intervals will most likely find the fifteen-minute "Nobody Knows" and the eleven-minute "Dreams" indulgent, but there is a tremendous amount of masterful guitar playing here, courtesy of lead guitarists Dickey Betts and Warren Haynes.
The set opens with a tough "End Of The Line", followed by the eight-minute country-rocker "Blue Sky". Other highlights include the slow burner "Get On With Your Life", and two delightful acoustic performances, the classic "Melissa", and the Willie McTell-inspired "Midnight Blues", a perfectly genuine slide guitar blues right out of the Delta.
Well, actually, "Willie McTell-inspired" is a nice way to put it..."Midnight Blues" is more or less a revised version of Blind Willie McTell's "Mama 't'Ain't Long Fo' Day" with different lyrics, but it's still great.

Fans of the Allman Brothers will definitely want to add this one to their collection. The sound is the best you're ever likely to hear, and almost every song is a highlight.
4 1/2 stars - highly recommended.

Some high points
This is an album that I picked up solely on the strength of the live version of "Melissa".After numerous of listenings, I continue to feel that that a number of the songs selected for the album were notthe strongest of their material.A good listen for the dedicated fans of the band, but not the best choice as an introduction to the ABs.Nonetheless, the Allmans truly excel as a live bands a few of these moments shine throguh on the album. ... Read more

Asin: B00000289A
Sales Rank: 22678
Subjects:  1. Album Rock    2. Blues-Rock    3. Boogie Rock    4. Hard Rock    5. Pop    6. Rock    7. Southern Rock   

Dickey Betts & Great Southern
Average Customer Review:
Audio CD (20 May, 1997)
list price: $11.98
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Reviews (5)

Easily Betts best solo album
This 1977 album really cooks, and is better than most Allman Brothers albums that have been released since then, except for Enlightened Rogues from 1979.The songs here are good and Betts lead guitar work is unbeatable- he has a tremendous tone.An absolute must for Allman Brothers fans- the Great Southern band here is better than the new incarnation of the Allman Brothers, which recently fired Betts from the band because he became so lousy.

Not Up To Allman Brother Status But Pretty Worthwhile
Dickey Betts is one taleneted guitarist and a pretty good vocalist as well.This solo release does have some fine moments.The closing track Bourgenvillia is one pretty tune with goregous guitar embellishments both from the lead and rhythm players.The other songs are pretty catchy.However, they all sound pretty a like.A couple of them even have the same opening riff.The drummers are OK but not as powerful as the Trucks/Jamoe tandem from the Allman Brothers.However as alight hearted and inexpensive additional to your collection, you will not be dissappointed.

Inspiring licks
I still own this on tape recorded off my old scratched up record, one of these days I'll get a fresh copy, it's on my to do list. I still love it. Any guitar player has to love this. Dicky Betts never ceases to amaze me with his playing. Some of the double leads these guys run against each otherleaves you wonder where to start.This kind of music is a great teacher for those who try and imitate it.

I used to see these guys at a little bar called the wreck in Bradenton Beach,they'd come in and jam with just about anyone who was playing there. They are very nice people too! Trust me, if you are a guitar playeryou'll love this album ... Read more

Asin: B000002ZDC
Sales Rank: 140896
Subjects:  1. Pop    2. Rock    3. Southern Rock   

Laid Back
Average Customer Review:
Audio Cassette (17 October, 1990)
list price: $4.98
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Editorial Review

By the end of 1973, the Allman Brothers Band seemed to have it all nailed down. They'd proven their mettle with a fine synthesis of blues, jazz, folk, and country influences; expanded upon it with the definitive Fillmore East set; and moved forward after the separate losses of guitarist Duane Allman and bassist Berry Oakley. The group's myriad strengths, in fact, might've been the reason that one of their most obvious gifts--Gregg Allman's pained, growling voice--was sometimes overlooked. Laid Back, Gregg Allman's first solo disc, seems in part an effort to gain a little more recognition. It worked, particularly given the strong radio response to its opening track, a loping remake of "Midnight Rider." Likewise, much of the album's remainder finds Allman tweaking the band's blues ("Queen of Hearts") and country sides (a cover of Jackson Browne's "These Days"); horns and gospelish backing vocals add to the personal, often mournful feel. Much more coherent than its dated cover art (an either childlike or blasted-out-of-his-gourd Gregg ignoring a blazing volcano) indicates, Laid Back is an often convincing version of the man's music. For Allman, it would get much, much worse before it would be this good again. --Rickey Wright ... Read more

Features

• Original recording remastered

Reviews (19)

Greggs best!!!!!
I grew up with this music, it means so much from back then, i never get tired of this album/cd!!!!! My brother was a huge fan and still is, and so am I , thanks Wayne for over killing this album back in 73"........:0)

Just One Hell Of An Album
One Hell Of An Album! What do you do after 4 great studio albums, Filmore East and Eat A Peach. If you're Brother Gregg Allman, you harness the band and lay down some true beauties. Queen Of Hearts stands alongside Gregg's very best vocal performances as well as one of his absolute best compositions. Mess Up A Good Thing is Southern, it's got absolutely rock solid bottom. These Days is truely heartfelt, gut-wreching, oh so compelling, as good today as when it hit the streets almost thirty years ago. Still, I believe his best studio record.

One of 10I would take to live on an island.
CLASSIC GREGG. HIS BEST SOLO ALBUM. I would also take Live at the Fillmore and Brothers and Sisters. ... Read more

Asin: B000001FM5
Subjects:  1. Blues-Rock    2. Pop    3. Rock    4. Southern Rock   

Croakin' at Toad's
Average Customer Review:
Audio CD (03 October, 2000)
list price: $17.98 -- our price: $17.98
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Editorial Review

The complaint that jam bands hear most often about their albums is that there's too much jamming, not enough songs. If anything, Frogwings, the supergroup brainchild of original Allman Brothers Band drummer Butch Trucks, suffers a bit from the opposite problem. While the songs themselves are nothing special, the jams are often scintillating. At the forefront of Frogwings is the incisive dual guitar attack of Aquarium Rescue Unit vet Jimmy Herring and 19-year-old slide sensation (and Butch's nephew) Derek Trucks. Various Allman Brothers and ARU members fill out a top-notch rhythm crew. John Popper's harp playing sounds as fresh and inventive as it has in years--clearly challenged and spurred by the fast company--although things tend to sour when the Blues Traveler frontman sings lines like these: "Some people call me lazy, everybody says I'm crazy, but I think I know how to have fun...ganja, heal me." That's just the kind of thing that gives ganja smokers everywhere a bad name. Still, get through the verses and choruses and you'll find the playing on this live set exciting, adventurous, and sharp as a tack. --Marc Greilsamer ... Read more

Reviews (20)

3 stars and only just
I respect the musos involved to much to give this any less, but boy is this hard to listen to. This is a close to a wankfest as I have ever heard HERRING / TRUCKS sound. Endless passages of " I CAN PLAY FASTER THEN YOU CAN" and very little material to work with. Every tune is twice as long as it should have been. POPPER gets on my nerves, his singing is totaly unsuited to this format.
This is not a patch on THE AQUARIUM RESQUE UNIT or any other of JIMMY HERRING's projects. ENDANGRED SPECIES and PROJECT Z are so much better. All of TRUCKS's solo efforts are brilliant and it is hard to believe that this is the best material that these giants of the musik world can produce. There is obviously some outstanding playing on this CD, but the musik is well below average.

nice ensemble
With the blazing talents of Jimmy Herring, partnered with the soulful Derek Trucks blended with John Popper's unique harp style and the amazing Burbridge brothers not to mention the Allman brother's Butch Trucks and Mark Quionnes there are few lulls. It's intense and tight as well as melodic and funky. The reason I bought this one was because of this mix of savy professionals whose talents are often, and sadly, overlooked.

poppers folly
This CD had the makings of a great recording. The problem was telling Popper where they were performing!Butch,please record another one but leave Popper at home.He's full of a lot of things,but TALENT isn't one of them! ... Read more

Asin: B00004W5JE
Subjects:  1. Country-Rock    2. Jam Bands    3. Pop    4. Rock    5. Southern Rock   

Where It All Begins
Average Customer Review:
Audio CD (03 May, 1994)
list price: $11.98 -- our price: $10.99
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Editorial Review

The popular aphorism that "there are no second acts in America" has been contradicted by the surprising reincarnation of the Allman Brothers Band after highway deaths, drug trials and artistic lethargy hammered more than one nail in the group's coffin. After breaking up in '81, the four surviving original members, Gregg Allman, Dickey Betts, Butch Trucks and Jaimoe, reunited for a 20th anniversary tour in 1989. The results were so unexpectedly good that the band decided to stick together and have released their fourth post-reunion album, Where It All Began. Why did the Allmans' reunion succeed where so many rock and roll reunions have flopped? The Allmans' concept hasn't changed, but like the jazz and blues legends they admire, they play a little differently each time. --Geoffrey Himes ... Read more

Reviews (19)

Where It All Begins - Classic Allman Brothers
The Allman Brothers Band have been one of my favourite bands ever since I picked up "Greatest Hits - Live", "A Decade Of Greatest Hits" and "Live At The Fillmore East". OK, while I may not be your ideal reviewer or critic, I must say that Where It All Begins just rocks. Tracks like All Night Train, Soulshine, Mean Woman Blues are classic sounding tunes. The music kind of grows on you after a few listens.
If you wanted to buy 3 CD's but had money for just one, this should be the one.

Maintaining a high level through the 90s
Recorded live in the studio in 1994, "Where It All Begins" is a very solid latter-day Allman Brothers album. It is filled with big, muscular rock songs, only one of which is over seven minutes long...and that is REALLY tight for an Allman Brothers record!

Musically, "Where It All Begins" is more diverse than most of the band's records, spanning rock, soul, blues, a little bit of jazz and funk, and various forms with a hyphen and the word "rock" (blues-rock, country-rock...)
Gregg Allman has a much stronger presence than on the 1990 comeback album with four songwriting credits, including two of the best songs, the confessional "All Night Train" and the great, muscular funk of "Sailin' 'Cross The Devil's Sea".
Dickey Betts gets five...he usually provided the countryish flavour, but here he brings the wonderful, tough "Mean Woman Blues" and the driving hard rock of "No One To Run With" to the party, as well as the powerful mid-tempo blues stomper "Change My Way Of Living" and two more traditionally "Betts-ish" numbers, the title track and "Everybody's Got A Mountain To Climb".

The rhythm section is perfect, tough yet supple, with plenty of swing...bassist Allen Woody and percussionist Marc Quinones are just wonderful, and this is the Allmans' last studio album to feature the combination of Dickey Betts and slide guitarist Warren Haynes. Haynes is a fine, rough singer, and he provides an updated version of the Gov't Mule number "Soulshine", a wonderful, melodic slow rock song. He also gets co-writing credits on "All Night Train" and the apostrophe-song ("Sailin' 'Cross The Devil's Sea"), and plays sizzling lead and slide guitar.

This is an unusually strong and consistent batch of songs...the garish cover looks like something from a cartoon, which is a bit of a shame, but there is absolutely nothing wrong with the music. "Where It All Begins" is a bit more mainstream and certainly not as improvisational as the Allman Brothers records of the early 70s, and that may not be to everybody's liking, but most listeners, whether casual or diehard, should get a kick out of this delightful album.
In fact, "Where It All Begins" should appeal to all serious rock and blues fans. And don't forget to pick up the live album from the ensuing tour, "An Evening With The Allman Brothers Band - 2nd Set".
4 3/4 stars - highly recommended.

Primal?
Well, Dickey Betts is really strong on this one. "Everybody's Got A Mountain To Climb" has some really ecstatic vocals. Betts, Gregg Allman and Warren Haynes, what a blend!! "No One To Run With" and the title track, "Where It All Begins," are also top-grade ABB classics. The fidelity, mix and lively atmosphere on this CD are a perfect 10, capturing the mood of these guys in 1994.

By now, this lineup - with sadly departed bassist Allen Woody, now-exorcised guitarist/singer Dickey Betts, and sideman extrordinaire Warren Haynes (who wrote one of the best tracks on the album) - must be considered a classic lineup second only to the 1971 classic lineup with Duane and Berry Oakley.

... Read more

Asin: B000002A4D
Subjects:  1. Pop    2. Rock   

Peakin' at the Beacon
Average Customer Review:
Audio CD (14 November, 2000)
list price: $11.98 -- our price: $11.98
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Editorial Review

Recorded over 13 nights in March 2000, at New York's Beacon Theater--and marking the Allman Brothers Band's 30th anniversary--this disc captures the ABB at a crossroads. Guitarist Jack Pearson embarked on a solo career a year earlier (and was replaced by Derek Trucks) and, three months later, founding member Dickie Betts departed amidst reports of the proverbial "creative differences." You might think this turmoil would seriously detract from the ABB's Southern-rock supremacy, but while this recording can't match the legendary At Fillmore East, it's nevertheless the work of a band that's going strong. The selection of lesser-known tracks dominated by Gregg Allman compositions might leave longstanding fans feeling shortchanged, since some have been better preserved on previous live recordings. Still, there's plenty to recommend, not the least being the rousing, epic jam on Betts's "High Falls" that closes out the disc. And despite the occasional lapse in recording fidelity, you've still got Trucks's stupendous slide, the inclusion of some relative rarities (including "Every Hungry Woman"), and an opening medley of "Don't Want You No More," "It's Not My Cross to Bear," and "Ain't Wastin' Time No More" that plants one foot in the Allmans' illustrious past while pointing toward more years of crowd-pleasing virtuosity. --Jeff Shannon ... Read more

Features

• Live

Reviews (32)

Excellent Playing......about the sound
This sounds like an analgue recording from the 1960s. It does not have the clarity (and in some cases the sterile sound of more recent live albums which is a good thing). This actually has a warmer sound than many clear digital recordings - kind of like some of the early 1960's Dick's Picks Grateful Dead releases). Supprising is that this was recorded in 2000. Was it poor recording equipment or are they trying to get a more 60's sound on this. Therefore, I think the only major flaw isa 10 minute drum solo in High Falls- OK to see but never good to hear. Drum solos should be hot and no longer than about 2 minutes - great drummers like Buddy Rich knew this well. Hit the stop button at the 11 minute mark of High Falls to avoid drum overload.

A pleasant surprise
I did not expect this to be very good.I wasn't impressed with the song selection.Most of those songs have been done repeatedly on various live albums, and I thought it would be boring and tedious to hear them again.Also, some of the review were horrible, saying the sound quality and performance were bad.Neither is quite true.

The CD is about 75 minutes long.The first nine tracks are 4 to 6 minutes long.The last, High Falls, is 26 minutes of music.The sound quality is OK, but a little muddy.I have heard some recent live albums with worse sound quality, such as Gov't Mule's Deepest End, where you can actually hear talking in the background.I also like that this is just music, with no talking between tracks.The only comments they make are put at the end of the CD.

I am really surprised at how good and interesting the first 9 tracks are.I have heard them all before, many, many times, so I didn't think I would need to hear them again.And at 4 to 6 minutes, it wasn't like there would be any serious jamming in the songs.But, somehow, the group puts new life into them.Still, I don't know why they feel a need to put these songs on an album for another time.If this were the only time these songs were available, I would give this CD 5 stars.

High Falls is fantastic.It is a nice mixture blues, jazz and Allman Brothers jamming.My only complaint is the 10 minute drum solo in the middle.I'm not a huge drum solo fan, but the Allman Brothers have always been one of the top bands when it comes to drum solos.This is not one of thier best drum solos.

I would recommend buying most other Allman Brothers albums before getting this one.But, if you have everything, this may be worth considering (especially if you find it at a budget price, like I did).

***1/2 - pretty good, but inessential
Probably the least of the Allman Brothers' numerous live albums, "Peakin' At The Beacon" contains plenty of good guitar playing, some great songs (and a few lesser ones), and it sounds good, too (without being fantastic).
But there's really nothing new here...the two excellent "An Evening With The Allman Brothers Band" albums already covered their latter-day Epic Records material, and most of the older songs can be found in equally good or better versions on previous live albums.
This one serves mainly as a reminder that the Allman Brothers Band still sound the same. That's okay, but of minimal interest to less than totally devoted listeners - unlike the brand new live album, "One Way Out", also from the Beacon, which can be easily recommended even to more casual listeners. ... Read more

Asin: B000051XW6
Subjects:  1. Album Rock    2. Blues-Rock    3. Boogie Rock    4. Pop    5. Rock    6. Southern Rock   

Dreams
Average Customer Review:
Audio CD (08 June, 1989)
list price: $59.98 -- our price: $53.99
(price subject to change: see help)
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Editorial Review

This four-CD celebration offers an incredibly comprehensive look at the Allman Brothers, adding early demos, rare live recordings, alternate takes, outtakes, remixes, and solo efforts to the already powerful "official" catalog. Their progression from '60s Invasion-style rockers to blues cover band with a taste for B.B. King to dynamic rock & roll juggernaut is astonishing, and the inclusion of sundry oddities will make collectors happy. The booklet is thorough and lovingly produced. --Marc Greilsamer ... Read more

Features

• Box set

Reviews (19)

Allman Brothers 101
This is a great boxed set.It covers all of the band's music from pre-Allmans to their nearly up to the present recordings.I say "nearly" up to the present because they have done a couple of more recordings that are not included on this album.Songs from the album "Back where it all began" are not included on this.

I have all of their albums and I was impressed to see some really remote recordings here.My particular favorite is disc 3, but there are gems on all four discs.

They were a remarkable band.I would highly recommend this boxed set.

An impressive career overview with a few twists
This is not the place to start your Allman Brothers collection (unless you have money to burn), but it is a fine stop along the way for devoted fans of the band.

"Dreams" is a four-disc, 55-song compilation, handsomely presented in a LP-sized box with a large, well illustrated and well written 30-page booklet.
It includes songs recorded between 1966 and 1988, so the Allmans' latter-day comeback is not documented, but all of that material is easily available anyway.
Disc one includes a number of early recordings by Duane and Gregg Allman and their pre-ABB outfits, The Allman Joys, The Hourglass, 31st Of February, and the too-psychedelic Second Coming. Some of it is pedestrian, but there is actually quite a lot of good stuff as well, particularly the three Allman Joys numbers. And the late Duane Allman takes a rare lead vocal on the 1969 single "Goin' Down Slow" (previously only available on the Duane Allman "Anthology" from 1972).

The last two discs also include a number of songs from the solo careers of Gregg Allman and original co-lead guitarist Richard "Dickey" Betts. There is some really good stuff, particularly Gregg Allman's almost spiritual-like version of the Beatles' "Rain", Betts' up-tempo country-rockers "Crazy Love" and "Good Time Feeling", and the utterly beautiful outtake "Nancy". And you also get most of the good stuff from the Allmans' otherwise forgettable late 70s/early 80s LPs.
About a dozen of these 55 songs are previously unreleased (or were at the time), and some are hard-to-find singles or B-sides or just obscure album tracks. Those songs will certainly attract serious ABB fans, but more casual fans will probably find that one of these four discs could have been omitted with no great harm done.
Still, there is no denying that "Dreams" comes awfully close to delivering the definitive word on the Allman Brothers Band. All their classic songs are here, alongside studio outtakes like "Statesboro Blues" (!) and "One More Ride", previously unreleased live recordings of "One Way Out", "Elizabeth Reed" and "Just Ain't Easy", and a live-in-the-studio radio broadcast medley of "You Don't Love Me" and "Soul Serenade".

Serious ABB fans will definitely want this fine set in their collection, and lots of "mid-level" fans (like me) should find an awful lot to like as well. Even if they already have most of the ABB stuff, "Dreams" may well turn them on to the underappreciated solo career of Dickey Betts.
Oh, and that studio version of "Statesboro Blues"? Terrific! Why that one was never released is a mystery.
4 1/4 stars - definitely recommended.

fulfilling box set
i always liked abb, and considered buying a greatest hits set, but this is so much better! not only abb's greatest, but the best of the solo stuff, b-sides, live shows, and misc. arcania. a box set that is worth every pennie. this is an objective point of view, for this is all the abb i own and will ever own and i love it! ... Read more

Asin: B000001FQX
Subjects:  1. Album Rock    2. Blues-Rock    3. Boogie Rock    4. Box Sets (Audio Only)    5. Guitar Virtuoso    6. Hard Rock    7. Pop    8. Rock    9. Slide Guitar Blues    10. Southern Rock