Last week I posted about Southern Rock Classics, Volume 2 (you can read my review here). The Allman Brothers Band received accolades for their songs on the compilation CD so I decided to dig out my 20th Century Masters: The Best of the Allman Brothers Band, The Millennium Collection (2000) and listen to it again.
The Allman Brothers Band was formed in Jacksonville, Florida in 1969 by brothers Duane Allman (founder, slide guitar and lead guitar) and Gregg Allman (vocals, keyboards, songwriting), as well as Dickey Betts (lead guitar, vocals, songwriting), Berry Oakley (bass guitar), Butch Trucks (drums), and Jai Johanny “Jaimoe” Johanson (drums). Subsequently, based in Macon, Georgia, The Allman Brothers Band incorporated elements of blues, jazz, and country music. Their popular live shows featured improvisation and instrumentals.
Group leader Duane Allman was killed in a motorcycle accident on October 29, 1971. Bassist Berry Oakley died one year and 13 days later on November 11, 1972 in a similar motorcycle accident. Butch Trucks died of a self-inflicted gunshot wound on January 24, 2017, in West Palm Beach, Florida, at the age of 69. Gregg Allman died from complications arising from liver cancer on May 27, 2017, at his home in Georgia, also at the age of 69.
The Allman Brothers Band has been awarded seven gold and four platinum albums, and was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1995. Rolling Stone ranked them 52nd on their list of the 100 Greatest Artists of All Time in 2004. Great band, great music, tragic history. GRADE: A
TRACKLIST:
| Whipping Post | 5:16 | ||
| Dreams | 7:16 | ||
| Revival | 4:03 | ||
| Midnight Rider | 2:57 | ||
| Hot ‘Lanta | 5:19 | ||
| Melissa | 3:54 | ||
| Stand Back | 3:24 | ||
| Blue Sky | 5:09 | ||
| Ramblin’ Man | 4:48 | ||
| Jessica | 7:28 | ||
| Crazy Love | 3:43 |
Great band. My favorite song by them isn’t on here. It’s a Dickie Betts instrumental called in Memory of Elizabeth Reed. Saw them once about 1970. J. Geils band opened. Great show.
Steve, I’m a fan of the J. Geils Band, too. I might feature them in an upcoming post. Sounds like a great show!
As I said last week, my favorite Allman Brothers’ songs are “Jessica” and “Blue Sky”; however, they have one song (not included in this collection” called “Statesboro Blues.” I went to college in Statesboro, Georgia, and that was our unofficial anthem at the time.
Deb, I have some additional Allman Brothers Band CDs around here somewhere and I’ll see if “Statesboro Blues” is on one of them.
It’s on EAT A PEACH and, along with MELISSA is my favorite.
Rick, I might just own EAT A PEACH!
One of my greatest musical regrets is that I never saw these guys live, and for someone who lives in the South that’s just about inexcusable, but during their greatest period, late Sixties, early Seventies, the Air Force had me. Still have the music, though.
Michael, like you I regret I didn’t see the Allman Brothers Band live–and a couple dozen other groups and performers. I went to some concerts…but not enough.
My brother was the big Allman Brothers fan. I’ve seem Butch’s nephew Derek Trucks in concert several times, also Warren Haynes, both part of the later incarnation of the band.
Jeff, the Allman Brothers Band was around for decades.
Did you see my comment?
Rick, I might have MELISSA around here, too.
I love the Allman Brothers. Eat a peach is a favorite of mine. Was just talking to a friend of mine and he thought Gregg was still alive. I don’t see Dickey Betts mentioned too many places now.
Another I like is James Gang (walk away was a favorite bar song). Joe Walsh is all over the place now on you tube videos.
I got Lynard Skynards greatest hits on a CD at the library for 25c and am wearing out gimme 3 steps. My friend likes free bird which is too long and instrumental for me, but I do listen to it some time all the way thru.
Maggie, I just bought a dozen CDs at the Library for three dollars. I find quality CDs that people are just getting rid of!
I’m a fan of the band other than the regrettable association Gregg had with Cher.
Bob, I think Cher and Gregg made a cute couple!
Fair amount of hair care product employed in their household.