The Allman Brothers Band

Curious if DaveB. ever got around to listening to 'At Fillmore East'. Hands down the best live album i've ever heard.

("You Don't Love Me", "Don't Keep Me Wonderin'", "One Way Out", of course, "Whipping Post"- live killers)

I've been listening heavily to Derek & the Dominos. As great as the interplay between Clapton and Allman is, still can't beat the Allman/Betts combo. Their playing compliments each other perfectly; the years of rehearsing/jamming together in the farmhouse garages of Macon created a sixth sense between them; a magical chemistry, that allows you to hear the band do the same seven songs in a slightly unique way each time.

Know you've been critical of the post-Duane, Dickie Betts take over, Dragon Ma, but I love 'Brothers And Sisters'. If not quite 'Eat A Peach', still their most laidback, southern record.

Betts' contributions "Blue Sky", "Little Martha", and the underrated "High Falls" are essential Allman tracks.

I dig what Chuck Leavell brought to the band.

'Wipe The Windows, Check the Oil, Dollar Gas' is a hodge-podge live record, but has, in my opinion, the definitive versions of "Ramblin' Man" and "Jessica". Also a rockin' "Southbound".

Pretty amazing that this band could survive multiple tragedies--including losing one of the five greatest guitar players ever--and not only survive, but continue to grow.

The interracial membership/brotherhood was always a cool aspect; and pretty important-radical even-for a rock band from the deep south.

The knack for finding new and interesting guitarists, and successfully fitting them into the band, along with still crafting vital and interesting music, puts them a step above the usual riders on the dinosaur/nostalgia circus.

Why the Grateful Dead get all the love is beyond me. (Well, Gregg Allman is kind of a douche-y rock star)

When listening to "Mountain Jam" from Fillmore or Atlanta Internatinal Pop, and Duane's soaring slide riffs into a "Will The Circle Be Unbroken?" motif, it's about as spiritual/transcending a moment as the Blues can bring you (3 sides-I want more!)

A curio--I prefer Gregg Allman's solo version of "Midnight Rider". Most of the band do play on it.

I recommend 'Beginnings', for a primer on how great the Duane Allman Blues period really was. "Dreams", "Revival", "It's Not My Cross to Bear" "Please Call Home", my favorites.

If we're disregarding musical accomplishment/enjoyment due to the douchiness of those involved, we might as well just quit music.

Seconded. I have a (bootleg?) video version of that as well (ends with this: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KHhKnc0XZrs), and even though it's crappy quality, it's so exciting to watch. Two drummers and all! Who does that anymore? Well, apart from the Melvins.

I read the biography Midnight Rider. Esp. the first part (up until complete Gregg meltdown in the eighties) is superb rock'n'roll lore, even though spectaculary dramatic. Almost exactly a year after Duane's accident, bass player and key founding member Berry Oakley died in a similar motorcycle crash just a few blocks from where Duane went. Also, great hick-trash stories galore- shooting each other in the foot to avoid the army, that kind of thing. These guys were no pussies.

Yep. Good post, Elvis.

Nice. I'll have to check that out, thanks for the heads-up.

Dixie Lullaby is a pretty decent read on the general "southern rock" topic as well.

Gregg's meltdown almost directly post-Cher?

Didn't he narc on his own roadie to stay out of jail or something?

Remember the band almost shut down at that point over disgust and outrage over his behavior.

("I'm No Angel" indeed)

And this asshole has the nerve to throw out Betts?!

**For those in the know-did Betts show up for the anniversary concert at the Beacon as rumored? Would be cool to see the three guitar line up attack the classics!

I recommend the Duane Allman Anthology vol. I & II. Collects his legendary session work. Slide solo on Wilson Pickett's "Hey Jude"-phenomenal!

And the deluxe edition of 'The Road Goes On Forever" is the compilation that gives the best overview of the whole 70's run.

Much as I love a lot of the Bros' albums, the one I used to play the most was a mixtape I made of Duane's session work. I should probably do a new version of that, since at the time I didn't have the unedited "Chain of Fools" that was released a couple years ago. Amazing stuff.