We continue our look back at the music of 50 years ago…..
There are many people who consider the original edition of the Allman Brothers Band to be the best American Rock & Roll band of all-time. And this record shows you why. Despite a reputation as a strong live act, the first two studio albums from the group failed to generate much buzz or sales. The group had kept a constant touring schedule even when Duane Allman took some time off the road in 1970 to contribute to Eric Clapton’s Layla LP.
Promoter Bill Graham had liked the band since he first booked them as an opening act back in 1969 . When the band decided to do a “live” LP to catch the energy of their concerts, Graham’s Fillmore East seemed to be a perfect spot to it.
They recorded two shows March 12 & 13 1971 with Tom Dowd producing. And the band delivered. The shows were awesome examples of rock & blues with Duane’s slide guitar prowess front and center. Dickey Betts brought some great picking as well and his guitar solo duels with Duane became legendary. Gregg Allman’s voice was dripping with the blues. Berry Oakley was a creative bass player that even added some jazz overtones to the endeavor….and the dual drum kits of Butch Trucks and Jai Johnny Johanson…was a feature that gave the group a driving rhythm that few other bands could match.
From the scorching opening notes of Statesboro Blues flying from Duane’s slide…to the final frenzy of Whipping Post…the album was a wonder. Listeners could revel in the long extended jams that concert-goers had wallowed in for years.
The three originals on the record all cook. Hot’Lanta, an instrumental piece…Whipping Post, a Gregg Allman classic…and the Dickey Betts extended jam ” In Memory Of Elizabeth Reed”. Here are the studio originals of the last two which you can compare to their “live” counter parts…you can see why this band had to be captured in it’s natural state…on stage.
The choice of covers was also juicy, showing their blues roots and highlighting Gregg’s voice as the powerful instrument it was. Statesboro Blues from Blind Willie McTell (and ably covered earlier by Taj Mahal), Stormy Monday- from T-Bone Walker, Done Somebody Wrong by Elmore James and You Don’t Love Me from Willie Cobbs…here are the originals for comparison…
There were a number of other songs recorded at these shows including Mountain Jam which would appear on the next record “Eat A Peach”.
The LP was released in early July 1971 as a double album but priced as a single…which only had to help its sales as well. But it was the music that drove this one up the charts quickly. Little did we know that just a few months later, Duane would be gone, killed in a motorcycle accident. The band would never be the same. Yeah, they released some good records in the ensuing years…Eat A Peach and Brothers & Sisters certainly stand up well, but the loss of that Duane “sound” could never be replicated.
Is this the greatest “Live recording” in American music history? I know “Greatest” and “Best” are subjective terms, but Live at The Fillmore from the Allman Brothers Band, should certainly be in the conversation. Enjoy!
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