The Allman Brothers Band - A Decade of Hits 1969-1979
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Free Music Notes for A Decade of Hits 1969-1979
Free Music Review: Southern Fried Perfection
Hit: 5 Stars
The problem with many greatest hits collections is that they tend to be slapped together by record company execs who have only the bleariest idea of what the artist is about. They either miss some great songs or include some inexplicable filler -- or both. But that certainly is not the problem here. If ever there was a greatest hits collection that gets it exactly right, this is it.The title A DECADE OF HITS 1969-1979 is somewhat misleading because there are no tracks from their troubled 1975 album WIN, LOSE OR DRAW and only one from their 1979 comeback ENLIGHTENED ROGUES. That's not a problem, because the focus is wisely on their 1969-1973 heyday when these guys from Macon, Georgia reminded America of rock's Southern roots, opened the door for Lynyrd Skynyrd and the Marshall Tucker Band, and were arguably the most influential band around.
There is a good balance between hits and deep album cuts. Of course the signature songs "Whipping Post," "Midnight Rider" and the massive AM radio hit "Ramblin' Man" are here. Unlike the British art rock bands of that time, the Allmans could do extended instrumental jams ("Jessica," "In Memory of Elizabeth Reed") without running amok or losing focus. They made blues classics ("One Way Out," "Statesboro Blues") into their own. They even delved into gospel ("Revival") as well as tender ballads ("Melissa"). Of course the most devoted fans will prefer to have the Allman's early albums in their entirety. But this is the perfect introduction and sampler for more casual listeners. There is no way to understand seventies rock without listening to the Allman Brothers Band.
Also essential listening: LAYLA AND OTHER ASSORTED LOVE SONGS by Derek & the Dominos, which features Duane Allman and Eric Clapton pushing each other to greater and greater heights.
Free Music Review: a desert island must-have
Hit: 5 Stars
Every track on this cd you will recognize and love. The allmans at their best!Free Music Review: Essential from America's Best Band
Hit: 5 Stars
This seminal collection gathers the best output of what was/is one of the most massively influential, accomplished, admired bands to originate on American soil, and possibly the best live band in recorded music history. More deeply rooted in blues than most would like to admit, the Allman's delved deep into the catalog of Delta heroes, and the Allman's live instrumental arrangements reflect standard blues to this day, regardless of Dickey Betts and (drummer) Jaimoe Johanssan's rhythm disagreements. The chemistry of this band is perfect: Betts provides a powerful does of southern country/rock, which was the perfect offset to Duane's monolithic, gritty southern blues slide. Balanced by Gregg's commanding singing/songwriting presence and the knockout rhythm trio of Butch Trucks, Berry Oaley, and Jaimoe Johnny Johanssan, this band simply did not have a weak link. The fan is familiar with all of the material on this CD, which is far superior to the 8-song collection previously released by Polygram. One might quibble: one of the Allman's best songs, Gregg's spellbinding "Come and Go Blues," isn't included here, and neither is their 1990 hit "Seven Turns," but two other songs would have have to have been omitted to keep the CD under 74 minutes. (I would prefer hearing "Come And Go Blues" instead of Betts' "Revival," but "Come" is available on "Brothers and Sisters," in itself a great rock CD.) For musicians, scholars of 70's blues and country, this band is a once in a lifetime grouping of blues, country, and rock musical styles in one mean, dirty package. And brother, does it rock.Free Music Review: A strong anthology
Hit: 5 Stars
Concentrating as it does on the most popular songs released by the Allman Brothers, "A Decade of Hits," manages to hit all of the 1970s studio highlights from this troubled band's heyday. While it is true that the Allmans cemented their reputation with incredible live marathon songs (some lasting a half hour or more) there's hardly room on a disc like this for them. Instead, this CD makes the argument that the Allmans were first rate writers of more conventional rock songs as well. Many of these are staples on classic rock radio, like "Ramblin' Man," "Melissa," "Blue Skies," and "Midnight Rider." Other highlights include "Ain't Wasting Time No More," "Jessica," the Duane Allman swan song "Little Martha" and "Statesboro Blues." Also included are a couple of longer early blues rock cuts, "In Memory of Elizabeth Reed" and "Whipping Post."The only drawback on this CD is that it doesn't contain any bonus material. But anyone just beginning their Allman Brothers collection could hardly ask for better.
Free Music Review: Perfect selection from their catalogue
Hit: 5 Stars
The Allman Brothers Band A Decade of Hits has a very essential selection of songs from the bands best albums. The ABB was composed of some of the best musicians from the south. Duane Allman's sweet slide guitar is heard at its peak on Ramblin Man and Statesboro blues. Dickey Betts finest compositions were not spared on this one. In Memory of Elizabeth Reed, Ramblin Man, and Jessica among others are sweeping instrumental jams where the talents of all the band members are shown. And if you thought this band was just big on the electric guitars, organs, and dual-drummers, then they've thrown in a Little Martha with just Duane on the acoustic with a pacific tune. After Duane died the band had forge on and Greg wrote the uplifting Ain't Wasting Time Nor More. The band proved they could still rock on songs like Crazy Love and Wasted Words. Some of the material on this album is taken from the Fillmore Concerts such as Statesboro and One Way Out. These two tracks just hint at the enormous amount of riffs, licks, and solos that appear on the "Live at the Fillmore East" album. So if your into the more instrumental "jam band" aspect of ABB then buy the Fillmore East live album, even though this album covers that aspect of them sufficiently. The thing that I love most about this band is that they not only are incredible songwriters and singers but they are such masters of the instruments that they play. This album shows all the different talents that the band had and now all that is left other than the remaining members is the music. And this is the best of their songs.