The Allman Brothers Band - Wipe the Windows, Check the Oil, Dollar Gas
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Free Music Notes for Wipe the Windows, Check the Oil, Dollar Gas
Free Music Review: Mid 70's gem with a twist
Hit: 4 Stars
I just listened to this recording and i have to say i was very impressed, several of the live tunes have a more jazz flavored tempo due to the excellent work of longtime Stones pianist Chuck Leavell. The high points include Elizabeth Reed, Southbound and Jessica all delivered with skill by the brothers lineup at the time. With D. Betts doing all the guitar work and the added keyboard the listener experiences a tight 6 man unit delivering the tunes with the skill and precision that the ABB are known for. I don't understand the critical reviews of this CD as the performances are top notch and the song selection is fine.Free Music Review: They didn't want it released. I see why
Hit: 2 Stars
Dollar gas? Oh, that's a real knee-slapper there! And isn't it so great that they titled it that in the midst of an oil crisis similar to the one we're having now? Well, I guess it was common in Chuck Berry's time. Anyway, I wish I could say something good about this album. Because, clich? as it is to say this, the Allman Brothers are the best live band ever. But hey, even they have off nights, and besides, they didn't even want this released. Now, had Tom Dowd respected their wishes, the group's legacy as a live band would be 100% intact. Unfortunately, this was not the case. Instead, this was pumped out as a stopgap while the group was busy with the Gregg Allman "Pot, Meet Kettle" Drug Trial. So it's basically a collection of lackluster live material from the group's mid-'70s incarnation, which means it draws heavily from Brothers and Sisters - five of that album's seven are present here ("Jessica", "Come and Go Blues", "Wasted Words", "Southbound" and of course "Ramblin' Man"), and they're all given sluggish, perfunctory, bored treatments. Of course, they're all fine songs in the studio (and "Come and Go Blues" kicks butt), but that matters not because here the group plays them all as half-heartedly as can be. But not even those are the biggest letdown on the album. That would be "Ain't Wastin' Time No More". It's taken in slow-mo. And that doesn't fit the "no regrets!" message of that song. And hey, I know "It's Not My Cross to Bear" is supposed to be world-weary. That's what made the original version so good. But the group doesn't sound world-weary, they sound stoned. I mean "stoned beyond all reasonable functioning" stoned, not just "kinda stoned" like the Allman Brothers always were because it's the Allman Brothers we're talking about and not some rock band that wasn't stoned all the time (which translates to "no rock band that ever existed"). And when you're stoned that badly you shouldn't be playing. You should be in rehab. And not telling on some roadie for drug possession just to get yourself out of jail, a-HEM, Gregg! Oh well. Never been a huge fan of "Don't Want You No More", and it's a disappointment here, too. Makes sense, I guess. There are a couple showstoppers - I simply can't hear "In Memory of Elizabeth Reed" too many times, and "Can't Lose What You Never Had" sports some fantastic jamming. But on a whole? Skip it, before someone else does! Aye, skip it, and gravitate towards the many great live Allmans albums. I'm talkin' At Fillmore East, the Atlanta International Pop Festival album, Live at American University, Live at Ludlow Garage, both of the Evening With albums, and some choice concerts you can find on Wolfgang's Vault. Free Music Review: Dickey Shines
Hit: 5 Stars
If you are a Dickey Betts fan like I am,I highly recommend this album.Dickey has always been overshadowed by Duanes legend,but here he gets a chance to shine in the spotlight alone.He is featured playing on spirited versions of many of the Allman Brother classics.This line-up would be the only time the ABB would feature one guitar player.Chuck Leavells piano work is a great counter part to Dickey on the longer improvisations.The versions of "Southbound","Ramblin Man","Dont Want You No More-Its Not My Cross To Bear",and "Jessica" show Dickey at his best and why he should be considered among the best lead players of all-time.Free Music Review: NO "AT THE FILMORE EAST JUNIOR"
Hit: 3 Stars
What a difference five years can make. In the span of those years the Allman Brothers lost two of its founding members since its thermonuclear release of AT THE FILMORE EAST. Gone were Duane Allman (truly one of great guitars of his time) and bassist Berry Oakley (underestimated as a bassist and the writer of the classic song **Ramblin' Man**). Up to this point, the Allmans made no attempt to replace Duane Allman to preserve the dual guitar attack so loved by their fans. Gregg Allman did play some chords now and then; but his place was still behind the organ and keyboards. This left Dickey Betts carrying the lion's share of the guitar chores for the band--not that he minded all that much. Betts was quite talented in his own right and had been overshadowed by Duane even in death. The bass position had been filled by excellent Lamar Williams and the then unknown Chuck Leavell came in to fill out the sound with piano and vocals.
The band was clearly back into it's element playing live. The sound is a bit "cooler" in the sense of being more precise, better technically and backing off if ever so slightly in passion. This hardly means WIPE THE WINDOWS CHECK THE OIL DOLLAR GAS is a bad record. To the contrary, it is very good. But if you are looking for another AT THE FILMORE EAST you are bound to be disappointed.
Since AT THE FILMORE EAST and EAT A PEACH (the last two albums with both Duane Allman), the band released the classic BROTHERS AND SISTERS. Frankly, many expected the band to dissolve with EAT A PEACH and not much was imagined for the succeeding album. BROTHERS AND SISTERS was a phenomenal record with a bucket load of great songs. Everyone had thought the Allmans had arisen from the ashes to take the lead in the contemporary rock vanguard. That was not to be. Thus fair or unfair, WIPE THE WINDOWS CHECK THE OIL DOLLAR GAS is often regarded as a document of the band's journey into disintegration. By the end of the decade, the band would release two albums that would stand as embarrassments to this day.
In part, this hardly was the Allmans fault. Time had simply past and musical tastes changed. No longer did the concert goers have much interest in the long jams that was something of a trademark for the Allmans. Most have songs here have been played at the five to seven minute range. The exceptions are the nine minute **Jessica** and a seventeen minute **In Memory of Elizabeth Reed**. In the "old days" at five, six or seven minutes the band would just be warming up.
As it stands, five of the ten songs are from BROTHERS AND SISTERS. One from EAT A PEACH. One from WIN, LOSE OR DRAW. One from IDLEWILD SOUTH. And two from the self-named THE ALLMAN BROTHERS BAND. The only song that had seen life in AT THE FILMORE EAST was "In Memory of Elizabeth Reed"--itself treated here to a nice touch by quoting the Doors' "Riders OnThe Storm" midway through. So one is hardly treated to an AT THE FILMORE EAST JUNIOR.
For my money, this album is worth every cent for a spirited "Ramblin' Man", the inspired different take of "Elizabeth Reed" and a rousing "Jessica". That being said, there really isn't a chunker here. All are among the best in the Allman's catalog. It is just that this is the lesser of all the band's live recordings. Much preferred are all the Allmans later live recordings such as AN EVENING WITH THE ALLMAN BROTHERS BAND (both volumes) and PEAKIN' AT THE BEACON.
Of course, I assume you already have AT THE FILMORE EAST. If not, what's the matter with you?
Free Music Review: Vastly underrated
Hit: 4 Stars
I was very pleasantly surprised after finding this at a used CD outlet. No, it does not have the early years, classic Fillmore sound. And it does have one or two warts, which are easy to overlook. But, that's ok. The ABB is unique in that they have produced a diverse set of sounds throughout their long history. This live collection captures their second phase begun in December 1972, following the deaths of Duane Allman and bassist Berry Oakley. Oakley was replaced with Lamar Williams and rather than add a second guitarist the band opted for keyboardist/pianist Chuck Leavell whose play really stands out. The ten selections were recorded over a period of three years from 12-31-72 to 10-24-75. Overall, this CD features a more jazzy, less bluesy sound. If you can appreciate the subtleties of the twin drummer arrangement, you will find this CD immensely enjoyable. "In Memory..." and "Jessica" especially shine in this regard. "Wipe the Windows,...." also features the best live version of "Southbound " available. In fact, one of the high points on the CD can be heard when Leavell's piano solo segues into Betts' guitar solo. On "Wasted Words" and "Ain't Wastin' Time..." Betts demonstrates he's no slouch on the slide guitar. The key to enjoying this CD is not to compare it to Fillmore, which at first is difficult, but rather find pleasure from it by listening to it on its own merits. You'll hear a classic, unique sound from great musicians still in their prime.