Classic Rock Album of the Day- Allman Brothers- Self Titled (1969) - ***
In honor of the recent death of Dicky Betts, I'd like to cover an LP of maybe what was the pinnacle of American Rock Blues Prowess. Despite the widespread assumption that the Brits had cornered the market on resurrection of American Blues, this particular album shined as a example that the home grown stuff was as good or better than the Brit posers. Sure Clapton, Page, Beck, Mayall were getting all the rock and roll press attention. Deservedly so. But there were sure a few American examples too. Big Brother, ZZ, among others had started forging a path that was as near impactful, and important to music history.
Picking the apt Allman Bro.'s was a simple task. Their debut contains the classical lineup with Both Allmans, Betts, Oaks, and Trucks. It also has that blues rawness that is absent in the subsequent more successful LP's. This is the blues bland white board slate, and no polish. And none of the internal strife or personnel changes that altered the formula. I am not really a big blues fan, but when I do want to hear it, I like the simplistic jammed approach than production values that water the stuff down. The Allmans did a good job of paraphrasing their blues licks in a manner that they came off as plausible covers of the Delta. Vs. Brits who seem to be more inclined to make rock songs with blues bones, tendons, and ligaments. A whole different animal from viewpoint.
Fun Fact: As impactful and great as the debut album was it was one of worst charting in their career. I have a feeling that the '70's purchases did give it an ongoing demand.
Side 1-
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Don't Want You - Spencer Davis remake that is really a little more rock sounding base, but there is no mistaking the fine Duane Allman-Betts blues dueling. Which gives this LP in it's own right standing by that itself. And at face value, Greg's voice comes across more plausible as a blues practioner than his UK counterparts.
4Not My Cross to Bare- More traditional and heartfelt. I bet Clapton heard this one, and was sold on the Derek and D concept, just on this one alone.
3Black Hearted Woman- One of my staples from the KAAY Beaker Street Days. A staple of early southern blues rock that would gel as a genre as great bands like Skynrd, and others would appear. Hardest rocker, but enough of a bluez like splash give it enough oomph to say this is new stuff for us on the West side of the Atlantic. The sloppy feel is endearing, on purpose, and gives it it's flair.
2
Trouble No More- Bro's do a nice cover of this Muddy Waters mainstay. Still even this nice piece makes bottom tier status.
6Side 2-
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Every Hungry Woman- Same meter and feel a bit as Whipping Post. Not near as good though.
7Dreams- Low flow, and rolling blues that the Brother take it back half a notch, They addtioally stick in some of that hammond back sound that was pretty typical in the 1960's. If there is one knock on side 2, Duanne, and Gregg seem to be relying on a common and repetitive sound that doesn't break away enough from just one desired blues style.
5Whipping Post- My favorite Allman Brothers song- Love the improv/ rough almost bar like jam that makes this a song of grit, heartfelt blues. Song has that great double dueling guitar and organ sound that hallmarked this band's sound for albums to come. Lot's of tries, but none of them ever came close to this magic.
1http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JH7JQxOxEQg
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