Long time Allman Brothers fan. Have not listened to much of the material from their side and solo projects. To those folks who know this material, what are your recommendations?
Gregg’s “Playin Up a Storm” is pretty good. Especially if you like Dr John, who’s all over it. Dickey’s “Pattern Disruptive” is a strong album that marks (I think) the debut of Warren Haynes. A clear bridge to the Altman’s comeback.
I’ve only heard a few. I’d say avoid I’m No Angel. Despite the great title track, this is a fairly faceless and dull 80s adult contemporary sounding record. I’d also approach Dickey Betts & Great Southern with a bit of caution. It’s not exactly bad, but it really does sound like he’s deliberately recycling past ABB triumphs. I had hoped for better here. The jury is still out for me on Pattern Disruptive. Appreciate the rec from @bRETT above. I should revisit this one.
Laid Back is a great album. Essential. Highway Call is a decent country album. Think Ramblin' Man with fiddles. The Great Southern albums are a nice listen but nothing special.
Matt Abts of Gov't Mule is on it too. I believe prior to that Warren had appeared on some of David Allan Coe's recordings.
Gregg Allman One More Try : An Anthology 2cd set of demos , outtakes and alternate cuts from his solo career. Highlights the Soulful side of Gregg. Adam’s Song/Shadow Dream Song, Catfish Blues , Rain and When a Man Loves a woman are some of my favorites from these disc.
I have them all and the ones I enjoy and recommend dipping your toes into are Gregg's Laid Back, One More Try, and Southern Blood. If you can't get One More Try don't worry about it as the Laid Back Deluxe Edition has a lot of those tracks on it and is probably a lot cheaper if you are buying media. For Dickey I would recommend Highway Call, and The Collectors #1. If you are buying CDs a lot of Dickey's can be had as 2 for 1s eg The Collectors and Let's Get Together.
Consistently a stronger album than its predecessor, I’m No Angel. Ocean Awash The Gunwale is a gem of a song. And there’s a bit of the melody from the ABB’s Dreams, during the end guitar solo. A nice touch. In my opinion, the OP should grab it all
I like I’m No Angel. While it is a polished album, and the rest of it arguably doesn’t match the lofty standard of the title track, I wouldn’t call it dull. The 2 albums with Great Southern are solid. I rate the first one much higher…Johnny Sandlin’s production sympathetic to Dickey’s music. Jack Richardson wasn’t as good of a fit as producer, for the 2nd album
Both I’m no Angle and Just Before The Bullets Fly are enjoyable as Gregg’s style evolved, polished 80’s production included the highly talented Toler Bros..
I'd agree with the comments so far, however, Highway Call, seems more popular with others than me. I recommend The Toler Brothers album, the Warren Haynes solo albums, The Allman Betts Band albums & Gov't Mule is essential. I like the Les Brers albums but are very hard to come by at reasonable prices around here.
What he said! I'm also a fan of Gregg's Low Country Blues and Southern Blood as well as Gregg Allman Live - Back to Macon Georgia. Most everything else by Great Southern and solo Gregg is entertaining but not essential, IMO.
Really? I thought when they got back for a third time with Warren and Woody and the albums Seven Turns through to Where It all Begins blew away the Toler Bros. era. But to each their own.
From a hard core Allman's Enthusiast here. IMO the first version of that band with Duane and Berry is the greatest American band to ever hit the road. With apologies to Bob Wills & His Texas Playboys and James Brown & The Famous Flames. Gregg Allman - Laid Back (Exceptional) I prefer it to Brothers & Sisters which was recorded at the same time. Frankly to me it isn't close. Gregg's heart was in this album and he wasn't really present for Brothers & Sisters. Just look at the song writing credits on each album. Gregg Allman - The Gregg Allman Tour - Essentially Laid Back with an orchestra on tour. Plus you get Oncoming Traffic which is Gregg morning in song form. Gregg Allman - Playing Up A Storm - My preferred version of Come & Go Blues. You can tell Gregg has played the song over and over and he really nails the vocal arrangement and performance. The album has questionable production values, but welcome to world of Gregg Allman without Duane present for quality control. Dickey Betts - Highway Call - A fun album. It isn't as good as Brothers & Sisters but it is better than the rest of the Allmans output before their 90's comeback. Probably better than anything after Brothers & Sisters other than Hitting The Note (I prefer Hitting the Note). To my ears Laid back hits the same high bar that The Allman Brothers, Idlewild South & Eat A Peach hit. Maybe not Eat A Peach but Laid Back is truly excellent. Eat A Peach & The Fillmore Recordings are untouchable utopian recordings of American music. The other albums listed above are all really good albums but not at the same high bar that Laid Back sets. I do have a soft spot for Southern Blood that last Gregg Allman album. I believe he was terminal when he recorded it. I know for sure he knew his days were numbered. Duane & Gregg were good friends with Jackson Browne in the Hour Glass (pre Allman's) days. Gregg always loved S0ng for Adam released in 72' by Jackson Browne. It is a story about one of Jackson's friends who died young. Gregg related to it because of the loss of Duane. Duane died in 71'. Gregg records Song for Adam on this album with Jackson singing backup. At the end of the song there is a verse where Gregg gets choked up and can't finish the verse. The pedal steel player fills the gap. It is a pretty moving moment when you know what happened in the recording studio and his relationship to the tune. Here is the verse. In the version on Southern Blood the last line is missing which is where the pedal steel player chimes in to fill the gap. Though Adam was a friend of mine, I did not know him long And when I stood myself beside him, I never thought I was as strong Still it seems he stopped his singing in the middle of his song Well, I'm not the one to say I know, but I'm hoping he was wrong This is a rambling post. I love the Allmans.
That’s a bold statement. A lot of people hate or crap on the 79-82 period, especially the 2 albums on Arista. But, there’s some strong material on those albums. And while those 2 Arista albums make anyone forget the 1969-73 period, they still have merits. I enjoy them for what they are, not what they should or shouldn’t be.
