BLUE SKY - The Allman Brothers Band. My Favorite Guitar Solo of all Time.

[@johnpandolfino8663]

I'm old enough to have seen them play with Duane three times before he passed.....the best live band in the land ....sure miss those boys .....

[@jackjustice1731]

and as someone who's been listening to and playing this song for the better part of my life, you absolutely nailed it brother.

[@humanbeing5300]

always been one of my favorite songs since the 1st time I heard it. It conjures up mental images of walking down a dirt road in the deep south just appreciating the beauty of nature.

[@MDavidG1]

A little background information, for the uninitiated: Blue Sky, from Eat A Peach, was composed and sung by Dickey Betts. It was recorded in August, 1971 at Criteria Studios in North Miami, Florida with the legendary Tom Dowd producing. At the time of the recording of the song, Dickey was 27 and Duane was 24. Duane died October 29, 1971 in Macon Ga before the album was released. Thus Blue Sky was among the very last songs Duane recorded in the studio with The Allman Brothers Band. There is one known (and semi-available) live version of the song with Duane playing on it, from S.U.N.Y. in September 1971. In only a month since the studio version was recorded, the S.U.N.Y. live version was lengthened and changed a surprising amount. But that was how the Allman Brothers tended to do things. For my money, no other version of Blue Sky recorded since the studio original is as good. The idea and title of the song came from the American Indian name of Betts' third wife, Sandy 'Blue Sky' Wabegijig.

[@KellyDeanAllenGuitar]

RIP Dickie. You were a master. One of my favorite players of all time.

[@rickt1951]

That's the reason that Blue Sky is my all-time favorite song of all time and the Allman Brothers Band is my all-time favorite band. I have to say that is the best cover of the Blue Sky solo I ever heard well done sir.

[@lmh3952]

This solo is absolutely amazing. I can’t play it, but I’ll always whistle along when I listen to it. You are an amazing player, love your cover.

[@KellyDeanAllenGuitar]

Thanks man! Glad you liked it. Great solo indeed!

[@tommcnally3646]

Dicky is AWESOME and underrated, you are right that the melody is so refreshing in rock guitar

[@ttexas1963]

I agree with you on this guitar solo being perhaps the greatest of all time. I live about 30 minutes away from where it all happened in Macon Ga. There is a fantastic museum there ( the Big House) in the house where they lived when they created all this great music. The Allman Bros were a special band with 2 incredible guitar players and 2 great singers as well. Ive never saw a live band come close to them , and saw all the great British players. ( SRV being the exception) You nailed this solo, perfectly. You are a great player. I enjoy your channel.👍

[@leosaari345]

The "Blue Sky" guitar break is one of the best of all time. This guy certainly has his ducks in the right order and line. I also have to admit that "Blue Sky" is my favorite song of all time, and ABB my favorite band. I think that BS is also getting more popular with age - I'm not surprised.

[@darrellallen765]

Thank you Sir! Blue Sky is my absolute favorite song of all time. I'm 70 now and just appreciate that melodic guitar even more. You covered it masterfully. I was fortunate to see Dickie Betts play it in a bandshell next to the Mississippi rive in davenport Iowa. A free show and I stood fifteen feet away and watched in utter amazement.

[@KellyDeanAllenGuitar]

Thanks mate! Would love to have seem those guys back in the day. I'm jealous.

[@bluzzjazz]

I agree Dean. Blue Sky was one of my favorites to learn when I was wood shedding with the vinyl. Learn a phrase, pick up the needle and put it back down for the next section! I never did get to see Duane, but I did see Dickie play with Great Southern. I still have the Live at Filmore East LP, what a great live album, probably the best ever.

[@charlesvartanian312]

Wow great tribute and performance. Thank you for confirming my long held view that Dickie Betts was one of the best ever. Got to see him live with ABB and his solo projects in NJ in the 70s. His solos were poetry. There is that one lick in the solo from "Blue Sky" that is so sweet and melancholic that actually turned me into being a lifelong fan. It's the slide down from the e on the 17th fret of the second string. Peace to all.

[@jackjustice1731]

"Melodically perfect". Perfectly described. I've felt this way for the past 51 years. "In Memory of Elizabeth Reed" studio version is another "melodically perfect" solo (both Dicky and Duane).

[@davidflint12]

AB fan since 1973. One of my favorite solos of all time too! Love the harmony parts. Good analysis

[@amajor7add9]

I love the studio version, but check out Live at StonyBrook 9/19/71, 5 weeks before Duane’s death. Duane takes the first solo and wails, taking you on a melodic and dynamic journey, the dickeys solo just gets you on your feet’s and rollin

[@kellysallak8805]

Excellent work. One of my personal favorite guitarists, Dean Ween, has explicitly said that half of his licks are stolen from this solo. Easy to see why.

[@michaelpalumbo3799]

I've been playing this for 40 years for my own pleasure and it had a tremendous impact on my style of soloing since the very beginning. This is one of the greatest and most melodic solos ever recorded. You absolutely nailed it playing-wise and description-wise. The harmony at 1:38 is one of my favorite guitar licks of all time. Thanks for bringing this to everyone! Now it's in my head...time to take it to the neck!

[@Steve19345]

I hear ya bro.

[@CorbCorbin]

One of my favorites as well. Dickey was so great, covering so much ground, for the band going forward, after Duane. When I first found that pocket, to play solos like this, it immediately opened doors to so many other solos. The album version is a beautiful piece, and they have some sweet sounds like.

[@KellyDeanAllenGuitar]

I love those little back and forth slides that Dicky does. So uniquely him.

[@ScottPerratti]

Wow K..I spoke many years ago, can’t believe how many vids you have done!! This too is my all time fav, as is Jessica ,,I had talked about intro for sweet Jane ,, you even got a shout out from S.Hunter!!!Great playin as always!! You’ve always inspired!!

[@markt5674]

Hard core head banger here. But first heard Allman Bros as a teenager and was blown away. I will learn this song. Beautiful melodic phrasing.

[@brandon.4451]

I like your fresh take on them. I’ve been a fan forever. Dickey was The Man fer sure but they all bring it.

[@jimmuller]

Definitely one of my favorite solos of all time. You nailed it. The tone on the record is the holy grail Les Paul tone that I've always wanted to have. Next to Blue Sky my next favorite solo is Why Does Love Got To Be So Sad by Clapton, (D&D). That one to me is also just about perfect.

[@KellyDeanAllenGuitar]

I couldn't nail that tone. I gave up trying. Just went with something fairly close. Don't know what it is about that tone, but it's damned hard to replicate.

[@ChicagoBeaver]

My old band Deep Green used to play this, myself and the other guitar player Eric. We would trade leads and rhythm, always had a great time with this one.

[@gregorylumpkin2128]

Awesome playing man, thanks so much for the video and your comments. Actually, I was blown away by the ABB in 1970 from the very first listen to their first album. I was all in after the first two songs, Don't Want You No More, a nice jazz-rock rendition which leads straight into the deep blues rock of It's Not My Cross to Bear.

[@chesterproudfoot9864]

Absolutely love this song! The phrasing/melody by both guitarists is amazing. I only bought a guitar late last year and this is the song I chose to learn first for all the reasons you mention. I'm getting close to memorizing all of Duane's solo, then it's on to Dickey's. As a "beginner-intermediate" I really like how it's full of slides, pulls, hammers, bends, hybrid picking because now I don't feel as daunted by other songs when I try them. Great choice!

[@burgerslayerorbstein3081]

One of the best two guitar solos ever put together. Nicely done.

[@mikereynolds3294]

My favorite also is Blue Sky with Hotel California #2 👍

[@buckbryant8599]

Cool song, one of my favorite Dicky Betts tunes. I have learned some of this but have not made it all the way through. Very long

[@6six6strings63]

I still remember the day I played this solo note for note more than once in a row and I was ecstatic. Now after watching this video, it appears I've been playing it right!!! Thank you KDA for the confirmation!!! Love your channel!!

[@probieabhi2258]

Dickie has just passed away

[@bltjonesthejonestones3697]

Whew!! Nicely done!! I saw about 112 licks in there that I need to learn. Like you (or, the current you, lol), I love a solo that I can sing in my head...melody, baby!! Thanks for this one!!

[@mikeflanigan4896]

This song and solo always brought me joy. Thanks for playing it so well and giving your thoughts on it.

[@grantwilcox3738]

Classes solo! Well done. My favorite also. Thanks and keep up the excellent work. I always enjoy it.

[@OW38B]

Outstanding!

[@KingJorman]

great job! these solos buried deep in my heart at age13 and they've never left me

[@martylyons7278]

just heard this cover. Wow your spot on. You're incredible. Love The Allman Bros.

[@KellyDeanAllenGuitar]

@martylyons7278 thanks mate!

[@tommyal4359]

Great job bro! Dickey would be proud for sure!

[@chrishh03]

I wish I didn't already know this note for note because it's such a great solo to play for the first time! Great video!

[@jimchironna8075]

K.D.A. Absolutely Awesome playing of the ''Blue Sky Solo'' !!! One of my All Time favorite guitar 'statements' ...My Fave Dickey 'solo' hands down...Saw him 20 times from 1976-2010..He Never disappointed !!! One of the All Time Greats !! Tragically UNDER RATED !! Pure Greatness on the fretboard !!! ALL Your lessons and 'Solo's'' are OUTSTANDING !!!

[@chiparooo]

Tasty! Great cover. Keeping an open mind to all music leads to discovery or rediscovery in my experience. It’s exciting finding things I missed. Thanks for sharing!

[@OURSKIESTODAY]

Love the Allman brothers!

[@michaeldavidfigures9842]

Love the story of your recent appreciation for the ABB. I have heard people put Dickey ahead of Duane before, but for me Duane's slide playing always pushes him out in front.

[@stratocasterbob]

Great cover Kelly ! Yes, Duane Allman is one of all time guitar greats.....especially on a slide! It would be interesting to see if Duane would have ditched his Gibson Les Paul for a PRS !!!!!! Allman Brothers Band Live at the Fillmore has it all for any rock guitar lover , imo Best Regards, Bob

[@VixCrush]

Love it.... Missing him today....

[@UncleWayon]

Adding after listening to your commentary.....I love the ABB! The best, one of my favorites of all time.

[@brctom1]

Excellent cover!! You Sir are truly gifted!

[@garya7893]

Well done Sir. I learned it over 30 years ago and have not played it since I saw them play here in New Orleans at the Jazz Fest they were awesome.

[@CorbCorbin]

I saw them at Jazzfest in the 90’s, too. Saw Santana there, Davis Mathews one year was the headliner, who had the biggest turnout. That was my only time getting to see them. I was 17 or 18, and was just hitting another level, with my own playing, soaking in any style of music I could.

[@michaeldavidfigures9842]

Keep the memories alive.

[@kertwang]

Fantastic playing as always Kelly.

[@pedasijeff]

I have three big influences in my playing one of them was Dickie...God Bless

[@T289c]

amazing, yes that is a solo you can sing and its almost as if that solo is its own song. Love it! great job!

[@drewcunningham2]

Fantastic job mate - love this tune!!!

[@fredsmith6324]

great playing! enjoyed seeing it in action.

[@dpetervan]

Perfect

[@billbelk7250]

Nice! Fun to see it played! You make it look easy!

[@stratman9449]

cheers Kelly....nice to hear your honest take on the allman brothers.....and have to admit, that it more or less reflects my own take......suppose it DOES have something to do with age.....the good guitar solos are not about only speed and scales up and down but melody (as well) and i also say....."less is often more".....in a guitar solo too....good example was "something" the other day from George Harrison you played......thx...

[@arturoreyblanco-hortiguera9338]

Awesome

[@GaryBook]

The early Allman Brothers Albums through Brothers and Sisters are their best, especially Eat A Peach. The song Dreams is a masterpiece.

[@abangbilad]

Nope, it's a masterpeach!

[@mchandler7625]

That is one of my favorites as well

[@tkamps64]

Yeah! I'm with you on this It is one of the most euphonious solo's ever and your cover is simply Amazing Also enjoying your last few lessons So I hit Subscribe Thanx

[@stevenhowes530]

It's interesting, I haven't heard this song in years but I could remember every note as well. I can' play it, it just stays in your brain. I picked up Highway call (betts solo)a few years ago at a flea market. one of my favourite albums now. It's very country (not my favourite genre by a long shot) but decent songs and great guitar work.

[@anthonyangelis1094]

Another great solo very very well played Kelly, you really got that one nailed perfectly! Indeed, so melodic …Like you, I’ve never been a huge fan of the Allman Brothers. However, “The road goes on forever” is a pretty darn good album , I think. P.S….. I looked in your videos, and I could not find a cover for “purple rain” have you ever covered the solo for Princes’ purple rain?

[@MDavidG1]

The Road Goes On Forever is an obscure greatest hits album Capricorn Records put out after the band split up for the first time.

[@JerseyArkansas]

Spot on brother!

[@Joshua.M.S.]

i only know how to play the rhythm part of this song so far... really need to practice the solos... great job!

[@wmden1]

Really NICE job. Thank you. You did it fine justice. I always preferred the melodic playing. I wasn't crazy about the constant distortion, fuzz, etc. of most heavy rock guitar. Some was okay, though. When I heard Betts's "Jessica", I was hooked. I like a lot of guitar greats, but there are none that I had rather hear play than Dickey Betts. He was and is a genius at writing and playing. I'll mention Linsey Buckingham as a guitarist I really like to hear who doesn't get the recognition I feel like he is due. "Never Going Back Again" has really stuck in my mind, since I first heard it on FM's Rumors album in the 70s. If you have covered it, with the finger picking, I plan to find it and check it out.

[@gergemall]

Sounds great ❤’

[@grahamedavidson9110]

Well said mate. Greetings from Sydney.

[@jeddyhi]

Dude, your solo cover overwhelmed my sensory inputs and caused my visual outputs to leak....just a little.

[@johnmcelhaney8490]

Damn you are awesome man!

[@RIDEMID]

Excellent Job sir! Tell me some more about that sweet guitar your playing,?

[@michaeldavidfigures9842]

I dig those inlays in your guitar's neck.

[@coolrosco1]

Excellent. I have that same exact color PRS SE but mine is older without the birds inlay. So, how can we get Duane or Dickey's tone? I suppose we'd have to get their brains and fingers. lol, I certainly don't have that tone. Well played.

[@PhilFeedback]

Good job 👏

[@mattross6902]

❤Duane up to the middle harmony then Dickey joined by Duane at end harmony ❤

[@SWelsch51]

As great Dickie was and he was great, listen to Liz Reed from Filmore East. Dickies solo is fantastic but Duanes was otherworldly. Dickie was fantastic but better than Duane? Hardly...I heard them both live in 71 a few weeks before the Fimore gig and while Dickie might be the only guitarists that could stand with Duane night after night Duane played with a passion that Dickie rarely approached. Loved em both but Duane was in an another league IMO

[@dwaynejessome1728]

nice playing there KDA!!!

[@cmarch2277]

The original recording is a tuned a touch high. Did you slow this down a few bpm to get the pitch to match standard a440? Nice playing.

[@KellyDeanAllenGuitar]

No. The backing track was in standard to begin with.

[@BeatlesCentricUniverse]

Wow! Subscribed!

[@OURSKIESTODAY]

awesome

[@GaryBook]

Is it a combination of minor pentatonic and mixolydian? It looks much easier than I thought. The Allman Brothers had two great guitarist. I have to say George Harrison had some of the greatest melodic solos.

[@WildIdiot]

It's major pentatonic plus a 4th from the major scale.

[@Ryansick11]

That SE does look nice I must say! And great playing as per. I do have a request Dean, is there any chance you could upload yourself playing the solo to Massacre by Thin Lizzy? Trying to learn it by ear and all the videos on youtube just do not sound right compared to the recorded studio version. Curious if you got time for it. Cheers!

[@markmazz111]

Can someone tell me who’s playing the lick from 2:25-2:30? One of my favorite licks ever and always assumed it was Duane, but this video has me wondering😅

[@KellyDeanAllenGuitar]

That's Dickie Betts.

[@UncleWayon]

Nailed it!! \m/

[@jDawgGoBlue]

Love this solo, what is your recommendation for the tone and volume levels on your guitar?

[@worldofstrings]

He's doing the B.B. king thing. Just a different tone. Sounds good.

[@bahed1]

You're the only one I've heard say that Betts was the better guitar player. Never seen the quote that Duane said so too, unless he was being self depreciating. No worries!

[@kjmiller5736]

Think the first solo is Duane .. his last recording

[@richardralston3886]

Greg could play a mean guitar as well ! Warren Hayes was a perfect addition later on !

[@BabaBest2000]

How about the solo from Let it Be? I think there's a John Lennon and a George Harrison version. Great work as always, Kelly!

[@Dude0020]

Agree these solos are impeccable. Strangely, I think they’re solos on blue sky recorded at stonybrook university are even better. Check them out on KZbin

[@Kipod2000]

👌🏽🎸🎶🎶🎶👌🏽

[@bobmorr2892]

Dickie definitely has not got the props he deserves. Dicky better than Duane? I bet I've listened to at Fillmore East hundreds of times or more in the last 50 years. Duane on Mountain Jam and In Memory of Elizabeth Reed seems like some of the most amazing guitar playing ever on this planet or any other. But hey you did a fantastic job Blue Sky.

[@KellyDeanAllenGuitar]

Couldn't agree more mate. And thanks for the kind words.

[@XxSkydog71xX]

Nice. How’d you remove the lead on the recording? Software?

[@KellyDeanAllenGuitar]

There a backing track on KZbin for it. No guitar. Just search "blue sky backing track".

[@XxSkydog71xX]

@@KellyDeanAllenGuitar Great thanks!

[@slicksalmon6948]

How do you avoid being the King of copyright strikes?

[@truckerkevthepaidtourist]

A lot of times he uses his own stuff he puts together. Sometimes he utilizes backing tracks adds his own vocals and a whole lot more.

[@KingJorman]

Don't forget Jaimoe, double drummers, Jaimoe is the more jazz inflected

[@jeffsorkow6249]

Pleaseee do a lesson this 🫡

[@rickrigsby7620]

When you play that doesn’t it make you feel like you were raised in the Southern US and you’re headed home?

[@Steve19345]

The lead solo in Jessica is the only other lead solo that rivals Blue Sky.

[@xx-ev2sq]

interesting about your comment about dickie being the better player. You can find the isolated solo's of each player on youtube and I thought the same thing. I though Dickie's solo was much better

[@mdhj67]

Lots of folks, myself included, will agree that Betts was probably the better guitar player.