Ranking the Live Albums: The Allman Brothers Band

[@JoyDivision88]

My workmate lent me The Fillmore East album on the same day as I bought my first stereo in 1970-71. I could not wait to get home and set the system up and Statesboro Blues was the first thing I played on the stereo. I was in heaven as up to then I had only got an old Dansette Record Player. I called my mom upstairs and said to her listen to this and played Statesboro Blues again. She said it sounds ok but nothing to write home about. I said hang on a minute and went and fetched a bloody James Last LP from my parents records. I put it on and instantly she changed her mind and said now that sounds fantastic. Got to admit although it was not my taste in music it did sound really good. I left home not long after that and gave mom the stereo. I don't know whether she was crying because I was leaving the nest or crying with happiness that I was leaving her the stereo. God bless her. Lost her 17 years ago and still miss her terribly.

[@hivicar]

Many of us old folks have always had Fillmore East and Atlanta Speedway from 4th of July weekend 1970 1 & 2. The later releases from Duane's final months, Boston Common, and especially Stonybrook, are truly golden and indispensable additions!

[@jimmyhawke]

I saw the Darien Lake show in 2003. I got to see these guys about 30 times and they never let me down...ever. One of my faves was at montage Mountain in Scranton, Pa. in 2006, a band of severe thunderstorms rolled through just before the beginning of the show, so they let everybody who had a lawn seat to come under the tent structure...7th row and they kicked ass that night!

[@obbor4]

Great strategy, Pete! There really is no point in ranking these albums. They pretty much all kick major ass!

[@rustywells3310]

My Favorite Band Allman Brothers Lot Good One Keep It Up Done Good 👍🏼

[@luisgarcia6007]

I only have Filmore East ( I bought it just from yours comments Pete ) and I discovered one of the greatest live albums of all time. It's incredible, the feeling I can taste is unique. An amaizing material, so huge. Thanks Pete one more time.

[@Jimbodisfan]

I have Live at Ludlow Garage, The Fillmore Concerts, and Atlanta Pop Festival. A warehouse at the time, Ludlow Garage in Cincinnati, OH USA is now a bar and restaurant. The 44-minute "Mountain Jam" that is Disc Two, is the longest recorded version of that song (or of any song in its catalog) that the Allman Brothers ever did.

[@jeffmazzei8520]

Live at the Fillmore is a real honest live album ! No overdubs, literally the best live albums they put out

[@tarakb7606]

One of my very favourite bands. Thanks for the video.

[@mattrockjm]

Oho man , what else is there to say , What a band .. I was hooked the first time I heard Melissa in the 70 ,s something ... When it first came out 72 or so It’s crazy when you can’t pick one best song out of hundreds, however I do love Come and go blues ... Old before my time .. crazy good writing...it hit me just as I was going through a crisis...listened to this tune over and over ..Oho.. How you doin .. I’m joe .. new to your channel.. thx it’s very cool .. Peace bro...every tune the A B B did is awesome 👏

[@edbarnes2686]

OOh, gotta have the 6 CD box "The 1971 Fillmore East Recordings" in there!!!! And as other posters mentioned, "Wipe the Windows, Check the Oil, Dollar Gas", title taken from a Chuck Berry lyric, of course!

[@SteveAuger2021]

2nd Set, absolutely epic acoustic version of Elizabeth Reed.

[@mmk7340]

Of which one? I'd like to hear that

[@Stargrazer]

1000% it's so good.

[@XxSkydog71xX]

That one is the best next to the Fillmore version

[@nickspann20]

Im currently on the hunt for some more allman live stuff. Cool niche video, great video as always.

[@louied2613]

Pete think you are right on the mark about the Allman's 1990's comeback Albums and those live albums from that period are outstanding

[@roxannewalsh]

One live album you did not mention but which I always loved is 1976's Wipe the Windows Check the Oil. I guess it was released by Capricorn primarily because the band was at a kind of hiatus and it had material from the 1973-75 period. I like and recommend it because it is the band lineup from Brothers and Sisters and Win Lose or Draw with Dickey as only guitarist but Chuck Leavell on keyboards alongside Gregg. This gave many of the songs a lighter touch with especially Chuck's piano weaving with Dickey's guitar where elsewhere you always have the twin guitars doing this. I agree that it might be a matter of taste because the band sounded almost like the Marshall Tucker Band this way but I appreciate the "alternative" versions of many classics here.

[@muttley918]

And Lamar Williams on bass guitar. Monster bassist. Great addition👍🏼

[@daveallman3981]

YES, I agree. Tracks recorded from several locations, including the Watkins Glen Jam from I believe 1973. Their version of 'In Memory of Elizabeth Reed' is heart wrenching, with Dicky doing all the guitar work, I believe, is incredible!

[@alanthorne3921]

I remember picking up Wipe the Windows at a flea market back in the 70s and being severely deflated after Fillmore East.Yes it was missing Duane.Played it a handful of times and then lost it to midst of time.Now older and wiser may have to revisit it

[@jamesmack3314]

Don't hesitate....it's excellent

[@DavidNewbould]

Roxanne Walsh all time killer Jessica on that one. 👌

[@bumpdunlop]

The original Fillmore east release, on the first or second track, there is a big round of applause after one of the guitar solos. When the 1990's version came out (the including Eat A Peach songs) I found that there was a harmonica solo that was edited out of the original and the big applause was for the harp solo. One day I drove from Champaign to Makin Music in Chicago. That day, I started listening as I left my driveway. The album ended as I drove up to the guitar store. Perfect traffic, perfect timing.

[@farrockbulsara666]

Great lists! Amazing work, a big thanks from Portugal! By the way, more rankings about live albums, please!!

[@tommyboyindy1157]

Peach picks - I was at that Indianapolis concert that’s included on the album. I believe Dicky Betts had been kicked out of the band then for alcohol issues. I remember telling my friend that when Greg Allman kicks you out for partying too much you’ve got a real problem.

[@SuperStrik9]

I'm glad I caught the band in Toronto in 98 when Dickey was in the band. They weren't the same without him imo.

[@cpthetrucker9067]

@@jaxflfreebird Thank you for your candor. 👏🏽👏🏽

[@DSpeir-pi6tm]

I just got to say Derrick Trucks is one of my all time favorite guitar player . When he puts the slide bar on his finger, it's musical magic . For course all the other guys in the band are great professionals as well 🙂

[@Stargrazer]

Live from A&R Studios is quite good, worth it for the You Don't Love Me / Soul Serenade medley alone. Unique and heartfelt. I second the Ludlow Garage recommendation too, despite slightly murky sound it's top notch.

[@stuarthecht8196]

Great job as always, but you forgot "Wipe the Windows, Check the Oil." I love that album, because I am a huge Chuck Leavell fan, and I believe that's the only live Allmans album with his piano playing.

[@roblabelle7874]

Exactly!! Plus, Dickey's solo on Ramblin' Man is absolutely unbelievable.

[@kennyrichey3238]

This was my first live album by the Brothers so it’s a sentimental favorite. Even though it’s not as rocking as some of their other live albums Dickey Betts holds his own being the only lead guitar player. I still crank this album loud a lot! 🎸

[@gwts1171]

I only own a few of these, so I can't rank them, but Fillmore East is one of my favorite ever live albums. The 2 volumes of An Evening With The Allman Brothers are really good, too. Thanks for your list, Pete! After watching I realized that I have Ludlow Garage, too. What a great set that is. It's very loose, in the best way!

[@ricklane8342]

Live at A&R Studios is probably my favorite . It's actually pretty special

[@tonyjames8665]

I have to be honest, I dont know a lot about the Allman Brothers but there's a couple of songs I play on bass that a friend suggested we play. Tied To The Whipping Post, Midnight Rider, and I'm No Angel. All fun!!!

[@daveshamir729]

The one glaring omission here is the 6-CD release "The 1971 Fillmore East Recordings", which came out around five years ago and easily tops my list for its shear breadth, virtuosity and intensity. The ultimate "Fillmore East" collection,iIt contains every full show from that legendary run and is absolutely hypnotic to listen to. I would also include "Wipe the windows, check the oil, dollar gas" which is a great snapshot of the band immediately following the deaths of Duane and Berry Oakley, a lineup that featured the incomparable Chuck Leavell on piano and Lamar Williams on bass. It was recorded on the heels of their success with the "Brothers & Sisters" album.

[@brianwestervelt4919]

Wow Pete thanks! There are way more live albums out there than I had ever realized. I will have seen them out. I have just 3.

[@jamesmack3314]

I used to own wipe the windows back When I had a turntable .Recently Purchased it on CD and I am incredibly impressed ,I had completely forgotten how good it is....absolutely blown away at the quality of the performances.

[@joshsinclair1796]

I don’t think I’m alone when I say that I’d LOVE to see you do a video about the Grateful Dead. Although with them, it might make more sense to start with the live albums

[@keitharonoff9857]

Really hard to beat live at the Fillmore, but all of them are good. Only got too see them once, but am thankful for that. Stay safe and healthy 👌👍✌️ East that is.

[@luisgarcia6007]

Absolutely agree. Hard to beat Fillmore East. Amaizing set list with huge feeling perfonce

[@johnhenfrey5936]

Really enjoyed that show Pete, you have a truly excellent collection of, Allman Brothers albums. Only last night I was looking at buying, The Fox Box, till I saw the price. £159 so I will pass on that one.

[@crazymanmichael100]

Agree about the last line up Pete. I have the DVD of the Beacon Theater concert 2003, every fan probably has it, if not, get it, it's fantastic, so many highlights, for me it was watching Derek Trucks playing, his solo on Dreams, the absolute highlight, the spirit of Duane is in there. A great partnership with Warren as well. if this version was released on CD, (it has more tracks and has Derek's solo instead of Warren's solo on the CD version, no diss). i would rank it at number two.

[@tommymaguire2839]

Spot on Pete.

[@rapidfirerob4]

Live From A&R Studios August 26, 1971 is a must own. At just over an hour, it kills. They do You Don't Love Me into Soul Serenade after Duane talking about King Curtis being killed.

[@papiper9063]

Great list.... A legacy of wonderful live albums; so many to choose from, but I would add one more: 10/28/2014 Beacon Theater New York, N.Y. A fitting finale.

[@Rolf2112]

I have Fillmore East and Wipe the Dollars. And I'm not even a fan of live albums. But it is different with the Allmans

[@mikesavoca7584]

How can someone like and appreciate ABB without enjoying live music? Lmao

[@alfredortega4930]

It seems just put the name Allman Bros on it and it's a great cd. Great music

[@GMHG777]

As I’m not a huge live album fan, I only own the Filmore East box set, but it ranks up there as possibly the best ever live set in history for me !!

[@Stargrazer]

I think the only one I'd add is Live From A&R Studios, especially for its version of One Way Out/Soul Serenade. Those who already have the Dreams box set will know this version... this is the whole set. Fantastic archival release.

[@markabendroth3953]

I enjoy your talks. If you're into Traffic, please add. Also, how about ranking all the songs of Spinal Tap?

[@777jones]

I am partial to the Fillmore Concerts 3CD release from 1992 period, remixed from multitrack.

[@phreeky5497]

Recently came across a video on YT-with Butch Trucks if memory serves-describing the circumstances of the photograph from the cover of the Fillmore East set. Apparently, Duane, having just copped from his dealer!, quickly ran back into frame cupping something in his hand, which caused everybody else to start laughing. Funny, a little sad, and a perfect portrait of rock’n’roll back in the day. Sure do miss those guys.

[@seaoftranquilityprog]

Yes, I do believe that is indeed the same story I heard.

[@DeadPhish91]

The live album from Ludlow Garage is killer. Saw Angel there last year with my dad and we’re going to see Pat Travers there in August!

[@jayshockley7963]

Love my ABB! I love Gregg's Solo stuff too, like Laid Back!

[@pablopistacio5661]

I bought a second hand import copy of Live at Filmore East in about 1976 . It was ( and still is ) in mint condition . It is a Quadraphonic mix vinyl record . Playable in Stereo ! It only cost me about 10 bucks . It maybe worth lots more now . I have at least one copy of the remixed CDs . Great album . Good luck to everyone . Music is the saviour of the world .

[@apap4]

Agree that live ranking albums is pontless. Allman Brothers band it's a concert group. The stage is their natural place just listen. My favorite is Filmore East a great testimony to the size of a phenomenal band, almost mystical experience, magic. They are also great An Evening with ABB first and second set. Fantastic Dickey and Warren, whole band kick ass. From that period Play all night live at Beacon theater 1992 it's very very good. One Way Out from 2004 a great double disc album and, of course The Fox Box 2017 a lot of good music. Also very good Atlanta International Pop Festival 1970 and Filmore WEST'71. Fantastic live band. PS Pete maybe something about Dire Straits? It's hard to find something about this band on your Channel. Thank's

[@michaelpallini2753]

Theres a Beacon Theater Restoration documantry(pbs) where Butch Trucks(RIP) talks about how they rewired the Beacon for recording there shows for online purchase(munkmusic) i think...dont think it fully caught on

[@rocky-o]

'wipe the windows check the oil dollar gas'...great live album...hope the family is doing well...peace....

[@renebrandon3374]

Great show can you do this more with the live albums

[@seaoftranquilityprog]

Make sure you don't miss all those Classic Live Album Battle episodes we did last year! Talked about a TON of classic live albums.

[@renebrandon3374]

Sea of Tranquility the battles are great👍 maybe you can mention how many live albums the group/ artists have. Keep on the good work 😎

[@davidspinney2664]

Hi Pete I have a double album from 1976 "check the oil dollar gas" I dont know why they used a Chuck Berry line for the title they never played his songs. recorded in 72 73 and 75 hardly ever listened to it I always listened to the live at the filmore

[@oldenyz3148]

I was in Jacksonville Florida from 81'-06' amazing how they never got nearly the radio play as Skynyrd or 38 special.

[@AndrewCapobianco2014]

Quite a Bit of Later ABB Shows in which I purchased the CDs which were mailed out within a week. Hartford 2003 Susan Tedeschi joins for Don't Think Twice, Great Woods, MA 2004 - Great Version of The Night they Drove Old Dixie Down-sung by Greg and lastly- Boston, MA Fall of 2006 Dazed & Confused Warren Singing.

[@alexandergilles8583]

In honor of your absence of a band shirt today, you should do a “ranking the shirts” where you rank your favorite band/concert shirts lol

[@patrickcrowther9195]

Alexander Gilles If he has multiple shirts by one band, he could rank them in separate episodes.

[@daveallyn007]

Hi Pete great review on The Allman Brothers Band Live albums but I think you missing a vital album The Allman Brothers Band 2014 - 10 - 28 Live at the Beacon Theatre New York NY October 28 2014 sold online at Munck Music Live Recordings .It was there last show ever excellent sound Quality.and again great review fun filled action packed all the damn time!!!

[@kevinhasslen4245]

Check out the 2014 release "1971 Fillmore East Recordings". It is a 6 CD monster that covers everything over those nights. Maybe a little overkill for some, but nice to hear the whole thing.

[@scottmcgregor562]

I have noticed after 1971 the song"Hot 'Lanta" seemed to be retired from the Allman's performances. To bad. It ranks up there with my favorite Allman's instrumentals.

[@obbor4]

That's because was Dickey's song. They were still doing 'In Memory of Elizabeth Reed' and didn't want to play too many of Dickey's songs without him there to play them.

[@turkeeg7644]

Agree. Amazing instrumental. I did attend a show where they opened with it in the 90s . Whatever has been said about the ABB it will never be enough.

[@peterm.fitzpatrick7735]

Damn! I lived in Atlanta when they played at the Fox, which was less than a mile from where I lived in Midtown. Wonder what I was doing then. A three-night session at the Fox? I did see a few good shows there. A cool theatre, with a lot of Egyptian Revival decoration, and the premiere venue for "Gone With the Wind" when it came out, and where Martin Luther KIng was working as an usher at the time, I think. I did see a struggling production of Elton John's "Aida", and later a cool show put on by a Native American dance troupe who performed their tribal stuff in a modern setting. The Allman Bros. hometown was in Macon, pretty far south in Georgia., but Atlanta would be the most local big venue for them.

[@blankpallet2435]

Got the blue cover CD i think 7 turns autographed by the Allman Brothers for free at Tower records at Garden Ctiy

[@like2view]

Just perusing others comments, so let me join the chorus as it is.. Wipe the Windows was not in your list..Ok.. there are so many, but what I liked about this was ..it was a bit ragged, That was comforting that my own renditions were not sooo bad. Another idea for a future post,might be to address the alternate versions of the quintessential Live at the Fillmore East. You mentioned one that spliced solos?? In any case, I have three versions and I like the later Tom Dowd sanctioned release with the more raw sounds and the missing solos now restored that were cut for the initial release. Of the earlier collections I may be ignorant of the Fillmore West material, and the SUNY you praised for it's audio quality..This was something lacking a bit in Ludlow and Atlanta Concerts respectively... Can't get enough of the ABB.

[@nomadman123]

The cool thing about the Live at Ludlow Garage is that Duane does the vocal on Dimples.

[@sspbrazil]

Funny, one of the best jobs I ever had was working 8 years in a record/CD shop during the late 80’s - Mid 90’s.

[@TGcomments]

My introduction to the Allman Brothers Band was from the BBC radio 1 In concert series that played a repeat of their 1973 concert at the Winterland. I remember taping it on cassette from the radio and playing it to death. It was that concert that inspired me to buy the Fillmore East Concert, Eat a Peach, and Brothers and Sisters. All of which are great; however, it was the performance of Stormy Monday from the Winterland concert that resonated with me. More recently songs from the Winterland 73 concert became available on mp3 on Amazon, so I wasted no time in downloading the available tracks from that concert, which included that awesome version of Stormy Monday. I love the Fillmore East album but that version of Stormy Monday isn't the definitive one for me. The version on the Atlanta concert is better but the best is still the Winterland 73 version that includes an amazing solo from Dickey Betts, captures the real blues essence of the song. The rest of the concert is great too. No doubt the ABB were much better live.

[@keithshapland903]

Hi Tom....It was the first ever radio recording I made back in 1973 and I still have the BASF cassette of it. Then I bought incredible Fillmore East album. Later on I bought the Wipe the Windows Dollar of has which has much of the same as the BBC broadcast. Gotta agree the Stormy Monday was killer from Winterland. And I love the Elizabeth Reed from the Wipe the Windows album with Chuck Leavell filling in the Duane gap...One incredible band from beginning to end. Luckily saw them once only at Hammersmith in June 1991 with Dickey and Warren up front. Unfortunately they were a band that never travelled much outside the US and they never came back here afterwards..

[@danilofonseca1318]

hey, pete. do you like the album _electric_ by the cult?

[@luisgarcia6007]

Very good idea. The Cult deserve a ranking studio album. A great band

[@patrickmurphy4297]

Hi, Pete...I'm sure you're aware, but just in case, there's a new archival live album from ABB, recorded in 1994 at the H.O.R.D.E. festival...it smokes. I'll try to post a video on your FB post from this topic.

[@guytaylor6891]

How about a little feat top 10 review?

[@doubledown3613]

The Fox Run in 2004, Dreams was the only song they repeated. The first night Jack Pearson was featured and the other two nights Derek was featured one night and Warren the other.

[@david.leikam]

Live at Ludlow is my favourite!

[@michaellambright7968]

Do we dock points for collections of songs from a tour vs. a single show?

[@danielsan3681]

Howdy y'all! 😃

[@timothywills7709]

Elizabeth Reed acoustic is so different and amazing!

[@robertsaul234]

We know what's #1 before this starts...I think.

[@garyjskadra1180]

How about a ranking of Quiet Riot albums?

[@seanoconnell2123]

"Where gonna take a break to drink a little of this electric wine."

[@sebastianfitzptraick7395]

Would you consider ranking The Who's live material because there is a lot of it and it's brilliant!

[@stephenwd8224]

Got to have Wipe the Windows Check the Oil Dollar gas

[@gregs8685]

Fillmore is the best live album ever. I saw them many times at the Beacon and they never had an off night.

[@davidsalas7349]

Begginings?

[@garyjoyce2160]

Wow. With your unreal rock tee shirt collection: None today PETE. Lol. Thanks 4 show.

[@seaoftranquilityprog]

Drab, grey, chilly day here in NY today...feeling something warmer.

[@garyjoyce2160]

Same here in NJ. Super depressing/. Stay safe / healthy my friend!!

[@danohstoolbox]

@@seaoftranquilityprog pete u should do a ranking the t shirts show or a stop motion video of all ur t shirts I think it would be a cool topic

[@GMHG777]

I was thinking, he must have a Skyped business meeting going down today 😂

[@kidpoker007]

I always felt once Dicky was gone it’s not the Allmans anymore since it’s his solos and songs that created the sound. As great as these new guys are it’s like a cover band in some wsyd

[@baerenonkel]

for Ludlow Garage you'd better seek out the Idlewild South Deluxe Edition if you haven't already. It includes the FULL show (including the previously missing Elizabeth Reed) plus some cool studio outtakes. The price is more than alright and it sounds great. I don't know how the original CD sounded, but this is really nice sounding and very dynamic.

[@jimbricker4982]

Have you heard the 3-20-09 Beacon Theater NYC release, with Eric Clapton sitting in for six songs in the second set? It's fantastic : www.munck-music.com/products/abb-2009-03-20

[@martykott450]

Was there a better live band?

[@SquidMax-ym6gv]

Do one for the Grateful Dead...I dare ya'h.

[@rustywells3310]

Do you Got Gov’t Mule It Great Blues Band

[@seaoftranquilityprog]

Only a Top 10 Songs show so far.

[@kc0lif]

i rank Duane's first then other lineups they sounded better live my favorite is live at Fillmore east expanded version. oh sorry did have on called check gas oil etc.

[@kamranmalik8546]

Best Live Album Rankings for Me and NOT just The Allman Brothers Band: 1. Deep Purple: Made in Japan 2. Pink Floyd: Delicate Sound of Thunder 3. Black Sabbath: Live Evil 4. The Allman Brothers Band: At Fillmore East 5. The Who: Live at Leeds 6. Judas Priest: Unleashed in the East 7. Motörhead: No Sleep 'til Hammersmith 8. Iron Maiden: Live After Death 9. Thin Lizzy: Live and Dangerous 10. Queen: Live Killers 11. Genesis: Genesis Live 12. Yes: Yessongs 13. Scorpions: World Wide Live 14. Lynyrd Skynyrd: One More from the Road

[@luisgarcia6007]

Absolutely agree. A great list of best live albums. Delicate sound of thunder of Floyd is awesome. Live after death another spectacular album of Maiden. Unleashed in the East another monster. Made in Japan obviously. A great list. Maybe should be add Finnyl Vinnil of Rainbow

[@butchvesely6129]

Come on Pete , how bout Black Crowes

[@genephillips856]

I only have Fillmore east good jamming

[@OldBiker54]

orpheum theater boston

[@SuperStrik9]

Love the Fillmore East album cover. The band are all laughing at Duane cause he has a bag of coke in his hands. Or so I've read.

[@irishwolf8236]

Chicago 1988 George Thorogood/ Allman Brothers During the Allman Brothers set the crowd was screaming "Gorge George!!!" Unfortunately you could visibly tell it affected them and their set, very forgettable.