The Allman Brothers Band At Fillmore East - Greatest Live Album Ever?

Рет қаралды 5,168

Ай бұрын

Extended version on Patreon: / jtcurtis
JTC reviews The Allman Brothers Band’s definitive Live album At Fillmore East featuring brothers Gregg and Duane Allman, Dickey Betts, Berry Oakley, Butch Truck and Jaimoe. The Album includes the classic Statesboro Blues, Stormy Monday, Hot 'Lanta, In Memory of Elizabeth Reed and Whipping Post. It has often been referred to as rock's greatest live album, but is it really?
#allmanbrothers #liverecord #albumreview #greatest #livealbum #historyofrock
Hailed from Macon Georgia, The Allman Brothers Band is often referred to as Southern Rock, but also incorporated elements of the blues and jazz genres. The band was original formed and led by guitarist Duane Allman, already a notable session musician having performed on Wilson Pickett’s version of The Beatles’ Hey Jude, Aretha Franklin’s version of The Weight, and famously with Eric Clapton on Derek and the Dominos Layla and Other Assorted Love Songs, where he arranged the famous guitar riff. His brother Gregg, vocalist and keyboardist, had performed in several groups together, but they joined forces with The Second Coming members guitarist Richard ‘Dickey’ Betts and bassist Berry Oakley along with duo drummers Butch Trucks and Jai Johanny Johanson, better known as Jaimoe. Together they formed the band in 1969 and cut their first record with Capricorn Records, featuring the songs “It's Not My Cross to Bear,” “Dreams” (not to be confused with the Fleetwood Mac song) and a five minute rendition of “Whipping Post” all penned by Gregg Allman. The album was a slow seller, but the band gained a following with a rigorous touring schedule, over 300 dates in 1970. Their crew included The Red Dog, Kim Payne, Mike Callahan, and tour manager Twiggs Lyndon, who would be arrested for stabbing and killing a promoter in 1970. The band’s live performances showcased extended jamming between Duane and Dickey inspired from listening to Miles Davis and John Coltrane, adding to their following. Their second album, Idlewild South, was produced by Tom Dowd and featured the Gregg Allman classics “Midnight Rider” and “Please Call Home” while Dickey Betts contributed “Revival” and “In Memory of Elizabeth Reed.” Frustrated with their studio releases, they planned their 3rd album to be recorded live and chose Bill Graham’s venue The Fillmore East in New York City to capture the performances. Despite a few hiccups like some out of tune horn players and someone calling in a bomb scare, the March 11, 12 & 13 shows contained some of the finest performances in rock history, including the blues Blind Willie McTell’s “Statesboro Blues,” Elmore James’ “Done Somebody Wrong”, both of which featured Duane’s iconic bottleneck slide guitar and Gregg’s soulful vocals, T-Bone Walker’s “Stormy Monday,” ; and a 19 minute adventurous cover of Willie Cobbs / Junior Wells’ “You Don’t Love Me” where Duane quoted “Joy to the World”. The double album also included the more jazz-flavored jams like the collaborative “Hot ‘Lanta” in 6/8 time, “In Memory of Elizabeth Reed,” and the 23 minute version of “Whipping Post” featuring extended solos by Duane and Dickey. The album was released on July 6, 1971 and was a success and peaked at number 13 on the Billboard Charts. But sadly the excitement would not last as Duane Allman was killed in a motorcycle accident at the age of 24. Only a year later, Berry Oakley was also killed in an eerily similar motorcycle accident, only a few blocks from where Duane died and was also 24. Nevertheless, the band carried on, releasing the top 10 album Eat a Peach in 1972 featuring more tracks from the Fillmore like “Done Somebody Wrong,” “Trouble No More” and the 33 minute “Mountain Jam”. Studio cuts included the Duane penned “Little Martha” along with tracks produced after Duane’s death, “Ain’t Wasting Time No More” and “Melissa.” The Duane Allman Anthology discs would also include cuts from The Fillmore like “Don’t Keep me Wonderin’” and “Midnight Rider.” 1973’s Brothers and Sisters featured Chuck Leavell on piano and bassist Lamar Williams. The album was the best selling of their career thanks to the hit song “Ramblin’ Man”, written and sung by Dickey Betts, who also penned the fan favorite “Jessica”. The band would also campaign for President Jimmy Carter. Unfortunately with drug use rampant, along with the public marriage between Gregg Allman and Cher, the band started to fall apart 1976. Over the years there would be many reunions and lineup changes, notably featuring guitarist / singer Warren Haynes (later of Gov’t Mule) who penned the fan-favorite Soulshine in 1994. Later young guitarist Derek Trucks would join the lineup. But the band officially called it quits in 2014, performing their final show at the Beacon Theatre, and both Gregg Allman and Butch Trucks died at the age of 69 in 2017. In 2024, Dickey Betts died leaving Jaimoe as the last surviving member of the original Allman Brothers Band.

Пікірлер: 56

@eduardomirandaneto Ай бұрын

something i noticed in this version of Whipping Post is around 17:50 Dickey Betts plays a French Nursery Rhyme "Frère Jacques" (the same song the Beatles sung in the backing vocals of Paperback Writer) and Duane quickly harmonize with him

@danielcombs3207 Ай бұрын

I was visiting NYC in August 1971 with some friends. We found out that they were playing at the Manhattan Center. So we went out and splurged on the studio and the Fillmore albums on 8- track tape. We were blown away by the live album. They introduced Blue Sky at the concert that night which was a great surprise. I saw many bands during that decade that followed and I have to say they were the best live band in my humble opinion. I still love those albums and the two that followed. Gregg and Duane were blessed with incredible talent as well as Dickey. Berry, Butch and Jaimoe were an amazing rhythm section. The original six musicians were handpicked by Duane and he certainly knew how to choose great players.

@tylerhackner9731 Ай бұрын

It’s certainly in top 5

@RickyD.03 Ай бұрын

The answer is yes. YES. and YESSS!!

@gertifity4868 Ай бұрын

When this old man was a young man in 1973, I owned LAFE and LAL. Today I say LAFE is my best live album ever: I listen to it now and I just weep. Like you said JT, we know the back story now, and the biographies of these men, and the musicianship of LAFE is just overwhelming. The percussion is otherworldly. Back in the day, Live at Leeds was the best live album ever. When you were as high as we were, LAL was just like gasoline. Made me crazy! And yes, "My Generation" was like taking acid when you were already on acid. Today I listen to LAFE 3x more than LAL: mellowing out is good for your health I guess, but I miss the old days.

@AndrewAmbrose Ай бұрын

Meeting in a graveyard for some lovin'? Sounds like the intro of Ghosts 'n' Goblins.

@mjt5576 Ай бұрын

It's great to hear such an insightful and well done analysis from someone who really gets what the Brothers were all about. What always amazed me was their musical sophistication given their youth. They were all in their twenties at the time, but they played like old souls.

@SWelsch51 13 күн бұрын

Saw them live in FL on Feb 15, 1971. Did the FE set. Life changing show

@johndaley9400 Ай бұрын

Wow you’re my new hero! Fillmore East was the best gift I ever received from my older brother! I was spiritually moved when I first heard that album. The best part was putting the crew on the back cover! Thanks for the info!

@johnimhof6568 Ай бұрын

Great analysis of one of my all-time favorite albums.

@Dinerboy11 Ай бұрын

I absolutely love this album, but I still gravitate to Live at Leeds as my #1. It really showcased the power of the Who, especially Ox and Moon. Especially the newer releases with the full show. Sparks still blows me away every time I listen.

@AudioAl5195 Ай бұрын

You did a great job on breaking down one of my favorite albums of all time. It’s fun to listen to your take and opinion on something this much older than you. Thank you!

@katfishkobain8809 Ай бұрын

I was there. I remember going, and leaving, and waiting for Grand Central to open in the morning. The show? Not a clue……

@DRRADSTONE Ай бұрын

Europe '72 by the Grateful Dead. Period. Best live album ever. Done. No question.

@jupiterlegrand4817 Ай бұрын

I replied with that one amongst others, but if I had to narrow it down to only one...yep. Europe '72.

@DRRADSTONE Ай бұрын

@@jupiterlegrand4817 Or Cornell '77, but that might just be me.

@shkyrbty Ай бұрын

Yes. Great walk through!!!!

@riggedfromthestart Ай бұрын

TYSM for getting me into this album!!

@collinmurr3207 Ай бұрын

The guitar solo in Statesboro Blues that comes in at 2:40 has one of the most wonderful sounds in all of music. It may not be the most complex or the most technically brilliant, but that sound is just perfect.

@Roy-so4yp Ай бұрын

For Live albums, Fillmore East is definitely in the top three, with The Who's Live at Leeds & Skynyrd"s One More From The Road right there. But, upon further consideration, the excitement & genuine joy found at a Live event is also amazingly well presented on Jimmy Buffett's Live - You Had To Be There. So, although I completely agree with your position that the Allman Brothers may have created the greatest Live album of all time, I also felt compelled to throw a couple of my favorites into the ring. Both have profoundly influenced my life & gotten me through some tough times and both showcase bands at their best & in their prime. My suggestions almost certainly don't top Fillmore, but I think they deserve consideration & honorably mentions. Would you agree, sir?

@williamconway1287 Ай бұрын

When I saw this double c-d on my Columbia House list,yes it was that long ago.I immediately bought it,and it’s My favorite out of the probably 3-4 dozen live c-d’s I have. It just beats out Made in Japan the first double album I ever bought !

@vsavage9773 Ай бұрын

The Band, Rock of Ages is pretty spectacular too.

@jamestomkin8784 Ай бұрын

BEST F-CKING BAND EVER! EVER!!!

@mjt5576 Ай бұрын

Yep! The original lineup was untouchable.

@loveshank1511 Ай бұрын

Saw this late, but I really liked this review! Any chance on continuing the series with more Allman Brothers reviews? Maybe Eat a Peach?

@jupiterlegrand4817 Ай бұрын

It's one of the greatest of the great, along with Humble Pie "Rockin' The Fillmore", The Who "Live At Leeds", Grateful Dead "Europe '72" and the oft overlooked but titanic "Johnny Winter And..."Live" (the one with "Rock n Roll Medley").

@RickHardcore Ай бұрын

Awesome performance dear friend!

@cameronmianulli6453 Ай бұрын

Can’t wait till you review Layla, also I think CSN/CSNY would make a great playlist

@TheGuitarMan71 Ай бұрын

Yes it is the greatest live album of all time

@randallpinkfloyd Ай бұрын

This is the only live album I have on vinyl, and for a good reason

@mjt5576 Ай бұрын

Definitely the greatest live album ever made. By the greatest American band ever.

@dr.s. Ай бұрын

With the material they have released in later years, I'm not even sure if it's ABBs best live album. But as a typical 70s double live album it certainly can't get better.

@Local_PepsiOfficial Ай бұрын

Damn, even better than live at Pompeii? I gotta try this now

@teddyfurstman1997 Ай бұрын

Can you do a Series on the Talking Heads and a Frank Zappa Vinyl Playlist? Thanks. Nice video on this Live Record.

@thierrylestranger2795 Ай бұрын

Yes it is!!!

@jstall20 Ай бұрын

I’ve heard more details about that Elizabeth reed story. Naughty naughty boy Mr Bets 😂 In Georgia it’s pretty common to have picnicks at cemeteries. But they are super pretty and cenic and historic so that’s mostly it. I lived there for 6 years, mostly for college

@joemartucci4786 Ай бұрын

I think could be mistaken...that killing happened here in Buffalo NY at a place called Aliotas... I kind of remember hearing about it.... could be wrong lol.

@JTCurtisMusic Ай бұрын

It did in fact happen up in Buffalo!

@TheGratefulDeadhead Ай бұрын

Can you talk about the Grateful Dead's album The Closeing of Winterland? Or Europe 72 or Live Dead?

@vsavage9773 Ай бұрын

Europe 72’ is great but I still listen to Live Dead more. The Dark Star, St. Stephan is the true original psychedelic sound of the Dead.

@joemartucci4786 Ай бұрын

I'll throw in Humble Pie live at the Fillmore.

@BrendanJSmith Ай бұрын

You should do a Top 10 Concert Films and a Top 10 Live Albums. And to make things fair, there shouldn't be any overlap between the two.

@JamesCole-ep4df Ай бұрын

In my humble opinion, it is with Waiting on Columbus by Little Feat second

@groverw7507 Ай бұрын

Tom Dowd engineered this classic. At Fillmore East had fewer edits and overdubs than any of the other great live albums. ABB was his favorite band.

@kingofmiami2749 Ай бұрын

It’s the guy with great hair

@KevinKennedy-ys3gk 23 күн бұрын

100%

@thekivster Ай бұрын

I don't know if it's as good as Made in Japan.

@Earl-pu2yh Ай бұрын

You bet your ass it is for this 83 yr old great-grandma.

@victormartinezcancino9290 Ай бұрын

It's a great album, but I honestly prefer Liva At Leeds by The Who. I think it works great as a live album and a musical masterpiece.

@JTCurtisMusic Ай бұрын

It’s a close call for sure

@AudioAl5195 Ай бұрын

My comment on that is that it need to be remembered that Live at Leeds was only a fraction of the concert. Had that been released as a double live album the conversation would be different. It did come out in full many years later and is an amazing listen.