The Allman Brothers Band 08-26-71, A&R Studios, NYC

In 2003, Rolling Stone ranked Duane Allman #2 in its all-time best guitarists list, behind Hendrix. I tend to agree, noting that they couldn't be more different. Hendrix was Hendrix: raw, overwhelming, explosively original, unprecedented and unequaled. Duane was simply the best slide guitar player of all time and one of the great lead ax men as well. And not just because of his work with the Allman Brothers Band.

Duane Allman was a legendary session musician who added a sparkling top layer to dozens of tracks, many uncredited. His best known session work was with Derek and the Dominos on the Layla and Other Assorted Love Songs album, notably on the title track and, a personal favorite from the album, Why Does Love Got to Be So Sad.

But anytime someone recording at Muscle Shoals, Criteria, or later at A&R in New York needed some technically flawless yet improbably soulful lead or slide work, Duane was the man they called. Since he loved music more than anything else, Duane unfailingly obliged.

This particular short in-studio gig sounds the best of the Allmans bootlegs I have from the era. It's a stellar recording, if a little compressed (Duane comes through perfectly in the left channel). The setlist and performances are generally straightforward, probably because the 1hr format precluded two of their most expansive live staples: Whipping Post and Mountain Jam. Most of this material is "borrowed" from established blues musicians, with the notable exception of Dickey Betts' gorgeous In Memory of Elizabeth Reed.

But by straighforward, I mean nothing other than the finest blues-rock ever perpetrated.

The exception is a 20 minute exploration that melds the classic You Don't Love Me with variations on Soul Serenade by bandleader King Curtis. Curtis, a noted tenor saxophonist and friend of the Allmans, was killed only a few days before in Harlem by deranged drug addicts.

Then, time for the home state instrumental homage Hot 'Lanta, and even before they can be introduced, they're gone. In October, only a couple of months after this performance, we lost Duane forever in a motorcycle accident at age 25 (Jesus!). How much we lost we'll never know.

But the music he did leave behind is legendary and will live on forever. Hope the fishing is good up there Duane. Thanks.

Enjoy.

The Allman Brothers Band:

Gregg Allman - organ, vocals
Duane Allman - guitar, vocals
Dickey Betts - guitar, vocals
Berry Oakley - bass, vocals
Butch Trucks - drums
Jai Johanson - drums

Click here to download The Allman Brothers Band Live at A&R Studios 08-26-71

Click here to buy The Allman Brothers at Fillmore East (one word: classic)

Click here to buy the Duane Allman Anthology (some great non-ABB tracks)

Click here for Allman Brothers Tour Info (Derrick Trucks ain't bad)


Next Week: Steely Dan 03-20-74 Live at the Record Plant, Los Angeles