From The '71 Vaults

 

Very welcome of course: a crisp new live registration from the Allman heydays. Sax player Juicy Carter sits in on most songs, and brother Duane's cooking as usual. Historical, but be warned: if you can't stand a bit of tape hiss, better save your money.

The Allman Brothers Band - One Way Out (live Austin '71)

Meanwhile back in Shakey country, the archives are opening like there's no tomorrow. The aptly named Young Shakespeare is the most recent treasure: an intimate solo gig at the Shakespeare Theatre, Stratford, Connecticut. Lovely stuff in pristine sound quality.

Neil Young - A Man Needs A Maid/Heart Of Gold (Medley) (live Stratford '71)

Memories Can't Wait

 

Recently unearthed: a recording of brother Duane's last gig at the Painters Mill Music Fair in Maryland back in October 1971, just 12 days before that fatal motorcycle accident. The sound quality is audience on cassette tape only, but with such a historic document, who cares? Here's a short (due to a fade-out?), sweet and jazzy take on Elizabeth Reed, with Juicy Carter guesting on sax. Play loud.

The Allman Brothers Band - In Memory Of Elizabeth Reed (live '71)

Always Hanging Around

Out now and quite the treat: an early Allman Brothers live album recorded during a stint of gigs at the Fillmore East in February 1970, so one year prior to their legendary Live At The Fillmore East album. None other than LSD guru, PA prophet and Grateful Dead soundman Owsley 'Bear' Stanley was the taper, and boy did he do a fine job. Move it already!

Allman Brothers Band - Outskirts Of Town

Trapped No More

Just got the sad news that brother Gregg Allman passed away yesterday. The Southern rock pioneer was 69. A soulful singer and organist, he was one of the founders of the legendary Allman Brothers Band back in '69. Their Live At The Fillmore East ('71) may just be my fave live album ever. Miss him.

The Allman Brothers Band - One Way Out (live '71)

Got the tombstone blues

Tempus fugit. This day in 1971, Duane Allman was killed in a motorcycle accident in Macon, Georgia, just weeks before his 25th birthday. Brother Duane was a true master of the slide guitar. In his honour, here are two marvellous tracks from one of my fave Allman Brothers Band boots.

Allman Brothers Band - Trouble No More (live A&R Studios, New York 26-8-´71) MP3

Allman Brothers Band - Don´t Keep Me Wondering (live A&R Studios, New York 26-8-´71) MP3

On a different note: enjoy this blog while you still can. The music blogosphere is under attack at the moment; read all about it in this post over at Setting The Woods On Fire. Paul of that blog is both a lawyer and an American; he tells it much better than I ever could. Yesterday, those friendly people at Blogger bluntly removed a post of mine from Star Maker Machine. A post about a song by blues master Mississippi John Hurt, from the twenties, which came complete with a link inviting everyone to buy the album... 

Other music bloggers had the same problem with the so-called Digital Millennium Copyright Act the last few days. For some reason, the record industry is blind to the fact that blogs like this one actually make people go out and buy albums... If this goes on, I cannot do anything else but throw in the towel. Here´s hoping the whole thing blows over soon, but somehow I doubt it. So me? I´m in the kitchen. With the tombstone blues.

Footy vs. music means Allmans

I once knew a radio dj who loved watching football, which presented a bit of a problem as he had a weekly slot between 9 and 11 in the evening. And as it happens a lot of European Cup games and international qualifiers get played exactly during that timespan. So he came up with a simple solution. Whenever an important match was on he put on some really long songs, so he could watch the telly in peace and root for his favorite team while still doing his job.

The song he spun most often was Whipping Post from the classic Live At The Fillmore East by the Allman Brothers Band, a lenghty southern rock classic featuring lots of exciting interplay between guitarists Duane´ Skydog´ Allman and Dickey Betts. Now this isn´t a radio show of course, but I still decided to do the same tonight. I´m off watching my beloved blaugranas taking on Valencia in the Spanish cup, giving you the chance to enjoy over 20 minutes of Allmans mania. This particular take of Whipping Post was recorded live from the soundboard on 17 January 1971 at the Syria Mosque, Pittsburgh.

Allman Brothers Band - Whipping Post (live Pittsburgh 17-1-´71) MP3