"I’ve got my hand over my heart,” Gregg Allman says of his extraordinary new album called Low Country Blues , "and if it’s a hit there, it’s a hit.” Simply put, Low Country Blues is Gregg Allman at his very best, a
self-assured, spirited collection that will stand as a major milestone
in what is undeniably an exceptional career. "Places you been, things
that you done/Somehow you’re still on the run,” Allman sings on "Just
Another Rider.”
This album was recorded live at the legendary The New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival on 2011. Here´s a review: In the Blues Tent of the New Orleans Jazz Fest 2011, the most valuable player of Friday's (May 6) closing set had to be Gregg Allman's new liver. After all: No it, no him. And no deeply satisfied Blues Tent. Looking
fit and singing strong for a man of his mileage, Allman fronted a
brawny, horn-driven band that sounded more Memphis or Muscle Shoals than
Macon, typical of his solo work. The old liver, a victim of Hepatitis
C, was swapped out about a year ago.
Long may the new one run. Friday, multiple ovations met solos and song endings.
A
few Allman Brothers Band favorites made the playlist, but only
"Melissa" would remind anyone of the version they first heard, on 1972's
"Eat a Peach." The Allman Brothers favorite "Whipping Post," best known
as a slinky 6/8 jam on disc and endless classic-rock-radio plays, was
unleashed as a 4/4 stomp.
In addition to his new plumbing, Allman
has been revivified by the reception won by his album of blues-chestnut
covers released earlier this year, "Low Country Blues" (produced by T Bone Burnett, some keyboards by Dr. John).
Friday,
he was additionally bolstered by stellar guitar soloing by Scott
Sharrard. Big, big shoes to fill for that guy, but he was up to it. Jay
Collins' work on multiple horns, including flute, also earned earnest
audience appreciation. They were the standouts in an excellent, supple,
crowd-pleasing band.
The Blues Tent was a crowded as I've ever
seen it, at least leading up to the set. There was gradual outflow, but
everybody who stayed to the end enjoyed an inspiring performance by a
slugger making the most of his extra innings.
But ...
Taken from the press release: Upon his doctor's orders, Gregg Allman is unfortunately being forced to
cancel his August 26 through September 15 concert dates. Some of these
dates will be rescheduled for later in the year. Allman had to cancel
four dates at the end of his four week European tour in June due to an
upper respiratory condition. His doctor hoped that with rest, he'd get
better, but unfortunately the issue has persisted. Treatment is going to
involve several days of hospitalization and 4 - 6 weeks of bed rest at
home. Allman continues to recover from his successful liver transplant
and expects to return to touring in support of his highly acclaimed "Low
Country Blues" album in the late fall.
Personnel: Gregg Allman (keyboards, guitar, vocals) Jay Collins (saxophone, flute) Jerry Jemmott (bass) Bruce Katz (keyboards) Floyd Miles (vocals) Steve Potts (drums) Scott Sharrad (guitar)
Tracklist: 01. Don't Keep Me Wonderin (Allman) 4.23 02. I'm No Angel (Palmer/Colton) 4.11 03. Tears, Tears, Tears (Milburn) 6.21 04. Just Another Rider (Allman/Haynes) 5.43 05. Going Back To Daytona (Greenlee/Myles) 5.27 06. I Can't Be Satisfied (Morganfield) 6.00 07. Dreams (Allman/Tristano) 12.35 08. Before Bullets Fly 4.16 09. Melissa (Allman) 6.18 10. Whipping Post (Allman) 6:24 11. Midnight Rider (Allman) 5.00 12. Stage Banter 2.09 13. Sweet Feelin' (Carter/Daniel) 3.15 14. Statesboro Blues (McTell) 5.31
Encased in a classy sleeve painted by Scottish playwright John "Patrick" Byrne, the first LP from the tumultuous Stealers Wheel is a debonair affair comprised of the kind of accomplished and polished pub pop for which impetus Gerry Rafferty would become known as he subsequently rode out the decade on the sublime radio single "Baker Street ." Rafferty released his first solo slab, Can I Have My Money Back? (the title already showing signs of unrest) in 1971, and brought amigo Joe Egan
from those sessions to the princely proceeding here. Worthy musical
moments abound, all forever overshadowed by the clever corporate-snub
"Stuck in the Middle With You" which branded the duo a one-hit wonder
when the track took on a life of its own. Sadly, the song also
foreshadowed the premature end of Stealers Wheel, and Rafferty and Egan
continued to document the personal and professional turmoil of their
short time together throughout their respective solo careers, even
re-recording some of these early jewels. And though only Rafferty's star continued to rise, Egan
harbors considerable talent as well, shining brightly on his Rubber
Soul-influenced tapestry "Another Meaning"; however, he keeps bland
company with Bad Company with the dumb thud of "I Get By." Meanwhile, Rafferty
creates one of those oh-so-cosmic '70s grooves for "Outside Looking
In," before being unfortunately caught in one of those oh-so-abrupt '70s
fades at the end of side one. This vibe wouldn't be broken so
drastically on CD, but for now, and seemingly forever, the platter must
be flipped for the unique "Johnny's Song" wherein mountain-rock breaks
surround Rafferty's
wry life observations. Hidden nugget "Next to Me" extols mellow
melancholy meditations exclusive to the West Coast and the Have a Nice
Day Decade. Closing pastorale "You Put Something Better Inside of Me"
inspired renditions by Ted Neeley and Raphael Ravenscroft.
Ultimately, this very solid outing casts a somber shadow because of
unfulfilled expectations. And any record this carefully crafted doesn't
deserve to languish in the bins of obscurity, but such seems to be the
fate of Stealers Wheel.
At least the band will always be remembered through the cinematic
revival of that supreme FM staple "Stuck in the Middle With You." (by Whitney Z. Gomes)
Personnel: Rod Coombes (drums) Joe Egan (keyboards, vocals) Paul Pilnick (guitar) Gerry Rafferty (guitar, vocals) Tony Williams (bass)
Tracklist: 01. Late Again (Egan/Rafferty) 3.16 02. Stuck In The Middle (Egan) 2.56 03. Another Meaning (Egan) 2.56 04. I Get By (Egan) 3.16 05. Outside Looking In (Rafferty) 3.54 06. Johnny´s Song (Rafferty) 3.45 07. Next To Me (Egan/Rafferty) 3.37 08. José (Egan) 3.23 09. Gets So Lonely (Egan) 2.57 10. You Put Something Better Inside Me (Egan/Rafferty) 3.50
