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Customer Reviews: Average Rating:  Rating : - Get a new CD and there will be "Trouble No More"
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As the author of the Jefferson Airplane book "Take Me To A Circus Tent" and a former radio disc-jockey, I am often asked to write and or discuss various music supplies and recordings from the 60's and 70's.
The Allman Brother's self-titled debut has received universal praise for its incredible display of the blues; the musical interplay between Duane, Dickie, and Greg and such confidence in the material five of the seven tracks were penned by a band member.
If you analyze the restrictive circumstances the group dealt with they should receive even larger accolades. The beauty of blues-rock is the ability to expand the song and take it in a different direction each night. Your only awareness of time is that you keep and not the length of a composition. The suits were more interested in making the record a calling card for the live dates. The entire LP didn't even reach thirty-four minutes! Shocking as may seem "Whipping Post" would not even be the longest tune on the album. How short is thirty some odd minutes to a blues band or a progressive rock group, "Mountain Jam" would appear years later on "Eat A Peach" tallied more ticks on the clock than the entire seven tracks on the debut.
The legendary debut by the Allman's opens with a cover of the Spencer Davis/Eddie Hardin tune "Don't Want You No More." Greg would show us what would became his signature organ sound. The Brothers didn't take the song past two and one half minutes but everything including the kitchen sink is there for us to soak up. "It's Not My Cross To Bear" wouldn't seem right if it didn't come from Greg's voice. The pure emotion of the vocals with the guitars left the masses speechless the first time this went on their turntable in 1969. "Black Hearted Woman" grabs you by the throat without mercy. The energy is indescribable and after three tracks your ears have encompassed three different sides of the Brothers. "Trouble No More" may say Muddy Waters on the writing credits but as the Beatles always did, the Allman's cover would be the definitive version. The classic riff and blues power at its best makes this one a must for a time capsule. "Every Hungry Woman" needs two listenings. The initial time you are so engrossed on the music, Greg's words may have escaped you. "Dreams" turns out to be the longest track on the record. At over seven minutes, the only blemish showing is it didn't go on forever. If you are still able to withstand the onslaught, the LP ends with "Whipping Post." To this day it is served frequently on Classic Rock stations. The finishing combination of "Dreams" and "Whipping Post" is extraordinary.
It took one listen and the legions of Allman fans it created were in unison with the hope the road would go on forever.
Enjoy the music and be well,
Craig Fenton
Author of the Jefferson Airplane book "Take Me To A Circus Tent"
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