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As Sean Bean might say in that meme for all seasons..”one does not simply review The Allman Betts Band without mentioning the illustrious lineage”. So here we go, Devon Allman is the son of founding Allman Brothers Band legend Gregg Allman, Duane Betts is the son of another Allman Brothers Band legend, this time revered guitarist Dickey Betts. Then there is bassist Berry Duane Oakley, the son of yet another Allman Brothers Band legend, Berry Oakley. With that kind of blood flowing through their veins, The Allman Betts Band surely wouldn’t suck? The answer to that would have to be a resounding…hell no, they don’t suck.
Take the incendiary, emotive guitar playing from The Allman Brothers Band, the soulful vocals they were famous for, give it some youthful oomph and you have The Allman Betts Band. No modern touches here folks, no modern technology. ‘Down To The River’ was tracked live by the band, analog all the way baby, recorded at Muscle Shoals Sound Studio in Muscle Shoals. Allman, Betts, Muscle Shoals. Rolls off the tongue, doesn’t it?
‘Down To The River’ is the sound of a band jamming and the producer has hit “record” without telling them. It’s so laid back that at times it’s practically horizontal. Even when the band are rocking out, especially on moments like opening track ‘All Night’ and quick follow-up, ‘Shinin’’, the vibe is very relaxed. With Allman and Betts sharing lead vocal duties, there is a great deal of variation on the album. Allman sings in a deeper, gruffer register, while Betts has a softer, gentler cool breeze of a voice. What is prevalent throughout though, is the incredible, melodious guitar work, not only from both Allman and Betts, but also from slide guitarist Johnny Stachela. While some slide players like to batter you over the head, Stachela’s stunning playing on the aforementioned ‘Shinin’’ is quite low-key and restrained. On the subject of ‘Shinin’’, surely a few tributes to The Allman Brothers classic ‘Whipping Post’ in there?
Catch The Allman Betts Band in a live setting, and chances are that tracks like ‘Try’, ‘Autumn Breeze’ and the sublime ‘Melodies Are Memories’ would sound totally different each night. The free-flowing guitar work on ‘Autumn Breeze’ is especially memorable, close your eyes and you’re back at the Fillmore East in the early ‘70’s. ‘Melodies Are Memories’ is four minutes of twists and turns that take the listener by surprise. It moves along quite peacefully, almost at a reggae-like pace, then the fiery guitars crash in to wake you out of your island life state of bliss. Throw in some bodacious Hammond organ and you have the perfect storm.
Special mention has to go to the heartfelt rendition of Tom Petty’s ‘Southern Accents’. Devon Allman takes lead vocals for a quiet, faithful version of what was always a highly charged few minutes. The string arrangements on the original make way for some understated slide work, and the result is something rather special indeed.
‘Down To The River’ works best in one sitting from start to finish, truly a tune-in-and-drop-out moment.
Available now through BMG, more information here.
Review – Dave
