Duane & Gregg Allman - Duane & Gregg Allman (1969)

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Some more history for you Southern Rock scholars. This is where Duane and Gregg Allman (spelled Greg for this release) found themselves after their adventures in California with The Hour Glass and right before they started The Allman Brothers Band. A departure from the dictated course set out by their former employees, this is getting fairly close to what would eventually become known as Southern Rock. This is basically Duane and Gregg jamming with the guys from the 31st Of February (notably Butch Trucks, among others), around the same time they met up with a band called The Second Coming, featuring a guitarist by the name of Dickey Betts. They would soon start jamming together, which would give birth to The Allman Brothers Band. Yes, they're the founding fathers alright. Initially not meant for release, this was brought out in 1973 at the height of The Allmans popularity.
Musically this still has one foot firmly planted in their repertoire with The Hour Glass, while at the same time we notice some uneasy steps towards the more familiar sounding structures that The Allmans would lay down. Of greatest interest must be an early version of one of Gregg's sweetest songs, "Melissa", here surfacing for the first time (slightly different from the popular version). If you're interested in how Southern Rock grew to what it is today, I guess this is essential. Well I know too well...

31st Of February - 31st Of February (1968)

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Some origins of Southern Rock for you in this post. The 31st Of February (formerly Bitter Independents) is a 1968 effort by 3 guys from Jacksonville, FL., who went on to much more successful bands. Scott Boyer and David Brown to Cowboy and Butch Trucks to the Allman Brothers Band. In fact, following this album and after Hour Glass broke up (which followed Allman Joys), Duane and Gregg were in the studio with 31st of February members - so one half of the original ABB was in place a year before they formed. This is the folk rock branch of Southern Rock, with a taste of psychedelic pop. Butch includes some percussion instruments normally heard in a college recital. "Morning Dew" from the second 31st of February album, appears on CD 1 of Dreams, the 1989 ABB box set. Given the time frame, this album is a solid offering with a quality sound. Keyboards add variety to the standard trio of electric guitar, drums and bass. Give it a listen to hear the early days of players who established themselves in the near future. Starting down the path!