Allman Joys - Early Allman (1966)

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Well, this is it. The spark that started the fire, the smouldering ember that would set ablaze Rock & Roll as we knew it and introduce the world to Southern Rock. Arguably? Big words, but there's some truth in them. The Allman Joys were the first recording outfit featuring both Duane and Gregg Allman. Released in 1972, these songs were all recorded way back in 1966. And it's definitely a product of its time. Don't expect a jam oriented, Blues based free-for-all. Instead this album offers a glimpse of what was to be, young boys trying hard to find their identity. All short songs, it has a typical 60's Pop/Rock sound, features quite a few covers and makes for an amusing listen. My favorite songs on this album would have to be 'Changing Of The Guards', written by Gregg, which would finds its way onto The Hour Glass' "Power Of Love" album. Half the album was produced by John Loudermilk, the other half by Buddy Killen. I suppose at the time, they weren't quite ready for the big time, but we all know eventually they sure would. So, dig into some serious Southern Rock history people. This is a new rip, and I'm quite sure how it compares to others (seems there are quite a few around, but I prefer my rip over others I've heard). I just hope you enjoy this little treat. After Allman Joys, Duane and Gregg would have their little adventure in California with The Hour Glass, followed by a recording (as Duane & Gregg Allman, which would also see its release in 1972) with 31st Of February, before forming The Allman Brothers Band. But this is where the story of Southern Rock truly starts. Get yourself a spoonful!

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!

The Allman Brothers Band - Face The Music (1982)

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These are studio recordings The Allman Brothers Band made for Arista Records. Yes, I know, their Arista period wasn't their most exciting. But still, it's The Allman Brothers Band! This stuff hasn't been released. For obvious reasons. Apart from the fact that these sound like unfinished demos, it's music that's a long shot from what we love them for. Many songs are sung by an (to me) unfamiliar voice. It looks like they set out to embrace the 80's in all its glorious horror. Lifeless AOR, especially compared to their previous output. And way too few songs sung by Gregg. But I thank Craig for making these available, cause I really needed to check this out. And it's not all bad. Some songs would reappear on other albums. Like "Let It Ride" (re-recorded for "Seven Turns") and "Anything Goes" (re-recorded for Gregg's "I'm No Angel"). And those familiar with the Betts, Hall, Leavell & Trucks Geneva , NY show, will recognize titles like "Lorraine" and "Need Somebody's Help Tonight". R.I.P. David "Frankie" Toler. And thanks to E. for cleaning the sound up a bit. I did some guessing on certain track titles. Sound quality is ok, I suppose, for it being what it is. Of historical interest. Handle with care..

Betts, Hall, Leavell & Trucks - 1983 - Geneva , NY

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Betts, Hall, Leavell & Trucks features Dickey Betts and Butch Trucks (Allman Bros), Jimmy Hall (Wet Willie) and Chuck Leavell (Allman Bros & Sea Level). Unlike most Southern Rock bands in the early 80's, this band did not venture into AOR territory. Instead, this is fairly classic Southern Rock, with songs of The Allman Brothers, and Jimmy Hall and Dickey Betts solo cuts. It's a soundboard recording of a gig they played in Geneva, NY, on Jimmy's birthday. The sound is a little thin at the start, but it gets better with the second song. Vocal duties are being shared by both Dickey and Jimmy. I don't know if they ever recorded any studio demos, but this is very nice anyway. The kind of band you'd love to hear on a Charlie Daniels Volunteer Jam. I'm guessing you'll enjoy hearing this lot keep playing Southern Rock like the 80's never happened. Yay!

Various Artists - Alive Down South (1997)

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Hey, hey! It's hoe down time, y'all! After blue Monday, this is just what the doctor ordered. Tell your mama you won't be home tonight, grab a beer and get right!
Though this album was released in 1997 (and is out of print already), these recordings are mostly from 1977 and 1978. Some of these songs are from the Rebel Jam, so there is some overlap with the "Hotels, Motels & Road Shows" album. But the overlap is limited to three songs (Stillwater (2) & The Allman Bros (1, though not the same version)). And there are 13 songs in total on this album.
Yep, it's the same idea here. Some of hottest live performances by some of the greatest Southern Rock bands. All mixed together as though this was a non-stop Southern Rock show, so it never slows down with any fade-outs and -ins. And you get the whole spectrum of Southern Rock. From the Fusion Rock of Dixie Dregs to the Southern Soul of Wet Willie to classic Southern Rock of Stillwater and The Allmans. A big thank you to Luc for this one!
If you don't dig this, you must be gay. And if you do, you sure will be. Like a tidal wave of goodness...

Various Artists - Hotels, Motels & Road Shows (1978)

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Oh boy, oh boy, oh boy, oh boy! It's the holiday season coming up alright. Yet another bag of goodies here. This album is the perfect example of what I dig about Southern Rock. Ladies and gentlemen: it's the jackpot!
I knew about this album for a long time, and I wanted it really bad. But I never found a copy. But how cool is that? To find it's everything I'd expected, and then some..
"Hotels, Motels & Road Shows" is a compilation album, chockful of Capricorn recording artists. But this is no cheezy-cheapo-cash-in greatest hits of the label. No, no, no, no. It's a 1978 Rebel Jam! All exciting live performances, classic Southern Rock, and a guaranteed good time. And these tracks haven't been released on albums by the artists themselves. And some artists never released a live album to begin with. The artists: Stillwater, Elvin Bishop, The Allman Brothers Band, Bonnie Bramlett, Dickey Betts, Grinderswitch, Sea level, , The Marshall Tucker Band, Wet Willie and Dixie Dregs. You get the whole spectrum of Southern Rock on one album. Well, it gets very close to that. This is really, really good. Up among the bestest. For real!

The Allman Brothers Band - Then..Again..Live! (2004)

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XM Satellite Radio organized several in-studio live sessions where bands got to recreate their classic albums. This radio broadcast had The Allman Brothers Band updating their 1972 masterpiece Eat A Peach. This was originally broadcast in 2004 and has the following line-up: Gregg Allman, Warren Haynes, Butch Trucks, Jaimoe, Derek Trucks, Oteil Burbridge and Marc Quinones. It is the first time Gregg sings Dickey's Blue Sky. Nice document.