Music review: Allman Betts Band – 鈥楧own to the River鈥�
You know you are getting old when you discover the sons of artists you listened to in the 1970s are now releasing a new album.
I was just a youngster when I discovered my oldest brother鈥檚 record collection. He introduced me to the stirring sounds of artists like Eric Clapton, Neil Young, Little Feat, Poco, Elvin Bishop, Santana and Crosby, Stills and Nash
His copies of 1972鈥檚 鈥淓at a Peach鈥� and 1973鈥檚 鈥淏rothers and Sisters鈥� would ignite my passion for the Allman Brothers Band, led by brothers Gregg and Duane Allman.
Some 47 years later, Devon Allman (Gregg鈥檚 son) and Duane Betts (son of Allman Brothers Band guitarist Dickey Betts) carry on their fathers鈥� legacy with the formation of the Allman Betts Band. The group also features Berry Duane Oakley, the son of the late Allman Brothers Band bassist Berry Oakley.
The album includes special guests appearances by former Allman Brothers Band keyboardist Chuck Leavell and former Gregg Allman Band Hammond Organ musician Peter Levin.
Recorded at the legendary Muscle Shoals Sound Studios, 鈥淒own to the River鈥� is the band鈥檚 debut effort and contains a hefty dose of Southern rock.
The opening guitar riff of the lead single 鈥淎ll Night鈥� delivers a warning shot that signals the band is ready to forge a new musical reputation all its own.
鈥淪hinin'鈥� quickly captures a true Allman Brothers Band tone with Betts鈥� laid-back vocals and melodic guitar grooves spotlighted
on this feel-good number.
The title track possesses a bluesy vibe and is reminiscent of a Robert Cray offering.
Clocking in at nearly nine minutes, 鈥淎utumn Breeze鈥� demonstrates the pure beauty of a quality guitar-driven jam and is the set鈥檚 standout moment.
Other album gems include the sentimental tracks 鈥淕ood Ol鈥� Days鈥� and 鈥淢elodies Are Memories.鈥� I can鈥檛 help but hear these songs and find myself making comparisons to the 1970 Allman Brothers Band sophomore release 鈥淚dlewild South.鈥�
鈥淚 got my own way of living/But everything is done/With a Southern accent/Where I come from.鈥� These lyrics sum up the feel of the album as the band performs a soulful cover of Tom Petty鈥檚 鈥淪outhern Accents.鈥�
鈥淒own to the River鈥� is a wonderful example of everything old becoming new again.
Clint Rhodes is the 缅北禁地 music reviewer. He can be reached at clinton43@me.com.