The Allman Brothers Band (1969)

Allman Brothers Band

The debut album by what was, for one brief shining moment, the greatest southern rock band of all time. Much like Fairport Convention, their light was snuffed out far too quickly.

Side One
Don't Want You No More

It's Not My Cross To Bear
Black Hearted Woman
Trouble No More

Side Two
Every Hungry Woman
Dreams
Whipping Post


Cecily's Notes

Personal Background: I didn't pay much attention to the Allmans, not caring much for southern rock or 11 minute guitar jams. Then I read a review that was exuberantly in love with this particular record and I looked up 'Black Hearted Woman' on YouTube. That's all it took and don't you love it when that happens?

Resonance: Gregg Allman successfully mimics a blues patriarch come back from the wilderness to teach us all about suffering. His voice is not as otherworldly as Robert Plant's could be but it carries the same weight of conviction on its introduction. Of course it would be nothing without a powerful band - inventive and sweeping. For being all about suffering because of some no good woman, this isn't actually a depressing record because the energy level is so high. It's great. 5/5

Design: This is really well thought out. It starts with an instrumental opener, putting the emphasis on the band's skill and inventiveness before seamlessly moving into a slow-burn soul number to successfully introduce Gregg Allman's powerful vocals. The catchy rock numbers only kick in after the band has established itself as a serious outfit, not as just another in the sea of hard rock wannabes. This ambition carries you through all seven songs without complaint. 5/5

Utility: Can be played anywhere and in just about any mood because it's gloomy without being a depressant. It's actually a pick-me-up. 5/5

Best: 'Whipping Post.'

Worst: 'Dreams' sometimes strikes me as overlong.

Conclusion: 15/15. Whoo hoo.

Ticharu's Notes

Personal Background: If I had heard the first two Allman Brothers albums back in the day I would have tried harder to like their later stuff. As it is nothing they did after the first two albums had any possibility of approaching the brilliance of these first two albums. So my background on these is none existent. I had Brothers & Sisters which was an OK record verging on the more mundane sound they embraced after that. Everyone from my generation has heard At Fillmore East. Part of it anyway, I never could get through that one. Eat A Peach is the only other offering I tried and again it just didn't stick. I guess when a band is primarily a live band, well it sets up a conflict, hard to resolve. I am of the mind that recorded albums and live performance are two different things especially with pop music. Take advantage of the studio to make a piece of art in and of itself. Your live performance is there and then it's gone. The record album will outlast you and all your fans.

Resonance: So there's me somewhat surprised I like this album as much as I do. Southern Rock is never going to have much resonance for me but the thing about this album and the second is Duane Allman's guitar and their uncanny ability to mix jazz, blues and prog into something that sounds like it crawled up out of the swamp. It's pretty cool. 3/5

Design: What I don't like about it and this is weird, but I don't like Greg Allman's voice. He doesn't sound like a fresh faced kid. Not ever? Nope. That just seems wrong to me. After 10 years of hard graft yes. I could believe it. So he's just naturally gifted with this incredible gritty voice. If you got it you got it. The other thing that bugs me is just me thinking this was their live set. As such some of the songs have exaggerated big endings and false stops. The kind of thing a live band would do. At their best they transcend all that. I want to credit Duane with that but it's really the sound of the whole band working together. They were great. 4/5

Utility: Here's an album that'll get a mixed reaction if I play it within ear shot of anybody. For some it'll be amazing and for others it'll be a bloody racket/when will it stop? I can't really see listening to it quietly so opportunity might only come when I can crank it, let it rip and boogie my little socks off. 3/5

Best: Dreams - Every Hungry Woman - Don't Want You No More - Black Hearted Woman - Trouble No More

Worst: It's Not My Cross To Bear - Whipping Post

Conclusion: This and the Idlewild South albums certainly look a little odd in my collection but they are stellar and worthy of being included. AND since I haven't heard them to death I may play them now and again unlike some of the other war horses.

Led Zeppelin III (1970)

 The first gloriously British album from the blues juggernaut.


Immigrant Song

Friends
Celebration Day
Since I've Been Loving You
Out on the Tiles
Gallows Pole
Tangerine
That's the Way
Bron-Y-Aur Stomp
Hats Off to (Roy) Harper

Cecily's Notes;

Personal Background: While I did grow up hearing Led Zeppelin, it wasn't until I was about 14 that I gave any of their music a close listen. Their first two albums passed me by but Led Zeppelin III caught my undivided attention with its mixture of hard rock, blues and folk motifs. It became my long-standing favorite Zep album, finally and reluctantly replaced when I could no longer deny the power of IV, and still in the top rank even today.

Resonance: Remarkable emotional power in almost every song. From exuberant to wrist-slashing – I am completely on Robert Plant’s side when he sings “you had the NERVE to say you didn’t want me no more” during the incredible wind-up on ‘Since I’ve Been Loving You.’ Impossible not to feel for the guy. There are a lot of moods on this album and they’re mostly wrapped together with a strong sense of British heritage, from vikings on the shore all the way to the influential career of folk-rock musician Roy Harper. It’s not yet the dazzling ode to the west that Zep IV would be but only that last  Roy Harper dirge really leaves me cold. 4/5

Design: Aside from the screechy caterwauling on ‘Hats Off to Roy Harper,’ everything is excellent. Got the storm surge of ‘Immigrant Song,’ the moody bounce of ‘Friends’ and ‘Celebration Day,’ and the late-night blues epic ‘Since I’ve Been Loving You’ bringing it all to a head. You just can’t top that, and since it’s only the fourth track they wisely switched up the mood, got a little more upbeat, walking in the sunshine, cheerful hangmen, wistful ballads, culminating a second time with a joyful, footstomping number to make you feel all’s right with the world. Sensible people just stop the music at this point. Trust me, the design is better that way. 4/5

Utility: Great for housecleaning and baking, has a nice ebb and flow of energy. Not the best for the car speakers because the volume fluctuates a little too much. It rewards close listening yet might work well in mixed adult company – although the folk lovers and hard rock lovers tend to be separate people, perhaps accounting for this album’s lower rating compared to I, II and IV. 3/5

Verdict: A mainstay in my collection since I was fifteen. 11/15.

Best: Since I’ve Been Loving You; Bron-Y-Aur Stomp.

Worst: ‘Hats Off to (Roy) Harper.’

Ticharu's Notes;

Personal Background: III was the second Zeppelin album I heard. Listened to it one afternoon with Mark Foley. IV was the first one with Robert the previous summer. Tony picked up Physical Graffiti when that came out. Zeppelin I, I got to hear that while camping, Tony, myself, Robert and Roger I believe. We were on one side of the river while some party on the other side with a good sized stereo were blasting Zeppelin I. Fond memories of that. Mark bought Presence when that came out. So I have really good memories of all these. I didn't own a Zeppelin album until the 90s when I started buying them for myself. I didn't really get on with Zeppelin II when I finally heard it and I can say I've never heard Coda or In Through the Out Door.

Resonance: Led Zep are one of the few remaining 70s rock bands I still enjoy. Zeppelin III one of my favourites. It covers everything they were good at. Power, catchy riffs, great melodies, awesome guitar. Then there's Robert Plant's unearthly wail. This album connects for me on every level. The foggy memory of my teenage years, that desire to be a part of things, to be needed, to be invincible. They connect on a musical level, intellectual and an emotional level. 5/5

Design: The design of the LP cover art was fantastic. Totally devoid in the CD format. I have to harken back to the original and give it 5/5

Utility: I suppose if I'm going to listen to this album these days I want no interference. No distraction. I want to play it LOUD! Que up 'side one'. Bask in the majesty of it. Take a moment to collect my thoughts and then let 'side two' wash over me. I wouldn't skip anything. It's all of a piece however it ends. I accepted that long ago. It's like life in that way. Sometimes there's a happy ending, sometimes there isn't. 5/5

Conclusion: It's an absolute classic. A must have.

Best: Immigrant Song, Friends, Out on the Tiles

Worst: Hats Off To Harper