Word: allmans
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Dates: during 1970-1979
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Brothers and Sisters: The Allman Brothers (Capricorn; $5.98). Topped off by Richard Belts' virtuoso lead guitar and Chuck Leavell's infectious piano, this is a rollicking fusion of rock, jazz and white rural Southern blues that adds up to one of the best pop albums of the year. It is also unusually tasteful...
Betts' genius taken for granted, the real star of this album is piano man Chuck Leavell. Taken from the bank of Allman running buddy Alex Taylor, Leavell gives the band depth, and an added soloist. His playing, whether it's out front, or with the ensemble, is fluent and varied throughout. His chording underneath Gregg's vocal on "Southbound" focuses the rhythm section, and keeps time on the twelve bar bridge. His solo shows off his Otis Spann influences, rolling chords and full notes, all done in the middle ranges to avoid the piano's occasionally fragile sound...
...divergence, a pattern well represented on Brothers and Sisters. "Jelly, Jelly" represents the band's dedication to blues. In the forties the definitive version was done by Billy Eckstine, and Chicago bands have done it with varying degrees of obscenity; it's a thank you note from the Allman Brothers. Their version is that Chicago style, thick organ chords from Gregg, and a truly painful vocal. His solo is straight-forward, with full chords from Dickie as support. Leavell's piano is taken directly from any number of Otis Spann sides, powerful, full-bodied, an emphasis on percussive chords. Dickie...
JESSICA" represents the other end of the Allman spectrum. Dickie Betts writes mostly uptempo, good-natured, primarily instrumental tunes. This one will remind anyone of "Revival," just as "Ramblin Man" echoes "Blue Sky." It's likely that Dickie plays better uptempo than any other way. His lines tend towards the lyrical anyway, and "Jessica's" structure allows him those spiralling notes, and quick runs. Leavell's piano solo is similar, with an emphasis on runs and single notes. The structure is simple, with the theme stated in unison at the beginning and end of the piece. The song is directly...
...tempting to suggest that the new Allman Band is better than ever. It was my original reaction, but comparisons are not fair. Besides, the band changed personnel precisely in order to avoid them. But I think it's fair to say that the new album marks a change in direction, a small change, but significant nonetheless. Brothers and Sisters shows the bands diverging tendencies, its allegiances, and its dedication to group progress. It could be their best album...