Idlewild South [Original recording reissued, Original recording remastered]

Allman Brothers Band | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Audio CD (October 14, 1997)
• Number of Discs: 1
• Format: Original recording reissued, Original recording remastered
• Label: Island / Mercury
• ASIN: B000003CM9
• Also Available in: Audio CD  |  Audio Cassette  |  MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 4.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (25 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #4,528 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)
  • #18 in Music > Blues > Slide Guitar
  • #28 in Music > Rock > Jam Bands > Rock Jam Bands
  • #46 in Music > Classic Rock > Southern Rock

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

13 of 13 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Buy This and Brothers And Sisters First, January 11, 2000

By 

G. J Wiener (Westchester, NY USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Idlewild South (Audio CD)

This recording is a big improvement over their debut as the Brothers explore a few more styles. Revival has a nice gospel feel with a nice shuffling beat. This version of Hoochie Coochie Man really cooks as the drummers lay down a driving rhythm. The vocals and guitar playing are awesome on this song as well. And How can you forget about the haunting Midnight Rider and the multi-themed In Memory of Elizabeth Reed. The only significant problem is that the disc at 31 minutes is not long enough. This is topquality stuff.

15 of 16 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars A very good record but don't buy it, May 21, 2005

By 

Petri "PT" (Slovakia, Middle Europe) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Idlewild South (Audio CD)

A great record but don't buy it. Get it on Beginnings, which includes this record with their debut, which is even five stars, and it isn't that expensive.

10 of 10 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Blues/rock classic but purchase the Gold edition from Mo-Fi, September 2, 2007

By 

WTDK "If at first the idea is not absurd, the... (My Little Blue Window, USA) - See all my reviews
(TOP 50 REVIEWER)    (HALL OF FAME REVIEWER)    (VINE VOICE)   

This review is from: Idlewild South (Audio CD)

From the melodic opening lines of "Revival" to the closing strains of "Leave My Blues Alone" this is one of the best albums The Allman Brothers Band ever created. The band has, of course, created other masterpieces but this is the first album where everything comes together from the top notch playing by Duane and Dickey to Greg's bluesy growl. Most of the tracks from this album have became the bedrock of the band's concerts (and a good portion of this album formed the basis for the classic and seminal live album "Live at the Fillmore East").

"Idlewind South" has been remastered a number of times for CD but the best versions to purchase are the early edition mastered by Dennis Drake where Drake doesn't futz with the sound but presents the music naturally without compression or altering the sound of the original mastertape. Drake's remaster can usually be found used. If you see the "Capricorn Remasters" on the inlay card of the CD, this isn't the one remastered by Drake. You'll find a copy of Drake's remaster used in all probablility and its one of the original issues of the CD.

The best version, however, is the newly released version from Mobile Fidelity (which is back in business with new owners after going out of business in the early part of the 21st century). Mastered by Shawn R. Britton the album has never sounded this warm, rich or good on CD. If you can find the Britton remaster (google Music Direct or go to the Mobile Fidelity website)which was released in a limited, numbered edition in a replica of the original album sleeve, I'd snatch it up. It's possible some independent retailers are carrying it (sadly amazon.com is not and I'm not quite sure why perhaps its is sold out). Britton also did the marvelous remaster of Linda Ronstandt's "Dont Cry Now" and is also doing a remaster of a seminal Little Feat album).

Pick up this classic album you won't be sorry. If you can't find the Britton remaster go for the marvelous Drake (Drake also did early versions of "Beginnings" the album that combines this album with their first). Enjoy!