Low Country Blues

Gregg Allman | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Audio CD (January 18, 2011)
• Original Release Date: 2011
• Number of Discs: 1
• Label: Rounder
• ASIN: B004AHNIGM
• Also Available in: Audio CD  |  Vinyl  |  MP3 Music
• Average Customer Review: 4.3 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (159 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #4,225 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)
  • #38 in Music > Classic Rock > Southern Rock

Editorial Reviews

2011 release, the first solo album in 14 years from the Rock 'n' Roll Hall of Fame legend. Called Low Country Blues for the coastal Georgia region Allman calls home, the record was produced by T Bone Burnett, recorded at his Village Recorder studio in Los Angeles and features Dr. John on piano, guitarist Doyle Bramhall II, and Burnett's brilliant go-to rhythm section: bassist Dennis Crouch and drummer Jay Bellerose. Low Country Blues is Gregg Allman at his very best -- a self-assured, spirited collection that will stand as a major milestone in what is undeniably an exceptional career.

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

124 of 133 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars The album (so far) of his life. January 18, 2011

By r.j. zurek

Format:Audio CD

In the liner notes for "Low country blues", Robert Gordon writes "A river runs through the blues, and Gregg Allman continues to navigate it. This album deposits Gregg at a fresh place on the bank. He's a traveler, sometimes riding with the current, swimming upstream when he prefers".
This new release is proof of the success of Gregg's journey. When I received my copy of "Low country", I sat uninterrupted through all twelve tracks. Twice. Some musical projects are memorable for well written songs, thoughtful sequencing and great instrumentation. Others are so complete, so satisfying that you just don't want to listen to anything else for a while. "Low country" falls into the latter category.
Ace producer T-bone Burnett is also responsible for B.B. King's latest, the wonderful "One kind favor".That disc kicks off with a very dark version of Blind Lemon Jefferson's "See that my grave is kept clean". The opener for this disc, Sleepy John Estes' "Floating Bridge" is a song similar in format, but where "Favor" is a plea, "Bridge" is a bitter recollection. Both songs, and on both cds, the presence of Dr. John's masterful piano is as important as that of the stars.
"Little by little" is a Junior Wells staple that starts off with a funky B-3 intro by Gregg, then features more of the good Doctor with great guitar fills by Doyle Bramhall II. "Devil got my woman" shows Burnett's greatest strength as a roots music producer- the ability to take a Skip James song from the 1930's and remake it in 2011-without sacrificing any integrity. Gregg's vocals are almost ethereal, with dual guitar interplay between Bramhall and Colin Linden on Dobro.
"I can't be satisfied" is one of Muddy Waters' most beloved compositions, and Gregg and company do this song justice while showcasing the groove created by drummer Jay Belrose and bassist Dennis Crouch.
"Blind man" is the first appearance on the disc of trumpeter Darrell Leonard's horn section. Leonard has been recording for years with tenor sax player Joe Sublett as the Texacali Horns. Here they're augmented by Lester Lovitt and Daniel Fornero on trumpet with Thomas Peterson and Jim Thompson on baritone and tenor sax. The horns appear on five other tracks giving the disc a powerful classic r&b punch, especially on B.B. King's "Please accept my love".
The sole original on the disc, "Just another rider" was co-written with Gregg's partner in the Allman Brothers, guitar master Warren Haynes. Very reminiscent of another Allman/Haynes collaboration, "The high cost of low living"(from the Brothers' 2003 "Hittin' the note"), the song seems to address the same protagonist as the earlier track. On "High cost", Gregg admonishes "using up all your good friends" and on "Rider", you can almost see him shake his head as he sighs "seems like a long time- since you had any peace of mind".
"I believe I'll go back home" is an old public domain number with Mike Compton adding mandolin to the mix, while Magic Sam's "My love is your love"is enhanced by the beautiful female chorus arranged by Bill Maxwell. The closing traditional, "Rolling Stone" is one of the many highlights, again featuring Colin Linden's Dobro in a soft acoustic jam.
This fine recording belongs to T-bone as much as it does to Gregg. Production is excellent and choice of musicians couldn't be better. Gregg set out to make a recording he could be proud of. With "Low country blues", he just may have made the album of his life.

47 of 52 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars A more bluesy style January 18, 2011

By K. Cooper VINE™ VOICE

Format:Audio CD

Gregg Allman has been making records both solo and with the Allman Brothers since the 1960's. He has never made an album like this before. With one original tune ("Just Another Rider") and a few familiar blues covers ("I Can't be Satisfied". "RollingStone" "Little by Little"), the main focus of this new CD is less familiar acoustic and electric blues songs.Producer T-Bone Burnett and Allman selected songs that are well suited to Allman's talents.
Gregg's voice is still in top form and he has the backing of a top notch band here, including Dr. John and Doyle Bramhall II. The backing is more sparse on this CD than a typical Allman Brothers CD, spotlighting the vocals a bit more. Of course, fans of the Allman Brothers Band and Gregg's solo work will love this and he may even make a new fans if some people who are not fans listen to "Low Country Blues".

41 of 45 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars I love it January 23, 2011

By Bradlee

Format:Audio CD

I love all the old blues musicians and I am a big fan of the Allman Brothers, but mostly of the Duane Allman era albums. Not that I dislike the current incarnation, its just that I tend to lean towards the early albums when listening. I must also say that I was never a huge fan of Greggs solo albums. But Low Country Blues is hands down a great album. There is not one song that I would consider to be filler. The production on the entire album is outstanding. Each instrument adds as much to the song as Greggs voice. The entire album is laid back with a steady infectious groove. The songs are fairly short and concise, none overstaying their welcome in a too long jam session. Gregs voice fits these songs like he was born to sing them (which, with his voice, he certainly was born to sing the blues). I've seen another review of someone complaining that this was a T bone album with Gregg simply singing on it. The fact of the matter is I don't care who did what or why. This is probably my favorite blues album to be released in the past ten years and these traditional songs have only been elevated by the work of everyone involved on this project.

on a side note, Best Buy is selling this album including a t shirt of Gregg Allmans 1974 tour. It is more expensive than buying just the regular album, but I thought it was a cool addition.