Customer Reviews

Pickin' on Allman Brothers

5 star:		(3)
4 star:		(3)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

When I tell friends about this incredible album, they usually snicker. I know the idea of hearing Midnight Rider or Whipping Post on fiddles, mandolins and dobros does seem like some kind joke. And to a diehard Peachhead it could be considered blasphemous. But this collection of Allman Brother classics is not only tastefully done, it's downright HOT! It appears as if the musicians have taken great care in maintaining the integrety of the original arrangements. The seasoned ABB listener will appreciate the careful attention to detail in the interplay between Duane and Dicky's guitar parts as well as Barry's fluid bass lines. It's all there. Blue Sky and Ramblin' Man are bright and crisp, while In Memory of Elizabeth Reed includes all it's subtle changes. The stand out for me is Statsboro Blues with it's bluesy dobro mimicking the hard driving slide work of the Fillmore East version. All that's missing is Gregg's gritty vocals to make this an acoustic version of an Allman Brother's standard. This is a great CD to drop in the next time you're traveling alone down a long stretch of interstate and need about a dozen great songs to sing along with. I think Duane would like it.

Some music just isn't well translated into bluegrass. Luckily, the Allman Brothers music is and the various bluegrass musicians on this cd do a great job. You can tell they are themselves fans of the music and capture the bluesy power behind the Allmans. Get it. The only reason I don't give it five stars is that I reserve that for the very best cds--but this is very good.

The best of the Pickin' On series. The Allman Brothers style and composition lends itself to the bluegrass genre.

These are very well done bluegrass arrangments of ABB classics. They lack the gritty edge of the originals, but offer a softer, more melodic take on the songs. Not MUZAK, just a bluegrass-sweetness. The musicianship is superb. But, it's not intended to be the same type of hard-edged, modal jammin' that the Brothers are famous for. There are no vocals. Rather, the vocal melody is typically carried my mandolin or dobro - which adds a real tastiness to the arrangements. I know folks that wouldn't enjoy Fillmore East or Eat A Peach, but will probably find this a pleasant intro to the ABB classics covered by this CD.

The music of the Allman Brothers was could not fit better with the bluegrass style. Every song sounds as though is was written to accommodate bluegrass instrumentation. Anyone who likes to play along on acoustic guitar and likes the Allmans will love this album. Not a bad price either. Pick it up, you won't be disappointed.

This album is wonderful. While it uses bluegrass type instruments its pure allman bros.
Get the deliverance type banjo tune out of your head, there is none of that stuff.

I have always been an Allman Bros. fan and this is a great version of their music.