Wipe The Windows, Check The Oil, Dollar Gas

Allman Brothers Band | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Audio CD (October 25, 1990)
• Label: Polygram Records
• ASIN: B000001FLY
• Also Available in: Audio CD  |  Audio Cassette  |  MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 4.1 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (28 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #146,203 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

20 of 20 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Very jazzy; Chuck Leavell's sublime piano was perfect for the time, December 21, 2005

By 

G. C. Todd "GCT" (Memphis) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Wipe The Windows, Check The Oil, Dollar Gas (Audio CD)

First off, let me acknowledge that early 80's Allman Brothers Band that is represented by the 2 Arista albums, Reach for the Sky and Brothers of the Road, as well as a "best of" from those 2 called Hell or High Water, are every bit as bad as you've heard. The sound was loaded with a kind of synthesizer slickness which did not even reach to the level of parody. Only completist collectors would touch those albums. However, the live album Wipe the Windows is not from that period but from the mid 70's lineup that is known in the Allman world as "the Chuck Leavell, Lamar Williams era". It is absolutely fantastic.

Unlike other lineups, Chuck's piano and Lamar's bass interplay lend a much jazzier feeling to most tracks which is in contrast to Duane or Warren's bluesier firepower, yet it works perfectly. In fact, this lineup (which immediately followed Duane and Berry's death) deliberately avoided duplicating the sound of "ABB Live at Fillmore East" so as to free the band from a fan base that might want clones of the 2 deceased band members. That the album did not sell well was a function of the times (disco and early punk), as well as the notorious descent into substance abuse and infighting. The songs are from 5 shows between '72 and '75 (released in '76 to no fanfare) and while I wish there was more from this period available, this 11 song album covers it very well. The only other "must have" album from the "wilderness years" (until Warren and Allen joined much later) is Enlightened Rogues from '79 (the momentary lapse into greatness during the rapid descent into drug induced hell); but that is another story...

12 of 12 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Darn good album, June 21, 2001

By 

peachhead31 (Baltimore, MD) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Wipe The Windows, Check The Oil, Dollar Gas (Audio CD)

I have to disagree with most of the reviews posted here. I have listened to quite a bit of ABB over the years and have managed to see them live about 10 times. The enjoy the song selection, there are a few here that I have not seen live on any other CD. Ramblin' Man is the best version I have ever heard, and Jessica is very good. The version of Come and Go Blues is the best I have ever heard (pay particular attention to the bass). In Memory of Elizabeth Reed (my favorite ABB song) is refreshing, although I prefer the heavy guitar versions. Don't Want You No More and It's Not My Cross To Bear are strong as well. The remaining tracks (Wasted Words, Southbound, Ain't Wastin' Time No More, and Can't Lose What You Never Had) are good and hard to find live elsewhere. This line up contains pianist Chuck Leavell and Bassist Lamar Williams. Leavell is a very accomplished musician and the piano adds a new dimension to the tunes. Although Lamar Williams has a more laid back sound than Berry Oakley, his playing fits in nicely with Dickey's guitar and Gregg's vocals (especially on Ramblin' Man and Come and Go Blues). All in all I think this is a very good album and I listen to it quite a bit. The new or casual fan will want to check out the Fillmore or Ludlow Garage (my favorite ABB album) first. For anyone who is more than a casual fan of ABB, this album is a must.

10 of 10 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Vastly underrated, May 9, 2006

By 

DMac (Ohio, USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Wipe The Windows, Check The Oil, Dollar Gas (Audio CD)

I was very pleasantly surprised after finding this at a used CD outlet. No, it does not have the early years, classic Fillmore sound. And it does have one or two warts, which are easy to overlook. But, that's ok. The ABB is unique in that they have produced a diverse set of sounds throughout their long history. This live collection captures their second phase begun in December 1972, following the deaths of Duane Allman and bassist Berry Oakley. Oakley was replaced with Lamar Williams and rather than add a second guitarist the band opted for keyboardist/pianist Chuck Leavell whose play really stands out. The ten selections were recorded over a period of three years from 12-31-72 to 10-24-75. Overall, this CD features a more jazzy, less bluesy sound. If you can appreciate the subtleties of the twin drummer arrangement, you will find this CD immensely enjoyable. "In Memory..." and "Jessica" especially shine in this regard. "Wipe the Windows,...." also features the best live version of "Southbound " available. In fact, one of the high points on the CD can be heard when Leavell's piano solo segues into Betts' guitar solo. On "Wasted Words" and "Ain't Wastin' Time..." Betts demonstrates he's no slouch on the slide guitar. The key to enjoying this CD is not to compare it to Fillmore, which at first is difficult, but rather find pleasure from it by listening to it on its own merits. You'll hear a classic, unique sound from great musicians still in their prime.