from the LP Eat A Peach, Capricorn Records, 1972I love how certain songs always elicit the same physiological response from my body when I hear them: my stoned smile grows, the eyelids droop a little lower, and all my muscles relax; the Allman Brothers seem to have set about creating a discography that focused specifically on songs like that, working the groove until noodling hippies could barely shake anymore. Although they came together in Jacksonville, Florida, it’s a misnomer to consider the Allman’s merely a southern rock band, both because they incorporated many other styles of music into their prodigiously jamtastic songs, and also due to their decidedly un-redneck lyrics, “…well by and by way after many years have gone, and all the war freaks die off, leavin' us alone, we'll raise our children in the peaceful way we can; it's up to you and me brother, to try and try again…” Recorded mostly before his death, brother Duane’s inimitable slide guitar shines & along with Greg’s balmy drawl they carry much of the weight here, but I never cease to be amazed at how earthy & funky the rhythm section was, care of bassist Berry Oakley and drummers Butch Trucks and Jaimoe. “…You don't need no gypsy to tell you why, you can't let one precious day slip by; but look inside yourself, and if you don't see what you want, maybe sometimes then you don't, but leave your mind alone and just get high…” I couldn’t have put it better myself!
