Just
a quick word about the new archive release from Greg Allman "Uncle
Sam's" live from July 1983. I was definitely interested in grabbing
music from this era of Gregg's musical sojourn. This was the time when
Gregg was back in the small venues. Venues who am I kidding? We're
talking shotgun bars, road houses were you were afraid to use the
bathroom. I'll have a bottled/can of beer no I don't need a glass. Have I
had my tetanus shot yet? The bouncer smells. The floor is sticky. No
I'm not eating here. Okay you get the idea. A dream location for a die
hard fan to stand directly in front of the band only this time it's
Gregg and Dan.
My expectations
were the musicianship would be solid but the crowd would drown out the
mix. A just okay bootleg scrubbed up the best they could. But since
those early 80's shows were seminal to me I wanted in. I had witnessed
this tour but farther down the coast in Wildwood, New Jersey.
I
distinctly recall losing our minds in that bar. We jumped and danced
and yes rocked on the floor all night right in front of the band. We
might has well have been on stage with them. Did I say small venue? Did I
say narrow shotgun? Yeah it was ridiculous to be able to see Gregg in
that venue. Just eight years earlier he was dressed in white at a white
piano at the far end of the Spectrum hockey arena in Philadelphia. We
were on a mission from god.
I
can still see clearly in my minds eye Dan grinning at me. I was there
for the music and the music was there for me. I certainly was air
guitaring my brains out. We went off so yes I gotta check the disc out.
It was a helluva a night. What a privilege. The stage a small riser
maybe six inches off the ground and the entire band right there playing
for twenty five to fifty people plus staff. It wasn't crowded on the
floor and you could walk up to the bar. I mean ridiculous and sublime to
get to see his band in that venue with those few people. That's a
private show anyway you cut it and it was a blast so I jumped on this
release.
I just want to thank
Michael, Devon, Bill, Kirk and John for getting this into my hot hands.
So how does it sound? Immaculate. The playing is intimate the voices are
almost conversational in dynamics. The sound is achingly clear. The mix
is beautiful for a live show. I guess technology has come a long way or
back in 1983 they had really tweaked the sound before the gig.
Expectations
were low and I was overwhelmed. I can't overstate it and the only draw
back is the closer. The sound quality falls off but with every
instrument wailing on stage it was a miracle it wasn't a hot mess.
Slight mic feedback and Gregg gets pushed back in the mix. He had to
with the whole band blowing hard all at once. It's a fiery rendition of
Statesboro so it's a minor point. But it should enlighten the reader to
how excellent the eight prior tracks sound. A really enjoyable listen!
Gregg
is obviously having a good time and is in excellent voice. The band is
tight and Dan Toler's work on both acoustic and electric is just
beautiful. He accompanies Gregg righteously. Dangerous Dan indeed. The
horn section comes in at the right moments and doesn't drown out the
band and it really rounds out the sound on those ABB standards. Danny
and Frankie lock in at very noticeable moments. Bonham wasn't the only
one who could play triplets and it's powerful. Sentimentally we have the
Toler Brothers and the Finney Brothers and I was with my Brother at the
show. That's just a nice touch.
This
release exceeded my expectations by a very long shot. Kind of like the
wait, wait, wait this is really good moments you have when you hear a
piece of music or see something dramatic. A more than worthy release
that will grab your attention in the clarity of sound and the
musicianship.
It was a helluva
night for us that summer in 1983. My back to the stage I felt a gentle
hand on my back. As I turned I felt another hand calmly slide into mine.
No thank you Gregg for not giving up!
