The Gregg Allman Anthology is a thirty four track two disc set released by Bill, Kirk and Alan on Mercury Capricorn. It is my absolute favorite Gregg Allman collection because he is often accompanied just by himself with voice, guitar or piano.
It's thoughtfully put together and Alan's liner notes are another informative, good read. I am so happy I scooped this up before it was pulled from circulation. Officially titled "One More Try: An Anthology a quick google search turns up copies on amazon and elsewhere that run around eighty dollars. That is a pittance to hear Gregg working these tunes out. All the tracks are fully realized they do not cut off or trail off. He finishes each track. I do seem to recall him mentioning that he loved rehearsing - it shows!
Demos, outtakes, covers, alternate versions, band rehearsals have never sounded better. Gregg took the music seriously and to heart and thats what separates him from all those to come and all those who have come before. The Jackson Browne cover Shadow Dream Song is biblical. These are not just run throughs. And there is a 1969 version of Cross To Bear recorded out in LA with session musicians that is absolutely the birth of the Allman Brothers as much as anything we have heard or have been told before. These selections are just beautiful, intimate and haunting.
There's not a track on here that doesn't ring true. I'm listening to an alternate version of These Days from the collection as I'm writing and it's very hard to concentrate. There's a track featuring Johnny Winter Berry Oakley and Buddy Miles (Hendrix) on Wasted Words that screams and then later Bonnie Bramlett joining Gregg singing a stripped down, slowed down Win, Lose or Draw feels like its just you and them in front of a fireplace late at night. Catfish Blues is another great tune just Gregg and his guitar. I mean dear lord he's just finger picking his way through Will The Circle Be Unbroken by himself that alone is worth the price.
This is like an intimate house concert and Gregg just shows up to play in your living room. It's powerful and clean. There are full band performances as well from the Laid Back era, The Live Tour era, and The I'm No Angel era. The earliest track is 1968 with Gregg and Duane doing Melisa.
Twenty million, bazillion stars and thumbs up!
Highly recommended!
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