Allman Brothers Band - Dickey Betts

 

Music is a serious business - the artist gets trampled by promoters, labels, distributors, collaborators, venues, managers, lawyers, contracts, producers, sound engineers and a lot of palms have gotta be greased. To attain a level of success you have to be mightily determined. The road in and of itself is relentless, the press and life style will shave decades of your life and the fans can become a serious problem.

There is a flip side in and of itself but the rivers to cross to get to those moments of magic and creation where the music takes you "Back Where It All Begins" are treacherous.

Of all the pictures out there I have seen of Richard this one speaks to me loudly and encapsulates the man most completely. He was as serious as a heart attack when it came to his craft, and music. And we the listeners are the better for it because of his tenacity, virtuosity and spirit.

Live on Brother in the heavens now bathed in light melody and soul. Thank you! Your music lifted our spirits and stomped our feet. It was an honor to play your music over the air. It was a helluva lot of fun going to your shows.

_______________________________________

"Back Where It All Begins"

Songwriter: Dickey Betts / Forest Richard Betts

Say you want to be a rolling stone

Get your sail out in the wind

Get out on the highway and let 'er roll on Roll on back to someplace you ain't never been Hey, hey

When I was younger I was hard to hold

Seem like I was always goin'

Which ever way the wind would blow

Now that travelin' spirit calls me again

Callin' me back to where it all begins

Moon rise and sun go down

Turn my whole world around

Little star up in the sky

Tell my sweet baby please don't cry

Please don't cry

[SOLO]

Moon rise and sun go down

Turn my whole world around

Little star up in the sky

Tell my sweet baby please don't cry

Please don't cry

Travel out across the burnin' sand

Cross the ocean to some distant land

We'll reach the end we'll all be singin'

and we'll all be friends

Back where it all begins

Back where it all begins

Karl Wallinger World Party An Appreciation

Karl Wallinger was an enormous talent. Think Pet Sounds only across the board a million light years better melodically, lyrically, consistently and production wise. Karl was the legit GOAT.

Fame did not elude him. Chances are you know "She's the One" The Waterboys and World Party. I didn't stumble into Karl for real until World Party's 2000 release of "Dumbing Up" I was gobsmacked still am.

The song list just pours out effortlessly with dynamics, pacing, tempo and chops. There isn't a weak cut on the whole effort. Think of the best concept albums that flow track to track and then raise your expectations by a million. Prepare not to be disappointed even for a moment.

"What Does It Mean Now" still hit's me squarely in the solar plexus every time. "Who Are You" effortlessly does Dylan better than Dylan at his upper most. It's mind blowing and I love his voice. "Are you the problem or the answer who are you" just jaw dropping. The shredding on "Here Comes The Future" is delicious. Talent oozes out of him as he just breathes.

After track six you can't possibly think he will meet or exceed expectations and that's where the tracks just effortless float you along on a cloud of "High Love" in a higher mind. Slow dance with someone you love with this one.

Shortly thereafter in 2006 we got to see him briefly in a small club at the Beach. We sat basically in his lap. It was a warm up gig before a bigger show in D.C. but it was a real treat. Who doesn't enjoy spending quality time with the band at the bar.

I was just thinking about him last week wondering what he was up to and now this. In a time when we need all our voices for words of positivity, insight and laughter Karl's will be missed.

Here comes the future hope that you can work it out.

When boys and girls are laughing in every nation
When the Truth is pursued for relaxation
When living with the world is our aspiration
When there's no mileage in hate, and no gas-stations
And the creatures are protected from mammals to crustaceans
And the soul has found it's liberation
You know this is always on my mind

I'll miss you Karl

It's like a light surrounds your face.

Allman Brothers Band - Manley Field House - Music Review

 

Happy to report this two disc set featuring the five man band does not disappoint. I damn near rowed my water rower out of the front room and into the street. Sonicallly Berry's bass sounds a little hot from the show - sort of a wonky amp or a pinned needles affect. But this get's sorted out after the first few songs and there he is in all his talent. The show sounds great through my bookshelf Polks kudos to Jason NeSmith. Gregg gets lost in the mix so often it's always nice to easily hear him and his keyboard work.

Six months after Duane catapults into the next realm the band is fierce. Ain't wasting time no more and playing with determination and fire. I wasn't sure what to expect with this release. How much is there of the legacy of the ABB in unreleased material? Was this going to be a sourly sourced release? But I've always loved Berry's playing and voice (more Hoochie Coochie like numbers is what I would have said) and championed him over the air so I jumped on the release. Happy new year indeed!

A real unsung member of the band Berry comes to the fore and sounds drivingly inventive. All five of the boys are thundering through this live broadcast. Gregg sounds great and extends his solos, the freight train and Jaimoe are enormous. And Dickey wasn't messing around. I mean honestly this whole review could have been about Dickey's tenacity, and melody.

Thanks to the team of Bert, Kirk, John and Bill for getting this out to the public.

Long live the Allman Brothers Band.

https://shop.thebighousemuseum.com/.../allman-brothers...