Musings on the 50th Anniversary of the ABB debut album....

I turned on 97.1 The River, our classic rock station in ATL, and Whipping Post was playing this morning for my ride in. I hadn't listed to the studio version in a long time and I was again struck by Gregg's vocal. How is that nuance, tone and delivery a 21 year old? Still floors me.

I was at Georgia Tech for Homecoming this weekend. The Fraternities had bigger than usual pre-game parties going with alumni & undergrads. I went by one big house and Midnight In Harlem was playing at full throttle. Made me feel good that the youngsters (or at least 1) had the an appreciation for this modern day classic. It was great to hear Derek's solo drifting over the campus.

A couple weeks ago I was Oakhurst Porchfest in Decatur, near me. 250 bands play a 1 hour set on the front porches or front yards of the houses. All staggered in time and location so that none are competing with each other for sound. I was walking the streets to catch part of one band when I round the corner and see a huge crowd down the street.....and hear Whipping Post getting started. "Sweet Melissa & the Ramblin Men" were a 6 piece band blazing through WP with a female lead vocal. Of course, my plans changed and I headed that way. It was heart warming to see the largest crowd of day totally appreciating this band, who did Post serious justice.

This morning I saw the appreciation piece in Saturday's Wall Street Journal about the ABB debut album. The author, John Edward Hasse, "get's it." Great read. https://www.wsj.com/articles/taking-instruments-to-new-heights-11572629017

And I loved all the appreciation & memories that were shared across social media for the 5 year anniversary of the final Allman Brothers Band show. The last version of the ABB got serious props again.

Long live the Allman Brothers Band!