My early review from another forum. BTW it is a SB tape, 2 track I believe
So I got to listen to the CD up to and including "You Don't Love Me" on my Jeep Grand Cherokee Harmon Kardon sound system while running errands this afternoon and have the following thoughts now that I got to do a deeper listen.
I have over 500+ live bootlegs including a number of SB recordings similar to this one and I stand by my earlier impression that this is excellent bootleg quality recording and very similar to the earlier Duane era archive releases.
Why do I say this?
- The tape has occasional cuts, dropouts and tape drags. Not too distracting but similar to a bootleg.
- The instrument balance shifts between channels in songs.
- The instrument levels are not balanced. This is definitely a guitar lovers tape as Duane and Dickey are high in the mix along with Greggs vocals. The keyboards and Berry's bass are slightly back and the drums get buried in many of the songs.
As far as Juicy's sax is concerned, you don't hear it often but when you do it sounds very much out of place and out of tune. It really sticks out like a sore thumb on "You Don't Love Me" but again it is so brief I did not find it distracting.
That being said this is an excellent sounding SB tape IMHO. Very clear and is a typical good performance by the band.
If you liked the earlier 3 Duane era archive releases, and don't mind the tape warts, you should like this one.
My copy of Down In Texas '71 arrived yesterday i have to say it is pretty unique to include the interview of Duane and Barry. I lived in Houston in the mid-70s and KPFT was my main radio station. Sonically it has some flaws, but this is a soundboard recording and Grateful Dead SB recordings are of much quality, but in energy and cohesion the Allman Brothers are unsurpassed. The chief problem is that Duane's guitar is not mixed up front, and almost completely absent in Elizabeth Reed, though Dickey and Barry are heard in great presence and clarity. This isn't the ABB's best show, but I will listen to anything with Duane Allman exploring his instrument. My first show as introduction to the Allman Brothers was Oct. 1970 at Jax State University, Jacksonville, Alabama. Now that was a show I'd love to revisit again. My thanks to all who put these concerts out for everyone to be heard
First full-length review I've read...good mix of insight & information I'd say...
Yes thanks everyone. Mine hasn't arrived. The cuts are nice to hear and the review is positive for something that was never intended for release when it was recorded. The reviewer is even honest about Carter. Apparently Carter didn't have the chops for this band or didn't understand how to play with this band. Maybe he would be fine sitting in with a Miles Davis type jazz band.
My copy of ABB- Down in Texas 71 arrived today and now I'm taking the time to listen to this latest release. Like all posts before mine I agree, their are places where the sound isn't the greatest and maybe it is a little hard to hear the true sound of that night's performance. And I don't mind that i don't get to heart the first part of "Statesboro Blues.' either.
But what I love about "ABB- Down in Texas 71," is that I get to hear the original six in their prime. This is the band at it's peak, which many have said before as well.
If you've read any of my posts before you'll know that I never got to see the original band in concert, but that doesn't really matter to me cause I can close my eyes and imagine what they looked like and sounded like that night and pure MAGIC is the only word that comes to mind!
Thank you to the Allman Brothers Band Recording Company for releasing this show. You've done well in my humble opinion!
LONG LIVE THE ALLMAN BROTHERS BAND****
Well, if anyone thought this might be the show with Rahsaan Roland Kirk one listen and that idea would be dispelled. I must admit I was constantly waiting for Juicy to chime in and I think he only gels with the band at the end of Stormy Monday. Apart from the sax playing the sound quality is better than I expected and overall I am glad I can listen to this show. Duane's comments at the end of Don't Keep Me Wonderin' are classic.
Only a couple of days since release and the tracks are already on the Internet, shame as I guess that's some revenue the Big House will be losing out on.
Dallas (9/27) or Fillmore East (6/26) next please 😀
Wonder why Duane didn't solo on Elizabeth Reed? After Gregg's solo they shift to the drums.
I love Gregg and Laid Back, his song writing and his tremendous contribution to the Allman Brothers. But I always chuckle when he solos on Liz Reed. It's basically the same solo from 1970 to 2014.
Thanks for the comments everyone - 😁CrossEyedCat I doubt 6/26 will ever see the light of day - the light of day came pouring into the building first thing next morning, & stayed there w/the music✌️🤙
just awesome these 2 new shows just a few weeks apart up to & including the Final Note
but for sure, if any quality source material w/Roland Kirk
....have never heard a good copy of the Swarthmore show w/the horns - but if listened to closely, seem to recall they were more up front than how Juicy’s playing is described here - have always been one to squawk for a release of it if source material allowed
hope you folks have a great wknd!😃
@stephen Butch Trucks in an interview not long before his death while discussing The Freight Train Band stated the next to closing night at the Fillmore East was absolutely the best show he (Butch) ever played in and was the best show the Allman Brothers Band ever played. Butch said they took the stage at 2am and stopped at 8am and there was no applause. And someone opened a side exit door and the bright sunlight came pouring in.
Yes that is apparently the Holy Grail of Allman Brothers shows and since they were my favorite band, for me the Holy Grail of any show ever.
Unfortunately I wasn't in New York that day and back then I was in Manhattan often.
So I have never heard one note from that show. Not even a lousy mono battery operated cassette machine was in the audience. Unbelievable.
I have had time to listen to this release now several times now and it is a nice addition to my ABB live concert collection.
Even though the set lists did not vary much during the Duane/ Berry era, they played the songs slightly differently each time which made it an interesting listen for me so I value any new tapes that get released.
We have been gifted with two 1971 Duane/Berry era concerts recently so I don't want to sound greedy but if the powers to be are taking requests I would love to see a boxset of all the existing New Orleans Warehouse concerts SB and audience tapes.
The band played the Warehouse 10X during the Duane/ Berry era and we fans have access to 5 of the shows on tape.
Butch Trucks (RIP) mentioned in this RS interview that the band has tapes from the Warehouse so I wonder what is actually in the archives?
David Fricke: Are there other vintage shows that you would like to see released?
Trucks: There are some nights we did at the Warehouse in New Orleans that I’d give anything to have out. And we have ’em. Also pretty much anything from the Fillmore's [East and West]. But definitely the Warehouse — every time we played there, it was magic.
Since I don't think we will ever see tapes from the legendary Fillmore East June 26th 1971 concert, a Warehouse box set which includes new shows not already in circulation would be my next ABB holy grail.
Here is the link to blackstrat Warehouse website and the list I made from their list of concerts.
Warehouse, N.O. 1970-1971- (T) denotes and existing tape in circulation
3/13/1970 (T)- Fever Tree, Albert King, Allman Brothers
3/14/70- Fever Tree, Albert King, Allman Brothers
5/15/70- Pink Floyd, Allman Brothers, Country Funk
5/16/70- Pink Floyd' Allman Brothers, Country Funk
8/22/70- Allman Brothers, Ides of March
11/7/70- Procol Harum, Allman Brothers
12/31/1970 (T)- Allman Brothers, Dr. John
3/20/1971 (T)- Allman Brothers, Alamo, Les Moore
6/05/1971 (T)- Allman Brothers, Chase, ZZ Top
9/16/1971 (T)- Allman Brothers, Wet Willie
Just ordered a copy and wanted to say THANK YOU to whomever was responsible for digging up the shows with the original 6 for release. Keep 'em comin! 
Off-topic somewhat - do we know if Juicy Carter is still with us?
