Soltrop8. I read all of what you wrote. I respect your thoughts. And it's clear to me, or my guess, you are a huge Derek Trucks fan. I like Derek a lot too.

I respect what you say because you latched on to the last line up and especially Derek like I did to the original line up in 1970. I really didn't have a favorite player. It was the entire band that blew me away and grabbed me so strongly. How all 6 sounded together. Those six guys all sounded different. Duane and Dickey had different styles. Butch didn't play drums like Jaimoe and Oakley was a very different bass player. I'd never heard a bass player play like that. Sometimes live he would harmonize with Duane and Dickey when they were harmonize. Then there was Gregg and we know now his bag and songs were more what he did with his solo bands but his piece of the puzzle fit together with the other five perfectly. The way the sounded together created the sound called the Allman Brothers and it was a new sound.

Those six guys when they played together originated a sound that was unique and unlike any band before. And the original material they worked up ( and the first year of the Chuck/Lamar band with Jessica, Southbound, Ramblin' Man, Wasted Words etc, as I noticed you agreed, was the song writing peak for the band. The songs written then form the top 10 best and classic songs that definitely the ABB.

The original band, when you take it all together, is the high water mark and cornerstone of what we know as the Allman Brothers.

I like to think the reason we had additional line ups is because Duane and Berry died. It could be some if the original six would have quit by 1980 or the band broke up by then but I doubt it. Not while Duane was alive. He was their guru. They all were in awe of him and feed off his energy. And Jaimoe said recently...that was the end of that. The energy and vibe of the band changed when Duane died and it was never the same. Later line ups, some better than others, tried to keep that original vibe going but it was never exactly the same.

The last line up did bring stability and top notch musicianship to the band that kept it going for 13 years, the longest version of the band, after the termoil and bad energy and discord that began swirling in 1995 that caused the exit of Warren and Woody in 1997, the exit of Jack in 99 and Dickey's ouster in 2000. I don't know if Gregg really meant it but he said about 2003 that if they didn't have Derek and if Warren hadn't come back, he was ready to hang it up as far as the Brothers were concerned after the beacon 2001 run. But Warren agreed to rejoin and the band had a lot of good years. For an old fan like me, I missed Dickey and his sound which Warren said was a hugh part of the bands sound even after he wasn't there.

But with all due respect to you and the last line up, the original lineup was the pure Allman Brothers. It has to be. Those original six and the original material from 1969-1973 is what made the band what it was and is it's cornerstone and design.

Now I respect the last line up and acknowledge Derek as one of the best guitarists out there. But he will tell you that his biggest early influence was Duane Allman. When I listen to Duane's slide playing on Fillmore East or Dickey's solos on Liz Reed on Fillmore or One Way Out on Eat a Peach, I just don't believe Derek and Warren ever topped it. I think the problem may be I got hooked on the band with the original lineup and you the last lineup and as Jaimoe said, the energy and vibe was gone and was over when Duane and Berry died. So I'm coming from a different experience and era if you will. Other line ups were real good, some better than others, but what was happening with the original band ended when Duane split. I agree with Jaimoe. When I want to introduce someone to the real deal Allman Brothers, I put on the Fillmore and Eat a Peach album. But if there are people who were not into the band then and it's the last lineup that really knocked you out then fine. There is no need to agree about it I guess. It's like a man telling someone vanilla is best when he likes chocolate ice cream better. Carry on. But I will never understand how anybody can think a later lineup tops the original band:)

I wish I knew how to turn this damn spell check off on this phone. I go back and change the words it changed back to what I wrote and when I click on post, some of them return to what the spell check thinks I'm saying and it makes some of my sentences impossible to read. Had to retype 5 words on this one. This think just flat sucks. I'm 71 and can't adapt to this either damn it.

Enjoyed reading your take Slothrop8

I wish I knew how to turn this damn spell check off on this phone. I go back and change the words it changed back to what I wrote and when I click on post, some of them return to what the spell check thinks I'm saying and it makes some of my sentences impossible to read. Had to retype 5 words on this one. This think just flat sucks. I'm 71 and can't adapt to this either damn it.

LOL

You have a 15 years on me but I bet I'm worse than you when it comes to adjusting. I have a real love-hate relationship with technology.

There is no better or best - only different.

For instance, people will make claims that someone is "the best" such as made above about Derek. Based on nothing more that opinion and preference and not any type of actual fact. My buddy graduated with a Masters in Music and can play classical/fingerstyle that Derek will NEVER be able to play if he lives until 200 years old. Derek can also play slide better than my buddy EVER will.

Who is better? From a pure music theory knowledge, I guarantee that Derek would tell you my buddy - hands down. Why? Because he knows his limitations and there are many guitarists who have skills that he never will.

No one is better or worse - just different. It is how it makes you feel.

You can bring up a recording like Liz Reed from the Fillmore and state that it is better than any version by any other era. Well before comparing it to other eras, how about comparing it to the original lineups other versions? Did they play it as well the night before or after? Did they ever play it that well again? If not then does that mean that the Original 6 were better than themselves? Should they have quit after doing that version as it could never be topped.

What makes that version better? The fact that we have heard it millions of times. If they had released a different version then that would have become the Holy Grail of Liz Reeds.

Not every night is golden by any lineup and they all hit huge peaks. Which era hit what peaks on what songs? Some may like another version of Liz Reed from a different night. Same band but different levels. Which version is better? There is no better only different.

agree w/above post, overall
hear blackey too -- no matter who came along afterward, the original band was its own exempt-from-comparison magic & none that followed could've, & weren't expected to, live up to what it did

there are basically 18 mos worth of DA/BO shows (Jan. 1970-Oct 1971), while there blessedly are years of shows w/Warren & Derek -- they're all very different & the 1997-2000 period w/Dickey, Jack & Derek, I listen to the most nowadays -- also that 2005 show w/Jack & Derek in London Ont you sent James -- other one offs like Jimmy's sit in in Stowe Vt., the Jack/Warren show 1993 & those --

The Allmans always loved the stage -- Berry Oakley, Dickey Betts, Butch Trucks, Jai Johanny Johansen, Gregg Allman . . Duane Allman

[Edited on 6/18/2018 by Stephen]

agree
If I had only 1 release to listen to, it would be AFE hands down.
The original 6 originated it, etc.

Had my phone on shuffle this AM at the gym, heard Spanish Key from the UP run. Outrageous.
I have no doubt that Duane and co could have done just as good a job with it but they never had the oppurtinity.

give me all of it!!!!

I have always wondered what it is like for fans of the band who first experienced them in one of their later lineups. If that is your first exposure to the the band's true musical excellence, if it is what grabs your musical soul, it is going to become the bar against which you judge all the rest. And as slothrop8 indicates, he has listened thoroughly to all the configurations and the entire catalogue. If the rest didn't have the same impact then what other conclusion can he reach from his own extensive listening experience?

We are all fortunate to have available such a legacy of incredible performances by so many gifted musicians and composers. What matters is what hits you deepest in the gut and at what high point you might have been first exposed to the band's greatness. I was on the train from the start, listening in my late teens and early twenties. The era then passed and even for a time I lost interest in the band. Then more great players were added, the band members became more sane, the catalogue broadened, and as far I was concerned there was a renaissance with the band reaching extraordinary musical heights. It was more than I ever could have expected, but if I have to make a call regarding the best unit nothing still moves me like the original 6. I can't help it, they are the bedrock of my musical soul. For me, all the rest is a glorious and well-appreciated footnote.