I would say Alan Paul's book One Way Out is the last word. But I remember reading this book perhaps 25 years or more ago, and I was just wondering what the overall general impression of it was by lifelong fans. I seem to remember that the band didn't endorse it, but honestly don't remember much other than that about it. Does Scott Freeman post here ever, I wonder?
Anyway, just wondering what others thought and if I should give it another read all these years later
The book is harmless, but I recall the band not liking it just because they didn't have any say or control over their story at the time. I don't think they were ready for a book, and still wary of journalists.
I actually really appreciated Freeman trying to incorporate the band's music into the book and not just the band's history. The appendix introduced me to a ton of great music.
Here's a nice chat between Alan Paul and Scott Freeman on the topic
https://www.artsatl.org/alan-paul-scott-freeman-allman-brothers-band/
Far from harmless, it’s an excellent informative well written book - go-to it often, esp the appendix - the appendixes in it & A Never Ending Groove are gold mines
am a huge fan so am not objective but from the books Midnight Riders right thru to One Way Out, all the books are tops - still have to read Kim’s also Bob Beaty’s
I bought Midnight Riders. Butch said he read it but took exception with some parts.
Every book ever written about the Brothers has something to offer. I loved
Freeman's opus because it was the first available since Tom Nolan's in 1975.
I loved this book when it came out because I had just gone to my first ABB concert the prior year I think. The comments on it being full of info in the appendix are correct: lots of good stuff there.
I agree that most of the books on the band have been good. Johnny Sandlin's might be my favorite. Chuck's auto-biography is great (especially if you like The Stones). Gregg's is well written.
A couple of exceptions: I couldn't get into the book by Duane's daughter. I should probably dig it out and give it another try. Kim Payne's book. I don't really know what to say about it trying to be polite. I would suggest something else.
Everything in Moderation. Including Moderation.
Skydog: The Duane Allman Story has cool info on the first few shows Nov-early Dec ‘71 not in the other books - there are 2 Skydogs, this one & Slydog: The Duane Allman Retrospective (box set)
also 2 One Way Outs, the post-2000 box set & Alan Paul’s terrific book mentioned here
Dreams, Trouble No More and Standback all have box sets named after them
the chapter in the book Skydog: on the Layla sessions is top notch
Thanks for the kind words, and for the link to my chat with Scott, which I had forgotten about!
IMHO, Midnight Rider is particularly good on the drug trial. He got the court transcripts and went deeper into it than I did in either of my books.
And by the way, I truly think Brothers and Sisters is better than One Way Out, though I am probably the last person who should decide.
@porkchopbob I agree with Scott and Alan about the original band being the best ABB lineup. Indeed that band, to me, is the best rock and roll band I ever saw/heard.
Also agree about how melodic and a great sense of melody Dickey had.
I had mentioned this before. On a Win, Loose or Draw tour stop in 1975, something happened early in the second set that really irritated Dickey and Dickey suddenly stopped playing solo for the rest of the set and did not come out for the encore. Chuck Leavell played some hot piano during the encore where Dickey's solo would have been.
Also when Dickey left the stage, I was watching him, he kicked what looked to be a big trash can near Butch's set up and the item went sailing to the back of the stage.
I never heard what got Dickey so angry.
And Dickey did it again in 1991 in Boston according to Scott Freeman.
Dickey was a pistol!!!
