The Allman Brothers Band - Trouble No More: 50th Anniversary Collection Unboxing Video

https://ultimateclassicrock.com/allman-brothers-trouble-no-more-box-set/

The entire history of the Allman Brothers Band will be celebrated when Trouble No More: 50th Anniversary Collection arrives on Feb. 28.

The 10-LP/five-CD box set is named after the Muddy Waters song that began the band's first-ever jam session, with a 1969 demo version of the track kicking off the first disc. The set runs chronologically all the way through a performance of the same tune that closed out their 2014 farewell show.

In total, Trouble No More contains 61 songs, seven of them previously unreleased, representing 13 different lineups in the band's history.

Produced by Bill Levenson, John Lynskey and Kirk West, the box contains a book with a 9,000-word essay by Lynksey, a recap of all of the lineups, photos of the band and pictures of Allmans memorabilia from their Big House museum in Macon, Ga. The vinyl set adds a wood veneer slipcase with gold lettering. A limited-edition orange-and-red vinyl, designed to look like the inside of a peach, can be pre-ordered exclusively at the band's webstore.

News of the set comes less than two weeks after the surviving members of the group's final lineup announced a one-off concert, billed as the Brothers, at New York's Madison Square Garden on March 10.

A lineup featuring Jaimoe, Warren Haynes, Derek Trucks, Oteil Burbridge and Marc Quinones will be joined by Reese Wynans and Duane Trucks, with a special guest appearance by former Allman Brothers keyboardist Chuck Leavell.

[Edited on 1/16/2020 by jszfunk]

Yes, it would have been nice to get more unreleased material but anyone interested in just a couple of specific tracks can purchase them individually. Not a bad bang for the buck for some of the longer tracks.

I believe the 13 lineups represented are

Original 6
5 man lineup
Gregg, Dickey, Jaimoe, Butch, Chuck, Berry
Gregg, Dickey, Jaimoe, Butch, Chuck, Lamar
Gregg, Dickey, Jaimoe, Butch, Dan, David
Gregg, Dickey, Butch, Dan, David, Frankie, Mike
Gregg, Dickey, Butch, Jaimoe, Warren, Allen, Johnny
Gregg, Dickey, Butch, Jaimoe, Warren, Allen
Gregg Dickey, Butch, Jaimoe, Warren, Allen, Marc
Gregg, Dickey, Butch, Jaimoe, Marc, Oteil, Jack
Gregg, Butch, Jaimoe, Marc, Oteil, Derek, Jimmy
Gregg, Butch, Jaimoe, Marc, Oteil, Derek, Warren
Gregg, Butch, Jaimoe, Marc, Oteil, Derek, Warren, Chuck

Including Chuck/Warren/Derek as a seperate one is the only way I get to 13 lineups because they didn''t appear to have included any tracks with the Derek + Dickey lineup.

Being a die hard fan, I would have loved to have a 50 year live retrospective covering all of the lineups with mostly unreleased d tracks. Only in my dreams.

Looking at the final disc, I would have loved a really crisp Blind Willie McTell instead of Black Hearted Woman which we have lots of versions of, plus Dusk Till Dawn or Spots of Time (Warren used this for his Ashes & Dust album) And either Bag End or Egypt would have been cool.

The end of disc 3: acoustic version of Never Knew How Much (I Needed You) is definitive to me and remind me how good of a song this was. I'd have preferred this over the studio version:

:DJust great & thanks for posting that Tim - had never seen that before - love how it’s labeled - both Unknown, & Official - Gregg’s solo demo of this on One More Try is real nice too - from Sept. 1974 Macon Ga.

Posts like that, KPRSTN712’s recent ones, the ones posted in the Dickey Betts country thread, & all the others......all good

[Edited on 1/17/2020 by Stephen]

Remember when Mycology was released and one unreleased song was on it? I think Every Hungry Woman.

I thought of that too, and it was from Atlanta Pop Festival. It took a few years but eventually they released those complete shows, so maybe there's hope for Watkins Glen and some Jack-era shows.

Marley, correct me if I'm wrong because I know you were there too but I think the first time they did Blue Sky was 9/25/04 at the Fox in Atlanta. It was the Saturday night show, the second of three and I recall Gregg saying something along the lines of "We get a lot of requests for this one". The place went nuts and I thought Gregg pulled it off very well.

You are correct, here it is:

hotlanatim. There is this lineup too.

Gregg, Dickey, Butch, Jaimoe, Dan, David and Jim.

Jim Essery was brought into the band by Gregg in 1979. He is a harmonica player. He guested on Enlighten Rogues then they made him a member of the band. In 1980 he is listed among the members of the band and pictured with the band on Look Out Mountain, Georgia on Reach For the Sky. But in late 1980 Gregg, Dickey and Butch voted Jim and Jaimoe out of the band and added Mike Lawler on keys and David Toler on drums.

In 1986 for the two shows the ABB did Jaimoe was back but they didn't have an official bass player.

It was Gregg, Dickey, Butch, Jaimoe, Chuck and Dan. The bass duties were split by a Mr. McCoy who was in Dickey's solo band who played on Dickey's songs and Bruce Waibel played on Gregg's and Statesboro and One Way Out. Bruce was in Gregg's band. He played bass on two of Gregg's solo albums and sadly committed suicide in 2003 at age 45.

Man, I was looking at the track listing for the Dreams box set and forgot how good it was. Anyone know if it ever came out on vinyl and how the sound quality is? I am going to sample some of it on Spotify when I am in the gym later.

I think this is one of the best releases they ever put out. When I got it, I had never heard of some of this. Hourglass? 31st of February? Second Coming? They did a great job with it.

Stephen is correct. The vinyl is awesome. I like it better than the CDs.

And I'll put my nerd had on for a second. All three box sets are the same as far as how it looks (the box). The only difference is in the upper right corner. It says, CD, cassette, or vinyl.

I think the only other difference between the three is the "collectible" program in the front. Which is very well done by the way. The covers were printed in different colors depending on what format you got.

It's funny. I collect a lot of their stuff and I tried for two or three years to get this on cassette. Couldn't find it. And it was expensive as hell. I have it. Now I see you can get it for like $25 or something and vinyl is WAY more expensive.

That 2005 was first year they did blue sky with that line up except once in 10-04 it’s pretty refreshing they moved it back to the key of E too:::::: I like it

Marley, correct me if I'm wrong because I know you were there too but I think the first time they did Blue Sky was 9/25/04 at the Fox in Atlanta. It was the Saturday night show, the second of three and I recall Gregg saying something along the lines of "We get a lot of requests for this one". The place went nuts and I thought Gregg pulled it off very well.

You're correct about the date and details. They teased Blue Sky very noticeably the night before and for some reason I got really anxious about it. At that time some of us attached a lot of significance to the idea of Gregg songs and Dickey songs and what they should play or shouldn't - what a waste of time all that was! Anyway, the next night the audience reaction was rapturous. It was the loudest roar I ever heard in person at an Allmans show (I was not at the Clapton shows in 2009). That show ended with Blue Sky, Dreams (with a Derek solo), Les Brers and Layla. One of the best finishes I ever saw from them, and they just kept going the next night.

Yeah that discussion, argument about who should sing what was silly in my opinion.

And that Fox show was something as you said. I went to the Clapton shows and I don't recall the reaction as being as big as Atlanta. My guess is because everybody already knew he was going to be there.

The end of disc 3: acoustic version of Never Knew How Much (I Needed You) is definitive to me and remind me how good of a song this was. I'd have preferred this over the studio version:

Just great stuff, gets better w/each look/listen
Same the Subterranean Homesick Blues clip too

:DReally enjoy the studio version too, Mylon Lefevbre’s singing adds so much to it, & the sax solo, Same - an overlooked song alright

I believe the 13 lineups represented are

Original 6
5 man lineup
Gregg, Dickey, Jaimoe, Butch, Chuck, Berry
Gregg, Dickey, Jaimoe, Butch, Chuck, Lamar
Gregg, Dickey, Jaimoe, Butch, Dan, David
Gregg, Dickey, Butch, Dan, David, Frankie, Mike
Gregg, Dickey, Butch, Jaimoe, Warren, Allen, Johnny
Gregg, Dickey, Butch, Jaimoe, Warren, Allen
Gregg Dickey, Butch, Jaimoe, Warren, Allen, Marc
Gregg, Dickey, Butch, Jaimoe, Marc, Oteil, Jack
Gregg, Butch, Jaimoe, Marc, Oteil, Derek, Jimmy
Gregg, Butch, Jaimoe, Marc, Oteil, Derek, Warren
Gregg, Butch, Jaimoe, Marc, Oteil, Derek, Warren, Chuck

What these actual lineups were had been bugging me for awhile. One always seemed to be missing. Finally found a "definitive" source.

According to Ultimate Classic Rock these are the assorted lineups and their active periods:
https://ultimateclassicrock.com/allman-brothers-lineup-changes/

Your listing was very close, hotlantatim.

Looks like the mystery one is from the brief reunion period in 1986 (Gregg Allman / Dickey Betts / Butch Trucks / Jaimoe / Dan Toler / Chuck Leavell).

The lineups I listed were the ones i thought they included on the box set. I know there were a couple slight variations over the years.

Surprising there’s nothing from the 1999 Dickey/Derek lineup on the box set - that said, a stellar looking package

[Edited on 2/4/2020 by Stephen]

I see now that the release date has been delayed until 3/18/2020 per my Amazon preorder. Has anyone else heard that this is delayed?

I see now that the release date has been delayed until 3/18/2020 per my Amazon preorder. Has anyone else heard that this is delayed?

You just knew that this was coming.....

the Duane & Gregg Allman CD, The Allman Joys and 2 Hourglass cd's are all out the following week 3/27.
something for everyone. Enjoy the music-

The Amazon not later than date is 18 March though the release date is still 2/28

.....
Stephen is correct. The vinyl is awesome. I like it better than the CDs.

And I'll put my nerd had on for a second. All three box sets are the same as far as how it looks (the box). The only difference is in the upper right corner. It says, CD, cassette, or vinyl.

I think the only other difference between the three is the "collectible" program in the front. Which is very well done by the way. The covers were printed in different colors depending on what format you got.

It's funny. I collect a lot of their stuff and I tried for two or three years to get this on cassette. Couldn't find it. And it was expensive as hell. I have it. Now I see you can get it for like $25 or something and vinyl is WAY more expensive.

Funny indeed. I also own both the 4CD and the 6LP versions of "Dreams" and recently i caught myself searching eBay for the cassette edition. I need to join Compulsive Collectors Anonymous .
😉

 

I see now that the release date has been delayed until 3/18/2020 per my Amazon preorder. Has anyone else heard that this is delayed?

That might be due to Amazon not ordering enough and some orders are getting delayed. That happened with the Duane box a few years back.

The Amazon not later than date is 18 March though the release date is still 2/28

Shipping notice from Amazon says it is shipped with arrival tomorrow!

The Amazon not later than date is 18 March though the release date is still 2/28

Shipping notice from Amazon says it is shipped with arrival tomorrow!

A new CD day! Always enjoyed those. Have fun!

AMG 5-Star review by Thom Jurek:

Though it appears in the aftermath of their dissolution in 2014, and the deaths of both actual Allman brothers, Duane and Gregg, this 50th anniversary retrospective box set is arguably the only career overview of the band one can call representative. Arranged over ten LPs or five compact discs, Trouble No More examines in depth each incarnation and stage of the pioneering rockers. It convincingly formulates the argument that no other American band accomplished more musically (especially live) by seamlessly marrying rock, blues, jazz, and R&B to each other and to extended improvisation.

This set compiles 61 Allman Brothers Band classics, live performances, and rarities -- including seven previously unreleased tracks -- all painstakingly remastered, with and a hefty 88-page book full of photos and a lengthy historical essay by ABB historian John Lynskey that recaps all 13 incarnations of the band's lineup. Lynskey co-produced the set with fellow ABB authorities Bill Levenson and Kirk West. Sequenced chronologically, the music and its accompanying visuals offer a detailed, rounded portrait of this legendary band at their best in all incarnations. It forever puts to bed the argument that after Brothers and Sisters in 1972 they were done creatively until Warren Haynes signed up for their second re-formation in 1989.

The set is bookended by versions of the Muddy Waters-penned title track. Disc one is an unreleased studio demo from 1969, while disc five's electrifying closer is taken from the farewell shows at the Beacon Theater. The demo is interesting, mainly for the brief, raw interplay between guitarists Dickey Betts and Duane Allman. Some listeners may be surprised to find only the studio version of "Whipping Post" here, but given how many long jams are included, it's a small omission; besides, "In Memory of Elizabeth Reed" from the same Fillmore East concerts is included.

There is a previously unissued version of "Mountain Jam" from the Watkins Glenn Music Festival in 1973 that has never been issued before either. At just over 12 minutes, it's nowhere near as long as the one from Eat a Peach, but it does offer the Chuck Leavell version of the band with Betts, Gregg, Jaimoe, Butch Trucks, and bassist Lamar Williams. at their best with three special guests: guitarists Robbie Robertson, Jerry Garcia, and Bob Weir! There are excellent choices from the albums Win Lose or Draw and Enlightened Rogues (otherwise spotty documents) that showcase Betts' fine songwriting on "High Falls," Crazy Love," "Pegasus," and "Can't Take It with You," co-composed with actor Don Johnson.

The final disc houses most of the unreleased material, all of it cut live during the Peach Records years, between 2000-2014. The ten-minute read of Fenton Robinson's "Loan Me a Dime" with Derek Trucks and Jimmy Herring on guitars is one of two tunes with this lineup, who offer up their own take on the tune that Duane played on for Boz Scaggs' self-titled debut in 1969. Likewise a 1999 show, with Betts and Jack Pearson on guitars, delivers a read of the latter's "I'm Not Crying" and features the composer's impassioned vocals. While Trouble No More is almost certainly for hardcore fans only (given its cost and [beautifully] assembled excess), it is also the only Allman Brothers Band compilation ultimately worth owning for those same enthusiasts.

I just received my copy and was going to comment on the inclusion of tracks with Jack Pearson and Jimmy Herring. The original release info didn't include actual dates, so seeing that these two great part time members included is an added bonus. I'm surprised that wasn't featured in release info as that would have added interest among hard core fans.

I didn't realize until I read this review that Jerry Garcia and Bob Weir played on Mountain Jam at Watkins Glen. Guess I should have known that ....

Less than $50 via Amazon Prime delivered on the release date ....

AMG 5-Star review by Thom Jurek:

Though it appears in the aftermath of their dissolution in 2014, and the deaths of both actual Allman brothers, Duane and Gregg, this 50th anniversary retrospective box set is arguably the only career overview of the band one can call representative. Arranged over ten LPs or five compact discs, Trouble No More examines in depth each incarnation and stage of the pioneering rockers. It convincingly formulates the argument that no other American band accomplished more musically (especially live) by seamlessly marrying rock, blues, jazz, and R&B to each other and to extended improvisation.

This set compiles 61 Allman Brothers Band classics, live performances, and rarities -- including seven previously unreleased tracks -- all painstakingly remastered, with and a hefty 88-page book full of photos and a lengthy historical essay by ABB historian John Lynskey that recaps all 13 incarnations of the band's lineup. Lynskey co-produced the set with fellow ABB authorities Bill Levenson and Kirk West. Sequenced chronologically, the music and its accompanying visuals offer a detailed, rounded portrait of this legendary band at their best in all incarnations. It forever puts to bed the argument that after Brothers and Sisters in 1972 they were done creatively until Warren Haynes signed up for their second re-formation in 1989.

The set is bookended by versions of the Muddy Waters-penned title track. Disc one is an unreleased studio demo from 1969, while disc five's electrifying closer is taken from the farewell shows at the Beacon Theater. The demo is interesting, mainly for the brief, raw interplay between guitarists Dickey Betts and Duane Allman. Some listeners may be surprised to find only the studio version of "Whipping Post" here, but given how many long jams are included, it's a small omission; besides, "In Memory of Elizabeth Reed" from the same Fillmore East concerts is included.

There is a previously unissued version of "Mountain Jam" from the Watkins Glenn Music Festival in 1973 that has never been issued before either. At just over 12 minutes, it's nowhere near as long as the one from Eat a Peach, but it does offer the Chuck Leavell version of the band with Betts, Gregg, Jaimoe, Butch Trucks, and bassist Lamar Williams. at their best with three special guests: guitarists Robbie Robertson, Jerry Garcia, and Bob Weir! There are excellent choices from the albums Win Lose or Draw and Enlightened Rogues (otherwise spotty documents) that showcase Betts' fine songwriting on "High Falls," Crazy Love," "Pegasus," and "Can't Take It with You," co-composed with actor Don Johnson.

The final disc houses most of the unreleased material, all of it cut live during the Peach Records years, between 2000-2014. The ten-minute read of Fenton Robinson's "Loan Me a Dime" with Derek Trucks and Jimmy Herring on guitars is one of two tunes with this lineup, who offer up their own take on the tune that Duane played on for Boz Scaggs' self-titled debut in 1969. Likewise a 1999 show, with Betts and Jack Pearson on guitars, delivers a read of the latter's "I'm Not Crying" and features the composer's impassioned vocals. While Trouble No More is almost certainly for hardcore fans only (given its cost and [beautifully] assembled excess), it is also the only Allman Brothers Band compilation ultimately worth owning for those same enthusiasts.

Very nice review accept for the closing sentence, which doesn't make sense to me at all for 3 reasons and therefor ruins the review because the closing sentence should be strong. Like a final verdict or a punchline so to speak:

1) Why should a $ 50,00 5CD boxset be for hardcore fans only? Especially if that price is likely to drop.
It's reasonably priced already unlike it's ridiculously overpriced 10LP counterpart. If somebody only owns
LAFE, EAP & B&S and might want to add a 4th ABB release why not this new boxset?
2) Why would it be the only ABB compilation ultimately worth owning for hardcore fans? Content wise
the treasure trove called "Dreams" is simply essential. It's content stops in the late Eighties but it still
is of utmost major importance in every serious ABB fan collection.
3) The statement addressed in 2) is a contradiction in itself. A hardcore fan will never be satisfied with only one compilation if another one has lot's of different content of which a chunk is/was unreleased. A hardcore fan often wants everything anyway!

AMG 5-Star review by Thom Jurek:

Though it appears in the aftermath of their dissolution in 2014, and the deaths of both actual Allman brothers, Duane and Gregg, this 50th anniversary retrospective box set is arguably the only career overview of the band one can call representative. Arranged over ten LPs or five compact discs, Trouble No More examines in depth each incarnation and stage of the pioneering rockers. It convincingly formulates the argument that no other American band accomplished more musically (especially live) by seamlessly marrying rock, blues, jazz, and R&B to each other and to extended improvisation.

This set compiles 61 Allman Brothers Band classics, live performances, and rarities -- including seven previously unreleased tracks -- all painstakingly remastered, with and a hefty 88-page book full of photos and a lengthy historical essay by ABB historian John Lynskey that recaps all 13 incarnations of the band's lineup. Lynskey co-produced the set with fellow ABB authorities Bill Levenson and Kirk West. Sequenced chronologically, the music and its accompanying visuals offer a detailed, rounded portrait of this legendary band at their best in all incarnations. It forever puts to bed the argument that after Brothers and Sisters in 1972 they were done creatively until Warren Haynes signed up for their second re-formation in 1989.

The set is bookended by versions of the Muddy Waters-penned title track. Disc one is an unreleased studio demo from 1969, while disc five's electrifying closer is taken from the farewell shows at the Beacon Theater. The demo is interesting, mainly for the brief, raw interplay between guitarists Dickey Betts and Duane Allman. Some listeners may be surprised to find only the studio version of "Whipping Post" here, but given how many long jams are included, it's a small omission; besides, "In Memory of Elizabeth Reed" from the same Fillmore East concerts is included.

There is a previously unissued version of "Mountain Jam" from the Watkins Glenn Music Festival in 1973 that has never been issued before either. At just over 12 minutes, it's nowhere near as long as the one from Eat a Peach, but it does offer the Chuck Leavell version of the band with Betts, Gregg, Jaimoe, Butch Trucks, and bassist Lamar Williams. at their best with three special guests: guitarists Robbie Robertson, Jerry Garcia, and Bob Weir! There are excellent choices from the albums Win Lose or Draw and Enlightened Rogues (otherwise spotty documents) that showcase Betts' fine songwriting on "High Falls," Crazy Love," "Pegasus," and "Can't Take It with You," co-composed with actor Don Johnson.

The final disc houses most of the unreleased material, all of it cut live during the Peach Records years, between 2000-2014. The ten-minute read of Fenton Robinson's "Loan Me a Dime" with Derek Trucks and Jimmy Herring on guitars is one of two tunes with this lineup, who offer up their own take on the tune that Duane played on for Boz Scaggs' self-titled debut in 1969. Likewise a 1999 show, with Betts and Jack Pearson on guitars, delivers a read of the latter's "I'm Not Crying" and features the composer's impassioned vocals. While Trouble No More is almost certainly for hardcore fans only (given its cost and [beautifully] assembled excess), it is also the only Allman Brothers Band compilation ultimately worth owning for those same enthusiasts.

Very nice review accept for the closing sentence, which doesn't make sense to me at all for 3 reasons and therefor ruins the review because the closing sentence should be strong. Like a final verdict or a punchline so to speak:

1) Why should a $ 50,00 5CD boxset be for hardcore fans only? Especially if that price is likely to drop.
It's reasonably priced already unlike it's ridiculously overpriced 10LP counterpart. If somebody only owns
LAFE, EAP & B&S and might want to add a 4th ABB release why not this new boxset?
2) Why would it be the only ABB compilation ultimately worth owning for hardcore fans? Content wise
the treasure trove called "Dreams" is simply essential. It's content stops in the late Eighties but it still
is of utmost major importance in every serious ABB fan collection.
3) The statement addressed in 2) is a contradiction in itself. A hardcore fan will never be satisfied with only one compilation if another one has lot's of different content of which a chunk is/was unreleased. A hardcore fan often wants everything anyway!

yeah that last sentence is silly considering there might be 10 tracks hardcore fans may not have already

I bought the 5 CD box late Friday after work. I'll give it a good listen to this weekend.
The book was very nicely done and I'm not trying to stir up anything here, but I did find it odd that there is no picture of David "Frankie" Toler in the book. The man was a full time member of the band in the early 1980s and contributed to many outstanding live performances.

[Edited on 2/29/2020 by PaulColetti]

I hope someday some unreleased demo's get released whether it's ABB or Gregg and friends.

I've been listening to this piecemeal over the last few days. Overall, while I like the idea of having a comprehensive career spanning release at my disposal there just isn't much here that I haven't heard before. Perhaps the ABB's vault of live recordings isn't as deep or high quality as that of the Grateful Dead; it would be nice to have classic concert releases with consistent levels and no tape cuts. Maybe not enough exists to do the concept justice; which would be quite disappointing if that is the case.

Edit: I'm also a bit perplexed at the songs chosen to represent Hittin' The Note. Maybe skip the farewell speeches and give us Firing Line?

[Edited on 3/2/2020 by dbeman]

While Trouble No More is almost certainly for hardcore fans only (given its cost and [beautifully] assembled excess), it is also the only Allman Brothers Band compilation ultimately worth owning for those same enthusiasts.

Very nice review accept for the closing sentence, which doesn't make sense to me at all for 3 reasons and therefor ruins the review because the closing sentence should be strong. Like a final verdict or a punchline so to speak:

1) Why should a $ 50,00 5CD boxset be for hardcore fans only? Especially if that price is likely to drop.
It's reasonably priced already unlike it's ridiculously overpriced 10LP counterpart. If somebody only owns
LAFE, EAP & B&S and might want to add a 4th ABB release why not this new boxset?
2) Why would it be the only ABB compilation ultimately worth owning for hardcore fans? Content wise
the treasure trove called "Dreams" is simply essential. It's content stops in the late Eighties but it still
is of utmost major importance in every serious ABB fan collection.
3) The statement addressed in 2) is a contradiction in itself. A hardcore fan will never be satisfied with only one compilation if another one has lot's of different content of which a chunk is/was unreleased. A hardcore fan often wants everything anyway!

The point, I believe, is casual fans wouldn't be interested in such a thorough collection, they'd be content with A Decade of Hits or Stand Back. However, hardcore fans who have everything already, might actually be interested in this collection since it contains some unreleased, deep cuts (and I can't fault the reviewer for being unfamiliar with the Dreams boxed set).