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Not to set a negative stage within this probable short-lived post, but most regulars know Butch Trucks and I have strongly disagreed on many band ancilliary matters. So be that. 2 years or so later, Butch is still employed by the ABB and I am still a fan who invests in their music. Butch is the leader of the ABB and therefore I read his comments with much interest and to look for insight into where the Band's collective head is right now. The Band presenting a project and performing as a collective (e.g. in the style of Filmore or Beginnings) is a statement that will either be proven right or wrong by the voice of public opinion, but, it is obvious at least the Butch and the Band WANTS, and that is a concept to be appreciated, and how then would any fan not look forward to that? Obviously, the Band's blood pressure is near normal now and they are looking ahead to climb new mountains. You can easily read the excitement in Butch's words and I am very happy for Butch, Gregg and JJ and I look forward to the forthcoming release. The bar is raised high whenever anyone compares any album to Filmore or Beginnings in my view. Therefore, this new album would need to satisfy several criteria in the theme of what Beginnings represented when it was released. I feel certain much wil be said in this Forum about the CD, but bottom line is in my view, a lot of credibility is on the line. Another Beacon we don't need, and I don't think that is what we are going to get. This CD may in fact be the best ABB album EVER, and I mean that. I mean, think about it. These guys have experience going their way. They have technology going their way (but I hope not another OVERPRODUCED project) They have the best of both worlds now; the original guys having been there and done that and the new guys full of energy and the desire to play their asses off. They don't have Duane and Berry but they have their spirits within them, and that at times is more powerful than physical presence. For fans like myself that have waited years for this time....this CD promises much, and I will be the first to give Butch a thumbs up first for even trying and then for accomplishing a sustantial musical feat. On kinda a related thing, Butch is the artwork all done??? I wonder if there is any way to "go back" to the alley behind Capricorn and shoot a picture similar to the Filmore cover? Just a thought....enough of the mushroom theme, though.