Guest Book

#2 in my post below requires registration to view (albeit free registration), so here it is for sake of convenience: Allman Brothers end recording hiatus with solid effort By Tom Wells Rock legends The Allman Brothers Band released their first studio album in more than nine years entitled Hittin' the Note. During the long gap in between albums, the band has toured constantly and has had to replace several members. Many avid Allman Brothers listeners would not expect such a strong showing after the band's long break from the studio, but the Brothers don't disappoint, releasing a strong album to help revive interest in the aging band. Although a listener hoping for a return to the quality of Eat a Peach, Beginnings, or Live at the Fillmore East will be disappointed, the band still connects lengthy jams with soulful lyrics that have the ability to give a person the chills. After 30 years, the voice of Gregg Allman is as good ever. Relatively new guitarist Derek Trucks, who has been with the band since 1999, continues the tradition of great guitarists, coming close to filling the shoes left by original guitarist Duane Allman. In addition, Warren Haynes of Southern Rock jamband Gov't Mule retains his spot as the second guitarist. Haynes has been part of the band since their 1989 reunion tour. Haynes, along with Allman, has become one of the main songwriters in the band, despite having another full-time job with Gov't Mule. His heavy voice also complements Allman's on many of the albums best songs. Hittin' the Note seems to take a more retrospective approach than other Allman Brothers albums. This comes as no surprise though after the 30-plus years that the band has been together and the many hardships it has faced. Duane Allman, brother of Gregg and the band namesake, died in 1971 in a motorcycle accident only two years after the band's first studio release. The very next year another band member, Berry Oakley, the original bassist, died in a motorcycle accident as well. In 1976, the band went its separate ways until the 1980s when they began to release albums and play together again. They also had to deal with the saga of Dickey Betts, who was asked to leave the band in 2000. Betts was responsible for such hits as "Revival" and "Ramblin' Man" and was crucial loss to the band. The album may not have the same feel as the classic Allman Brothers Band albums of the early '70s, but the band still leaves listeners feeling satisfied with its southern inflections. The album begins with the well-written "Firing Line" that has the potential to be another Allman Brothers' classic with the same southern feel found in the band's older material. The third song on the album, "Desdamona," is another one of the Allman Brothers' timeless songs about love that forces the listener to reminisce about "Melissa" and "Jessica." One of the finest examples of The Allman Brothers' skill is the deeply reflective "Old Before My Time," with such telling lyrics as "Chasing a dream around the world has got me feeling down, but it used to make me high / Looking for answers, searching for truth in an ocean of lies." Throughout the album a variety of songs display the band's talents. The album leaves the listener with a sense of what the band has been through in its years together. While Hittin' the Note is not nearly as good as some of The Allman Brothers Band's timeless classics, it is still a good pickup for fans of the band and those interested in hearing the band's first album in nine years.