Any recording of the “real” Allman Brothers band of Duane & Gregg Allman with Dickey Betts, Berry Oakley, Jaimoe and Butch Trucks is worth searching after, and this recent release of a 1971 gig in Austin Texas is a real shot in the arm. Put in perspective, it was recorded a half year after their yet-to-be released At Fillmore East as well as their two studio albums, and actually has two songs (“Trouble No More” and “Don’t Keep Me Wonderin’”) that aren’t on the “live” double lp. There’s also a nifty 13 minute interview with Berry Oakley and Duane Allman discussing the “upcoming” Fillmore album as well as some insight to Allman’s perspective on his work with Derek and the Dominoes, and Delaney and Bonnie.
Musically, this just can’t be beat. The sound quality isn’t quite as clear the Fillmore album, but you do hear some nice keyboards on “Stormy Monday” and “One Way Out” as well as brother Gregg’s rich and earthy vocals. Brother Duane’s guitar sears on the truncated “Elizabeth Reed” and a sizzling “Hot ‘Lanta” and the team has a real jazzy take of the 15 minute “You Don’t Love Me” while boogieing hard on the aforementioned “One Way Out”. Trucks and Jaimoe percolate throughout, creating a pilaf of percussion that the soloist richly float over. Glad tidings from an era dearly missed, when categories and genres were mixed like a delicious gumbo.