Gregg Allman-Just before the bulletts fly

Just before the bulletts fly

This album was recorded just prior to the great Allman Brothers Band reunion that started in 1989, which has produced 5 suprisingly wonderful ABB albums. Gregg's solo albums have always been hit or miss, most of them weighed down by slick studio production (1973's Laid Back & 1997's Searchin for Simplicity being the exceptions).

Although this album has some great songs on it, the majority of the music is overproduced - including synthesizers taking the place of real backup horns. Some of these songs he still plays with his current solo band (Slip Away, Before the Bullets Fly) and they have an honest, roots-type R&B sound to them when performed in concert nearly 10 years later. Too bad he didn't record these songs that way.

For a truely great Gregg Allman solo album, I would jump foward to his recent Searchin for Simplicity. It is a much more Old School type Muscle Shoals album, with a refreshing back-to-basics R&B flavor throughout.

If you are just venturing beyond the 70s Allman Brothers Band albums, I would also try Mycology, An Anthology, which is a best-of the Allman Brothers recordings from the 90s. Mycology contains some of the ABB's most classic tunes ever including Seven Turns, End of the Line and No One To Run With, although none are huge radio hits.

This, the second of The Gregg Allman Band's albums is by far the best one. If you're an Allman Brothers fan, of course this will be a good addition to your collection. On the other hand, if you're not a Brothers fan, this is still an excellent album to have. What's the difference, you may ask. Well, first of all; the producer, Rodney Mills. The sound on this album is far clearer than most Brothers albums. Secondly, and no offence to Dickie Betts; Dan Toler (once a Brothers member) is doing such a terrific job of his guitar playing. All through the album, in fact. The music? Typical Gregg Allman blues with hints of funk (Thorn And A Wild Rose, Island), and it works perfectly! Not a dull moment on this album. A feast for the ears! Take my word for it. (I've never been the biggest Allman Brothers fan either) Enjoy hours and hours of listening!