The Allman Brothers Band - "At Fillmore East"

One of the best live albums ever released.

The Allman Brothers Band were essentially Southern Rock and Blues band but by 1971, when this album was released, they were becoming well known for their powerful live shows. While all the members are excellent most of the popularity referred to the powerful twin guitar interplay between Duane Allman and Dickey Betts. Their long, but always lyrical and coherent, jams sometimes lasted 45 minutes on a single song. Though they were billed as a Southern Rock/Blues band they had a great Jazz influence which showed in their live performances with the flowing powerful instrumental jams that they created.

Other members of the band include two drummers, Jai Johanson and Butch Trucks, bassist Berry Oakley, and singer/organist/pianist Gregg Allman. All the members are able to shine on this album even if most of the hoopla goes to Duane and Betts' guitar playing. Also to credit for this album's excellence is super producer Tom Dowd who took two concerts recorded at the Fillmore East on March 12 & 13 and edited them into one album. Dowd condenses songs and merges two performances into one. While some may balk at this tactic, it works to the album's advantage by picking the finest moments in each performance and focusing on that excellence. And while some songs have been edited that does not mean they are short, two of the album's seven tracks are 20 minutes long and another is 13 minutes. The tracks, however, never bog down and the listener is always entranced.

I originally was very hesitant about buying this album for many years because I was leery about the length of some of the tracks. I was kept interested because of all the praise the album received over the years. I eventually picked it up when I had a sale coupon which got me the CD at a really low price. The album is excellent and the longer songs do not feel as long as they are because they are so dynamic.

The Allman Brothers Band, especially at this stage in their career, are a great band and really shine in the live format. The album was a big hit and gained The Allmans a wider audience. The original seven track album is highly recommended. There are also other box sets and deluxe editions which feature the original performances before they were edited but these longer editions are really for the die hard fan. The seven track album is a must for rock and electric guitar fans. Duane Allman is one of the finest guitar players ever and he sadly died in a motorcycle accident shortly after this album's release, but this is a fitting tribute to his immense talent.

Creedence Clearwater Revival - "Chronicle"

Creedence Clearwater Revival (excellent band name), although they were from San Francisco epitomized and perfected Southern Rock and Roll like no other band. John Fogerty the lead singer, lead guitarist and chief songwriter steered the band to the top of the charts in the late 1960s and early 70s before leaving the group. There also turned out to be a huge rift between Fogerty and the rest of the band which has prevented any type of reunion.

None the less the band has a vast legacy and a number of stellar songs. I first got "Chronicle," it is sometimes listed as "Vol. 1" because they later released a second volume, anyway I was at Tower Records and they had one copy and the back insert with the track listing was inserted upside down. At the time I did not know you could simply pop open the CD tray and flip the paper right side up so I did not buy it. I went back to the store several times for other albums and would look at this CD but it was always the same upside down one. Eventually I just bought that one and even though I eventually found out how to open the CD tray I have left the insert upside down. I now think it is kind of cool, like I purchased a one of a kind disc. Sometimes it is troublesome when you flip the case over to look up a song and I have to turn one more time to get in right side up, but that is minor.

Anyway on to the compilation itself. This is basically a perfect compilation of Creedence, the only song that I would have liked on this disc is "Born on the Bayou" but it is on the second volume. The compilation contains all nineteen hit songs that the group released plus an 11 minute version of "I Heard it Through the Grapevine." Every song that Creedence is known for is on this compilation from "Fortunate Son" to "Who'll Stop the Rain." The songs really show how good a band Creedence was and how excellent a songwriter Fogerty was/is. He could write catchy deep meaningful lyrics and strong melodies as well as focus on social issues truly a great songwriter. The perfect disc for new fans or interested parties and actually only the die hard fans will want the original albums; most will only need this disc and its companion second volume. "Chronicle Vol. 2" focuses solely on album tracks. "Chronicle" is an excellent compilation of a really good band, there are decent liner notes: a short paragraph about the group and then facts about the albums and a time line. I am glad I purchased this album and glad I have a silly story to tell about it.