Asia

A merger of some rock and roll's greatest prog rock artists. Guitarist Steve Howe (Yes), keyboardist Geoff Downes (Yes), drummer Carl Palmer (ELP) and John Wetton (King Crimson, Uriah Heep) forsake the 20 minute epics for the shorter, catchier pop oriented songs. Sounds like a recipe for disaster among prog rock purists, but Asia fared exceptionally well-churning out hit after hit while still keeping their integrity as respectable artists they are.

Armageddon

Another one album wonder that never seems to get much recognition... It was to be the Yardbird's legendary vocalist Keith Reif's swan song. A hard to find record and it's a shame. Here a quintet of superstars lay down a prog rock/stoner jam that was way ahead of their time. The band unquestionably yielded some inspired songwriting, and even memorable improvisational moments within driving opener "Buzzard," the gently whimsical post-psych ballad "Silver Tightrope," and the 11-minute, prog rock smorgasbord of "Basking in the White of the Midnight Sun" It's worthy to be in any collection.

Arc Angels

There are one-hit wonders throughout the history of music, but very few one-album wonders like the Arc Angels. Formed after the death of the blues legend, Stevie Ray Vaughan's Double Trouble bassist Tommy Shannon and drummer Chris Layton along with singers/guitars Doyle Bramhall II and Charlie Sexton kicks out a blues rock album that stands against the test of time. Here the spirit of Vaughan permeates the entire recording. This album never sounds forced, purposeful, or contrived. Unfortunately, this is the only album from these guys.

A/2

A friend of mine gave me a tape of this. Think I listened to it twice before I shelved it. Featuring vocalist Steven Pearcy from Ratt , Cinderella drummer Fred Courey and guitarist Johnny Angel of Talas, this band offer up no nonsense glam metal. It wouldn't be so bad I wasn't so bored with glam metal at the time.

The Nature of the Beast

Canadian rockers April Wine reaches their most creative and commercial peak with their ninth studio album, The Nature of the Beast. Like any good wine, they got better with age-going platinum over tunes like "Sign of the Gypsy Queen", "All Over Town" and their career defining power ballad, "Just Between You and Me". Unfortunately, April Wine's luck ran out as they lost steam and faded into obscurity.

Harder.... Faster

As suggested by its title, April Wine kicks it up a notch with relentless slabs of hard rock. Tunes like "I Like to Rock" and "Ladies Man" sets the stage here. There is a curious cover of King Crimson's "21st Century Schizoid Man," on this album. Ultimately, this is a consistently strong album which sets the stage for what would be April Wine's next album...

First Glance

April Wine was one the bands that critics loved to hate. Well, they are not exactly challenging or cutting-edge. These Canadian rockers' mission was to pull the listener in with infectious grooves and hooks and enable him/her to escape.

Mer de Noms

A blogging friend burned this one for me. I was overtaken by the haunting vocals of Maynard James Keenan and the guitar complexity of Billy Howerdel. Kinda reminds me of goth metal meets alternative...The music is rather engaging...

The Most of the Animals

A very good 12 song compilation of the Animals. The only thing I have from them at this point.

Live Without a Net

The band had hoped that their live album would bring them commercial success, like the album Alive! did for Kiss, but it didn't, leading to Angel's breakup a year later.

White Hot

Not exactly the world's most talented band, yet they entertained. What would anyone to expect from a discovery from Gene Simmons of Kiss? Somehow Angel paved a way for any glam band that followed them.

Anderson Bruford Wakeman Howe

A Yes album in all, but the name. Unable to retain the Yes name, due to legal reasons pertaining Chris Squire's and Trevor Rabin's tenure with their own brand of Yes. ABWH features the "classic" Yes line up of Jon Anderson on the vocals, Bill Bruford on the drums, Rick Wakeman on the keyboards and Steve Howe on the guitar, along with King Crimson's Tony Levin on bass. It's a great album, much better than some of the later day Yes, but not as great as their '70's heyday stuff.

Bend Me, Shape Me

I've gotten this through a friend, whom decided to just give it away. Not bad, just not the kind of music I go gaga about.

Laid Back

Recorded in the same year as the Allman Brothers Band Brothers and Sisters album, this solo debut release is a beautiful amalgam of R&B, folk, and gospel sounds. There's very little this album that sounds like the Allman Brothers -- prominent guitars, apart from a few licks by Tommy Talton, are overlooked in favor of gospel-tinged organ and choruses behind Gregg Allman's soulful singing.

One Way Out

Do we really need another live double CD from the Allman Brothers Band? Oh yeah. In fact, when they play this well, we need them in droves. The Allman Brothers were always more of a live band than a studio creation. Here the band is completely unified. Drummers Jaimoe and Butch Trucks weave in and through one another to provide an edgy, rollicking ballast to the separate-channel guitars of Derek Trucks and Warren Haynes, who don't duel so much as propel one another to flights of six-string soulfulness and dizzying high-wire pyrotechnics. This album can easily stand along side the the legendary At Fillmore East.

Live at Atlanta International Pop Festival July 3 & 5 1970

A retrospective live album released by the Allman Brothers in 2003. This album offers stunning versions of tunes like"Dreams", "Whipping Post" and "Mountain Jam" (the later which Johnny Winters appears on) This album won't replace At Fillmore East as one of the greatest live albums, but an essential one for Allman Brothers fan.

Live at Beacon Theatre

An excellent DVD released by the Allman Brothers! The acrimonious sacking of vocalist/guitarist Dickey betts in 2000 ultimately resulted in a creative rebirth. After a couple of years in flux the lineup finally settled and solidified with original members Gregg Allman, Jaimoe and Butch Trucks and long time percussionist Marc Quinones. Joining them are Warren Haynes and Derek Trucks on the guitars and Oteil Burbridge on the bass. The Allman Brothers tend to have a creative peak during their Beacon run and is this no exception.

Hittin' the Note

There have been many tales of terror, nervousness, and depression -- as well as raw excitement and anticipation -- since The Allman Brothers went into the studio to make their first album of new material in a decade, and the band's first record ever without guitarist Dickey Betts, who wrote and sang the last of the band's true hits in the 1970s. As skeptical of this, there was relief that Warren Haynes returned to the fold, resulting an excellent album. The level of songwriting, inspiration, and execution is more than admirable; it's downright bone-chilling in places. Leaves one to wonder if the Allman Brothers ever needed Betts.

Alltel Pavillion Raleigh,NC 9/23/2000

To my surprise, founding member Dickey Betts was jettisoned from the band shortly after the Beacon run in 2000. I've just gotten tickets to the Allman Brothers with high hopes for a smokin' show in Milwaukee. Replacing Betts was Jimmy Herring from the Aquarium Rescue Unit. Although Herring is a great guitar player in his own right, the Herring/Trucks combo was bland and rather uninspiring. Herring left after the tour.

Peakin' at the Beacon

The Allman Brothers Band's famed sold out Beacon runs in New York have been a thing for this legendary band. However, this live recording isn't as great as their earlier recordings. Could it be the tension building up within the band? This is the only album to showcase the Dickey Betts/ Derek Trucks guitar combo. Unfortunately I can't find a video with Betts and Trucks together, but this tune from later in the same tour with Jimmy Herring on the guitar will have to do.

Great Woods Amphitheater Mansfield,MA 9/19/1998

Nailed this one off a pay per view special on TV. Great show! Newcomer guitarist, Jack Pearson seems to fit well in with the band filling into the role left by the departed Warren Haynes. An excellent night of music that includes an acoustic set! Unfortunately, Pearson left the band in 1999, only to be replaced by young prodigal slide guitarist Derek Trucks.

Farm Aid '97 Tweeter Center Tinley Park, IL10/4/1997

The Allman Brothers seemed to tour endlessly since their rebirth in 1989. They appeared at Farm-Aid featuring an abbreviated set of five songs. Dicky Betts' amp had blown during "Blue Sky". About this time Warren Haynes and bassist Allen Woody left the band to work on their own band, Gov't Mule full time. Guitarist Jack Pearson and bassist Oteil Burbridge were the replacements.

Austin City Limits Austin,TX 11/1/1996

The Allman Brothers appeared on the Austin City Limits show and played a solid set! Almost flawlessly belting out tunes like the epic "Back Where It All Begins", the country flavored "Ramblin' Man" and the classic "Blue Sky" Matt Abts from Gov't Mule special guests on drums during Warren Haynes' "The Same Thing".

I can't get the embedding code, but here is the link to this show.

Lakeside Amphitheater Darien Center, NY 6/22/1996

I can't find a photo nor a video to go this bootleg that I have. Nevertheless, it's another sensational concert from the Allman Brothers. One thing is clear about the Allman Brothers, no two shows are alike. They are forever changing setlists from show to show, never know what they are going to play! This show features unreleased tunes like "Tombstone Eyes" and "I Know I Ought to Leave" as well as many of their older tunes.

House of Blues New Orleans, LA 5/1/1995

Another exceptional show from the high flying Allman Brothers! This time, from a special from the House of Blues shown on TV. I really dug the hell out of this one...

An Evening with the Allman Brothers Band:2nd Set

An another go to album from the Allman Brothers! Much like the First Set that was released in 1991, it's worthy of a place next to At the Fillmore East. If anything, they may be even better here than they were back then. They bring the old material back to life, giving them fresh new approaches along with the new. The band flowed and soared, especially Dickey Betts' and Warren Haynes' dual guitar attack on "Jessica" and the acoustical version of "In Memory of Elizabeth Reed"

Garden State Arts Center Holmdel, NJ 8/16/1994

If Woodstock was viewed as a disappointing performance for the Allman Brothers, no worries. Two days later, this Southern rock band redeemed themselves with a mind blowing, unbelievably awesome show in the Garden State! The Dickey Betts/Warren Haynes combo shines brilliantly on their classic "Jessica". Perhaps the finest version of the tune! John Popper guests on the harmonica on "One Way Out"

Woodstock '94 Saugerties, New York 8/14/1994

Despite a couple of flaws during their performance at Woodstock '94, I thought the Allman Brothers played a splendid show. It was early Sunday morning, sunny and bright, the Mudpeople came to relish the hippie like atmosphere at Saugerties. Seems fitting to play tunes like "Blue Sky", "Back Where it all Began", "Jessica" and "No One to Run With" for the occasion.

Where It All Begins

A very consistent live in the studio effort from the Allman Brothers. The Warren Haynes/Dickey Betts combo is impressive as ever! Tune like the bluesy "Soulshine", The rockin' "Sailin' 'Cross the Devil's Sea", the Bo Diddley beat driven "No One to Run With" and the country driven guitar work out "Back Where It All Begins" became concert favorites.