Rock/Blues/Country Review: Various-All My Friends Celebrating The Songs & Voice of Gregg Allman

Release Date: May 6, 2014

Label: Rounder Records

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The legend of the Allman Brothers Band and its namesake Gregg Allman has transcended time and all barriers for music fans across the globe. They have been credited with being one of the originators of the jam band culture and rightly so. Allman has survived the turbulent times of drug addictions, the loss of his brother Duane and many lineup changes in the band. He has come out the other side of all that and continues to carry on the tradition of great blues rock music to entertain countless fans everywhere that flock to his concerts.

On January 10^th this year at the Fox Theater in Atlanta a special event took place. A tribute to the music of Gregg Allman, All My Friends Celebrating The Songs & Voice of Gregg Allman, was recorded and filmed. 4 hours of pure blues rock was presented to a full house of appreciative fans. The set was released this month by roots label Rounder Records and it encompasses two CDs, one DVD and a booklet with several pictures at that event and liner notes. The package folds out into four sections and is presented in a nice cardboard case.

The lineup is a who’s who of music including The Allman Brothers Band, Devon Allman, Trace Adkins, Kenny Aronoff, Jackson Browne, Eric Church, Natalie Cole, Audley Freed, Brantley Gilbert, Vince Gill, Warren Haynes, John Hiatt, Rami Jaffee, Jaimoe, Dr. John, Chuck Leavell, Taj Mahal, Keb’ Mo’, Martina McBride, Pat Monahan, Sam Moore, Jack Pearson, Robert Randolph, Susan Tedeschi, Derek Trucks, Don Was and Widespread Panic. Now if that isn’t a good choice to represent your body of work I really don’t have a clue what else could be considering the genre. As it turned out it was an excellent show of respect and replication of Allman’s music. Any fan of a particular artist is understandably hesitant going into something like this. It is natural to feel some doubt of how the music is going to sound compared to the originals. Let me assure you this is an outstanding reproduction of the Allman cannon in every way. 

So where does one start with such a comprehensive set? It’s not an easy task when all the tracks are so well done. The band that remained on the stage throughout the performance was incredibly good and obviously why it was easier to reproduce all the songs for the guest vocalist. Warren Haynes and Derek Trucks were a constant force and there was a killer horn section with the usual wall of percussion behind them. 

Vince Gill has always been a favorite of mine and thousands of other country music fans and his contribution to the show was stellar. He served up “Multi-Colored Lady” like only he could and I am sure Gregg was pleased. That is one example of several performances that make this set a special treat for rock, blues and country music fans. What is nice to see as well is that Allman is visibly happy and at peace these days. Attitude dictates an overall atmosphere at a concert or anywhere else for that matter, so with that in mind it makes for an out of this world performance from everyone involved including the honored icon.

There are far too many instances of musical clarity and exceptional musical craftsmanship to mention on this set and it would be easy to babble on forever about what you will hear and see on this concert. All I can say is that this one is a keeper and a must have to any Allman fan or blues, rock or country enthusiast. All of those genres are represented here along with some jazz runs that only The Allman Brothers Band could pull off in a live setting. All the pieces of the puzzle came together just as if it was meant to be all along. If there is a rock ‘n’ roll heaven this is what it must be like.

5/5 Stars

Key Tracks: ALL

Tracks:

Disc: 1
 01. Come and Go Blues Warren Haynes
02. End of the Line Warren Haynes and Derek Trucks
03. Stand Back Susan Tedeschi and Derek Trucks
04. You Can t Lose What You Ain t Never Had Devon Allman, Jimmy Hall and Robert Randolph
05. Please Call Home Sam Moore
06. Just Another Rider Keb Mo
07. Before the Bullets Fly Brantley Gilbert
08. Let This Be a Lesson to Ya Dr. John
09. Queen of Hearts Pat Monahan
10. One Way Out John
11. Statesboro Blues Taj Mahal and Gregg Allman
12. Just Ain t Easy Widespread Panic
13. Wasted Words Widespread Panic and Derek Trucks
14. I m No Angel Trace Adkins

Disc: 2 
01. Trouble No More Trace Adkins
02. Multi-Colored Lady Vince Gill
03. All My Friends Martina McBride
04. Can You Fool Pat Monahan and Martina McBride
05. Ain t Wastin Time No More Eric Church
06. Win, Lose or Draw Eric Church
07. These Days Jackson Browne and Gregg Allman
08. Melissa Jackson Browne and Gregg Allman
09. Midnight Rider Vince Gill, Zac Brown and Gregg Allman
10. Dreams The Allman Brothers Band
11. Whipping Post The Allman Brothers Band
12. Will the Circle Be Unbroken full cast

Disc: 3 
01. Come and Go Blues Warren Haynes
02. End of the Line Warren Haynes and Derek Trucks
03. Stand Back Susan Tedeschi and Derek Trucks
04. You Can t Lose What You Ain t Never Had Devon Allman, Jimmy Hall and Robert Randolph
05. Please Call Home Sam Moore
06. Just Another Rider Keb Mo
07. Before the Bullets Fly Brantley Gilbert
08. Let This Be a Lesson to Ya Dr. John
09. Queen of Hearts Pat Monahan
10. One Way Out John Hiatt
11. Statesboro Blues Taj Mahal and Gregg Allman
12. Just Ain t Easy Widespread Panic
13. Wasted Words Widespread Panic and Derek Trucks
14. I m No Angel Trace Adkins
15. Trouble No More Trace Adkins
16. Multi-Colored Lady Vince Gill
17. All My Friends Martina McBride
18. Can You Fool Pat Monahan and Martina McBride
19. Ain t Wastin Time No More Eric Church
20. Win, Lose or Draw Eric Church
21. These Days Jackson Browne and Gregg Allman
22. Melissa Jackson Browne and Gregg Allman
23. Midnight Rider Vince Gill, Zac Brown and Gregg Allman
24. Dreams The Allman Brothers Band
25. Whipping Post The Allman Brothers Band
26. Will the Circle Be Unbroken full cast

Keith “MuzikMan” Hannaleck-Write A Music Review Founder

May 18, 2014

Review Provided By Write A Music Review

Metal Review: Ronnie James Dio/Various Artists-This Is Your Life

Release Date: April 1, 2014

Label: Rhino

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If there ever were to be a Mount Rushmore of the best lead vocalists of heavy metal, there is a more than a strong case to put Ronnie James Dio on it. His tragic death from cancer at the age of 67 put an end to one of the heavy metal’s longest and most memorable careers. With Dio providing his famous voice for such bands as Elf, Rainbow, Black Sabbath, and, of course, his very own band, Dio his legacy remains intact. He also popularized the sign of the horns hand gesture that is so heavily associated with metal music. He has gone too soon, but his music lives on and the metal world pays tribute to his work. 

This is Your Lifeis a 14 track tribute album produced by his wife Wendy, and featuring some of Dio’s greatest hits. Such iconic songs as “Rainbow in the Dark,” “Holy Driver,” and “The Last in Line” are covered by some of the metal world’s main players and biggest names. Anthrax, Metallica, Motörhead, Biff Byford of Saxon, Rob Halford of Judas Priest, Corey Taylor of Slipnot, and many more all cover a song or make an appearance.  

Opening up this tribute album is “Neon Knights” by Anthrax and they freaking nail it. This is a cover song done right and it is probably the best song on the album. It comes out with a jolt of energy that electrifies the room with everything sounding just right. This is what it sounds like when everything is spent and all of one’s heart and effort it put into something. Dare I say that this one is flawless? Next up is Tenacious D’s cover of “The Last in Line,” which is a good effort but it does not touch the original.  I generally enjoy Tenacious D, but Jack Black is no substitute for Dio. Adrenaline Mob’s cover of “The Mob Rules” is almost as good as the opener. They are tearing it up on this one. 

“Rainbow in the Dark” will probably be a love it or hate it type of cover for most fans. I do not think Corey Taylor is on the same level as Dio, but I think he does do a good job of giving this classic song a go. Halestorm’s “Straight Through the Heart” will the type of song that grows on you with each listen. Motörhead really shred on “Starstruck” backed by the vocal styling of Saxon’s Biff Byford.

Scorpions’ version of “The Temple of the King” is another highlight of the album. It is a song that is softer than the rest, with a soothing atmosphere that hits all the right spots much like “Catch the Rainbow.” Doro provides a haunting rendition of “Egypt (The Chains Are On).” Her vocal performance is the kind that leaves an impression, which is made even more memorable by the menacing music as they together to make a fantastic song. Killswitch Engage’s cover of “Holy Driver” is my least favorite song on the album, and I say that as a fan of the band. All the changes do not do anything for me and do not think that the screaming fits well. 

Oni Logan, Jimmy Bain, Rowan Robertson, and Brian Tichy deliver the goods on “I” with great performances all around and sound like they are enjoying themselves. “Man on the Silver Mountain” is a lackluster cover with Halford sounding like he is phoning it in. There is a good guitar solo, but I find it hard to get into this song. Metallica help to the end on a high point in the penultimate song “Ronnie Rising Medley,” a mashup of “A Light in the Black,” “Tarot Woman,” “Stargazer,” and “Kill the King” that is a lot of fun to listen to, as it is just a great show of skillful musicianship. Dio’s “This is Your Life” is the perfect way to end the album, with the master himself showing how it is done with a haunting piano backdrop. It is a poignant choice that will probably make some eyes water. 

When all is said and done, This Is Your Life is a very solid tribute album that does Dio’s legacy justice. Though I do think that a few songs will be divisive and not knock hardcore fans out of the park, most of the covers are done well and the effort that went into making them can be heard. But, hey, Ronnie James Dio is a tough act to follow, after all. I think that This Is Your Life makes for a nice addition to any metal fan’s collection. 

4/5 Stars

Key Tracks: Neon Knight, The Mob Rules, The Temple of the King, Egypt (The Chains Are On)

Tracks:
01. Neon Knights
02. The Last in Line
03. The Mob Rules
04. Rainbow in the Dark
05. Straight Through the Heart
06. Starstruck
07. The Temple of the King
08. Egypt (The Chains Are On)
09. Holy Driver
10. Catch the Rainbow
11. I
12. Man on the Silver Mountain
13. Ronnie Rising Medley
14. This is Your Life

Brian McKinnon

May 16, 2014

Review Provided By Write A Music Review

Movie Soundtrack Review: Dirty Dancing The Deluxe Anniversary Edition

Artist: Various
Title: Dirty Dancing The Deluxe Anniversary Edition
Genre: Soundtrack
Label: Sony
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Dirty Dancing is an iconic movie that never ages. The songs embrace the memories of days gone by and bring to life feelings of youth and vitality. I can still remember dancing to this movie as a teenager, madly in love with the imagery it represented. I tapped my feet and spun around to the impassioned songs, dreaming of dancing with Patrick Swayze and hearing my mother yell at me to get off the couch arms...READ MORE...