Allman Brothers Band – Eat a Peach (Review) Allman Brothers Band – Eat a Peach Tracklist: Aint Wastin Time No More Les Brers in A Minor Melissa Mountain Jam One Way Out Trouble No More Stand Back Blue Sky Little Martha Release Details LABEL : Capricorn DATE : February 12, 1972 COUNTRY : USA GENRE : Southern rock, blues rock The Allman Brothers Band’s Eat a Peach will forever be known as a tribute to Duane Allman, the band’s lead guitarist, co-founder, and brother to lead singer Gregg. The album, released in 1972, just shortly followed their third album, At Fillmore East, which is accredited as the band’s breakthrough album. Duane died in a tragic truck accident only a year before the release in February 1972, and the tracks on Eat a Peach are a combination of live recordings that didn’t make it onto the band’s previous album, and the rest studio recordings, three of which Duane recorded before he died. Eat a Peach is the last of the Allman Brothers Band to include Duane’s presence. The songs elicit a series of emotional responses ranging from upbeat and fun, to passionate and sentimental. Duane’s memory is omnipresent throughout the album’s songs, made especially clear by the intensity of the slide guitar on every track. The album is equally upbeat and heavy as it is soft and sweet. The band opens with “Ain’t Wasting No More Time,” a song about taking advantage of life now because it moves as fast as a hurricane or pouring rain; a powerful start for a tribute to a man who died too young. The song immediately catches the attention of the audience with its upbeat and catchy tune, and of course the smooth constant sound of the guitar. Three of the songs on the album were recorded with Duane Allman still in the studio, including “Blue Sky,” which quickly became an album favorite, and the other two instrumental pieces “Mountain Jam” and the album closer, “Little Martha.” Though the album alternates between sole instrumental pieces and lyrical beauties, each song has a unique appeal to it. “Les Bres in A Mind” shows the band’s more experimental taste, with its chaotic and abrupt changes in rhythms; meanwhile, “Little Martha” features Duane’s guitar exclusively in an acoustic lullaby. “Little Martha” acts as a perfect end to the album; a solo performance of Duane and his guitar playing a sweet goodbye melody, leaving its audience with a feeling of sadness and memory. The rest of the album’s songs were either leftover live recordings from At Fillmore East, or recreated pieces of past songs. Gregg Allman re-recorded and performed “Melissa,” his brother’s said favorite song about a travelling gypsy’s desire for home and Melissa. The song’s moving and beautiful lyrics and melody can’t help but leave an image of lonesomeness and hope in your mind: “There are no blankets where they lie / In all his deepest dreams the gypsy flies / to sweet Melissa.” This is in complete contrast with the 33-minute long “Mountain Jam,” which experiments with different instrumental sounds, long guitar and drum solos, and swift shifts in tempo. Wonderful renditions of “Trouble No More” and “One Way Out” solidify the brothers’ devotion and success as a stand out blues rock band. Eat a Peach truly marks the Allman Brothers Band at the peak of their success and demonstrates a wind range of their talent and ability. Each song alone represents the band’s vast skill in creating music, but the blues guitar throughout pulls the album together under its seemingly random title. Eat a Peach, in fact was given its name for Duane, as he was once quoted saying “Every time I go to Georgia, I eat a peach for peace.” Commendations Eat a Peach peaked at number 4 on Billboard’s Top 200 in 1972, with “Melissa,” “Ain’t Wasting No More Time,” and “One Way Out” making appearances on the Top 100. Many critics viewed the album as a form of mourning for the band’s lost member and a perfect demonstration of what makes the Allman Brothers Band one of the best rock bands of all time. The album’s cover art is also renown as one of the best album covers in rock music history. The ability of the band’s music to elicit such varying responses from its audience is what makes this album truly spectacular. Any travel can relate to the lyrics of “Melissa,” travelling from coast to coast “knowing many, loving none,” and yearning for home. It’s difficult not to nod your head or tap your feet to the upbeat sounds of “Trouble No More,” “One Way Out,” and “Blue Sky,”as they leave you with a euphoric feeling of brightness. Next Steps The Allman Brothers Band came out with their next album, Brothers and Sisters, in 1973. The album reached number 01 that year and included the well-known single “Ramblin Man,” which the band will forever be known for. The Allman Brothers Band recorded 14 albums in total, and remain one of America’s favorite southern blues rock bands. In 1982, Gregg split to form the Gregg Allman Band with Dan and David Toller and performed in some smaller venues and tours. Still, the band eventually reunited in 1989 and released in Seven Turns, Shades of Two Worlds, and Where it All Began in subsequent years. The band has received eleven gold and five platinum albums and was rated number 52 out of 100 Greatest Artists of All Times by Rolling Stone in 2004. For their many distinguished contributions to the field of music, especially southern and blues rock, Allman Brothers Band were inducted in to the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1995. Reviewer: Mia Shapiro IRC: Bill Pulice
Posted on: Fri, 23 Jan 2015 03:45:52 +0000
Trending Topics
Recently Viewed Topics
© 2015