The Allman Brothers Band recorded their third album live in March 1971 over two days. At Fillmore East would become their breakthrough album, filled with enough blues-rock jams to make it a double, despite the fact that there were only seven songs in total. Brothers Duane and Gregg Allman realized that their strength was rooted in their live shows, and determined that the best showcase for them would be a live album.
The band features Gregg Allman on vocals, piano, and organ, Duane Allman and Dic...
The Allman Brothers Band recorded their third album live in March 1971 over two days. At Fillmore East would become their breakthrough album, filled with enough blues-rock jams to make it a double, despite the fact that there were only seven songs in total. Brothers Duane and Gregg Allman realized that their strength was rooted in their live shows, and determined that the best showcase for them would be a live album.
The band features Gregg Allman on vocals, piano, and organ, Duane Allman and Dickey Betts on guitars, Berry Oakley on bass guitar, and Butch Trucks and Jai Johanny Johanson on percussion. The band was unusual in having both two lead guitar players and two percussion players.
At Fillmore East went gold about 3 months after its release. Unfortunately, Duane Allman died in a motorcycle accident in Macon at the height of the album's popularity in October 1971. Only 13 months later bassist Barry Oakley also died in a motorcycle accident only 3 blocks away from the place where Duane had died.
Friend of the show Andy Burt features this classic album.
Statesboro Blues
This track opens the album, and was written in 1928 by Blind Willie McTell. The blues group Taj Mahal recorded a version of the song in 1968, and this inspired Duane Allman to perform the song and to play it on the slide guitar. The slide Allman used was a glass vial originally containing cold medicine!
Hot'lanta
This instrumental song is a deeper cut that gets its name from a nickname for Atlanta. Gregg and Duane Allman got their start in Hourglass (which we previously featured), but were not well suited to work in a pop group. Hot'lanta was never recorded in a studio, but was only recorded live.
In Memory of Elizabeth Reed
Another instrumental, this song was a jam based off a track from their second studio album. You get a sense of their jazz influences here, both from Miles Davis and John Coletrane. The song was written for a girl with whom Dickie Betts had an affair. Not wanting to name her, Betts took the name from a tombstone in the Rose Hill Cemetery in Macon, Georgia.
Whipping Post
Perhaps the most famous track on the album, Whipping Post takes up an entire album side. Jerry Oakley wrote the riff, and Gregg Allman wrote the lyrics. The idea is of a man betrayed by a woman who feels completely helpless. The complex meter is unusual for a blues rock band, and shows the versatility and fusion characteristics of the band.
ENTERTAINMENT TRACK:
The theme from the motion picture “Shaft” by Isaac Hayes
Who is the man that would risk his neck for his brother, man? (Shaft) Can ya dig it?
STAFF PICKS:
“Hot Pants” by James Brown
Brian keeps the music Georgia-based with his staff pick from the Godfather of Soul. The official name of this song is "Hot Pants (She Got to Use What She Got to Get What She Wants)," and this is part 1 of a 3-part funk song. Parts 2 and 3 appeared on the B-side of the single for part 1.
“Love the One You're With” by The Isley Brothers
Rob brings us a soulful cover of the Stephen Stills song you've likely heard before. The Isley Brothers would take this version to number 3 on the R&B charts, and it was their 5th top 40 single. The Isley Brothers got their start in the 50's, and brought a fusion approach to gospel harmonies.
“Smiling Faces Sometimes” by The Undisputed Truth
Wayne's staff pick continues the soulful tact with this psychedelic soul production. The Undisputed Truth was known for their unusual costumes and makeup, predating the glam-rock trend. Beware of the handshake that hides the snake. Can you dig it?
“Riders on the Storm” by The Doors
Andy finishes off the staff picks with this song inspired by “Ghost Riders in the Sky.” The dark lyrics were inspired by serial killer Billy Cook, who killed six people while hitchhiking in California. This single was released just before Jim Morrison died in Paris.
INSTRUMENTAL TRACK:
“K-Jee” by The Nite-Liters
This instrumental hit was on the charts at the time, and would make a re-appearance on the disco motion picture “Saturday Night Fever.”
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