Atlanta Rhythm Section - From the Vaults CD

From the Vaults buy CD music Given his place in the pantheon of American rock music, Gregg Allman's solo career away from the Allman Brothers Band has been generally disappointing. Perhaps that's why it took nearly a decade between his previous album, 1997's Searching for Simplicity (its title alone indicates his frustrations) and 1988's over-produced yet underwhelming Just Before the Bullets Fly. A whopping 14 years later, Allman joins forces with roots producer to the stars T-Bone Burnett, hoping that some of the latter's mojo can rub off on a singer who is one of the great white soul and blues vocalists in rock music. For the most part it does, as the duo choose 11 relatively obscure covers from classic artists such as Bobby "Blue" Bland, Junior Wells, and B.B. King that have clearly influenced Allman's musical approach. The backing is organic but far from stripped-down with horns, multiple guitars, and even background vocalists supporting the singer's patented crusty growl. From the opening raw thump of the ominous Sleepy John Estes' "Floating Bridge" to a peppy yet intense take on Muddy Waters' "I Can't be Satisfied" and a fiery reworking of Magic Sam's "My Love Is Your Love," Allman sounds invested and inspired by this material and his musical surroundings. Veterans such as Dr. John (credited here with his real name, Mac Rebennack), Doyle Bramhall II, and Burnett's often used rhythm section of drummer Jay Bellerose and Dennis Crouch on bass keep a taut yet easygoing lock on the groove. That's particularly evident on the predominantly acoustic version of Skip James' "Devil Got My Woman." The horns that appear on five tunes never overpower the sound yet help propel Allman's soul-searing performance of Bland's "Blind Man." Ditto for Otis Rush's slow blues "Checking on My Baby," which brings the vocalist back to his "Stormy Monday"-styled beginnings. One original co-written with Allman Brothers Band guitarist Warren Haynes, "Just Another Rider," while not a terrible song, pales in comparison with the rest of the material and could have been saved for the next Brothers album, where it might make a better fit. Allman is credited with B-3 on the majority of the tunes, but his contributions are generally mixed so low as to be nearly inaudible. His organ can be heard on a low-down run-through of Amos Milburn's "Tears, Tears, Tears" that captures a sweet, jazzy noir West Coast blues. It adds up to Allman's best and surely most focused and cohesive solo release, and one where the template can hopefully be repeated in less time than it took this to appear. ~ Hal Horowitz Audio Mixer: Mike Piersante. Recording information: Village Recorder, Los Angeles, CA. Editors: Emile Kelman; Jason Wormer. Photographer: Danny Clinch.

From the Vaults CD music Warren Haynes has been almost ubiquitous since he joined the Allman Brothers Band, and formed Gov't Mule with Allen Woody and Matt Abts. He's played and collaborated with everyone from the Grateful Dead and Bob Dylan to Little Milton and Taj Mahal. Fans might be surprised to learn that Southern soul was an early love. But they shouldn't be. Man in Motion is Haynes' first conscious effort and to fully indulge his love for this music, and his first solo record with backing musicians since 1993. Co-produced with Gordie Johnson, Man in Motion boasts a stellar cast: George Porter, Jr. on bass, Ivan Neville on organ, clavinet, and backing vocals, Ian McLagan on Wurlitzer and piano, drummer Raymond Weber, tenor saxophonist Ron Holloway, and backing vocalist Ruthie Foster. Two surprises do occur on the title track that opens this set: how much Haynes has grown as a songwriter and as a singer. (He may argue, but it sounds like he's been influenced by Gregg Allman's phrasing and delivery; here he moves toward the groove in his lyrics, he doesn't try to shout them above it.) The track is tight; rhythmically pulsed lines in the verses give way to fills and swells by the band that resolve in the choruses. They funk it greasy à la the MG's, backed by a horn section (courtesy of the Grooveline Horns). Haynes lets his guitar talk, too, adding an edgy, raw heat in his solo to close it. The blues are evident in everything Haynes plays here, and he plays plenty. On "River's Gonna Rise," a gospel vamp leads into an easy, dark-tinged funkiness. Haynes' singing is as emotive as it is tough; he lets his guitar engage freely with both keyboardists, trading fills. Foster and Neville are excellent backing foils. This is only the beginning of the many delights here. Check the nasty, tightrope-walking Meters-like funk on "Sick of My Shadow"; the blues-drenched strut in "On a Real Lonely Night" (with its killer keyboard interplay); the soaring emotion of Holloway's sax dueling for dominance with Haynes' vocal on "In Your Wildest Dreams" and "A Friend to You"; and Haynes' greasy urgency in the Wilson Pickett-flavored "Take a Bullet." Man in Motion's lone cover, a reading of William Bell's and Booker T. Jones' ballad, "Everyday Will Be a Holiday," showcases Haynes' voice and guitar as the foundations of a deeply emotional palette the band paints upon. Man in Motion is a record that adds a new subtitle to Haynes' musical portrait: that of a soul man. ~ Thom Jurek Recording information: Pedernales Studios, Spicewood, TX; Top Hat Recording, Austin, TX. Photographer: Stewart O'Shields. Personnel: Warren Haynes (vocals, guitar); Ron Holloway (tenor saxophone); Ian McLagan (piano, Wurlitzer organ); Ivan Neville (Clavinet, organ, background vocals); Raymond Weber (drums); Ruthie Foster (background vocals); Grooveline Horns, Fernando Zastillo, Reggie Watkins, Carlos Sosa. Audio Mixers: Gordie Johnson; Warren Haynes.

From the Vaults songs Digitally remastered by Doug Schwartz (Mulholland Music, Hollywood, California). Sadly, STREET SURVIVORS would prove to be the final Lynryd Skynyrd album of the Ronnie Van Zant-era. Only three days after this, the band's fifth studio album (sixth overall) was released in 1977, the band boarded the tragic plane flight that killed singer Ronnie Van Zant and new members guitarist Steve Gaines and background vocalist Cassie Gaines. The fact that STREET SURVIVORS was one of Skynyrd's best albums only intensified the tragedy--it appeared as though the band was peaking artistically. "What's Your Name" caught the band at its most fun and playful, the grim "That Smell" warned against the dangers of drug and alcohol addiction, and "I Know A Little" showed off its country roots. Additional Tracks; Deluxe Edition Recorded at Criteria Studios, Miami, Florida and Studio One, Doraville, Georgia. Includes liner notes by Ron O'Brien. Reissue producer: Ron O'Brien. Personnel: Steve Gaines (vocals, guitar); Ronnie Van Zant (vocals); Gary Rossington, Allen Collins, Ed King (guitar); Barry Harwood (dobro); Billy Powell (keyboards); Rick Medlocke (drums, background vocals); Artimus Pyle (drums); Cassie Gaines, Leslie Hawkins, Jo Jo Billingsley, Tim Smith (background vocals). Audio Mixers: Kevin Elson; Rodney Mills. Audio Remixer: Peter Doell. Liner Note Author: Ron O'Brien. Recording information: Criteria Studios, Miami, FL (??/??/1971-08/24/1977); Muscle Shoals Sound, Muscle Shoals, AL (??/??/1971-08/24/1977); Riverside Avenue Studios, Jacksonville, FL (??/??/1971-08/24/1977); Selland Arena, Fresno, CA (??/??/1971-08/24/1977); Studio One, Doraville, GA (??/??/1971-08/24/1977). Author: Ronnie Van Zant. Photographers: David Alexander ; Tom Hill. Lynyrd Skynyrd: Ronnie Van Zant (vocals); Steve Gaines (guitar, background vocals); Allen Collins, Gary Rossington (guitar); Billy Powell (keyboards); Leon Wilkeson (bass); Artimus Pyle (drums). Producers: Tom Dowd, Jimmy Johnson, Tim Smith.

From the Vaults album for sale Digitally remastered CD edition of this 1979 live album from Southern rockers Atlanta Rhythm Section which showed the world the power that ARS could bring to a live performance. Following the band's biggest album chart success in 1978 with Champagne Jam, which was the breakthrough album for ARS, Are You Ready! made #51 in the US charts. ARS have been part of the Southern Rock scene for more than 30 years and with 15 albums of outstanding songwriting and performances, they represent all the good things the phrase 'classic rock' implies. . Beat Goes On. Audio Mixer: Rodney Mills. Audio Remasterer: Andrew Thompson . Liner Note Author: Campbell Devine. Photographers: Rick Diamond; Sam Emerson; Mike McCarty.

From the Vaults CD music This reissue from Beat Goes On features the first two LPs by Atlanta Rhythm Section: Atlanta Rhythm Section and Back Up Against the Wall, originally released in 1972 and 1973. Highlights among the 21 tracks include "Forty Days and Forty Nights," "Cold Turkey, Tenn.," and "Redneck." If you're looking for the hits "So into You" and "Imaginary Lover," pick up 20th Century Masters - The Millennium Collection: The Best of Atlanta Rhythm Section before delving into these early recordings. ~ Al Campbell Digitally remastered two CD set containing the first pair of albums from the Georgia rockers. These recordings date from 1972 and 1974 respectively and were recorded for MCA before they switched to Polydor and found major chart success. 21 tracks. BGO. 2010. Liner Note Author: Campbell Devine. Recording information: Studio One, Atlanta, GA. Illustrator: Mike McCarty. Arrangers: Atlanta Rhythm Section; Buddy Buie. Personnel: Rodney Justo (vocals); Barry Bailey (acoustic guitar, electric guitar); J.R. Cobb (electric guitar); Dean Daughtry (piano, organ); Robert Nix (drums, percussion). Audio Mixer: Rodney Mills.

From the Vaults buy CD music This reissue from Beat Goes On Records features a pair of LPs by Atlanta Rhythm Section: Underdog and The Boys from Doraville, originally issued on Polydor in 1979 and 1980. Highlights among the 17 tracks include "Spooky," "Do It or Die," and "I Hate the Blues/Let's Get Stoned." Casual listeners should pick up 20th Century Masters - The Millennium Collection: The Best of Atlanta Rhythm Section before delving into these recordings. ~ Al Campbell Digitally remastered two CD set containing a pair of albums from the Georgia-based Rockers: Underdog (1979) and The Boys From Doraville (1980). 17 tracks. Beat Goes On. 2010. Audio Remasterer: Andrew Thompson . Liner Note Author: Campbell Devine. Recording information: Studio One, Doraville, GA. Illustrators: Mike McCarty; Diane Yarborough. Personnel: Ronnie Hammond (vocals, background vocals); J.R. Cobb (guitar, background vocals); Barry Bailey (guitar); Dean Daughtry (keyboards); Roy Yeager (drums, percussion); Robert Nix (drums); James Stroud (percussion). Audio Mixer: Rodney Mills.