Genre: rock
Rating: *** (3 stars)
Title: The Allman Joys - Early Allman
Company: Dial
Catalog: DL-6005
Year: 1973
Country/State:
US
Grade
(cover/record): VG/VG
Comments: --
Available: 1
GEMM Catalog ID: 5262
Price: $15.00
Having spent several years playing in a series
of Florida based cover bands (The Escorts, The House Rockers, The Kings, The
Shufflers and The Y-Teens), Duane and Gregg Allman decided to form their own
band in 1965. Recruiting bassist Bob Keller and drummer Maynard Portwood
(quickly replaced by Billy Carnell and then Tommy Amato), as The Allman Joys
they hit the Southern club circuit. Their initial break came when
singer/songwriter J.D. Loudermilk spotted them in a Nashville club. Taking
the band into the studio, Loudermilk produced a couple of demos, before
losing interest. The tapes ultimately captured the attention of producer
Buddy Killen who arranged for a contract with Columbia's Dial subsidiary
(best know for it's work with Joe Tex and other soul acts). Dial
subsequently released an unsuccessful single (a fuzz guitar propelled cover
of Willie Dixon's "Spoonful" b/w "You Deserve Each
Other") and then, deeming it too unprofessional for release, decided to
shelve an already completed album. Released from their contract the band
broke up, the Allmans returned to Georgia where they joined the Five Minutes
(see separate entry). Seven years later, on the heels of The Allman
Brothers' early-'70s successes (see separate entry), Dial subsequently
changed its mind and issued the collection.
Released in 1973, "The Allman Joys - Early
Allman" compiled 12 tracks pulled from the original 1966
sessions with Loudermilk and their subsequent efforts with Killen and
producer John Hurley. Musically eclectic, the compilation featured a
mixture of originals (largely penned by Gregg) and covers. In spite of
isolated gems, anyone expecting to hear early Allman treasures was likely to
be disappointed. Taking stabs at a variety of genres, the set ranged from
the Association-styled ballad "The Forest for the Trees",
prototype Allmans-styled blues ("Changing of the Guard"), to a
weird remake of Oscar Hammerstein's "Old Man River". Among the
highlights; the fuzz guitar-propelled "Spoonful", "You'll
Learn Someday" and "Doctor Fone Bone" (the latter two
featuring Gregg of lead vocals). Among the biggest complaints, absent
detailed liner notes, it was hard to tell who's playing on particular
tracks, though it was obvious Greg wasn't the band's only lead singer. The
Allmans tie-in certainly didn't hurt sales; the collection hitting #171.
"The Allman Joys - Early Allman" track listing:
(side 1)
1.) Gotta Get Away (Gregg Allman) - 2:38
2.) Oh John (Gregg Allman) - 2:32
3.) Street Singer (Roy Acuff Jr.) - 2:46
4.) You'll Learn Someday (Gregg Allman) - 3:00
5.) Old Man River (Oscar Hammerstein - J. Kern) - 2:27
(side 2)
1.) Bell Bottom Britches (Gregg Allman) - 2:08
2.) Spoonful (Willie Dixon) - 2:25
3.) Stalling for Time (J.D. Loudermilk) - 2:48
4.) Doctor Fone Bone (John Hurley - Ronnie Wilkins - Gregg Allman) - 2:40
5.) Changing of the Guard (John Hurley - Gregg Allman) - 2:45
6.) The Forest for the Trees (John Hurley - Gregg Allman) - 3:20
12.) Northern Boundary (Davidson) - 2:00