Beginnings Remastered

"Beginnings" is the joining of the Allman Brothers Band's first two albums, which were both underappreciated masterpieces considering how tasty, tight, & timeless the music is. I had no idea they were not commercially successful albums that did not place high on the charts until I recently read Gregg Allman's book "My Cross To Bear," and heard him say during a recent interview that they both stayed around 200 "with an anchor." I have been listening to the ABB for about 40 years. I bought the albums individually as "The Allman Brothers Band," and "Idlewild South" when they first came out, then bought the repackaged "Beginnings" album version, and only recently bought the cd. I appreciate the music as much now if not more than when it was first released. Individually each musician is an artist in his own right, but together the ABB produces a fluid, seamless, flow of music as their voices & instruments meld into a musical tapestry of hard driving rock, blues, & soul. "Revival," the first track on Idlewild South, was the first ABB song I heard in the early 70's. I liked the happy, optimistic, upbeat tempo, and bought both of the aforementioned albums. I had no idea what lay in store, but what a musical treat it was ! Gregg Allman's guttural, throaty voice conveys a feeling of truth & conviction. Coupled with his organ I get the feeling he has experienced what he is singing. The dual guitar work of Duane Allman & Dicky Betts complements each other so well that as the music transitions from Duane's lead to Dicky's it seems as if it could be the work of one guitarist, but there is a difference in their sound with Duane having a smoother sound to Dickey's harder edged playing. Berry Oakley is at his bass playing best on "Hoochie Coochie Man," and his lead vocals are superb. He is just as solid a musician on every track, but really stands out on "Hoochie Coochie Man." The combination of Butch Trucks & J J Johanson on drums are in a class by themselves. They too complement each others playing so well it is as if they are playing as one. But that is what makes the ABB. The fact is they play so well together it's easy to forget they are individuals that came together as a group because they play as one.

Keep in mind Greg Allman was 22 when this was first released. Yes the deep gravel, growling voice was from a very Greg and it was only the beginning. I have all of this music on a prebuilt cd and LP but I wanted the remastered copy just to listen to the crisp recordings that we done over fifty years ago. Just put it on and enjoy them all over again.

Bought this album in high school and loved it. I think it’s their best work! Thrilled to be able to listen to it again. The ol’ album is pretty worn out, lol.

Just one more morning I had to wake up with the Blues, Pull myself out of It, Put on My Walking Shoes, The first verse of this song speaks to my life more now than when I was first introduced to this Album at the age of 14 sitting on the Cliffs in a 1960 VW Bus overlooking the Surfbreak known as Tamarack in Carlbad CA drinking a Tall Coors when a man that would later become my guardian as my Father had asked me to move out the 2nd week of my senior of High School which to me was a joke. High School that is, not the asking me to leave part. Having grown up 1 mile from the beach and now living 17 miles from it the statement was my ticket to head to the coast and perfect what had become my sport Surfing so when my father said move out I grabbed my quiver of surfboards and began a surfing odyssey that would almost plant me on the north shore of Hawaii at the ripe age of 17. I had perfected my craft, almost. What does this have to do with the review, its about what music is, something good, something different to each and everyone or sometimes the same who knows. If you like Gregg Allman and the guitar playing of a Southern Rock, Blues Giant like Dickey Betts then this Album will take you places you have only dreamed of. So put it on grab some head phones or do what I do turn on the stereo and let it RIP!!!!! The song Dreams is like an Anthem to my life and having become disabled from worthless back surgeries this music takes me back to times more traveled and lets me live again!!!Peace Out,Obama Sucks and so do MORE GUN LAWS

Great purchase

This was my first ever Allman Brothers Band purchase, back in the mid 70s, bought on the fervid recommendation of a true friend. Although I was deeply into English progressive rock, and had barely begun my journey into the blues and all that entails, even I recognised the twin guitar call of the South, and the wild times that betokened. I was late to the party, and on the wrong side of the planet, so I missed out on the essential live presence of the band itself, all I had was the record. But this, along with Fillmore East and Eat a Peach, became part of my essential mental survival kit, which kept me sane during family deaths, relocations, job changes, health threats, and all the global challenges we have all been through. Once a month, once a week if times are tough, these tracks see me through. The world dissolves, and Duane and the boys speak to my soul. At the end I can barely move, but I am healed. The best soul medicine there is.

The Allman Brothers are my favorite band, so this might be biased. This is a nicely priced double album of the first two studio albums. Nothing bad on either. AB with Duane is a gift. The cd quality is very good and that is nice. Always felt Brothers and Sisters could use this upgrade too.

Great CD.. love the Allmon Brothrrx

This is a compilation of the first two Allmans Brothers LPs (The Allman Brothers Band and Idlewild South). Alone, these two LPs would be essential purchases but, together, they just can't be beat.At first sight these two LPs make for a staggering debut but, of course, the core of the band had been together for a while. Having said that, the Allman Joys and Hourglass material gives little hint of what was to come.This is powerful stuff. Greggs vocals are always strong, the rhythm section (with two drummers) sets a solid base and, of course, Duane's playing is out of this world. As a bonus, that most bands would give their collective eye teeth for, there's Dickey Betts as second guitarist.The song choices are electic and never fail to please.Since buying this I've also purchased the Idlewild South Deluxe set so, with hindight I should have bought the first one separately. To put it bluntly, who cares?

WOW!! What can I say. The Allmans 2 best albums on one disc. If I had the choice of taking only 5 cd's to a desert island then "Beginnings" would be in it. The Allmans are one of the most unique , talented & raw bands that has ever graced the musical scene. The first album on offer is their debut "The Allman Brothers Band" which in my opinion is their greatest by some way. Mainly influenced by blues & rock , the power on this record is nothing short of amazing. It never sold well at the time but maybe it was ahead of it's time and is now considered a classic. The second album on the cd is "Idlewild South" which offers something different. A much softer sound with a bit of a jazz vibe which suggests that Dickie Betts had a big hand in this one. "In Memory Of Elizabeth Reed" is just a dream. I would say there is not better band to blast out on a sunny morning than the Allman Brothers , pure class!!! Had Duane lived then god only knows what heights they could have reached.

This is basically the bands first 2 albums (The Allman Brothers Band and Idlewild South) packaged together and for that reason alone represents excellent value.The songs are all gems delivered with the energy and enthusiasm of a young band just about to become genuine stars. Great playing by all but the dualing guitars of Duane Allman and Dickey Betts stand out as does the unique vocal of Gregg Allman.This is classic and a real must have in my book.

An excellent electric blues set, combining the forst two albums of a group who would be come legends of the genre. And from this start, it's easy to see why!Early on the band combined excellent song writing with amazing musicianship to bring about a sound that must have been quite unique at the time.This record is a must for all fans of good rocking blues. Recommended.

The first two studio albums by the Allmans show what a great prospect they were at the time. Classics like Whipping Post, Revival and In Memory of Elizabeth Reed are in this collection, but at just over 30 minutes each, they are a tad short. Buying the two together in Beginnings though, represents really good value.