Bman's Blues Report

A few months ago I did a review of the new Rounder release, Skydog The Duane Allman Retrospective. At the time I had a digital stream of the release to listen to and did my best to review the music without the tactile cover and notes. I now have the real deal and I want to elaborate on my original commentary. First, if you don't already know, much of the reason I am so interested in the blues comes from my introduction to Skydog's music at a young age. It became a pursuit to chase down every track that he played on, every loose concert that I could find, every magazine article ... everything. Duane Allman was just a step behind the Brits in discovering the American blues and processing it for young audiences to hear, likely for the first time. He took a totally different route and approach than Clapton, Beck, Simmonds, Mayall, Page, Green, Stones and all of the fathers of the British explosion in bringing the music to the new listeners. Each of these artists came to the blues...

  ROUNDER FOLLOWS UP DUANE ALLMAN BOX WITH SKYDOG: THE DUANE ALLMAN RETROSPECTIVE ENCORE EDITION , OUT NOVEMBER 5   CAMBRIDGE, Mass. — Duane Allman’s acclaimed box set,  Skydog: The Duane Allman Retrospective , was a critical and commercial success. Now, on November 5, 2013, Rounder Records  will release an encore edition, with all the music and the original booklet in an elegant new presentation. Duane Allman was one of the defining musicians of the rock era, rated second only to Jimi Hendrix in  Rolling Stone' s list of 100 greatest guitarists. A founding member, with his brother Gregg, of the Allman Brothers Band, Duane was also active as a session musician, and as a member of the all-star Derek & the Dominos.   Skydog: The Duane Allman Retrospective  (released on March 19, 2013) received nothing but the highest praise from the press and music communities, which heralded ...

Newsletter, May 2013 This month, we offer two lovingly restored albums from 1973, both produced by soul genius Swamp Dogg (aka Jerry Williams Jr), with more to come in the following months. "Gag A Maggott" is now available on Vinyl & CD Digipack from the mailorder . Re-released for the first time on vinyl since its original release in 1973, Swamp Dogg's "Gag A Maggott" was recorded at TK in Miami with an all-star cast. The CD Digipack version features two unreleased bonus tracks recorded live at KSAN radio in 1972, and includes a 6 page booklet with new liner notes and rare photos. The song "Choking To Death (From The Ties That Bind)" was recorded by Canned Heat in 1974. Available now from the mailorder Produced by legendary soul singer/ songwriter/producer Jerry Williams Jr., aka Swamp Dogg, and featuring Duane Allman on two songs, Irma Thomas' "In Between Tears" is finally back on vinyl w...

I have just received the new 7 CD release, Skydog: The Duane Allman Retrospective , documenting Duane Allmans amazing career. I have been a Duane Allman fan since I was a fairly young man and actually learned to play guitar specifically due to Duane Allman's influence. I am one of the lucky fans who actually had the opportunity of seeing Duane live with the Allman Brothers. Having spent years amassing a large vinyl collection and making every effort to capture every groove that I could find (and a few feet of unreleased tape as well) I have had the pleasure of listening to much of Duane's work for many years. This incredible retrospective not only compiles selections from the earlier released Allman Brothers albums, Derek and the Dominos, Duane Allman double disc Anthology One and Two and The Allman Brothers' Dreams; terrific additional tracks from  all of those records that the Anthologies were compiled and much much more.  The first of the "new" stuff is thr...

SKYDOG: THE DUANE ALLMAN RETROSPECTIVE CHRONICLES GROUNDBREAKING GUITARIST’S CAREER, FROM GARAGE BANDS AND R&B SESSION WORK TO THE ALLMAN BROTHERS AND DEREK & THE DOMINOS Seven CD set, due out March 5 on Rounder Records,  includes rare recordings by Allman’s early bands: the Escorts, Allman Joys, the 31st of February, and the Bleus. Extensive liner notes are accompanied by a tribute from Allman’s daughter. CAMBRIDGE, Mass. — Even if he’d never formed the Allman Brothers Band, Duane Allman would be a major figure in American popular music. Long before his name became known to mainstream audiences, he had already established his credentials as a once-in-a-lifetime guitar visionary, leaving his unmistakable stamp on a broad array of recordings. On March 5, 2013, Rounder Records, a division of Concord Music Group, will release the most ambitious retrospective of Allman’s short but influential career titled Skydog: The Duane Allman R...

It's hard for me not to do a special post for "Skyman", one of the most influential guitar players in my lifetime on the day of his birth. Duane, Lke Jimi wasn't with us very long, but he made a huge impact on the blues music scene as we know it. People who only know Duane as being in the Allman Brothers think of the Allman Brothers as a Southern Rock Band but during Duane's time they were primarily a blues band playing mostly old standards and improvisational music. It was upon Duane's death that Dickey Betts penned Ramblin Man which skyrocketed the Allmans into Southern Rock stardom. Here is a cool photo collage of Duane as he played with the Grateful Dead. Duane as many of my readers know had a heavy influence on my music tastes as a youth and then as my musical tastes developed. He has had a profound influence on most anyone who had tried to play slide guitar since then. Happy Birthday Skydog! “Like” Bman’s Facebook page (available in over 50 languages). I...

Anyone who has been following me knows that Duane Allman is one of my primary influences back to the blues. Most Allman fans know that Duane played on Instant Groove, a King Curtis album, but I used to have this live concert tape of Duane where he actually played a little riff of this song. Duane was influenced by King Curtis' tone and was actually studying his sax technique to try to get a more singing sound on guitar. I think he got it! Curtis Ousley (February 7, 1934 – August 13, 1971), who performed under the stage name King Curtis, was an American saxophone virtuoso known for rhythm and blues, rock and roll, soul, funk and soul jazz. Variously a band leader, band member, and session musician, he was also a musical director and record producer. Adept at tenor, alto, and soprano saxophone, he was best known for his distinctive riffs and solos such as on "Yakety Yak", which later became the inspiration for Boots Randolph's "Yakety Sax" and his own "Me...

Duane Allman was killed in a motorcycle accident only months after the release and initial success of At Fillmore East. While in the western part of Macon on October 29, 1971 during a band break from touring and recording, Allman was riding his motorcycle toward an oncoming truck that was turning well in front of him. The truck suddenly stopped in mid-intersection. Allman lost control of his Harley Davidson Sportster motorcycle while trying to swing left, possibly striking the back of the truck or its crane ball. He was thrown from his motorcycle, which landed on him and skidded ninety feet with him under it, crushing his internal organs. Though he was rushed to the hospital and operated on, he died several hours later, just weeks before his 25th birthday. Duane and Berry shown here, Duane in Eric Clapton's hand made Peacock shirt given to Duane during the Layla session. Duane so loved this shirt that he claimed to want to be buried in it. On November 11, 1972, Oakley was involved ...

It is downright pitiful that this is the best we have of one of the best guitar players that ever walked the planet. Had it not been for Duane Allman I may never had been interested in the guitar or the blues. At least we have this! Howard Duane Allman (November 20, 1946 – October 29, 1971) was an American guitarist, session musician and the primary co-founder of the southern rock group The Allman Brothers Band. He is best remembered for his brief but influential tenure in that band, his expressive slide guitar playing and improvisational skills. A sought-after session musician both before and during his tenure with the band, Allman performed with such established stars as King Curtis, Aretha Franklin, Wilson Pickett, and Herbie Mann. He also contributed heavily to the 1970 album Layla and Other Assorted Love Songs by Derek and the Dominos. In 2003, Rolling Stone magazine ranked Allman at #2 in their list of the 100 greatest guitarists of all time, second only to Jimi Hendrix Hi...

Apologies... It's really hard to find good video of Duane Allman. Yes, Duane Allman played second fiddle to Eric on Derek and the Dominos - Layla album. Now it's my humble opinion that Eric directed a great band and played some tasty licks...but Duane brought the life to the band. He is sorely missed. Duane Allman introduced me to the blues. Howard Duane Allman (November 20, 1946 – October 29, 1971) was an American guitarist, session musician and the primary co-founder of the southern rock group The Allman Brothers Band. He is best remembered for his brief but influential tenure in that band, his expressive slide guitar playing and improvisational skills. A sought-after session musician both before and during his tenure with the band, Allman performed with such established stars as King Curtis, Aretha Franklin, Wilson Pickett, and Herbie Mann. He also contributed heavily to the 1970 album Layla and Other Assorted Love Songs by Derek and the Dominos. In 2003, Rolli...

A great piece of blues history is back on the stage. Tedeschi Trucks Band plays a sold-out Center Stage in Atlanta. Check out Derek playing Duane Allman's Gold Top Les Paul. Check the bands site for photos.