Gregg Allman Reconnects with His roots

Gregg Allman
Low Country Blues
Rounder; 2011

There’s an upside to the new reality of a digital music economy; established musicians no longer have the luxury of spending six months and a gazillion dollars to record a three-minute ditty, and Gregg Allman’s Low Country Blues is a great example of this. This is Allman’s first solo album in 14 years, and all of it was done on the fly, with three other musicians playing alongside him. Low Country Blues is a stark and beautiful record, reminiscent of the best music Allman’s ever recorded. Consisting mainly of obscure, nearly forgotten covers, it finds Allman clearly at home with the material, and his pained and soulful voice fits these songs perfectly. “Devil Got My Woman,” “I Can’t Be Satisfied,” and “Floating Bridge” are the standout tracks on this highly listenable collection of songs. “Devil Got My Woman” offers a particularly haunting performance that makes you wonder whether the singer is better or worse off without her. Heavy on the piano and the warm rich sound of his reliable Hammond B-3, the songs focus on groove without a lot of showing off. There’s also a lot of hand-held percussion filling out the empty spaces where you’d normally hear someone from Allman’s other band squeezing out a lead. Much of Low Country Blues has occasion to get dressed up with Memphis-style horns, but overall it sounds closer to catching a great band in a casual. intimate setting. — M.A. Rivera