A Force For Change
Listening for the first time to At Filmore East, The Allman Brothers' impossibly good, live album, one is struck dumb for a moment, the awe of a truely original rock sound sinking in. Why?
What's it about that sound that makes it so wonderful? One can cite the innovative twin lead guitars and twin drums, the delightful covers of such classics as Muddy Waters' "Trouble No More", the improvisational jamming that reminds one of jazz, the camaraderie that existed among the band's members. Likely all the above.
And wherever its origins and whatever the sound's components, we find it so absolute that most listeners willingly forget the years of excess and embarrassment that followed, prior to the band's eventual resurrection and renewed greatness over the past two decades.
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Each band or performer is graded on four things:
1. Innovation
2. Influence in my life--as a typical American
3. Integrity: the band's approach to music (just making a buck or honing a craft?)
4. Immortality--am I, a typical American--still eager to hear their music
10/8/8/9 = 35 out of a perfect 40
1. Innovation
2. Influence in my life--as a typical American
3. Integrity: the band's approach to music (just making a buck or honing a craft?)
4. Immortality--am I, a typical American--still eager to hear their music
10/8/8/9 = 35 out of a perfect 40
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Connection: The Allman Brothers' Band's sublime "Jessica" was written as a tribute to this list's #15, Django Reinhardt. A more fitting tribute I can't imagine.
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