The Allman Brothers Band was founded in 1969, and it is still making music today. The band lineup has changed over time; band founder and guitarist, Duane Allman, died in a motorcycle accident in 1971, as did bass player Berry Oakley. (His accident was in 1972 and wasn’t very far from the scene of Duane’s fatal accident.)
Despite these tragedies in the early years, the Allman Brothers went on to create many great songs. Here is my list of their top ten songs:
10- Done Somebody Wrong (from the album The Fillmore Concerts)
This is a bluesy, jam band style track. The Allman Brothers played many songs that told of relationship problems and hard luck; this one is no exception.
9- Dreams (from the album Beginnings)
This is a blues song about needing help realizing ones dreams and the fears and doubts that come along with this struggle.
8- Famous Last Words (from the album Reach for the Sky)
Another song filled with relationship woes that is true to the Allman Brothers’ style.
7- Wasted Words (from the album Gold)
An up-tempo rock-blues song, Wasted Words talks of broken communication and betrayal of a friend.
6- Don’t Want You No More (from the album The Allman Brothers Band)
This is a bluesy-rock instrumental song. It is a great ambient sound; not too distracting as background music. It is fully enjoyable for more focused listening as well.
5- Everybody’s Got a Mountain to Climb (from the album Where It All Begins)
This is a classic rock/blues fusion with an uplifting theme; the title aptly sums up the mood.
4- Bad Rain (from the album Shades of Two Worlds)
This classic rock song tells of drugs, friends, and making tough choices. Ain’t going to try and pretend to be living that clean myself/ Can’t stand by and watch you throw your life away…” This one speaks to me because of friends and family that I’ve seen struggle through various types of addictions. It’s hard to watch the struggles of those you love, especially when you can’t make them change for the better.
3- Blind Love (from the album Enlightened Rogues)
Another jam band style classic rock song. I tend to fall for the troubled love/relationship songs: “…I know she’s out walkin’, walkin’ up and down the street… got a brand new story for each and every man she meets…”
2- Ramblin’ Man (from the album Gold)
Perhaps the most well known Allman Brothers’ song. This song is a little more upbeat and fast-paced than most of their other songs. It highlights the problems a “ramblin’ man” faces in his relationships and life. This is a very catchy song.
1- Whippin’ Post (from the album Beginnings)
One of the most famous and recognized songs by the Allman Brothers. It’s chorus is catchy, despite its subject matter: “…tied to the whippin’ post/ Good Lord I feel like I’m dyin’…” It is another song about the travails of unfaithful partners and the pain of betrayal.
Sources:
Discography, lyrics, and band bio:
www.allmanbrothersband.com
http://music.yahoo.com/ar-313247—The-Allman-Brothers-Band
