The Allman Brothers Band, Ramblin’ Man - A Classical Musician’s First Listen and Reaction
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- Опубліковано 23 кві 2024
- #allmanbrothers #ramblinman #dickeybetts #virginrock
I recorded this first listen as a tribute to Dickey Betts, who died on April 18, 2024, at the age of 80. I especially love that he said not too long ago that he “had a great life and I [didn’t] have any complaints” about his life. What a wonderful thing it is to look back over one’s life and know no regrets!
Here’s the link to the original song by The Allman Brothers Band:
• The Allman Brothers Ba...
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Amy Shafer, LRSM, FRSM, RYC, is a classical harpist, pianist, and music teacher, Director of Piano Studies and Assistant Director of Harp Studies for The Harp School, Inc., holds multiple degrees in harp and piano performance and teaching, and is active as a solo and collaborative performer. With nearly two decades of teaching experience, she teaches privately, presents masterclasses and coaching sessions, and has performed and taught in Europe and USA.
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Credits: Music written and performed by The Allman Brothers Band
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Thanks so much Amy & Vlad for paying tribute to Dickey Betts through probably his best known song amongst the general public. This provided a good example of his singing, songwriting, and guitar playing. Whereas your prior "Whipping Post" listen was written and sung by Gregg Allman, who plays piano. Of the the Dickey Betts pieces that I think you would personally enjoy the most, his instrumental only pieces "Jessica" and "In Memory of Elizabeth Reed" are great. With both being jazz influenced and having a lot more musical variation and ideas. They were popular jam songs in their live shows. "Ramblin' Man" provides a great example of the Southern Rock style they helped to create. Great reaction and observations.
The most appropriate song to honor Dickey is In Memory of Elizabeth Reed.
Yes, I second that.
Yep, me too.
Liz Reed
Liz Reed and any of his instrumentals. She won't find the repetition that she pointed out in Ramblin' Man
That was a pop song… and a dang good one. But if you want the real Dickey and the real Allman’s… start with Live at the Fillmore East.
I was very fortunate growing up with Southern Rock
For me, Southern Gospel, Classical, Beatles and Southern Rock.
"Jessica" has been playing in my head for several days.
If you're going to have a song stuck in your head, that's one of the best!
Yeah it would have been a better choice to put to a musician to analyse.
I'm often flabbergasted by the selections she has been given of various artists to listen to. They often seem to be second tier examples.
It’s been playing in my head since 1980.
What I love about this song is that it starts out as a happy little country ditty and ends up as a headbanging, knee-slapping, runaway freight train. You just don't know where this tune is going or what twists and turns it's going to take from simply listening to the start of it. Such joy! Fantastic songwriting!! And sweet guitar licks! RIP Dickey Betts.
Amy, how do you glitter every piece of music with stardust? You are a perfect teacher of music and art. Thank you for honoring Dickey, who brought so much joy and empathy in his music. His magnum opus of “In Memory of Elizabeth Reed” will delight you, and his two most joyful songs, “Jessica” and “Blue Sky” will ring in your love of children and songbirds. Thank you so much! ❤
The Allman Brothers Band were, in my opinion, the best jam bands of rock. They were one of the rare bands that had 2 lead guitarists & 2 drummers. They did not like to be called a southern rock band because they thought it pigeon holed them, as their roots were more diversified. Despite their many problems with drug & alcohol abuse, & personnel conflicts they endured from the sixties through the 2014. RIP Dicky Betts.
And 2 keyboard players. Chuck Leavell on piano, and of course Greg Allman on organ.
Dicky hated the term Southern Rock he once commented , " I wish they would just say we're a progressive rock band from the south " but here we are.
Blue Sky by Allman Brothers Band is a MUST! 😆
I'm constantly amazed that Amy (who is a wonderful analyst) has lived as long as she has (though still young) without having heard a single popular song released in the past 50 years.
Haha 😂
Perfect
And ‘Yesterday’ is coming up on her Beatles thing. I wonder…
I'm waiting to hear her say that she actually knows a song as she starts to listen to it.
@@69Mucci Not to burst anyone's bubble - and I listen to her all the time because she's so entertaining - but I just don't buy the premise.
Revival, In Memory of Elizabeth Reed, Jessica, Hand Picked... absolute masterpieces.
The perfect song for a friday evening cooking play list - so easy to put in some extra chili in the con carne with this rhythm going on. Makes me happy! R.I.P. Dickey and also brother Dwayne.
He’s been gone a week or so now and it’s weird to me that he is buried in the ground now but this song has so much life and when he recorded it and sang it he was a young healthy man with his whole world ahead of him and how he captured that moment in time beautifully. It’s crazy how music is a stamp on time and how some songs are timeless like this one
You enjoyed the slide guitar near the end of the song. It caught your attention.
I think it would be worth your time to read about the Allman Brothers Band. Duane and Greg were born in Nashville, Tennessee but were raised in Daytona, Florida. The Allman Brothers Band itself was formed in Jacksonville, Florida, but they quickly relocated to Macon, Georgia where Capricorn Records was being formed.
The band members mostly lived together on College Street in Macon, and they were somewhat notorious, and they essentially transformed Macon from a sleepy middle Georgia town into a very hip center for music.
Highway 41 refers to U.S. Highway 41 which stretches from the Georgia-Florida border, through Macon, and then to the Georgia-Tennessee border. The song was inspired by a 1951 song by Hank Williams who truly was a ramblin' man.
Without going further with the band's history, I think it's safe to say that their music appealed to young people in the South who'd grown up hearing rockabilly, country, rock 'n' roll, and gospel music, much of which originated from English settlers who'd settled in the Southeast and from African slaves, but it had a distinctive kick with fabulous guitar solos.
My favorite Almon Brothers song.
It's been in my head since 1981 when, as a6 year old, my family drove from southern Indiana to California, on our way to Hawaii, where we were relocating to. My parents played the heck out of this song in the car 👍
There were two guitar players on this track, Dickey and Les Dudek who laid down the rhythm beautifully. You can hear the influence of Dickey’s fiddle player father in his guitar on this song. Dickey was also influenced by Western Swing music. I’ve loved his playing since 1969! PS: two drummers in the band
This song had good energy and movement , I’m glad you got to hear it.
My favorite band!!!
Enjoyed this. I agree with others that In Memory of Elizabeth Reed is a song you would likely enjoy. Blue Sky is another great one. A couple of other favorites are Don't Keep me Wondering or possibly Not My Cross to Bear
Thank you for your reaction. A Dicky Betts trifecta would be “Blue Sky,” “Jessica,” and “In Memory of Elizabeth Reed.” He was often overshadowed by Duane and Gregg, but his musical presence was always felt. RIP Dickie. RIP Duane. RIP Gregg.
Ramblin' Man is a fun song. There is a video that I just watched/listened to with Bob Dylan joining Dickey Betts on Ramblin' Man....and quoted as saying that he wished he had written the number. Thanks Amy for discussing this gem......Anything by the Allman Brothers Band would be just fine with me.
What a talent Dickie was. The Allman Brothers were one of the greatest American bands. They helped create an entire genre of rock, and all but maybe one of their albums has some excellent songs on it. Their instrumental prowess and ability to improvise was off the charts.
Thank you for this! Always fun. If I may, I feel strongly that you might owe it to yourself to dive a little deeper into the Allman Brothers, they have a great catalog of timeless music.
One thing that was unique about this band was that they had two drummers playing at the same time.
Unique only if you don’t count the Grateful Dead, who preceded the Brothers, or .38 Special and sometimes the Outlaws and dozens of others that followed, and of course James Brown and John Coltrane who both had dual drummers, at least periodically, in the mid-60s…but yeah, other than that, unique….
I'm a French ABB fan and I didn't know that Dickey Betts passed away, you tell me this sad news just now. For me, although it wasn't a hit single, In Memory of Elizabeth Reed is Dickey's signature song (in fact an instrumental piece). It's on At Fillmore East, the ABB reference album, and on many others ABB live albums. Jessica is another piece of choice.
The Allman Brothers Band always had 2 drummers and they were the same from the beginning to the end of the band in 2014: Butch Trucks and 'Jaimoe' Johanson.
There were also always 2 lead guitarists: the first were Duane Allman and Dickey Betts and the last were Warren Haynes (Gov't Mule) and Derek Trucks (Tedeschi Trucks Band), in the meantime others such as Jimmy Herring passed by.
Currently, of the band's original musicians, only 'Jaimoe' Johanson is alive (and still active with his Jaimoe's Jasssz Band).
I agree that 'In Memory of Elizabeth Reed', which has always been a 'tour de force' of the band, in the version with Duane and Dickey is a great piece to remember them (Dickey, Gregg, Butch and Duane who are already playing together who knows where [talking about 'rambling men']). Personally, I think that, although her studio recordings are excellent, The Allman Brothers Band must be heard and seen performing live: versions of 1970's 'In Memory of Elizabeth Reed' or 'The Whipping Post', live at the Fillmore East, are the best to see the original line-up in action.
There is also an excellent live version of 'In Memory of Elizabeth Reed' with the latest line-up and Eric Clapton as a special guest.
From the last line-up, the version of 'Les Brers A Minor' with Jimmy Herring as a special guest is highly recommended (and there you can see 3 lead guitarists playing together: Jimmy Herring, Derek Trucks and Warren Haynes), live at the Beacon Theatre in 2009.
And since Amy likes the Beatles and, therefore, George Harrison's music should also like her, I recommend Jimmy Herring's instrumental version of 'Within You, Without You'.
Beginnings by the Allman Brothers is all time top 10 album ever.
I LOVE THIS SONG LOL I LISTENED TO IT WAY BACK WHEN I WAS A KID!!!!
My favorite Southern Rock band! 👍
Of course they hated that term, preferring to be called a progressive rock band from the south, since they were more of a country and jazz-influenced blues rock band closer in spirit to say CCR and the Doors than Loretta Lynn and Charlie Pride.
The key changes, and tempo , are a huge part of the Allman Bros.... PLEASE HONOR US , but please listen to " In Memory of Elizabeth Reed" ...an instrumental masterpiece! ❤️
Several of the band members are now buried at the Rose Hill Cemetery, in their hometown of Macon Georgia, where band members often hung out to relax and write songs. This is where Dickey got the inspiration for his "In Memory of Elizabeth Reed" piece, which is based on a tombstone in this cemetary. Duane and Gregg Allman, along with bassist Berry Oakley and drummer Butch Trucks, are now buried there. Which begs the question: Will Dickey also be buried there?
March 12, 1971 version of In Memory of Elizabeth Reed has been my shower song since 1980. That’s just over 16,000 listens. 07:30 timestamp I’d exit the shower preparing for Duane’s solo. Still as magical for me after 40 years. Now I get to share it with my 10 grandchildren.
I was a latecomer to appreciating the Brothers, in my late 20's. But when I started really listening to them, I was hooked. Blues rock at its core infused with country, folk and even some jazz, easily one of the best American rock bands ever, right up there with the Doors, Jimi Hendrix Experience, Eagles, REM and Pearl Jam, and one of the best bands of the 70's, period.
And damn could they play, with or without Duane. So different from say Pink Floyd, the Beatles and Blondie, and yet absolutely within the rock tradition. So many songs worth reacting to, Blue Sky, Jessica, Melissa, One Way Out, In Memory of Elizabeth Reed, Little Martha.
And yes, their songs can get "repetitive", but that's because they often improvise on a core theme, not in a jazz sense, but in a rock "jam" sense, like the Grateful Dead. They were virtuosos and that's what virtuosos do. Repetition on a core theme is quite prevalent in classical music, from Bach to Mozart to Debussy. It injects structure into music that you can then play with.
Check out the At the Fillmore East live album. One of the best live albums.
Dickie picked a good highway. 41 covers a lot of ground, it comes up here to Wisconsin, it was our major highway before the Interstates got built. Still has lots of OTR traffic.
One thing that makes stuff like the Allman Brothers more enjoyable for me than country is that they diversify a bit. Dickie brings the country influences, Gregg Allman the soul music, and Duane Allman the blues.
OH...! You stepped in Southern Rock...... Welcome. Enjoy........
President Jimmy Carter had a great appreciation for The Allman Brothers Band’s active support of his campaign. When Gregg Allman died in 2017, President Carter went to his funeral.
RIP Dickie.
Wow,,,,,didn't think you'd like the long repetitive outtro,,,,but you gave it a fine review. I'm a classic rock and roller and I just LOVE this song. Turns me on like a switch,,,💥💥👍🤪
I think you would love "Jessica"
Yeah, good choice, she might find it interesting that it's an instrumental.
This was a song I heard a lot on top 40 AM radio in 1973 (around the same time as Angie by the Rolling Stones, actually). Great memory from then, as well as a favorite in album/classic rock radio by the 1980s.
My favorite southern guitarist
In memory of Elizabeth Reed is indeed the best. But thank you for this tribute.
I can only imagine what Dickie and Duane could have accomplished if Duane would not have met such a tragic end. Those two were musical brothers and created such masterful sounds. We were lucky to have enjoyed them together and for the years Dickie played on. RIP Dickie Betts, you are and will always be A Ramblin' Man...
Another memorial to consider is to listen to the Moody Blues in honor of Mike Pinder's passing. 😞
This is the real shit!
The Allman Brothers are worthy of a deep dive that includes what I consider their offshoot bands that includes Gregg Allman's solo stuff, Great Southern, Gov't Mule, and Tedeschi Trucks Band.
Dickey Betts - the sweetest guitar picker this side of BB King.
I think you will enjoy a nice journey through the southern rock genre.
Jessica is fun and instrumental!
A good country rock song, that's it.
"They're always havin' a good time down on the Bayou, oh Lord, them Delta women think the world of me". That line always struck me for some reason like the women of a certain region could have a unique attraction to a type of man....
Rip dickey, you're reunited with the Allman bros. Now, You and Duane can jam Guitar solos together again 🎸🫶🎸
Dicky Betts - amazing. Ramblin Man - amazinger 😀
Former President Jimmy Carter liked this band and had them play at a location during his campaign.
Soulshiine is a good one to check out as well
Yes Dickey Betts was a great man and writing songs. Dickey is now with Duane Jamming.
Rich Bettts was the real deal, true musician.
Because you didn't grow up listening to rock, you may not be acquainted with the notion of the Driving Song. You touch on the idea in your analysis (because your ability to pick out intent remains remarkable to me), but there's a deep & strong tradition of "top-down, open-road" uniquely American rock music that's not only great for driving, but was expressly written for it. This is one of them. Golden Earring's "Radar Love" is the quintessential driving song. There are tons more. Maybe a future thread for you?
The theme is not repetitive. Rather, it’s theme and variation.
In my opinion the Allman Bros were at their best when playing the blues.
Side one of the celebrated Filmore Album showcases this.
It is worth mentioning that The Allman Brothers Band employed two drummers, hence the rich percussion. The Grateful Dead and Adam & the Ants were also twin drummer bands. Maybe someone here can name some others.
.38 Special is the only other one off the top of my head but I am sure I am missing one or two.
Another way to describe the dueling you hear at the end is “call and response.”
(Unrelated to this particular song... just a general comment...) I was telling a friend about this channel yesterday, and she had an idea which I kind of think I like, maybe something to try sometime? That being to share the sheet music to some song or other with (you) Amy, and have you play it from the sheet music before having heard what it sounds like when the band does it. Something to try? We thought it might be particularly fun somehow with something from Morrissey / The Smiths, maybe. Though also, one song I'd just like to hear you cover is The Clash's "Should I Stay or Should I Go"... and I could imagine it might be good for that one, too. Anyway, just a thought, submitted for your consideration! :)
Duane and Dickey were the greatest dual guitarist's in rock history!
I believe you would enjoy the instrumental Jessica
"In Memory of Elizabeth Reed" is a wonderful instrumental and, I would say, has less of a country flavor. It has jazz overtones instead.
Wonderful analysis of a masterpiece of their style. To me, the Alman Bros songs by Dickie were a little more country infused, and the ones written by Greg had more blues. Anyway I loved nearly all of their music, but I preferred Dickies style. He leaned on the major scales of music which made his songs
sound upbeat and "happy". It is said that he was influenced by his fathers Western Swing..... and used twin guitars instead of twin "fiddles".
You need to review some of his instrumentals: In Memory of Elizabeth Reed, Duane's Tune, Pegasus, True Gravity, Kind of Bird. Dickey wrote the most amazing instrumentals and I think that you will find them much more challenging
You should check out Dreams by the Allman Brothers Band and Dreams I'll Never See by Molly Hatchet, which is actually a cover and a tribute after Duane Allman's death, that would be good for one of your weekend cover shows. The Allman's original is much more a loose, freeform showcase for their jazz and blues roots, whereas Molly Hatchet's version is a more polished, fully formed song.
Blue Sky
Amy, Allmann Bros, same as Lynnyrd Skynnyrd had not 1 but 2 drummers each. Plus a bongo percussionist if I'm not mistaken. The drummers beat a push-pull rythm, which makes a permanent drive. Not a split second without any drum being beaten.
Big difference: you analyze, dissect, and discuss, (I know it’s a reaction video), we southerners just “feel” and go with it! I’d love to have you at a backwoods Bon fire, plenty of beer/BBQ etc. and some great music piped in! Between the whispering pines, soot from the fire, full belly, and libations you’d probably come away with a different perspective! Maybe not…….
Hey 🤗 Greetings to you from Hamburg ❤ I heard a beautiful track in a movie. The movie called "Fearless" (starring Jeff Bridges) The track called "Symphonie Nr 3, Op 36 1976 By Henryk Goretzki. Do you know this track? It sounds so catchy to me ❤❤❤ Since this movie /track I could listen to it the whole day 😊😊😊 I hope my English isn't to bad. 😅 I turn 50 next month. So my school English is a long time ago 😮😮
Dickey was a composer.
The guitar escapes...!
I don't know how true this is, but I heard a story that said Duane Allman said to an interviewer, "I'm the famous guitar player, he's [Dickey Betts] the good one."
Great song
Yup, two drummers.
I hear call and response throughout.
Please do "Jessica"! Studio version please. Only that one is right.
Do Ave Satani by Jerry Goldsmith next!
Go find the original album and listen to Tracks 1 and 2 together... they NEED to be together, and that's what all of America heard when that album arrived in 1969.
Please review the live version of Elizabeth Reed from the Filmore East album!
Please listen to "Elizabeth Reed" from the Fillmore East album. He also wrote that and you will not believe it possible that the same artist did it and Ramblin Man.
This was recorded at a slower speed and lower pitch than it sounds. The producer wanted a faster tempo and sped it up.
Please listen to Betts' best song, and the best version of it: In Memory of Elizabeth Reed from Live at the Fillmore, 1971
He wrote this song in mind to send to Johnny Cash, and they decided to keep it and the rest is history.
If you ever watched an episode of Top Gear, you've heard 'Jessica'
You would so much like Liz Reed or Jessica so much more than Rambling Man.
Have you heard Dimash Qudaibergen sing with Placedo Domingo? They sang the Pearl Fisher's Duet together recently. 😊
You are speaking to the choir.
Check out Blackfoots Highway song and train also
"I'm not afraid of death because I don't believe in it.
It's just getting out of one car, and into another"
John Lennon
Dickey was very deverse in his writing but make no mistake that the Allman Brothers were a southern rock band. They were a blues rock jazz fusion as Gregg described. If you want southern rock, listen to Lynard Skynard. RIP Dickey.
How to express this to you?
I am a big fan of yours. Watched many of your reviews. Love it! Love your personality and musical knowledge. Your perspective as a classical trained musician is appreciated.
However, you always seem to gloss over the "incredible solos" (mostly guitar).
You must know, the rock musicians aren't reading their solos. They are playing from the heart. Improvisation is not something classical musicians employ, but that's one of the Freedoms of rock, country, blues and jazz. The Human Spirit, the Passion, the Soul of the Player and that which is Played, entwined in a once in a Lifetime instant. The incredible excitement seems to be missed!
Anyway, just another musicians opinion.
Be well!
Hii, I would love you to react to more Bjork music, I think you’ll love cover me if you play harp and Joga as some beautiful instrument, I’d recommend a lot, have a nice day ❤️
I always thought this sounded like a Grateful Dead tune.
Imo, the best version of this is on Wipe Windows Check Oil Dollar Gas.