The Deep Smooth Georgia Soul Of Gregg Allman

By: Rick Diamond/Getty Images Entertainment

Gregg Allman is a founding member of the legendary The Allman Brothers Band as well as the creator and originator of his own layered, textured and storied solo career. With Allman’s instantly identifiable and signature voice remaining  a wonder and a mystery, he is quick to refer to it as an “evolved throat.” Low Country Blues marks Allman’s seventh solo recording and an evolution of sound in its own right.

As many back country roads serve as unpaved vessels of transportation, Allman’s Low Country Blues brings flexible elements of rock, blues, jazz, r&b and folk towards paths of passion, verve and winding, yet stable confidence. Check out this video of Allman singing “Come and Go Blues” to hear what I mean!

Allman’s Low Country Blues is a release that is a remarkable body of work, encompassing his own brand on cover tunes sung by giants in music. Allman showcases his stamp on songs from Muddy Waters and B.B. King to Buddy Guy and Magic Sam.

In the song, “I Can’t Be Satisfied”, which quickly became my favorite, Allman takes liberties with the tune that prove to be surprisingly melodic and edgy. Constant rhythms and beats stabilize the song and give it punch and toe-tapping, finger snapping jam-oriented style. See for yourself!

Like any genuine bluesman, Allman’s own life has been defined by tremendous triumph as well as tragedy. Incidentally, Low Country Blues was initially slated for a mid-2010 release. Allman, who has battled Hepatitis C was a candidate for a liver transplant and underwent the surgery for the transplant back in June 2010.

With the surgery being called a success, one can only imagine that with a successful surgery behind him, comes a project that mirrors strength and tenacity; he would only be propelled to create a release that would linger within the deep and resounding souls of all who would listen.

Gregg Allman seems to possess a warrior spirit and  Low Country Blues is his testament to that. Allman always seems to ready to return to the endless highway of music that stirs the soul with spirited, self-assured songs. Indeed it is an unpaved country road he may travel, but Allman stays pleasant, and purposefully driven on it… and I love a great melodic and transforming journey.

C.C. Mitchell

Gregg Allman‘s Low Country Blues is released on the Rounder / Pgd music label. Here is the full track listing:

1. Floating Bridge
2. Little By Little
3. Devil Got My Woman
4. I Can’t Be Satisfied
5. Blind Man
6. Just Another Ride
7. Please Accept My Love
8. I Believe I’ll Go Back Home
9. Tears Tears Tears
10. My Love is Your Love
11. Checking On My Baby
12. Rolling Stone
13. Reconsider Baby [bonus track]
14. Out of Bad Luck [bonus track]