4 comments about 20th Century Masters - The Millennium Collection: The Best of Atlanta Rhythm Section.

1. In the 1970's, the market place was swamped with south of the Mason-Dixon line musicians. If you need to expand your Southern Rock collection, Atlanta Rhythm Section MUST be in it!



2. This is a great CD for people who would like a nice introduction to this very talented group. It has a nice choice of songs and the sound quality is excellent. What made ARS stand out so much in their was their lead singer, Ronnie Hammond. He has to be one of the underrated male vocalists ever. His voice is so beautiful, soulful and smooth. I just wish he hadn't retired from singing.



3. Great to hear these great songs by great band in a clear and fresh CD. ARS fans will like



4. The Millennium Collection series is a lot like Goldilocks at the Three Bears house. Sometimes the porridge is too hot - how can you possibly distill the career of The Who, The Jackson Five or even Bing Crosby into 10 tracks? Sometimes the porridge is too cold - calling Eddie Kendricks or Rita Coolidge a "Master" is just too much of a stretch.

   This is one of those collections that is just about right. ALS were a very good mid-tempo, classic rock band of the mid-70's with solid songs, respectable vocals and very good arrangements. Sort of a Steely Dan-cum-Southern Rock combination. Their biggest hit was the soulful "So Into You" ("I am so into you I can't think of nothing else."), but they also made the top 40 with the onanistic implications of "Imaginary Lovers", "Doraville", the largely forgotten "Do It Or Die", and the wonderful uptempo "Not Gonna Let It Bother Me Tonight". Also include is their cover of the Classic IV 60's hit "Spooky" ('Life sure is crazy with a spooky little girl like you.'), the band from who's ashes ALS rose. A little filler, but a nice, although not critical collection for 70's Classic Rock fans.

5 comments about Shake Your Money Maker.

1. This was their first big release. It still rocks. I give it a spin every now and again. This cd put them on the charts. Shake your money maker is one of the top 50 albums you would need if you were going to be stranded on a deserted island, I mean that is if you were bringing a cD player and would have electricity.



2. This was the first CD released by the Black Crowes. This is straightforward rock and roll. All songs are good to great, not really a stinker among them.
   
   She Talks to Angels, Hard To Handle, Twice As Hard, and Jealous Again are the songs you SHOULD recognize from mainstream rock radio. The others are great as well.
   
   If you like guitar rock, with that southern sound, then this is for you.



3. On their debut CD, SHAKE YOUR MONEY MAKER, the Black Crowes start off with a bang. Blending the ramshackle grace of the Stones, Free, the Faces, Humble Pie, and early solo Rod Stewart into the Southern rock sound of the Allman Brothers Band, the Marshall Tucker Band, and the Outlaws, then distilling the whole thing down to the bare-bones basics, the band packs a one-two punch with the songs "Twice As Hard" and "Jealous Again" while also making room for such great ballads as "Seeing Things", a song which, with its message of "the old days weren't always good and the future's not as bad as it seems" ethos, inspired me skip my old school's Thanksgiving dinner in order to keep myself looking good for pretty actresses. Overall, this CD is a must-own for anyone who thought that Southern rock's last great moment was the Outlaws' 1980 album GHOST RIDERS.



4. this was my introduction to the black crowes, especially hard to handle. you can hear the influences in their music - the stones, aerosmith, blues influences - and they flat out jam. good stuff.



5. In the 90s, when some bands were all depressed and suicidal, The Black Crowes just wanted to play some rock n' roll, and that's what they did. This, their first album offers up some great, southern tinged rock, full of blues, and with classic rock and gospel influences. They did well for themselves, but corporate rock this ain't. It's soulful, melodic, and just a great listen, front to back. The album opens with a twin killing of "Twice as Hard" and "Jealous Again," both great tracks on their own, but a dynamic opening to a strong album. "Sister Luck" is a guitar and piano driven slow blues rocker, before "Could I've Been So Blind" returns to a hard rockin' tempo. "Seeing Things" is a blues and gospel inspired slow down, and it's these types of songs that I really think make a Crowes album top notch. I love the hard rock, but a killer, slow grind is always a good break in between, and this one really adds depth to the album. "Hard to Handle," which I've now learned is an Otis Redding number, is probably the album's most famous track, with a good groove and strong performance. "Thick n' Thin" is perhaps the most obviously Southern track on the album, with a great pounding piano and boogie-woogie vibe. The album ends with the trio of ballad "She Talks to Angels," driving hard rocker "Struttin' Blues," the bluesy "Stare It Cold."
   
   Overall, this is a very strong album, and highly enjoyable. A lot of good tracks, here, and if you like bluesy rock n' roll, there's a good chance you'll like this.

5 comments about The Best of Sea Level.

1. If you like an eclectic blend of jazz, rock and funk then this is the CD you should buy. One of the best 'best of' albums ever produced. Stellar musicianship and expert composition. Most of the other reviews sum it up pretty well.



2. I tried this CD after becoming a fan of Chuck leavell. It is an interesting mix of Funk, latina, jazz, and rock. A great album overall though the various styles don't always blend.



3. my familiarity with sea level was limited to "on the edge," which i've had on vinyl for 27 years. i'd hoped to get it in cd but its not out in that format yet. i took a chance on the "best of" cd, and i have to say i'm disappointed. i loved sea level's instrumentals, and this compilation has too much vocals for my preference. furthermore, after one listen of "shake a leg", i cannot shake that refrain from my mind. don't misunderstand me, i love chuck leavell's work - with ABB, the stones,and his solo efforts. i hope sea level releases "on the edge" in cd format soon. in the meantime, i think i'll buy one of those new turntables and start burning my favorite old vinyl albums to cd format.



4. The Best of Sea Level is an excellant collection of the band's southern rock and jazz fusion sound. Founded by Chuck Leavell (Allman Brothers Band and now with the Stones) in the late 70's following a break up of ABB, the band's sound is a departure from Southern Rock and Roll, leaning more towards fusion jazz and Levell's fanastic piano and keyborad work. If you loved ABB's "Jessica" and "High Falls" you'll love Sea Level's sound.



5. I saw Sea Level at Constitution Hall back around the mid 70's. At one point, Chuck Levell stood up from the key board and played the grand piano like a harp! Amazing musicians ahead of their time.

5 comments about ZZ Top's First Album.

1. For anyone who is interested, the vinyl version of this album is available here at Amazon, as well as the cassette version. I would recommend going either route instead of the CD version, since, to this day, the only version of ZZ Top's First Album is still the late eighties remastered version that appeared on the ZZ Top Six Pack set (AKA The ZZ Top Sucks Pack, by me, ever since I purchased it in 1992.)
   
   Although Rhino has re-remastered two albums from the sucks pack (Fandango and Tres Hombres) making them sound fantasticly like the original releases, the other four still are completely void of any musical emotion whatsoever, reminicent of the awful Recycler album. This is because the albums were completely remixed in the late eighties to make them sound like albums recorded in the late eighties (ugh, wasn't that rocks worst period ever!?... the answer is yes.)
   
   With amazing imagery, and a unique sound all its own, the vinyl version of ZZ's First is the type of record that makes the turntable bounce from side to side when you drop the needle. However, the CD version won't make your CD player do a god damned thing. At least not until Rhino does something to correct this. Great lyrics like "She was a sleazy mess in her beat up dress..." or "If her lovin' don't kill me, I know her husband will..." are wasted on that silver peice of plastic. SO the black wax is definately the way to go. Although the release date on it says 1990 here at Amazon. Maybe you should check out a used record store, or a yardsale instead, just to be safe.



2. YEAH THE MIXES BLOW BUT BETTER TO SEE WHAT YOUR MISSIN' THAN NEVER KNOW.



3. it's a 5 Star album -- but I gave a 1 Star for the cheesy CD remixes they did. But get it if you want to hear the sheer genius of their original vision -- it'll do until they reissue the original mixes. -- E.T.
   
   Genius one-of-a-kind album --- Pointless, retarded and destructive remix.
   
   I HAVE AN ORIGINAL MIX of the brilliant and flawless "FIRST ALBUM" on CD --- released before the HORRIBLE idiotic "Six-Pack" remix. Any true Top fan who wants one -- just drop me an e- mail and I'll burn it for you for free.
   
   Shoot, that's just asking for trouble, so scratch that -- but it'd almost be worth being taken to court just to be able to ask the band "WHAT WERE YOU THINKING? -- and why in the world don't you rerelease the original mixes?"
   
   Maybe we can get Rick Rubin to intervene on our behalf...
   
   My friend just found a used First Album CD in a used bin -- and it matches the UPC and CAT# on my good mix. So if you can find a used CD with NO DATE ANYWHERE on it and but the CAT # is: 3268-2 and UPC is: 7599-273779-2 -- BUY IT.
   
   They also destroyed the equally brilliant "TEJAS" album -- they even CHANGED GUITAR LINES on "Asleep in the Desert" AND CHOPPED STUFF UP. Cut in HALF the brutally gorgoeus harmonica lead on "It's Only Love" -- Jerks. I think it must have been all the drugs people were doing in the 80's --- "hey lets spray paint over the Mona Lisa"
   
   "Drivin while Blind" -- used to start with the vocal "A when yer drivin' down the highway at night..."
   and now they chopped off the "A when yer..." so now you practically hear the punch-in . Now it starts...
   
   "(d)rivin' down the highway at night..." WHY WOULD THEY DO THAT???
   
   'Tejas' nearly unlistenable. So sad. How can we pressure The Top into UNmixing their remixes? Hmmm...
   
   BUT OH JOY! I did just find a MINT CONDITION PROMOTIONAL LP of TEJAS in a used bin at FREAK BEAT RECORDS in Sherman Oaks CA -- so I'm gonna bounce that from wax to CD to tide me over until Rhino Records works their magic and remasters the orignal (God bless Rhino Records)...



4. I am a recording engineer and sound mixer. I grew up in Texas, listening to and watching ZZ Top. The first two ZZ Top albums were released on vinyl records. Tres Hombres was the first to be released on Compact Disc. When the inevitable popularity of the CD overtook the market, Bill Ham thought it would be a great idea to release the first six albums on CD, which they affectionately called the "six pack." While remastering this compilation, somebody (who knows, but who controlled all of ZZ Top's musical movements??) got the bright idea to re-edit, reproduce, re-arrange and remix the first three albums. At the time, there was a new device in the studios that was known as a "digital echo" device for adding reverb and delay textures to sounds. Most notably, Phil Collins was using this echo device to enhance his drum sounds. ZZ Top's producer (you know who) decided it was the way to go as well, that the new sounds would attract the day's "new audience." The echo and reverb patterns on the "six pack" were so much bigger and wetter than on the original first three albums. Then I started to notice that there were different vocal performances and different guitar riffs in a few places. Talk about re-arranging an original! At a later time, the reproduced versions released on the "six pack" were then released on individual CD's which contain the original artwork of the first three albums. However, they are definitely NOT the original recordings. This process is much like Jimi Hendrix's producer, who went into the studio after Hendrix died and actually hired a player to finish the guitar work on recordings that were incomplete when Hendrix died. Those recordings were subsequently released as "Hendrix's final unrealeased recordings." Suffice it to say, that if the world's art museums decided that certain Rembrandt or DaVinci paintings looked "faded" or weren't "up to date with today's audience," and they repainted certain brush strokes on these masterpieces, the world art community would have a cow! Don't buy these CD's, they are not ORIGINAL works. They have been repainted to fit what someone thought would be a new and "catchy" idea.



5. Music lovers who want to get into the essence of ZZ Top's sound should listen to their first album, aptly titled "ZZ Top's First Album." It's down-and-dirty blues from start to finish. The CD contains great vocals and instrumentation. The overall sound and groove might surprise a first-time listener, even if he or she is familiar with ZZ Top's more commercial tunes. This is the best ZZ Top album ever recorded, in many ways. It's also my third copy, the first two being on 33 1/3 vinyl LP.

5 comments about Street Survivors.

1. They might have been street survivor but not plane crash survivors. This is one of the biggest tragedies in rock and roll music to me. This album is awesome. It is a great listen for anyone who loves southern rock. My more favorite tunes on this album are not ones you would ever hear on the radio like "aint no good life".
   
   I will still be thinking what it? This album always brings back those memories.



2. I loved the album when it first came out years ago, and the cd does not disappoint. It was great the hear all thoses songs again, brought back so many great memories.



3. This album was DEFINITELY Steve Gaines coming out party...His influence was ALL OVER this album...whether it be his playing or songwriting /vocals.( I know a little) was an older song he had been doing since the early 70's...And "Ain't no good life" was the ONLY Skynyrd Song in history that RVZ didn't do the lead vocals...Man, I was in 10th grade when this came out...Still sounds as great today as it did back then...One can only imagine what the Steve Gaines inspired Skynrd would have become..Because he definitely scared Gary Rossington and Allen Collins into playing better than they had in years...What a shame...



4. The original line-up's last album opens with the Chuck Berry-like rock n' roll romp "What's Your Name", followed by another of the band's best-known songs, "That Smell".
   Lynyrd Skynyrd were tighter than ever on this their fifth album, and there are several excellent songs to be found here. The swinging, mid-tempo "One More Time" was originally recorded back in 1971, six years before "Street Survivors" came out, but never released, and if it isn't one of the band's best-known songs, it is nevertheless one of their best.
   "You Got That Right" is okay, it's not one of my favorites, but I know that a lot of people feel differently. And the melodic country-rock ballad "I Never Dreamed" is easy to like as well.
   
   It's not all joy, though..."I Know A Little" isn't particularly memorable, and Skynyrd's version of Merle Haggard's "Honky Tonk Night Time Man" is too much Okie from Muskogee for me. Guitarist Steve Gaines' "Ain't No Good Life" is good enough, but no more than that. And I'd have really liked a rougher vocal on "That Smell", but that's a minor complaint, obviously.
   
   This 2001 reissue features five bonus tracks, three alternates and two non-album tracks, "Georgia Peaches" and "Sweet Little Missy". Both are good, neither is great.
   But the alternate "You Got That Right" is actually quite interesting, a little faster and more hard-hitting than the one originally issued, and the alternate and slightly shorter "I Never Dreamed" is very good as well, although not much different from the original.
   
   Lots of great stuff here. "Pronounced..." remains Lynyrd Skynyrd's best studio album, and I would put "Bullets" and "Second Helping" before this one as well. But being Skynyrd's third-best album isn't half bad at all. Fans will certainly not want to be without this one.



5. that this album had to be the swan song for a great lineup of a great band.The addition of Steve Gaines to the band gave them a shot in the arm both creatively and instrumentally and if not for the unfortunate accident that ended it all, I believe they would have soared to new heights.I was , along with friends , set to go see them in concert(would have been the third time for me) when the plane crash occurred just three days prior to our going. This album ranks with their best("Second Helping")and I never tire of listening to it.RIP Ronnie, Allen and Steve.

5 comments about The Ozark Mountain Daredevils.

1. This debut album sets the tone for the Ozark's next three or four succeeding albums. The down home style blend of mountain music with a rock emphasis is very pleasing to the ear. The Ozarks brought a fresh perspective to the music scene, not really seemin to care if the songs had mass market appeal. Of course this was the early 1970s before music became just another big business concerned only with bottom lines. This music is fun to listen to. Classic rock radio stations still give "If You Want to get to Heaven" some airplay, but that one song does not really define who the Ozarks are (or were as they are mainly retired from the music business now). Those songs with the fiddle or the slow, steady beat are more the Ozark's standards.
   
   If you like this kind of off-beat music then this will be worth your time. If you are more in tune with modern music then this will sound like it came from a completely bygone era. I for one fall into the former catagory and enjoy this album time and again.



2. I think this is representative of OMD's best. I like many types of music and this has always been one of my all time favorites. It has songs that are fun and crazy like Chicken Train, and melodic, reflective tunes like Country Girl and Spaceship Orion. I think this really shows the peak of their vocal harmony and songwriting talents. I actually like every song on this. In my opinion, if you are a first time buyer of OMD music, this is the one to get.



3. I believe this self-titled album was the debut album for the country/bluegrass/folk group. Very mellow and easy to listen to.
   
   The country and bluegrass roots are the primary flavoring in this album with some indications of the southern rock overtones showing through at times ("If You Wanna Get To Heaven").
   
   And who couldn't love "Chicken train"? A pure front-porch fun song.
   
   I guess the real beauty of this album is it's simplicity. Nothing complicated or deep in it's lyrics and meanings. Just simple, pure, and beautiful in presentation and performance.



4. I'm not a huge country music fan, but I gotta say this album (from six talented lads outta Springfield, MO) is some of the sweetest music you'll ever hear.
   
   These fellas write incredible acoustic melodies with really, really interesting lyrics (the other-worldly pondering of "Spaceship Orion" or the contemplative humanity of "Within Without")
   
   Musically?
   Yeah, it rocks ("If You Wanna Get To Heaven"), and the guitar solo on "Colorado Song" has heartfelt sonics like I've heard nowhere else. One of my all-time favorite power ballads (i love the closing harmonies--it's like countrified Brian Wilson).
   
   It's also quirky (one of the few discs I own featuring a jaw's-harp---on "Chicken Train" and its offbeat lyrics: "the laser beam / in my dream / i can't tun it on / i can't turn it off")
   
   
   I even like the country-flavored songs of "Country Girl" and "Standin' On A Rock;" the mandolin on "Road To Glory" and the "revival" feel of "Beauty In The River."
   
   This is pure Americana. It crosses from country to pop to rock and every possible hybrid beyond and in between. These gentlemen are OUTSTANDING songwriters and musicians. With GREAT harmonies, too!
   
   Thank you, OMD, for more than 30 years of pure pleasure.



5. I bought this CD for my father for Christmas, and found that I love it just as much as he does. It's really just great music--not strictly rock, but not country, and not quite Southern rock. The tracks are all well produced, particularly "Colorado Song." And of course, "If You Want to Get to Heaven (You Got to Raise a Little Hell)" is tons of fun. The entire album is one of my favorites--a really solid debut from a really talented group.

5 comments about A Decade of Hits.

1. Since the CDB had hits for more than a decade, and may have even more to come, this CD leaves out too much for a fussy completist like me. The "Essential" Charlie Daniels (what happened to the "Band"?) has a couple more hits from the decade in question ("Texas" from 1976 and "Mississippi" from 1979) plus later hits "Drinkin' My Baby Goodbye", "Boogie Woogie Fiddle Country Blues", and "Simple Man".
   
   On the other hand, this disc is four dollars cheaper than "Essential" as of this writing. Though it's the same price, I can never recommend any of the tacky "Super Hits" CDs. All three rightly include "In America" which, while not Daniels' best song by a long shot, was a big hit absurdly left off the pricey 2-disc set also available. 3 stars for including all the best-known hits at a low price.
   
   Based on a true story, "The Devil Went Down to Georgia" remains an amazing song. 1979 suffers from its disco-heavy reputation, but a lot of different sounds broke through on the radio that year and this is a prime example. The next year I loved "The Legend of Wooley Swamp", with its hard rock choruses alternating with mysterious spoken-word verses. A Halloween staple for me. "Uneasy Rider" was a big hit from a few years earlier, though I was so YOUNG I didn't know of it or the CDB until "Devil" hit. A good novelty song that may not work for fans of later hits, because it suggests a more liberal (hippie?) personality than later songs like "In America", "Simple Man", and "A Few More Rednecks". To go further out on this limb, I recall reading criticism that 1989's "Simple Man" was racist. I only heard the song once, and there was a line or two that concerned me, but can't recall it well enough to do more than to raise the point. I hope that neither Mr. Daniels nor his fans intend such sentiments.
   
   Audio alert: I have the 1990 version of this disc. HOPEFULLY this (1999) version has better sound. I had to crank my car player to 32 for the same volume newer CDs put out at 20. (Obviously this isn't the Spinal Tap scale.) You can spot the difference by checking the upper right-hand corner of the cover. If you see the old "Compact Disc digital audio analog recording" logo, it's the inferior version I own. And which Amazon indicates is now worth .07 cents!
   
   Karma alert: I see that Buddy Bregman reviewed this CD! He's an arranger/orchestra conductor dating back (almost) to the big band era. The car audio thing happened yesterday, when I played it for a friend who loves "TDWDTG". Last night, another friend--I have two, you see--and I randomly agreed to watch the horror DVD "Happy Birthday To Me". I'm now getting to the point...I didn't realize Buddy's daughter Tracey was in that (1980) film. I know this means so much to Charlie Daniels fans, but Tracey soon after went on to liven up "The Young and the Restless" and is still doing so today. Well, maybe Monday. I scanned Mr. Bregman's 9 reviews, and Daniels is the only non-pop/jazz/swing act he's written about. I think it's a good sign to be singled out for praise by someone from a different genre. No idea what Tracey (a/k/a Lauren Fenmore), who can also sing quite well, thinks about all this.



2. Charlie's best I grew up listening to Charlie and this cd has some of his best on it.



3. I origonally bought the album back in 1980. I have loved it ever since. Southern Rock comes alive with Charlie Danials Rocking Tunes. A really good compliation of their work. Well worth the price to hear these Super Group Blow your Socks off !!



4. Having been associated with Ella, Bing, Sammy Davis on many many recordings - I can't tell you how thrilled Charle Daniels makes me feel - there is something so infectious about his music - it sends chills down my spine - this album is a total winner - and I play it all the time - I don't even do that with my own recordings or any other artists material - IT IS SUCH A "FEEL-GOOD" GROUP OF SONGS AND OVER-ALL MUSIC - I can't wait to get into my car and play it again. Especially Devil Comes Down To Georgia!!!
   
   Yeah, Charlie,
   
   Buddy Bregman



5. My dad had a tape of this album and i loved "The Devil Went Down To Georgis". The quick tempo made it interesting to listen to. I listened to it over and over again. I went further into the tape to find more wonderful songs. If you buy one CD this year, make it this, it's one of the greatest ever.

5 comments about Idlewild South.

1. Great work by the original line-up of the ABB...not quite as much "straight-ahead blues" as the first self-titled release. If you don't already have this or the band's first album, by all means purchase "Beginnings" which combines both works in one convenient 60-minute collection.



2. From the melodic opening lines of "Revival" to the closing strains of "Leave My Blues Alone" this is one of the best albums The Allman Brothers Band ever created. The band has, of course, created other masterpieces but this is the first album where everything comes together from the top notch playing by Duane and Dickey to Greg's bluesy growl. Most of the tracks from this album have became the bedrock of the band's concerts (and a good portion of this album formed the basis for the classic and seminal live album "Live at the Fillmore East").
   
   "Idlewind South" has been remastered a number of times for CD but the best versions to purchase are the early edition mastered by Dennis Drake where Drake doesn't futz with the sound but presents the music naturally without compression or altering the sound of the original mastertape. Drake's remaster can usually be found used. If you see the "Capricorn Remasters" on the inlay card of the CD, this isn't the one remastered by Drake. You'll find a copy of Drake's remaster used in all probablility and its one of the original issues of the CD.
   
   The best version, however, is the newly released version from Mobile Fidelity (which is back in business with new owners after going out of business in the early part of the 21st century). Mastered by Shawn R. Britton the album has never sounded this warm, rich or good on CD. If you can find the Britton remaster (google Music Direct or go to the Mobile Fidelity website)which was released in a limited, numbered edition in a replica of the original album sleeve, I'd snatch it up. It's possible some independent retailers are carrying it (sadly amazon.com is not and I'm not quite sure why perhaps its is sold out). Britton also did the marvelous remaster of Linda Ronstandt's "Dont Cry Now" and is also doing a remaster of a seminal Little Feat album).
   
   Pick up this classic album you won't be sorry. If you can't find the Britton remaster go for the marvelous Drake (Drake also did early versions of "Beginnings" the album that combines this album with their first). Enjoy!



3. The allman brothers could do it all; Two of the best guitarist in the business, two drummers, great bass and piano.
   It does not get any better than this.



4. I have to admit that my opinion here isn't too objective; mainly because I am an Allman Brothers fan from way back.
   This was Duane's last album with the Allman Brothers before tragedy struck. Maybe for that reason alone, it deserves a place in any rocker's collection. Duane Allman's slide guitar reaches those high notes, and bro Gregg cooks too. I love those harmonizing guitars.
   I cannot be even slightly critical of this album, because each and every song delivers the ultimate sound these guys were famous for.
   Their version of "Hoochie Coochie Man" is a good example of how tight and together they played. I wouldn't have it any other way.
   I still have the original vinyl album, and don't have the CD yet, but after reading the other reviews here, I know it's probably my next CD purchase for sure.
   Some music, no matter how much time has passed, just sounds better.



5. The Allman's second album and another strong one. More classic songs including "Revival", and "Midnight Rider". The album also contains one of the most popular all instrumental tracks of all time "In Memory Of Elizabeth Reed" where Duane Allman and Dickey Betts tear it up on dual lead guitar. The album also features a cover of "Hochie Coochie Man" which is ok, but I have heard better versions. This album is on a par with the first one if not slightly better. This would be the last album for Duane Allman who died of a motorcycle accident after this album was recorded.

5 comments about Decoration Day.

1. I've been a fan of the Drive By Truckers for about two years now, after discovering them via Internet Radio. Thus far, my modest DBT catalog includes Southern Rock Opera, Decoration Day, The Dirty South, and A Blessing and a Curse. Of the previous mentioned, Decoration Day is my favorite (although that are all great).
   
   The album opens on a very mellow and somber note, "The Deeper In". Ah, but have no fear, "Sink Hole", the next cut, jumps right in with their highly recognizable charged "triple guitar attack" featuring a fantastic opening guitar riff (and great song to run to!). There are so many fantastic songs on this album, it is also impossible to cover them all in a quick and simple review. Feeling down in the dumps (maybe your girl has pissed you off?), well turn up track 3, "Hell No, I Ain't Happy". Or perhaps you pissed off your girl's dad, then "Your Daddy Hate Me" pretty much sums that situation up in six minutes of forty seconds angst and regret.
   
   "My Sweet Annette" is a tender (in a DBT kind of way) song about forbidden love, and managed to get some airplay up here in the Annapolis, MD area a few year back. "Heathens" does a fantastic job molding, blending, and intertwining the slide guitar and fiddle throughout. And the title song, which leads us towards the end of this masterpiece of an album, is probably one of my favorite DBT songs.
   
   Invariably, some critics will continue to downplay DBT as an updated version of Skynyrd. Seeing how Skynyrd was in their heyday while I was in diapers, it is tough for me to refute or agree with this comparison. I can say that I have had the wonderful opportunity of witnessing DBT live in concert, and there is honest, heartfelt passion in their music, coupled with a strong stage presence that I have rarely scene in today's music. In fact, the passion of Patterson Hood during the show reminded me Bono circa 1983 during Under a Blood Red Sky.
   
   In an era of overplayed "adult-alternative-coffee-house-jam-rock" (think Dave Matthews) and cheap "alt-rock-U2-esque rip-offs" (think Cold Play), or bands that sing with a fake British accent, the Drive By Truckers are a refreshing and exciting reminder of what made guitar-driven rock exciting. If your tastes include Springsteen, Neil Young & Crazy Horse, the Allman Brothers, Uncle Tupelo, the Rolling Stones, Whiskeytown, Tom Petty, Counting Crows, and/or Will Hoge (and of course the aforementioned Lynyrd Skynyrd), and you haven't yet discovered DBT, I recommend starting with this soon-to-be classic!



2. This is a new band for me and my first album of theirs. Overall pretty stocked. I just wish more of their songs were faster. I'm not a big fan of slow songs; I like songs that make you want to boogie and play rippin' air guitar to. The ones that are fast absolutely ROCK and I can't turn up the stereo enough! But I do find that I'll skip songs to get to the rockin' ones. But I will buy another one of theirs.



3. And don't try to be who you ain't. Great lyrics as always. This may be my favorite of theirs. Hard to choose though. Masterpiece!!



4. I love Southern Rock. For some reason, I hadn't listened that much to DBT til "Decoration Day" was playing in my local indie record shop.
   
   The first song was great, the second blew me away. I liked the CD enough that I paid a LOT more than Amazon charges here to get "Decoration Day" on the spot so I could take it with me and listen.
   
   I expected the nitty gritty and DBT opened up with "The Deeper In" a story about a 19-year-old girl who fell for an older brother she scarcely knew and then ran off with him.
   
   There are other common themes. "Sink Hole" talks about hard times and the bank's repossession of land that's been in the family for 5 generations:
   
   House has stood through five tornadoes,
   Droughts, floods, and five tornadoes.
   I'd rather wrastle an alligator than to face the Banker's scorn
   Cause he won't even look me in the eye
   He just takes my land and apologize,
   with pen, paper, and a friendly smile, he says the deed is done.
   
   Of course, we've got love and marriage. "Marry Me" offers a proposal that's maybe as good as it gets--at least it's real:
   
   So Marry Me, Sweet Thing won't you Marry Me
   Your Mama thinks I beat anything she's ever seen.
   This old town's alright with me, there's nowhere I'd rather be.
   Long as they stay mad at one another, they can't get mad at me
   
   "Sweet Annette" talks about a mistake with the maid of honor at an engagement party that causes Sweet Annette to get left at the altar.
   
   And, of course, the inevitable breakup--but what a different take focusing on the parents' feelings, too:
   
   I know your Daddy hates me, I know I'd probably hate me too.
   But, I also know you don't hate me, even though you'd probably like to and ought to.
   And it's a little too late for writing love songs, but I never did anything on time.
   Happiness on your big adventure.
   See you Darling down the line.
   
   Really, the CD's just a treatise on Southern life from the cradle to the grave.
   
   "Outfit" offers life advice that I suspect is the DBT credo:
   
   Don't call what your wearing an outfit. Don't ever say your car is broke.
   Don't sing with a fake British accent. Don't act like your family's a joke.
   Have fun, but stay clear of the needle, call home on your sister's birthday.
   Don't tell them you're bigger than Jesus, Don't give it away.



5. I just learned of the DBT's within the last 6 months, now they are one of my favorite bands. Combine Marshall Tucker, Asleep at the Wheel, maybe Jerry Jeff & you get the Drive-by's.
   
   Awesome lyrics, some very powerful songs mixed with some foot-stompers.

5 comments about Goodies.

1. Oh is hot. REAL hot.
   
   One Two Step is filler.
   
   Goodies is OK. The remix is OK.
   
   And I is OK, but she still can't sing.
   
   Don't buy this EVER.
   
   It's a complete waste of money. She has next to no talent. But her dance moves are exceptional.
   
   I would never EVER EVER EVER *EVER* go to her concerts because the ho can't sing.
   
   1.5 stars.



2. A girl whose singing is little more than breathing and humming at the same time, the mega-successful career of Ciara is another one of these unfortunate examples of why contemporary R&B has been all but flushed down the toilet. The "crunk" background of the title song is actually hypnotic, but only in a mind-numbing kind of way.



3. When I first saw the video for Ciara's first single, "Goodies," I instantly (and unfairly) dismissed her as another indistinguished pretty face with an okay voice, just capitalizing on the new fad of "crunk music." Oh, was I wrong! Not only did she garner extreme success with that single, but her album went on to go triple platinum. After almost two years of denying how catchy "1,2 Step" and "Oh" were, I finally caved in and bought this album and I'm glad I did.
   
   I'm not exactly sure why she was dubbed as the "princess of Crunk & B," because not one song other than "Goodies" falls into that category. (Marketing scheme, I suppose.) So as you can imagine, I was surprised with this mellow and fun album. Her voice is not anything special, but she works with what she has to a great effect. I commend her for her confidence and swagger. Not only did I love the previously released singles, (excluding the bland and sappy "And I") I enjoyed most of the album. My favorites actually weren't singles at all; "The Title" is a laid-back, summery mid-tempo and "Pick Up The Phone" is an infectious jam with creative lyrics. The production, mostly done by Jazze Pha, is good and most of the songwriting is great, also. Sure there are a few flaws and bland moments here and there, and no this is not the most deep music out there... but if you're looking for a fun and catchy album, you needn't look any further.



4. We all know that Ciara has a limited range and ballads are definitely not her strong points so right off the back that "And I" would be the worst track vocally. The rest of the album you could listen to when you're cleaning your house. But she's definitely growing as an artist so i do give her credit. The best tracks would be the singles that were released as well as " Thugstyle", "Hotline", and "The Title".



5. The best song on the album is Oh featuring Ludacris. The beat is insane and Luda's rap is on point.
   The hottest tracks are Goodies, 1, 2 Step, Thug Style, Hotline and the Goodies Remix.
   And I and Other Chicks are 2 sweet slow jams - her voice is so small but it fits with these songs.
   The other tracks are not as outstanding but are solid enough to round out an entertaining CD.