The surprising secret at the heart of Gregg Allman’s blues-rock music: He was really a folkie soul singer. A personal remembrance - playlist included -on the fourth anniversary of his death.
yes. soul.he has one of those voices that i can't ever get enough of. you articulated this in such a lovely way. thanks for the playlist. been listening all morning as i plant muhly grass down here in sunny and way too dry florida.the road goes on forever, no?
Man, what a great piece! You're right, I never thought of him as folk singer, but he was just that, along with being one of the greatest R & B singers that ever lived. Enjoyed your play list too. I've got several Allman Brothers Spotify Playlists, I'll add yours too, thanks!
Alan-great stories. As a huge fan as well, I’m a little jealous of your access. But I also appreciate your willingness to share those stories. Keep them coming!
Enjoyed this article. My late husband was the stage technician for Gregg during the "I'm no Angle" tour. Michael (" Louie the Lip") at times would play harmonica with the band. Michael told me Gregg was his happiest when he was playing music. It did not matter if it was for one person or a crowd of many. Music was his purpose. 🎙🎤🎸🎹🎶🎷🎼🎵
I met Gregg backstage after the Allman Brothers closed out the Telluride Mid-Summer Music Festival in 1991. He was a gentleman and I miss him and his music dearly. Thanks Alan for a great article. I look forward to the release of your new book on the Allman Brothers Band this summer (2023).
Thanks for this and the song! I have been a fan of Gregg's and the ABB for a very long time. His music and his voice... just cut right through me. Your sentiment in this paragraph is sticking with me too. "People talk about the concept of a musician having soul as if it were a phenomenon too complicated to grasp or explain. It is not. A performer has soul when he or she plays music because they feel compelled to do so, when he or she feels as if it is coming from another place and passing through them. Music has soul when it reminds listeners that they have one by stirring something within them, touching them somewhere deeper than their head. Music with soul doesn’t just entertain — it speaks. And it doesn’t just speak; it has something to say"
I thanked you four years ago for writing this piece, sharing your times over the years with Gregg and thank you for sharing it again. Audience of one, for Come and Go Blues. Priceless.
Alan thanks for writing this. It’s hard to believe it’s been four years already. Your articles keep the music going. You are so lucky to have had the chance to interview Gregg do many times. He was amazing. You bring him to life for many of us who never actually met him- that is your gift.
Thanks for sharing your stories and insight with us. Gregg, his voice and his music will always be a big part of my life.
Beautiful piece (and video I’ve never seen before)-thank you for sharing! Definitely needed this today. This goes in my permanent Gregg file❤️
yes. soul.he has one of those voices that i can't ever get enough of. you articulated this in such a lovely way. thanks for the playlist. been listening all morning as i plant muhly grass down here in sunny and way too dry florida.the road goes on forever, no?
Alan, beautiful words on a day I am remembering the voice that moves me every day. Gregg was and still is my favorite. Thank you ❤️
Thanks as always...stories are amazing. You have lived a charmed life!
Man, what a great piece! You're right, I never thought of him as folk singer, but he was just that, along with being one of the greatest R & B singers that ever lived. Enjoyed your play list too. I've got several Allman Brothers Spotify Playlists, I'll add yours too, thanks!
You're welcome. Thanks Sean. Glad you enjoyed.
I needed this today. Thank you for sharing your stories.
XO
Fantastic stories! The quarter thing is a trip...I’ve never heard of anyone doing that!
Do you recall if he used a plastic or metal thumbpick along with the metal fingerpicks on Index and Middle? A long time ago I know!
Also, Flo & Eddie had a talk show?!
I know. I believe they were all metal, but I wouldn't swear under oath.
I was hoping we would hear from you today. Thanks for sharing.
Thanks for reading.
Wow, that masterful acoustic performance is stunning - thank you for that and these great stories about Gregg.
Thanks Debra and you're welcome!
Alan-great stories. As a huge fan as well, I’m a little jealous of your access. But I also appreciate your willingness to share those stories. Keep them coming!
Thanks. I think I've always remembered that any of these experiences I've had were in the service of all of you, readers. I'm a scribe.
Enjoyed this article. My late husband was the stage technician for Gregg during the "I'm no Angle" tour. Michael (" Louie the Lip") at times would play harmonica with the band. Michael told me Gregg was his happiest when he was playing music. It did not matter if it was for one person or a crowd of many. Music was his purpose. 🎙🎤🎸🎹🎶🎷🎼🎵
Thanks for sharing that info. Michael was correct about Gregg.
I met Gregg backstage after the Allman Brothers closed out the Telluride Mid-Summer Music Festival in 1991. He was a gentleman and I miss him and his music dearly. Thanks Alan for a great article. I look forward to the release of your new book on the Allman Brothers Band this summer (2023).
Thank you. so excited for the book.
Thanks for this and the song! I have been a fan of Gregg's and the ABB for a very long time. His music and his voice... just cut right through me. Your sentiment in this paragraph is sticking with me too. "People talk about the concept of a musician having soul as if it were a phenomenon too complicated to grasp or explain. It is not. A performer has soul when he or she plays music because they feel compelled to do so, when he or she feels as if it is coming from another place and passing through them. Music has soul when it reminds listeners that they have one by stirring something within them, touching them somewhere deeper than their head. Music with soul doesn’t just entertain — it speaks. And it doesn’t just speak; it has something to say"
I thanked you four years ago for writing this piece, sharing your times over the years with Gregg and thank you for sharing it again. Audience of one, for Come and Go Blues. Priceless.
Thanks Tim. I digitized a lot of my old interview cassettes during this last year and that was one of them. It was as spectacular as I thought.
Alan thanks for writing this. It’s hard to believe it’s been four years already. Your articles keep the music going. You are so lucky to have had the chance to interview Gregg do many times. He was amazing. You bring him to life for many of us who never actually met him- that is your gift.