31 Comments
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sandracwyatt's avatar

Love that you highlight this song every year on this holiday MLK Day !!! such a beautiful song, a fabulous tribute. I hate that it never got its due. Thx again!!

Thea Wood's avatar

Love the quote about the flag. And am now watching the mountaintop speech. Thanks!

Alan Paul's avatar

Welcome and awesome. Every year i feel good if I get a couple of people to watch that, so win!

Kevin L Bazur's avatar

Excellent. Thanks Alan. I remember when we high school kids and got turned on to the Allman Brothers Band.

We were amazed this group was from the South, the deep south and had long hair and a black dude was in the band. Very cool we thought.

Many years later I was at the Ethical Culture Center enjoying one of the shows by Dickie and GS. At the end, as Dickie was leaving someone pushed a Confederate flag on him, asking him to sign it. Dickie turn his back on the guy and walked away.

KB

Alan Paul's avatar

I was at that show. Dickey was the most politically liberal of them all, I believe, which is shocking to most people.

Kevin L Bazur's avatar

Those were great shows Alan!

I believe this particular one sold out. KB

Alan Paul's avatar

Yeah. Pretty small room. At least one of them was pretty epic. I think it was 2014. Right around the final Beacon shows.

Kevin L Bazur's avatar

One more comment...I use the word "progressive" rather than "liberal" these days. The Republi-cons succeeded in making "Liberal" a negative term, as they enjoy their social security, clean air and water, 40 hour work week, National Parks, (the fuckin weekend!) all born of lib...er...progressive thought. Have a good week Alan and here's to MLK Jr. a leader whose advice and honesty we sadly miss. KB

Dean R's avatar

Thanks for sharing Paul! I lived in Newark, N.J. and so I lived thru the race riots in the days after MLK assassination my block was white and they were looking to fight with blacks I was just 8 years old and had black friends in grammar school my folks explained best to treat people how they treat you not by the color of the skin thankfully.

Praying some day we get to the Promised Land!

Skenny's avatar

I may have overlooked, and allow that it may be restricted, but is a copy of your liner notes available, Alan?

Alan Paul's avatar

No. I can share them here I guess. It's very track by track, so most of it would feel kind of hollow disassociated from the music, i think. I have plundered the carcass and reused some of my favorite lines and concepts from it in subsequent writing.

Skenny's avatar

Makes sense. It would lack context without the associated tracks. Thanks.

Larry Ogintz's avatar

Another reason the Allman Brothers were special! Thanks for sharing this, Alan

Karen Thomas White's avatar

It is such a powerful song and one that I still listen to. Thanks for the great article.

The Sonic Road Podcast's avatar

An early gem from Allman. Killer song.

Rose Brandt's avatar

♥️

Carl Richard's avatar

Happy MLK Day!!!

David Aplin's avatar

Good on Greg. Unlike Steve Alaimo he had principles and lived up to them. Thanks for posting, great writing

Alan Paul's avatar

Thank you.

Rick's avatar

Is there any possibility that Gregg ever performed God Rest his Soul live? It’s such a moving song, but perhaps he felt it was too personal. The fact that he recorded it three times, albeit as demos, indicates that he did want it heard.

Alan Paul's avatar

To the best of my knowledge he never performed it live. I agree with the rest of your thoughts.

Stan Taylor's avatar

All-Men Brother's & Sister's.

Marjorie Lewis's avatar

Thanks for this. LOVE the quote about the flag, wish my favorite band felt that way. LOL.

Marjorie Lewis's avatar

and i just bought the CD after hearing Gregg sing that song.

Mike Wicklein's avatar

Thanks Alan...I did a piece on my Substack about the day the MLK Monument was dedicated in DC.

Alan Paul's avatar

Will have a look.

Debra Devi's avatar

This is beautiful, Alan, thank you. I was born in Jacksonville FL and grew up hearing grandparents and cousins casually use the N-word like it was nothing. The Allman Brothers were brave and progressive as hell.