Gregg Allman .......I cannot believe it has been 5 years.

Is it me? I admit that Southern Rock, and Rock in general, has not been my preferred genre for many years; and I’m certainly no guitar-God connoisseur. However, I grew up with and loved ABB and have always followed their players and the genre kinda peripherally. I’ll probably always have a soft spot for the music. Having said all that, while I recognize what a fine player Derek Trucks is, I’m always left a bit cold by his playing. The guy has obviously listened to Jazz players and in some ways is more stylistically “interesting” than other Rock players; his phrasing in particular seems to be informed by that of Jazz players. However, there is a coolness and detachment in his playing that always leaves me wanting more; wanting a little more fire and grit. It’s like I want to like him more than I actually do.

Thoughts?

Saw Gregg a number of times post AM. always very nice shows. I love nearly all genres and eras of music,its likely majority of music I listen to is from artists no longer with us. I know about the life tragedies of many of these artists, may bring about greater insight into lyrics, which can sometimes have emotional effect upon me. Still, in the end, death is necessary to life, the artist leaves a living legacy in their music, and we can experience at least a part of that life on audio systems that present them as flesh and blood performers.

“I’m no angel” and “Just before the bullet fly”  are the 2 most endearing albums (CD’s) in my collection.  I cruised many nights listening to both of those and also played along to them on my B3. 

What a great era of talent that we grew up with….

I crossed paths with Gregg in the late-90’s. It was about 10:30 A.M., in the Tower Records on Venture Blvd. in Sherman Oaks, California (the same blvd. upon which Tom Petty saw vampires moving west ;-). From across the store’s floor I heard a raspy voice bellow "HEY, LONG HAIR!" I turned around (I was indeed a long hair, the only one in the store), and saw Gregg, leaning against what appeared to be an assistant, who was preventing him from falling on his ass. Gregg was completely smashed, at 10:30 in the morning.

I walked over to him and stuck out my hand, and he reciprocated, his hand shaking mine. He was at a loss for words, so I just said "Nice to meet ya", and turned and walked away. I don’t know if he was already drunk, or still drunk from the night before, not yet having been to bed. I suspect the latter.