The The Ballistic Brothers V The Eccentric Afro's

Whereas most great live rock albums are about energy, At Fillmore East is like a great live jazz session, where the pleasure comes from the musicians' interaction and playing. The great thing about that is, the original album that brought the Allmans so much acclaim is as notable for its clever studio editing as it is for its performances. Producer Tom Dowd skillfully trimmed some of the performances down to relatively concise running time (edits later restored on the double-disc set The Fillmore Concerts), at times condensing several performances into one track.

Whereas most great live rock albums are about energy, At Fillmore East is like a great live jazz session, where the pleasure comes from the musicians' interaction and playing. The great thing about that is, the original album that brought the Allmans so much acclaim is as notable for its clever studio editing as it is for its performances. Producer Tom Dowd skillfully trimmed some of the performances down to relatively concise running time (edits later restored on the double-disc set The Fillmore Concerts), at times condensing several performances into one track.

The Grigoryan Brothers' album 'The Seasons' comprises twelve movements characterising the twelve months of the year. Originally written by Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky for solo piano, 'The Seasons' has been arranged for two guitars by Slava and Leonard's father Edward. The transition of a piece from solo piano to guitar duo is rare with Russian piano music and this arrangement is stunning, retaining the full essence of Tchaikovsky's masterpiece, while presenting it in a totally different setting and giving it a new voice.

The Grigoryan Brothers' album 'The Seasons' comprises twelve movements characterising the twelve months of the year. Originally written by Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky for solo piano, 'The Seasons' has been arranged for two guitars by Slava and Leonard's father Edward. The transition of a piece from solo piano to guitar duo is rare with Russian piano music and this arrangement is stunning, retaining the full essence of Tchaikovsky's masterpiece, while presenting it in a totally different setting and giving it a new voice.

Whereas most great live rock albums are about energy, At Fillmore East is like a great live jazz session, where the pleasure comes from the musicians' interaction and playing. The great thing about that is, the original album that brought the Allmans so much acclaim is as notable for its clever studio editing as it is for its performances. Producer Tom Dowd skillfully trimmed some of the performances down to relatively concise running time (edits later restored on the double-disc set The Fillmore Concerts), at times condensing several performances into one track.

This might be the best debut album ever delivered by an American blues band, a bold, powerful, hard-edged, soulful essay in electric blues with a native Southern ambience. Some lingering elements of the psychedelic era then drawing to a close can be found in "Dreams," along with the template for the group's on-stage workouts with "Whipping Post," and a solid cover of Muddy Waters' "Trouble No More." There isn't a bad song here, and only the fact that the group did even better the next time out keeps this from getting the highest possible rating.

This might be the best debut album ever delivered by an American blues band, a bold, powerful, hard-edged, soulful essay in electric blues with a native Southern ambience. Some lingering elements of the psychedelic era then drawing to a close can be found in "Dreams," along with the template for the group's on-stage workouts with "Whipping Post," and a solid cover of Muddy Waters' "Trouble No More."