- Steve Alaimo --(1968)

- Duane Allman (RIP) - guitar (1967-68)

- Gregg Allman - vocals, guitar (1967-68)

- Scott Boyer -- vocals, guitar (1968)

- David Brown -- bass (1968)

- Jesse Carr - vocals, bass (replaced Mabron McKinney)

  (1968)

- Paul Hornsby - vocals, guitar, keyboards (1967-68)

- Mabron McKinney - bass (1967-68)

- Johnny Sandlin - drums (1967-68)

- Butch Trucks -- drums, percussion (1968)

- 31st of February

- Allman and Woman

- The Allman Brothers

- The Allman Joys

- Duane Allman (solo efforts)

- Gregg Allman (solo efforts)

- The BItter End (Scott Boyer)

- Cowboy (Steve Boyer)

- Derek & the Dominos (Duane Allman)

- The Hour Glass (Gregg and Duane Allman)

- The Houserockers

- The Tiffany System (Scott Boyer, David Brown and 

  Butch Trucks)  

Genre: rock

Rating: 4 stars ****

Tiitle:  Duane & Gregg Allman

Company: Bold

Catalog: 302

Year: 1972

Country/State: Florida

Grade (cover/record): VG / VG

Comments: gatefold sleeve; small cutout notch on top edge

Available: 1

GEMM catalog ID: 4955

Price: $20.00

I'm no Allman Brothers expert, but I'm pretty sure that these songs were recorded in 1968.  That reflects the timeframe following the collapse of Hourglass and Gregg and Duane's decision to return to their native Florida.  Back in Florida they started jamming with the band The 31st of February who'd  recorded an album for Vanguard and were starting work on a follow-on set.

Produced and compiled by Steve Alaimo, 1972's "Gregg and Duane Allman" captured the majority of material recorded for that projected follow-on LP.   

Now the good news - don't pay any attention to review you see that describe this as 'inconsequential' or 'juvenilia' pre-Allman Brothers debris.  This 1972 release may not match prime Allman Brothers, but still kicks the crap out of 99% of the competition.  To my ears these songs are a pure delight.  While there's only one Allman original (a killer early version of 'Melissa'), Gregg seldom sounded as sharp or involved with the material.  Duane's contributions were less obvious, but just as impressive.  Be sure to check out his solo on 'Well I Know Too Well'.  Like the earliest Allman Brothers catalog, exemplified by material such as 'Come Down and Get Me', 'Back Down Home with You' and 'Well I Know Too Well' the focus was on short and highly commercial songs.  The results were material simultaneously radio ready, yet heavy enough to appeal to FM fans.  While all nine songs were worth hearing highlights included the haunting Steve Alaimo composition 'God Rest His Soul' and the strange and atypical folk-rocker 'In the Morning When I'm Real'.  There was also a single: 'Morning Dew' b/w 'I'll Change For You' (Bold Records catalog number 45-200).

Duane & Gregg Allman" track listing:
(side 1)

1.) Morning Dew   (Tom Rose - B. Dobson) - 3:45

2.) God Rest His Soul   (Steve Alaimo) - 3:55

3.) Nobody Knows You When You're Down and Out   (Jimmie Cox) - 4:32

4.) Come Down and Get Me   (Ray Gerald) - 3:40

5.) Melissa   (Gregg Allman - Steve Alaimo) - 3:15

(side 2)
1.) I'll Change for You   (David Brown) - 2:57

2.) Back Down Home with You   (David Brown) - 2:25

3.) Well I Know Too Well   (Steve Alaimo) - 2:15

4.) In the Morning When I'm Real   (R. Pucetti) - 2:40

For you hardcore fans, there's a bootleg out there that includes most of this album and additional material - "The 'Original' Miami-Macon Sessions".

Genre: rock

Rating: *** (3 stars)

Title:  Gregg & Duane Allman

Company: Springboard

Catalog: SPB-4046

Year: 1973

Country/State: Florida

Grade (cover/record): VG/VG

Comments: --

Available: 1

GEMM catalog ID: 4408

Price: $10.00

Cost: $66.00

Cashing in on big name artists such as Cream, Jimmy Page and others, the early 1970s saw the Springboard label release some of the crappiest records of the decade.  With The Allman Brothers Band attracting considerable media attention and record sales, it was only natural that Springboard would turn it's corporate attention to Gregg and Duane.

Released in 1973, the cleverly-titled "Gregg & Duane Allman" collected nine tracks from the brothers two Hourglass releases (three from 1967's "The Hour Glass" and six from 1968's "Power of Love").  What made this set interesting was the fact most of the material (credited to 'Gregory Allman') was out-and-out excellent.  Offering up an engaging mixture of pop, rock and light psych, the Allmans' unique sound may not have been fully developed at this stage, but on songs such as 'I Can't Stand Alone' it was darn close.  Besides, Gregg's growling voice proved surprisingly well suited to more commercially oriented selections such as 'Changing of the Guard', 'I'm Not Afraid' and 'I Still Want Your Love' ...  the latter sported a great fuzz solo from Duane.   

In case anyone cares, I think this is the only Springboard product I've ever given a favorable review (let alone a three stars rating).

"Gregg & Duane Allman" track listing:
(side 1)

1.) No Easy Way Down   (Gerry Goffin - Carole King) - 3:18

2.) Got To Get Away   (Gregory Allman) - 2:11

3.) Silently   (Shannon - Bourgeoise) - 2:42

4.) Changing of the Guard   (Gregory Allman) - 2:32

5.) To Things Before   (Gregory Allman) - 2:29

(side 2)

1.) I'm Not Afraid   (Gregory Allman) - 2:41

2.) I Can't Stand Alone   (Gregory Allman) - 2:14

3.) I Still Want Your Love   (Gregory Allman) - 2:20

4.) Now Is the Time   (Gregory Allman) - 4:00