Betts, Richard
Band members Related acts
- Matt Abts - drums, backing vocals (1988) - Richard 'Dickey' Betts - vocals, lead guitar - Warren Haynes - guitar. vocals (1988) - Johnny Neel - keyboards, vocals (1988) - Marty Privette - bass, backing vocals (1988)
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- The Allman Brothers (Dickey Betts, Warren Haynes and Johnny Neel) - Great Southern (Dickey Betts) - Johnny Neel (solo efforts)
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Genre: rock Rating: *** (3 stars) Title: Highway Call Company: Capricorn Catalog: CPN-0123 Year: 1973 Country/State: US Grade (cover/record): VG/VG Comments: minor ring wear Available: 1 GEMM catalog ID: 4428 Price: $7.00 Cost: $66.00
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The Allman
Brothers' massive mid-1970s successes led lead guitarist Dickey Betts to
strike out in pursuit of a parallel solo career. Released by Capricorn (the
Allmans' label), 1974's "Highway Call"
was co-produced by Betts and Johnny Sandlin. Hardly a major surprise,
propelled by Bett's instantly recognizable voice and guitar, musically the
set sounded much like an Allman's product. Exemplified by tracks such as
"Let Nature Sing" and the extended instrumental
"Handpicked" the results were a little more country oriented than
the Allman's catalog. Still, Betts laconic voice and instantly recognizable
guitar made for a pleasant experience. Perhaps because it was so laidback,
it remains as one of the best Allman solo projects. The album proved a major
seller, peaking at # 19. (be sure to check out the back panel photo of Reba
Rambo - great hair !) 1.) Long Time
Gone (Richard Betts) - 4:26 (side 2) 1.) Handpicked
(instrumental) (Richard Betts) -14:16
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Genre: rock Rating: ** (2 stars) Title: Pattern Disruptive Company: Epic Catalog: FE 44289 Year: 1988 Country/State: US Grade (cover/record): VG/VG Comments: small promo stamp on back cover; original inner sleeve Available: 1 GEMM catalog ID: 4429 Price: $8.00 Cost: $66.00
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1988's "Pattern Disruptive" was released amidst another schism within the Allman Brothers Band. Credited to 'The Dickey Betts Band' (consisting of drummer Matt Abts, lead guitarist Warren Haynes, keyboardist Johnny Neel and bassist Marty Privette), this is one you either love, or detest. I find myself falling in the latter category. Mind you, there's nothing wrong with AOR material such as 'Rock Bottom', 'Stone Cold Heart' and 'Heartbreak Line'. Had a band like Loverboy or Whitehead released it, the album would have drawn universal acclaim and massive sales. Unfortunately, that's the problem here. Betts is such a gifted singer, songwriter and guitarist that it's a gigantic disappointment hearing him cater to the lowest common denominator. Tracks such as 'Time To Roll' and 'Under The Guns Of Love' are certainly commercial (in a late-1980s fashion), but everything here sounds overly calculated. Even the instrumental 'Duane's Tune' (probably the stand out tune), sounds like it was added with the express purpose of selling another 10,000 copies. Geez, it's almost as if Betts decided he wanted to run a 'hair band'. Elsewhere, Allman Brothers drummer Butch Trucks guested, while Haynes and Neel both went on to join a late edition version of the Allman Brothers.
"Pattern Disruptive" track listing: (side 1) 1.) Rock
Bottom (Dickey Betts - Warren Haynes - Johnny Neel) - 5:42 (side 2) 1.)
Duane's Tune (instrumental) (Dickey Betts) - 5:56
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