- 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)

- The Allman Brothers (Dickey Betts, Warren Haynes and

  Johnny Neel)

- Great Southern (Dickey Betts)

- Johnny Neel (solo efforts)

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

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 !)

"Highway Call" track listing:
(side 1)

1.) Long Time Gone (Richard Betts) - 4:26
2.) Rain (Richard Betts) - 3:40
3.) Highway Call (Richard Betts) - 4:26
4.) Let Nature Sing (Richard Betts) - 5:02

(side 2)

1.) Handpicked (instrumental) (Richard Betts) -14:16
2.) Kissimmee Kid (instrumental) (Vassar Clements) - 3:12

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

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
2.) Stone Cold Heart   (Dickey Betts - Warren Haynes - Johnny Neel) - 4:55
3.) Time To Roll   (Dickey Betts - Warren Haynes - Johnny Neel) - 4:59
4.) The Blues Ain't Nothin'   (Morrison - Johnny Neel) - 3:28
5.) Heartbreak Line   (Dickey Betts) - 4:53

(side 2)

1.) Duane's Tune (instrumental)   (Dickey Betts) - 5:56
2.) Under The Guns Of Love   (Dickey Betts - Lawler - Johnny Neel) - 5:56
3.) C'est La Vie   (DIckey Betts -  Johnny Neel) - 4:46
4.) Far Cry   (Morrison - Warren Haynes - Johnny Neel) - 3:59
5.) Loverman   (Dickey Betts) - 4:46