Allman Brothers Band: Where It All Begins

After some time off to deal with life, the Allman Brothers Band came back together to record the live studio album Where It All Begins. Where It All Begins was released in 1994 and was their eleventh studio album and the last studio album the group recorded with original guitarist Dickey Betts.

The record is solidly consistent, driven by the virtues of live recordings that lend themselves to spontaneity. Highlights include Greg Allman’s very honest drug song "All Night Train," the remake of Bo Didley’s "No One to Run With," and the track that we think is the best on the album, "Back Where It All Begins." Songs like “Soulshine” and “Sailin’ ‘Cross the Devil’s Sea” make this an album worth the listen.

I would not call this the best Allman Brothers record ever produced, but it is certainly better than most of their endeavors leading up to its release. The fact that the first four songs are reasonably good songs and what we’ve came to expect from Allman Brothers 2.0, it carries you far enough that you stick with it ‘til the end. The record finishes well and includes a few songs, such as “Mean Woman Blues” and “Temptation Is a Gun” that do a decent job of solidly finishing the record. Fans of this record may sense a hint of Gov’t Mule style. This is because Haynes and Woody were amid developing that band as a side project at the time this album was recorded.

TRACK LIST
1. All Night Train
2. Sailin’ ‘Cross the Devil’s Sea
3. Back Where It All Begins
4. No One To Run With
5. Change My Way of Living
6. Mean Woman Blues
7. Everybody’s Got a Mountain to Climb
8. What’s Done Is Done
9. Temptation Is a Gun

As far as this version is concerned, this record is a very good pressing. I say that with some hesitation, as I am not a huge Friday Music fan. This is primarily due to their inconsistent use of pressing facilities and master tapes. Some of their pressings are great. Others leave a bit to be desired. This is one of the better ones. The master was prepared for vinyl by Joe Reagoso and Mastered by Mike Placentini, which is why this is a good pressing. Placentini has won Grammy’s for his mastering. 💵
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