Been listening to the Allman Brothers compilation box set, "Dreams" and I really need to get their first 4 studio albums as well as the Live at Fillmore East album. You always hear how they were one of the greatest rock bands ever and you won't get an argument on that from me but that they along with Lynyrd Skynyrd were the "definitive" Southern rock bands. So, question is - who was the greater Southern rock band - Allmans or Skynyrd? I am going to go with the Allmans simply because of "In Memory of Elizabeth Reed".
I think it would be blasphemy for me to put Skynyrd ahead of the Allman Brothers. Duane and Berry are buried right down the road from where I work.
IMO a better poll would have been the ABB vs the Black Crowes. Yes TBC owe a huge debt to the Allmans but they Crowes have carved out their own place and history and from 92-97 there was no one, no one who could touch them live. And most of that had to do with Marc F'in Ford on lead guitar. If you've heard of him look him up cause that dude is up there with Gilmore, Hendrix, Page and Beck as one of the all time greats. All in the same week in Rocktober will be TBC at the House of Blues on the 12th and the Allmans at the Woodlands on the 17th. That is a good as it gets right there! Anyone in town should come down and get a first hand lesson of what real rock n roll is!
Amorica is one of the most underrated and great albums of all time. I saw them on their tour for this album in 1995 (I think) at the International Ballroom. The Dirty Dozen Brass Band opened. I'm fairly certain I had a religious experience that night.
You got to remember, though, that I am not very familiar with the Allmans. I probably should have worded this more as "Who Did You Like More" than "Who Was Better?" I think almost everyone would agree that the Allmans were the better band from a technical standpoint compared to Skynyrd.
Yeah you did and so did I. I have been part of the flock since 92, they are one of the great American bands. They have numerous B sides that are of very high quality. But they're putting out a new album on mostly country rock songs next week. With one exception the song I Ain't Hiding which sounds like a Blondie out take mixed with disoc Kiss. Oh, the new one has a song called Houston Don't Dream About Me, which is an anti-Houston song! Lol figgin' lol!!
Lynyrd Skynyrd. But the Allman Brothers are very close. Anyone that says the Allman Brothers band are much, much superior- well, in my opinion that's a ridiculous statement. Really, we're not talking about the Allman Brothers vs. Blackfoot or the Ozark Mountain Daredevils. We're talking about Skynyrd, and no matter how much Free Bird, Sweet Home Alabama, or their other songs have been played out on the radio, I don't think anyone can deny the impact they've had on music. Those 2 songs alone are among the most iconic songs in rock today. Aesthetically, maybe the Allmans with Fillmore, Eat a Peach, and Brothers & Sisters, but I'm not really fond of the Allman's output post-1975, whereas all 6 Skynyrd CDs are classics. And if we're going to talk pure musicianship, well, then, Deep Purple is far, far superior to The Ramones. But as much as I like Machine Head, I'm taking the Ramones any day over Deep Purple. It's not only about technical brilliance, it's about great songs, and I'd venture to say Skynyrd has put out its fair share of classics, as has the ABs But, please, this is not a hands-down winner thing. This is a close, close comparison- anyone that debates Skynyrd's value needs to seriously listen to The Ballad of Curtis Lowe, All I Can Do Is Write About It, On The Hunt, That Smell, Was I Right or Wrong, and Working for the MCA. And I know I'll tick a lot of people off, so I apologize beforehand because I can understand the love for the Crowes. But Skynyrd is definitely better than the Black Crowes. The Crowes have a few very good CDs and some great songs, but Skynyrd's playlist of great songs and CDs is more extensive than the Crowes. (ducks for cover)
Fillmore East is a top 10 all-timer for me, probably the album I have listened to the most times in the last 38 years. It is improvisational jazz in a Southern Rock format. For a studio album I recommend Idlewilde South. Duane was still alive and it has probably the opening track .. ever.
I'm not gonna say "they both suck". but that was a different time and niether are of my particular groove.
You can't just listen to the Crowes studio albums, their live shows are up with the Dead and the Allmans. Different sets everynite, covers and rare cuts mixed in, mind you this was 92-97 and 05-09. I am sorry if it's snobbish but when I think of Skynyrd I see PWT.
