The Allman Brothers In Print: From Start To Finish
A couple of months ago, I wrote a piece called The Allman Brothers Are Calling It Quits. It was so well received that I decided to try another one (heavy sarcasm).
Besides all the lovely comments, it is now my second most read blog. When I saw this book, 'One Way Out: The Inside History of The Allman Brothers Band", I knew I had to read and review it.
First off, the author is Alan Paul. He's a senior writer at Guitar World magazine. He's covered the ABB for 25 years. There's no question he loves these guys.
Now on to the book. Most rock and roll books have a formula. You hear about their childhood, how they discovered the love for music, their first instruments, their first bands. Then comes the good stuff.
How the famous band got together. How they suffered until they made it big. How money changed them. Fighting about money. Drugs and women. Death. More drugs and women. Rehab. Getting through all of that to survive and thrive.
Almost all rock books are 300 pages of the old VH-1 show "Behind The Music". This one is too.
But this book has one difference. It's not just an author's take. It's not just a band member's take. In this book you hear from everyone.
The book is done chronologically and instead of narrative, you hear from the band members (old and new), the crew, record management, the women...almost everyone involved in The ABB organization.
There's only one voice missing, Duane Allman (I even spelled his name correctly this time). Even though you don't read his words, you can feel his spirit on every page.
You feel the pain of his loss. You feel his vision for the band. You feel how everyone wants to live up to the standards he set. It's as if they don't want to disappoint him, even though he's been dead since 1971. That's true for the original members through the current band.
"One Way Out" is a terrific book. That's because it's a terrific story. While it's not exactly "can't put it down", it comes pretty close. It truly is the inside history of The Allman Brother's Band.
Hey....I now am on Twitter. Yeah I broke down. check me out @howardmoore611