Search - Allman Brothers :: Live at American University

Questionable release

RKL | Asheville, NC | 08/03/2005

(3 out of 5 stars)

"Stick with 'The Fillmore Concerts'. This from the vaults release is interesting but hardly a must-have. It's raw, gritty and sloppy in places and Gregg's vocals are way too loud. But Duane is on it and that's always reason to listen. The venue is odd and the mix even odder as explained in the liner notes. 7.5 IPS STEREO MASTER, yikes! One half soundboard the other half ambience mike, sheesh. It sounds exactly what is was: the band recorded in a gymnasium. Of course the disc has been 'normalised' and the high end is sorely lacking and the vocals may blow you out of the room they are so loud. The digital restoration must have been a nightmare. The songs are good choices but sound like practice runs for the Fillmore shows, some guitar solos sound distant thanks to the mix. I suppose the hard-core fan will want this but for serious fans, they may want to pass. 7 tracks/60.26."

FINDING A LOVE LETTER FROM LONG AGO

Crabby Apple Mick Lee | INDIANAPOLIS, IN USA | 08/09/2006

(4 out of 5 stars)

"With this album, we have all the makings of an arc that tracks the Allman Brothers Band monumental THE ALLMAN BROTHERS AT FILLMORE EAST. Beginning with LIVE AT LUDLOW GARAGE through LIVE AT THE ATLANTA INTERNATIONAL POP FESTIVAL and now AMERICAN UNIVERSITY 12/13/70 the listener can see a steady development in the band's chops and abilities that lead up to FILLMORE. Naturally, the Allman Brothers didn't just spring out of Flannery O'Connor's head whole and complete; but to many in the rock community that's how it appeared as FILLMORE landed on their turntables.



Most of us have little interest in how such and such band or song came to be. That understood this album provides another chances (excuse?) to listen to Duane Allman in his element once more. Reading the liner notes, a little bit of modern electronic wizardry was necessary to bring this album up to a presentable form. In that regard, the sound quality is surprisingly good considering the age of the original sources. On the down side, due to running out of recording tape on the reel, "Stormy Monday" is here in a much abbreviated form in which we miss out on Allman's guitar soloing on the balance of the song. now AMERICAN UNIVERSITY 12/13/70 is also shorter than previous offerings of early Allman Brothers live recordings.



Still the intensity and liveliness makes this a compelling document of a band we really only got to know briefly before Duane Allman's death. This is no substitute for THE ALLMAN BROTHERS AT FILLMORE EAST or EAT A PEACH. But for most of who love this band it is like finding a love letter from long ago you didn't even know you got.

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Want to hear Duane, get this cd

Allan | Redmond, WA | 01/21/2006

(4 out of 5 stars)

"1st, The Allman Brothers at Fillmore East release is probably the greatest rock live release ever so it is not to be compared against. That cd is extraordinary. It was great back in 1971 and is still great today. The sound quality of American University is good. But, the sound quality should not detract from what is going on with the music. We are able to listen to the Allman Brothers with Duane Allman.



We are lucky to have a release like this with Duane Allman. I hope we get more from the Bros.



I am listening to the cd for the 3rd time and let me tell you, it is the Allman Brothers. Don't Keep Me Wondering. Trouble no More. It is all there. Greg might be a little loud but he sounds great. Duane is screamin along with Dickey. The drums are banging and the blues a playin. Get this cd if you like the Allman Brothers.



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