Search - Honeytribe :: Bootleg: Live in Florida

Yep, it's a bootleg, all right...

Baberufus | West Jordan, UT USA | 02/21/2008

(3 out of 5 stars)

"I thought bootlegs were illegal. When I saw "Bootleg" on the title, I thought it was just a tongue-in-cheek way of saying that it was a live album. But no, it's literally a bootleg unfortunately, soundwise anyway. Who knows what kind of arrangement was made with the "bootlegger" in Devon obtaining this recording. Why did Devon and Honeytribe allow this to be released as a legitimate album? The recording was obviously made by a fan using a portable device. I would have preferred that Honeytribe employ the proper equipment and technicians to make a live album. It doesn't cost an arm and a leg in order to do that these days. The sound quality is no better than your average bootleg. Very disappointed. If I were Devon, I would have thrown this recording in the garbage after forcing the bootlegger to hand it over!



That said, the performances are fantastic! Devon really lets it loose and wails, and his vocals are truly outstanding. He doesn't try to imitate his father's singing, which is a good idea, of course. Then again, during his vocal delivery of B.B. King's "Sweet Little Angel," you can hear some of Gregg in the ends of the vocal phrases--really cool! He leads a good tight band, too. The demo tracks feature considerably better sound quality, obviously, since they are from the studio. And actually, the last live track, "Mahalo," sounds pretty good--a lot better in quality than the rest of the live tracks. So all in all, I'm still glad I bought this download album. I'm also glad Amazon chose to reduce the price somewhat to $6.99 (I'm assuming $8.99 or $9.99 is a more common price for this kind of product. iTunes is selling this same download album for $9.99--shame on them!). I would give one star for the quality of most of the live tracks, but the performances bring this review up to 3 stars overall. The sound quality on the bootleg part isn't HORRIBLE--you can hear everything pretty well, but it's just distant and somewhat muffled, obviously, since it was recorded from the audience seating area. My main point is that the quality doesn't do any hi-fi stereo or ipod justice.



Boy, if this performance was recorded using REAL equipment, this album would be really something. Too bad they cheapened it like this with the bootleg quality.



Let's have a REAL live album, now, Devon!!! Looking forward to it....."

An impressive first effort...

Tony Sclafani | 02/08/2008

(4 out of 5 stars)

"Honeytribe

Bootleg: Live in Florida + Bonus Tracks



By Tony Sclafani



Longtime Allman Brothers devotees may know Devon Allman as the son of the legendary Gregg Allman. But if the younger Allman's band Honeytribe becomes as popular as it deserves to be, a new generation of listeners may soon know Gregg as the dad of rising star Devon. Honeytribe is a hot, blues-rock band and "Bootleg" is an impressive first effort, featuring a live set and some demos. The music is largely driven by Devon's fleet-fingered guitar playing, soul-drenched vocals, and first-rate songwriting.



As good as "Bootleg" is, it's not even a bona fide debut. It's been issued as a teaser before Honeytribe

releases its first official CD. Still, this disc is important because the in-concert cuts showcase the group's energetic-but-tight playing. Six live tracks were recorded by a fan at the Orlando, Florida Hard Rock Café in 2005. Honeytribe's set focuses mainly on catchy original blues ("Perfect World," "Sweet Little Angel"), but there's also jam numbers and a breezy rendition of Clarence Carter's soul chestnut "Slip Away." The low-fi sound brings out the energy.



The five demos that follow the live cuts are anything but an afterthought. Several sound like potential hit singles, especially the melancholy road ballad "When I Call Home" and the Isley Brothers-styled groove tune "Things You Never Stole" (both penned by Devon). Honeytribe has forged a distinctive sound by adding a dash of soul to their blues recipe. If their upcoming CD sounds as good as this, expect radio stations to soon be dishing out a taste of honey.



Originally published in Hittin' the Note issue #49.

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