This month we are going to devote a bit of electronic ink to some 1970s live rock recordings and some trends that are developing in that arena. One item of discussion will address the recently inaugurated labels by the Allman Brothers Band and Little Feat, each with the goal of releasing aural archival footage from early live shows. A bit of background may be gleaned from the recently completed series, The Ten Best Live Rock Recordings . Save that, we will then turn our attention to some of the new live jazz that has been recently released...

What the hell was I talking about? When I penned these words however many months ago, I intended to flesh this article out and publish it. I recently found it carefully hidden in the electrons and decided to add a bit to it.

The Allman Brothers Band
American University Washington, D.C. 12/13/70
Allman Brother Band Records
2002

It all started with The Grateful Dead. After thirty years on the road, the band started to release on their recorded live shows for public consumption. Now the Allman Brothers Band has added their two cents to the live mix with American University Washington, D.C. 12/13/70. Chronologically speaking, this live performance occurs after The Allman Brothers Band: Fillmore East, February 1970 (Grateful Dead 4063, 1996) and Live At Ludlow Garage, 1970 (Polydor 843260, 1993) and before The Fillmore Concerts (Polydor 517294, 1992). It is an interesting testament of a band on its way to the perfection of The Fillmore Concerts. The usual suspects are here: "Statesboro Blues," "You Don't Love Me," and "Whipping Post." The sound is acceptable and the disc serves as an idea of musical germination in exceptional musicians. Visit the Allman Brothers Band and Hitting The Note .

The Allman Brothers Band
Macon City Auditorium, 2/11/72
Allman Brother Band Records
2002

This release and the one above are numbers two and three in archival Allman Brothers Band releases. As fellow writer Doug Collette has already written a fine article on this recording, I will keep my words brief. This recording was made during the period following the death of Duane Allman before the band expanded to the staff found on Brothers and Sisters. The first thing that struck me was how good a slide guitarist Richard Betts is. "Statesboro Blues" is bearable without the fire Duane Allman brought to the piece. Also, Richard Betts proves to be a better lead guitarist than previously considered. His solos help the listener better understand Betts's role with Duane Allman on the Fillmore Concert discs and for an example, have a listen to 20 minutes of "You Don't Love Me.". Betts's value as a song writer is signed, sealed and delivered with his instrumental "Les Brers in A Minor." I suspect that this recording will become one of the most important in the Allman Canon.

Little Feat
Raw Tomatoes and Ripe Tomatoes
Hot Tomato 001
2002

Ditto Little Feat. These are the first two installments of what is promised to be a long line of live material. Aside from the shotgun presentation, the sonics are good and the live performances with and sans Lowell George are loud and exciting. Spans 30 years of the band's history. Visit the Little Feat and Hot Tomato Records .

Rory Gallagher
Irish Tour
Buddah 7446599650
1999

Remastered and crystalline in all of its beer-sodden glory, formerly Irish Tour, 1974 is back as bright as a new penny. The sound is greatly improved and the only shame about the release is that no additional tracks could be unearthed and included. I suspect that this quibble can be dampened by the fact that The BBC Sessions (Buddha 99649) was released in 1999. From the incendiary "Cradle Rock" to the Dorian "A Million Miles Away" to the relentless "Who's that Coming," Gallagher proved that he was the greatest Irish rocker. Gallagher's "I Wonder Who" is definitive. Visit the Rory Gallagher .

Jimmy Smith
Cool Blues
Blue Note RVG Edition 35587
2002

It is about time this gem was re-released and more than appropriate that it was released as a Rudy Van Gelder edition remaster. Small's Paradise, New York City, April 7, 1958. All selections are lengthy and the band cooks. Add Babs Gonzales's over the top introduction to "An Insane Night At Small's Paradise" and this is an instant classic. The front of Lou Donaldson and Tina Brooks make this a bluesfest. This recording is what the late 1950s Blue Note was all about. Long and well constructed jams reveal dense and pristine musicianship. Visit the Blue Note Records .

Dr. Robert Stewart
The Movement—Live At The World Stage
Exodus
2003