It's hard to believe that Duane Allman has been dead longer than he ever was alive. As far as 24 year olds go, he's left a helluva legacy. When I think about that, I'm profoundly saddened at the loss of such a gifted musician, completely awed by the fact he did all that before hitting a quarter century, and a little disgusted at myself for not doing anything of any significance at nearly 35 years of age. Maybe that's overstating the case a bit, but jesus christ some people really manage to accomplish a lot in a very short period of time. And one is left to ponder the usual cliche of what would have been had he managed to live on. What else would he have done? Would he decide that riding a motorcycle was dumb and he then convinces Berry Oakley of the same, and he also remains with us? Would the Allman Brothers Band have grown significantly greater as evidenced by the incredible Live at the Fillmore? What about solo work? Continued genius or slow fade? Further, could he have convinced his brother not to marry Cher? Would he have Jason Patric killed in Rush instead of Gregg? I mean, the questions are limitless really. The Anthology I and II set does an excellent job of covering the truly great work of Duane Allman. The contributions he put forth in rock, country and soul really are awe-inspiring for someone so young. After listening to these sets I'm inspired to go and do something meaningful, but I'll probably just go pour another drink and play this again. Meaningful is a very relative term.
Anthology I
1. B.B. King Medley: Sweet Little Angel/It's My Own Fault/How Blue ... - The Hour Glass
2. Hey Jude - Wilson Pickett
3. The Road of Love - Clarence Carter
4. Goin' Down Slow
5. The Weight - Aretha Franklin
6. Games People Play - King Curtis
7. Shake for Me - Jr. John Hammond
8. Loan Me a Dime - Boz Scaggs
9. Rollin' Stone - Johnny Jenkins
10. Livin' on the Open Road - Delaney & Bonnie & Friends
11. Down Along the Cove - Johnny Jenkins
12. Please Be With Me - Cowboy
13. Mean Old World - Eric Clapton, Duane Allman
14. Layla - Derek & the Dominos
15. Statesboro Blues - The Allman Brothers Band
16. Don't Keep Me Wonderin' - The Allman Brothers Band
17. Stand Back - The Allman Brothers Band
18. Dreams - The Allman Brothers Band
19. Little Martha - The Allman Brothers Band
Anthology II
1. Happily Married Man - Duane Allman
2. It Ain't Fair - Aretha Franklin
3. The Weight - King Curtis
4. You Reap What You Sow - Otis Rush
5. Matchbox - Ronnie Hawkins
6. Born To Be Wild - Wilson Pickett
7. No Money Down - Duane Allman
8. Been Gone Too Long - The Hourglass
9. Stuff You Gotta Watch - Arthur Conley
10. Dirty Old Man - Lulu
11. Push Push - Herbie Mann
12. Walk On Gilded Splinters - Johnny Jenkins
13. Waiting For A Train - Boz Scaggs
14. Don't Tell Me Your Troubles - Ronnie Hawkins
15. Goin' Upstairs - Sam Samudio
16. Come On In My Kitchen - Delaney and Bonnie
17. Dimples - The Allman Brothers Band
18. Goin' Up the Country - The Duck and the Bear
19. Done Somebody Wrong - The Allman Brothers Band
20. Leave My Blues at Home - The Allman Brothers Band
21. Midnight Rider - The Allman Brothers Band
