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Artist: Gregg Allman Title: "One More Try: An Anthology" Label: Chronicles/Capricorn Reviewed By: Bill Holmes Rating:

An impressive two disk set that aims to capture the soul of the man instead of the commercial success, "One More Try" is in many ways more unplugged than any "Unplugged" record on the market. Naked and skeletal, many of the thirty-four tracks are remastered demos that showcase the soulful and sometimes painful essence of the man many consider to be the pre-eminent white blues singer of his era. Allman's personal legacy is well-documented, from the heights of the "Allman Brothers Band" to the face-down-in-the-pasta Cher era. The liner notes by Alan Paul are excellent, detailing Gregg's musical journey in an observational yet not sycophantic tone. Although the text documents some of the musicians playing with Gregg on some of the cuts, there is no complete list on a track-by-track basis (considering how many different collaborations he has had, this would have been beneficial). Ah...the music! Some of these demos capture Allman in a pained, perhaps "altered" state, an eerie late-night smoky room sound that feels like it's taking place six feet in front of the listener. You can hear picks grating strings and in one case, a vibrating piano rattling ice cubes in a glass perched on top. The focus zeroes in on his voice, resonant and bluesy, crying and pained ("Multi Colored Lady," much slower than the released version, sounds like a suicide note set to music). One listen to "When A Man Loves A Woman" and Michael Bolton will buy a bus ticket out of town. Allman's piano playing is also spotlighted. His chops on "I Feel So Bad" and the first version of "One More Try" are reminders of just how good of a keyboard man he was and is. Southern funk, gritty R&B and Memphis soul smolder throughout, whether solo, or accompanied by some ringers (the several LAID BACK outtakes that feature the 25 year old Macon sessions are a highlight of the collection). My personal favorite is the collaboration with Buddy Miles and Johnny Winter, the six minute rip through "Wasted Words" that capture all three artists at a peak. Several covers are here including a unique take on the Lennon/McCartney song "Rain" (showing the yang to their psychedelic yin), and Clarence Carter's chestnut "Slip Away," along with the many different takes on album tracks. Although a fascinating insight into his career, by its very nature the tone of the record gets a little redundant along the two and a half hour journey and may lose its impact for the casual listener. Having two versions of some songs ("Will The Circle Be Unbroken," "Multicolored Lady") while skipping what is arguably his most commercial moment as a solo artist ("I'm No Angel") might be thought of as an odd move for an anthology. But for that very reason you can add a full star to the rating if you are already a big Allman fan (Brothers or otherwise), as most of these tracks have not seen the light of day in any authorized form, and certainly not in this pristine quality.

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