Gregg AllmanRecensioni

The only thing good about this book was his discussion about music and the changing music scene in his era. He could have said what he had to say in 1/3 of the book and it would have been important.

I purchased My Cross to Bear, by Gregg Allman at a library-sponsored used book sale about four or five years ago. I wasn't sure I was going to like this book but for $1.50 it was worth the try. It is surprisingly folksy and readable.

I started listening to the Allman Brothers in 1971, when I started listening to WNEW-FM. A friend of mine introduced me to Gregg Allman's solo music during the summer of 1979, with the album "Laid Back." My favorite song of his, on that album, "These Days" (written by Jackson Browne), is still going through my head..

"My Cross to Bear" is an illustration, even "Exhibit "A" of the Neil Young song, "Needle (or bottle) and the Damage Done." Many of the musicians, including Gregory (as he preferred to be called) were so intelligent and talented. The self-destruction in their lives was, simply put, a waste. The drugs were in the culture. It was known, early on, that they were destructive.

The life of a touring and performing musician often does not blend well with domesticity. It made hard but compelling reading.

All the same, the book gave me a new appreciation of his music, and the music that blossomed in the fertile days of the late 1960's and early 1970's. It is a testament to his talent that he remained a performer through the early 2010's. He was great. The book was near-great and I'm glad I picked it up after some false starts.

1 I'm No Angel
Written-By – Phil Palmer, Tony Colton
3:42
2 Anything Goes
Arranged By [Horn Arrangement] – Eric White
Horns – The 4 MW Horns
Written-By – Gregory L. Allman*
4:12
3 Evidence Of Love
Lead Vocals [Co-Lead Vocals] – Don Johnson
Tenor Saxophone – Ed Calle
Written-By – Chris Farren, Steve Diamond
4:34
4 Yours For The Asking
Written-By – Dan Toler, David Toler*, Gregory L. Allman*
3:16
5 Things That Might Have Been
Written-By – Dan Toler, Gregory L. Allman*
4:26
6 Can't Keep Running
Written-By – Martin Briley, Michael Bolton
4:02
7 Faces Without Names
Written-By – Dan Toler, Gregory L. Allman*
3:36
8 Lead Me On
Written-By – Dan Toler, Gregory L. Allman*
4:44
9 Don't Want You No More
Written By – Spencer Davis
Written-By – Eddie Hardin
2:31
10 It's Not My Cross To Bear
Written-By – Gregory L. Allman*
5:37
Credits:
Bass Guitar, Backing Vocals – Bruce Waibel
Drums – David "Frankie" Toler
Guitar – Dan Toler
Keyboards, Backing Vocals – Tim Hedding
Organ [Hammond B-3], Acoustic Guitar, Lead Vocals – Gregg Allman
Percussion – Chaz Trippy

Självbiografi skriven av en av mina favoritmusiker, Gregg Allman, tillsammans med författaren Alan Light. Boken är underhållande med härliga "inside-stories", detaljerade beskrivningar om Allmans uppgång och fall i sitt privatliv, men även med sitt band, The Allman Brothers Band. Om man gillar The Allman Brothers Band så är denna bok ett måste!

Enjoyable book about his life.

ebook version

Definitely two less stars if you're not a fan. But if you are a fan then Gregg's behind the scenes story of life in the Allmans and his dealings with drugs, alcohol and death of friends and family really gives you the full picture. The writing does fly all over as Gregg easily tangents off on side stories and thoughts. Maybe when Dickey Betts penned Ramblin Man he was really writing about Gregg's book writing style.

Interesting is what goes into writing a song, his dealing with death and just how much effort and dedication goes into making it in music. Another point that surprised me was that the money didn't really start rolling in until after Duane died. Not that his death contributed to it, but just terrible timing as it is evident from Gregg that the only reason he made it was because Duane really believed the dream and pushed them both so hard.

As some of you may know, I’m a big Allman Brothers Band fan. Not the biggest, but big enough. I’ve seen Gregg perform solo a good number of times and the Allman Brothers Band pretty much regularly at the Beacon Theater in New York. So Gregg’s autobiography was a must read, regardless of the reviews, which were pretty good.

My Cross to Bear is an interesting read. It’s like sitting in Gregory’s (his real friends call him Gregory, not Gregg) living room over a cup of coffee (since he’s alcohol/drug free) and listening to him ramble on about his life, his brother, his wives, bandmates, etc. He doesn’t ‘diss’ anyone nor does he reveal any major revelations. His alcohol and drug abuse, as well as that of his bandmates, made for a turbulent life.

However, My Cross to Bear is more notable for what it doesn’t say. Searching for Simplicity is far and away Gregg’s best solo album as well as, in my humble opinion, one of the best blues albums around. It apparently is one that Gregg’s proud of as well. Yet there’s scant mention of it and there’s no mention of why he never plays songs from it in his concerts. Hittin’ the Note is the best (and only) Allman Brothers album produced recently and he barely mentions it, other than to say Jaimoe came up with the title from one of Berry Oakley’s pet phrases.

While My Cross to Bear is a must for Allman Brothers fans, I’d rather have heard less about the tos and fros of his travels and more about the making of some of the best music we’ll ever hear.½