I generally find it pretty cool when an artist has the guts to record a new version of one of their signature songs. A great example I can think of in this context is Eric Clapton and his fantastic unplugged remake of Layla. According to Wikipedia, it was that version that prompted Red Dog, longtime roadie for The Allman Brothers Band, to suggest to Gregg Allman that he re-record Whipping Post.
And so Allman did and included the new version on his sixth studio album Searching For Simplicity from November 1997. While it’s perhaps not quite as compelling as Layla, I dig the funky groove of this remake. Undoubtedly, the above clip was captured much more recently than 1997, though I don’t know when. You can also see why Allman was so proud of his backing band. These guys were just dynamite!
Originally, Whipping Post appeared on the Allmans’ eponymous first studio album released in November 1969. The tune wasn’t Allman’s first signature song re-recording. On his debut solo album Laid Back from October 1973, he included a cool new version of Midnight Rider.
Sources: Wikipedia, YouTube
As great a blues singer as Gregg was, it’s funny to think how his career had gone had there never been an ABB. I think clearly a lot more like his buddy Jackson Browne.
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I think you’re right about this, Jim. My understanding is Gregg had deep appreciation for Jackson Brown and the singer-songwriter genre.
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Laid back suits him. Duane was a much more intense individual and that came out in his playing.
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I totally dig the Laid Back album!
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Interestingly, I was not much into solo Gregg, album-wise. However, I tried to see him a couple of times and both times he cancelled for health reasons. The last time – oh, well.
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