Tag Archives: Berry Oakley

Music Monday: August 28, 2023

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Hi, everyone. Welcome to another triple play edition of Music Monday.

Bruce quote 2023

(Image found online.  Original source unknown.)

Earlier this month we said goodbye to music mogul & co-founder of A & M Records, Jerry Moss, who died on August 16, 2023 at the age of 88. Best known as the “M” of the label to pair with his friend and partner, Herb Alpert, who was the “A”. Together they brought us music by Cat Stevens n/k/a Yusuf Islam, Carole King, The Carpenters, The Flying Burrito Brothers, Peter Frampton, The Police, Janet Jackson, not to mention Alpert and his group, The Tijuana Brass and so many others.

Known for their artist friendly approach and for giving the ruthless recording industry a human touch, Moss and Alpert nurtured their talent and took their label-which started in a garage for $100 in 1962-and grew it to the $500 million dollar empire they sold to PolyGram in 1989. About a decade later, they received an additional $200 million for a breach of the integrity clause. Both Moss and Alpert reminded us that music is not only about the people who create it, but the people in the industry like they were who gave those artists the platform to make music so it would reach the rest of us.

herb-alpert-and-jerry-moss
herb-and-jerry
Jerry Moss The Carpenters

Top: Herb Alpert (L) and Jerry Moss outside their studio in 1966. Middle: Alpert (L), the A to Moss’s (R) M circa 1972. Bottom: Moss with Richard (L) and Karen Carpenter in 1969. (Images found online.  Original sources unknown.)

The Allman Brothers Band fourth studio album, Brothers and Sisters, is celebrating its 50th anniversary. Released in August 1973, it was the group’s first full non-live release after two devastating losses: The death of co-founder & guitarist Duane Allman from a motorcycle accident on October 29, 1971 at the age of 24 and the death of bassist Berry Oakley also as a result of a motorcycle crash a year later on November 11, 1972 at the same age of 24.

Thankfully, he recorded two songs for the 1973 album before he died and one of them is today’s second highlighted pick. Written and sung by guitarist Dickey Betts, who will turn 80 later this year on December 12, it was the lead single from the album and features the musician at his best. The track also gave the band commercial success in the traditional sense as it was their only record to hit the Top Ten, peaking at #2 in October 1973.

Allman

(Image found online.  Original source unknown.)

I am not a fan of rap. It is just not a genre that ever spoke to me. But when Lauryn Hill’s debut solo studio album-The Miseducation of Lauryn Hill-was released on August 25, 1998, it was everywhere so I could not help but take notice of it. Plus the music was not only rap but a blend of that, hip-hop, R&B and neo soul which gave many of her songs a different and unique type of sound. The first time I heard the third of today’s featured songs, I felt like I had been gut punched. I immediately got its message from the pain and honesty Hill expressed in the lyrics and her vocal delivery. It spoke to me and so many women I knew who had found ourselves in similar situations at one point in our lives, so there was no way we could not relate to the power of her writing.

Hill went on to work with Aretha Franklin and a few other artists and released a live album in 2002 (MTV Unplugged No. 2.0). But despite the enormous success of Miseducation (it won five Grammy Awards in 1999, including Album Of The Year), the former Fugees frontwoman never released another studio record. There are a multitude of stories and theories on that subject and I do not want to take part in any speculation. I just know that the song I fell in love with was fabulous and as someone who lives for music, I wish to acknowledge that.

Hill

(Image found online.  Original source unknown.)

The Carpenters: “Superstar” (1971, written by Bonnie Bramlett and Leon Russell).

The Allman Brothers: “Ramblin’ Man” (1973, written by Dickey Betts).

Lauryn Hill: “Ex-Factor” (1998, written by Lauryn Hill).

Stay safe and well.

Let’s Take A Moment Day 479

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Hi everyone.  Hope you are all well and continue to stay that way during this global health crisis we are facing.  But in addition to protecting your physical wellness, what are you doing to stay mentally healthy today?

Tom Petty music quote

(Image found online.  Original source unknown.)

I know we are still facing a serious situation but a new year gives us hope for the new days, seasons, opportunities & moments ahead. Still, music is something that will never change for me. It is my refuge, the most comforting part of my life & the one thing I consistently count on. So until a more normal semblance of life returns, I am going to share a song I listen to that helps me escape the current state of things, if only for a few minutes each day. And if this helps anyone else, even better.

One of the many things that made The Allman Brothers Band such a unique group was the fact that they had two drummers. One of them is celebrating a birthday today. Jai “Jaimoe” Johanny Johanson was born Johnny Lee Johnson 77 years ago on July 8, 1944 in Mississippi.

Before his role as a founding member of The ABB, he was part of soul superstars Otis Redding and Sam & Dave’s touring bands. Once Johanson became Duane Allman’s first recruit for his new group in February 1969, Johanson’s fate in one of the most innovative talented blues inspired bands in rock history was sealed. He & guitarist Dickey Betts-are the last surviving members of that fabulous group.

He and Allman shared lead guitar duties in the band, another facet that differentiated the ABB from other bands. Betts wrote today’s song which is from their 1972 album, “Eat A Peach”. It is one of the last to feature Allman before his death in 1971. In a 2017 article listing the 20 greatest ABB’s songs, Billboard magazine wrote the following about today’s track:

“One of the last songs recorded by Duane Allman before his death, the Betts-delivered vocals are saccharine-sweet without being overly-sappy, while the twin guitar solos by Allman and Betts showcase just how effortlessly in tune and precise the two could be. There may not have ever been a better pairing of two lead guitarists in their prime in rock history than Allman and Betts, and “Blue Sky” is among their greatest showpieces. That Duane died before their Eat a Peach album was released is still one of rock’s saddest tales“. So true. Sigh.

Happy birthday, Jai “Jaimoe” Johanny Johanson May you continue to make great music for 100 more years.

“Walk along the river, sweet lullaby, it just keeps on flowing
They don’t worry ’bout where it’s goin’, no, no
Don’t fly, mister blue bird, I’m just walking down the road
Early morning sunshine tell me all I need to know“.

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(L-R) Duane Allman, Dickey Betts, Gregg Allman, Jai Johanny Johanson, Berry Oakley and Butch Trucks sit on some railroad tracks on May 5, 1969 outside of Macon, Ga. (Michael Ochs Archives/Getty Images. Image found online.  Original source unknown.)

The Allman Brothers Band: “Blue Sky” (1972, written by Dickey Betts).

I do not own the rights to anything.  I am just sharing what I love and how I am coping with you.

Stay well.

Let’s Take A Moment Day 193

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Hi everyone.  Hope you are all well and continue to stay that way during this global health crisis we are facing.  But in addition to protecting your physical wellness, what are you doing to stay mentally healthy today?

Jane Austen Music Quote

(Image found online.  Original source unknown.)

I know we are in a serious situation, but I need a break from the gloom, doom and bullying by way of hoarding. Music has always been my refuge and watching those beautiful Italians singing to each other from their balconies reaffirmed my belief that music is the answer. So until the old normal returns, I am going to share a song I listen to that helps me escape the current state of things, if only for a few minutes each day.  And if this helps anyone else, even better.

On this day 47 years ago-September 25, 1973-The Allman Brothers Band released today’s song from their “Brothers and Sisters” album. It was recorded during the last three months of 1972 while the band was still reeling from the death of guitarist Duane Allman from a motorcycle accident on October 29, 1971. Bassist Berry Oakley took the loss especially hard and was using drugs and alcohol to dull his pain. In what can only be classified as an unimaginable ironic coincidence, Oakley died November 11, 1972 in an accident similar to Allman’s not far from his crash site. But unlike Allman, Oakley walked away from the crash despite hitting his head after being thrown off his bike. He succumbed to his injuries three hours later and died from cerebral swelling due to a fractured skull. He was 24 years old, just like Allman, and was buried right next to him.

Because Oakley died during the making of this album, he only appears on two of the seven tracks: “Wasted Words” and today’s song, which was the band’s only top ten hit. So despite the upbeat tempo of this incredible song and Betts’ soaring guitar ending, it is a haunting reminder that many bands know heartache and loss, but The Allman Brothers Band lived through it twice in 13 months. They broke up & reformed several times between 1976 & 1989 and retired for good in 2014.

Two more original band members died within months of each other in 2017. First, drummer Butch Trucks committed suicide in January, allegedly from depression related to financial problems. Then vocalist, keyboard player & songwriter Gregg Allman died in May from liver cancer. Both men were 69 years old. The two surviving original members continue to make music. Dickey Betts (vocalist, guitarist & songwriter) has been a solo artist since he left the band in 2000 and Jai Johanny “Jaimoe” Johanson (drummer) leads his own group, Jaimoe’s Jasssz Band. Fifty-one years after the six founding members formed their group, The Allman Brothers Band remains a legendary part of the classic rock music world. And one of my all time favorite bands.

“Lord, I was born a ramblin’ man
Tryin’ to make a livin’ and doin’ the best I can
And when it’s time for leavin’
I hope you’ll understand
That I was born a ramblin’ man“.

allman-brothers

The Allman Brothers Band circa 1971 (L-R): Dickey Betts, Duane Allman, Gregg Allman, Jai Johanny “Jaimoe” Johanson, Berry Oakley & Butch Trucks. (Image found online.  Original source unknown.)

The Allman Brothers Band: “Ramblin’ Man” (1973, written by Dickey Betts).

I do not own the rights to anything.  I am just sharing what I love and how I am coping with you.

Stay well.

Let’s Take A Moment Day 82

Posted in Music by

Hi everyone.  Hope you are all well and continue to stay that way during this global health crisis we are facing.  But in addition to protecting your physical wellness, what are you doing to stay mentally healthy today?

Kerouac

(Image found online.  Original source unknown.)

I know we are in a serious situation, but I need a break from the gloom, doom and bullying by way of hoarding. Music has always been my refuge and watching those beautiful Italians singing to each other from their balconies reaffirmed my belief that music is the answer. So until the old normal returns, I am going to share a song I listen to that helps me escape the current state of things, if only for a few minutes each day.  And if this helps anyone else, even better.

There is no shortage of great southern country rock bands in music history.  But when you find one that combines that sound with jazz, the blues, live improvisational jams, killer slide guitar and lyrics that tell great stories in an astonishing agonized soulful vocal, then you have the best of the best.  At least for me, which is why I think The Allman Brothers Band is the greatest of the greats.  My first listen to “Ramblin’ Man” made me a fan, but when I heard “Whipping Post” I felt introduced to a new religion only few had the privilege to know.  Gregg Allman sounded like his wounds were bleeding as he sang each note, and just when I thought I couldn’t stand the pain another second, the mesmerizing guitar riffs playing off the keyboards catapulted me into the middle of a completely different storm.  But instead of a deafening noise, it was an emotional baptism into the new divinity I discovered.  I never really recovered from the experience.  And I am thankful for that every day.

Unfortunately both Allman brothers are gone now, but I can’t think of two siblings who gave the classic rock world more than Duane & Gregg.

Allman Brothers

The Allman Brothers Band (L_R):  Gregg Allman (vocals, keyboards, songwriter), Duane Allman (lead & slide guitar), Dickey Betts (lead guitar, vocals, songwriter),  Jaimoe Johanson (drums), Butch Trucks (drums), , & Berry Oakley (bass) in 1971 as photographed for the cover of their second album, Idlewild South.  (Image found online.  Original source unknown.) 

The Allman Brothers Band:  “Midnight Rider” (1970, written by Gregg Allman and Robert Kim Payne).    

I do not own the rights to anything.  I am just sharing what I love and how I am coping with you.

Stay well.