The Spill Magazine The Spill Magazine
The Spill Magazine The Spill Magazine
The Spill Magazine The Spill Magazine
  • Reviews
    • Album Reviews
    • Features
    • Live Reviews
    • Festivals
  • Portraits
  • Headlines
    • News
    • Contests
    • Events
    • Entertainment Headlines
    • Concert Listings
    • Toronto Concert Venues
  • New Music
    • Premieres
    • TOTD
  • Books + Movies
  • Scene Unseen
  • About
16
new
SPILL NEW MUSIC: COMBICHRIST RETURNS WITH NEW SINGLE “NOT MY ENEMY” VIA OUT OF LINE MUSIC
SPILL NEW MUSIC: BLUTENGEL’S NEW VIDEO + SINGLE “FOREVER YOUNG” NOW AVAILABLE VIA OUT OF LINE MUSIC | ‘FOUNTAIN OF DESTINY’ ALBUM OUT MARCH 12
SPILL FEATURE: THE EXECUTIONERS ARE BACK! – A CONVERSATION WITH PAUL MAZURKIEWICZ OF CANNIBAL CORPSE
SPILL NEW MUSIC: AFI ANNOUNCES NEW ALBUM ‘BODIES’ DUE JUNE 11 VIA RISE RECORDS | SHARE TWO TRACKS “LOOKING TRAGIC” & “BEGGING FOR TROUBLE”
SPILL ALBUM REVIEW: LYDIA LUCE – DARK RIVER
SPILL ALBUM REVIEW: STRAWBS – SETTLEMENT
SPILL ALBUM REVIEW: SLOPING – COMPLETED SONGS
SPILL MUSIC PREMIERE: PAPER ANTHEM – “SUNDAY”
SPILL NEW MUSIC: BRAND NEW SINGLE FROM THE OFFSPRING IN ALMOST A DECADE “LET THE BAD TIMES ROLL” OUT VIA CONCORD RECORDS/UNIVERSAL MUSIC CANADA
SPILL NEW MUSIC: SLOTHRUST SHARES NEW SINGLE + VIDEO FOR “CRANIUM” VIA DANGERBIRD RECORDS
SPILL NEW MUSIC: LUDOVICO TECHNIQUE “EMBRACE” YOU TILL THE END IN THEIR NEW MUSIC VIDEO
SPILL VIDEO PREMIERE: BILL JR. JR. – “BLUE”
SPILL NEW MUSIC: SENSES – “DROP YOUR ARMS”
SPILL NEW MUSIC: PERMAFROST – “FEMME FATALE”
SPILL NEW MUSIC: BUTCHER BABIES – “YORKTOWN”
SPILL VIDEO PREMIERE: BEE APPLESEED – “ALL IS FORGIVEN”
  • MORE
  • Reviews
    • Album Reviews
    • Features
    • Live Reviews
    • Festivals
  • Portraits
  • Headlines
    • News
    • Contests
    • Events
    • Entertainment Headlines
    • Concert Listings
    • Toronto Concert Venues
  • New Music
    • Premieres
    • TOTD
  • Books + Movies
  • Scene Unseen
  • About
  • Spill Menu
    • Reviews
      • Album Reviews
      • Features
      • Live Reviews
      • Festivals
    • Portraits
    • Headlines
      • News
      • Contests
      • Events
      • Entertainment Headlines
      • Concert Listings
      • Toronto Concert Venues
    • New Music
      • Premieres
      • TOTD
    • Books + Movies
    • Scene Unseen
    • About
Album Reviews
727
Editor Pick
previous article
SPILL NEW MUSIC: MONTREAL PSYCH FOLK/AMERICANA SONGWRITER ORA COGAN ANNOUNCES UPCOMING RECORD CRICKETS + FALL TOUR DATES
next article
SPILL ALBUM REVIEW: BEACHES - SECOND OF SPRING

SPILL ALBUM REVIEW: GREGG ALLMAN – SOUTHERN BLOOD

Gregg Allman

Gregg Allman
Southern Blood
Rounder

On May 27th, 2017, the world was shocked to hear of the sudden passing of music legend, Gregg Allman.  Allman, who had quite an extensive and incredibly innovative career as a founding member of The Allman Brothers Band- as well as an extensive solo career- is a musician who’s legacy is not so easily fit into a box. While it is easy to group him among the classic rockers- as he often is- he was also a musician deeply in touch with the blues and jazz, often tying them into his rock driven career in a seamless fashion, which is exactly what made him and The Allman Brothers Band stand out so much. Despite his ailing health in the past year, Allman was hard at work on what is now his final studio album, Southern Blood. Produced by none other than Don Was, a man nearly as eclectic as Allman, having worked with everyone from The Rolling Stones to Stone Temple Pilots and John Mayer, and backed by the final incarnation of The Gregg Allman Band, Southern Blood is an album that is as much a heritage piece to the deep south as it is to Allman’s legacy.  Born in Nashville, Tennessee, and having spent a large portion of his early career based out of Macon, Georgia, Allman was no stranger to the American south, in fact, the Allman Brothers are often known for having spawned the southern rock genre, but curiously, despite being such a renowned songwriter, Southern Blood only includes one original song. The other nine songs are by a collection of artists who range from classic rock, the blues, folk, and funk, giving the listener an excellent sample of the diverse musical culture and heritage of the south, a region that greatly shaped and was later shaped by Allman himself.

Opening with “My Only True Friend”, the sole track penned by Allman, the listener is greeted with a blues inspired ballad with a gentle swaying feel. The track develops, creating a feeling of musical growth as it incorporates a tasteful guitar solo and beautifully played horns overtop a steady groove and light piano. Lyrically, the song confronts Allman’s limited time left in this world while giving both the audience and Allman himself a chance to look back on his life where he claims that the road- and likely the music which he played along his journey- is the true friend mentioned in the song’s title. The song isn’t supposed to start the album off with a bang; rather, in a manner likely inspired by David Bowie’s Blackstar, “My Only True Friend” is Allman’s final message and gift to the world, thanking his friends, family, and fans for a musical career which spanned over four decades. The song is intense and has a lingering feeling of sadness without regret that clashes with the grateful and sentiments and joy felt over a life well lived. Despite the strange juxtaposition, the song feels honest which makes the idea of Allman contemplating his own mortality that much more real.

Of the other nine tracks, Allman has chosen to cover tracks from artists of the likes of The Grateful Dead (“Black Muddy River”), Tim Buckley (“Once I Was”), and Scot Sharrard (“Love Like Kerosene”), among others. His selection not only highlights his own inspiration throughout much of his career, but also encapsulates a soundtrack to the south, ranging from bluesmen to folk singer-songwriters to southern rockers, Southern Blood is a carefully curated collection that caters to both the region’s cultural history as well as to Allman’s own musical interest. Of the covers, his rendition of Bob Dylan’s “Going Going Gone” stands out for its soulful quality that greatly contrasts with another standout cover of “I Love The Life I Live”, originally by Willie Dixon; a track which see’s Allman at his brashest and most powerful as he confidently belts out across the classic blues number.  While each of the covers prove to be nothing short of excellent, the closing track, “A Song For Adam” not only features Jackson Browne- the original songwriter behind the song- but showcases an excellent collaboration that may have been among Allman’s last.

Southern Blood is an excellent album by any standards, but considering it is the final album from Gregg Allman, the record acts excellently as a bookend to his career. With the exception of the opening track, “My Only True Friend”, all the songs are covers, and while I’m curious as to this choice, I would have loved to have heard more originals from the late icon. That being said, each cover is performed excellently and thematically, it makes for a very cohesive album. Similarly to Bowie and Prince, there is something admirable about someone using the last of their life to create one final record.  It is this devotion to his passion that makes Allman’s Southern Blood shine as bright as it does, just as it has made his career standout in countless of ways. Rest easy Gregg, and thank you for all the music.



Artist Links

website_flat_2016 facebook_flat_2016 twitter_flat_2016 instagram_flat_2016

Editor Pick
Item Reviewed

SPILL ALBUM REVIEW: GREGG ALLMAN – SOUTHERN BLOOD

Author

Gerrod Harris

Here's what we think...
Spill Rating
Fan Rating
Rate Here
New Criteria
10
9.7
9.0
Total Spill Rating
9.7
Total Fan Rating
2 ratings
You have rated this
Album Reviews
album reviewsgregg allmanmy only true friendroundersouthern blood
album reviews, gregg allman, my only true friend, rounder, southern blood
About the Author
Gerrod Harris
Gerrod Harris
A passion for music has always been a part of Gerrod’s life. As a young boy, he was raised on a steady diet of the music from The Chili Peppers, Aerosmith, The Stones, Prince, and others from his mum. Raised in the GTA, Gerrod continued to foster his love for music by attending a wide range of concerts and learning the drums. His unapologetic passion for music has no bounds and has spread to a wide variety of styles, whether it be the 90’s rock that sound tracked his teenage years, the jazz he studied in university, or his newfound love for hip-hop. He recently received his bachelors in music and education from York University and is passionate about writing and reviewing good (and less than good) music. Gerrod is also the drummer and songwriter for a Toronto based rock & roll band, One In The Chamber.
RELATED ARTICLES
album reviews
 
8.0
Lydia Luce

SPILL ALBUM REVIEW: LYDIA LUCE – DARK RIVER

by Ljubinko Zivkovic on February 26, 2021
Lydia Luce Dark River Independent Nashville is changing. No, it isn’t the quality of musicianship. Whether you like it or not, the Nashville sound is one of the best around. It is the [...]
 
9.0
Strawbs

SPILL ALBUM REVIEW: STRAWBS – SETTLEMENT

by Aaron Badgley on February 26, 2021
Strawbs Settlement Cherry Red Records The Strawbs released their self-titled debut in 1969, their first official album. This is their 27th release, and their second with this particular lineup. [...]
 
8.0
Sloping

SPILL ALBUM REVIEW: SLOPING – COMPLETED SONGS

by Dan Kennard on February 26, 2021
Sloping Completed Songs sound as language Lead songwriter of the band Scooterbabe, JJ Posway, has released a debut solo album under the name Sloping. It is called Completed Songs, and it is [...]
 
10
cEvin Key
10

SPILL ALBUM REVIEW: cEvin Key AND THE SUBCONSCIOUS ELECTRONIC ORCHESTRA – RESONANCE

by Kathy Nichols on February 19, 2021
cEvin Key And The Subconscious Electronic Orchestra Resonance Artoffact cEvin Key’s fifth solo album, Resonance (formerly [...]
 
8.0
Creedence Clearwater Revival

SPILL ALBUM REVIEW: CREEDENCE CLEARWATER REVIVAL – PENDULUM/MARDI GRAS (50TH ANNIVERSARY HALF-SPEED MASTERS)

by Ljubinko Zivkovic on February 12, 2021
Creedence Clearwater Revival Pendulum/Mardi Gras (50th Anniversary Half-Speed Masters) Craft Recordings Creedence Clearwater [...]
Latest Album Reviews
View All
 
SPILL ALBUM REVIEW: LYDIA LUCE – DARK RIVER
8.0
 
SPILL ALBUM REVIEW: STRAWBS – SETTLEMENT
9.0
 
SPILL ALBUM REVIEW: SLOPING – COMPLETED SONGS
8.0
 
SPILL ALBUM REVIEW: cEvin Key AND THE SUBCONSCIOUS ELECTRONIC ORCHE...
10
10
 
SPILL ALBUM REVIEW: CREEDENCE CLEARWATER REVIVAL – PENDULUM/M...
8.0
Latest Live Reviews
View All
 
Lord Huron

SPILL LIVE REVIEW: LORD HURON ALIVE FROM WHISPERING PINES: EPISODE 2 OF 4 (VIRTUAL EVENT)

by Robert Defina on February 18, 2021
72
 
Small Town Titans

SPILL LIVE REVIEW: SMALL TOWN TITANS @ SMT HQ, YORK (PA)

by Gerrod Harris on February 6, 2021
33
 
Lord Huron

SPILL LIVE REVIEW: LORD HURON ALIVE FROM WHISPERING PINES: EPISODE 1 OF 4 (VIRTUAL EVENT)

by Robert Defina on January 7, 2021
388
 
Wardruna

SPILL LIVE REVIEW: WARDRUNA – ‘KVITRAVN’ PRESENTATION (ONLINE PERFORMANCE)

by Samantha Wu on December 10, 2020
196
 
Evanescence

SPILL LIVE REVIEW: EVANESCENCE @ ROCK FALCON STUDIO, NASHVILLE (TN)

by Melinda Welsh on December 5, 2020
61
Tweets by @spillmagazine

SPILL MAGAZINE MENU
  • Home | The Spill Magazine
  • Premieres
  • Album Reviews
  • Books + Movies
  • Features
  • Live Reviews
  • Festivals
  • Portraits
  • News
  • Events
  • Entertainment Headlines
  • Concert Listings
  • Toronto Concert Venues
  • About Us
  • Contests
  • New Music
  • Spill Magazine Contributors
  • TOTD
  • Privacy Policy
  • The Scene Unseen
  • Newsletter

Copyright © 2020 | The Spill Magazine
All Rights Reserved.

TRENDING RIGHT NOW
   
 
SPILL ALBUM REVIEW: FRONT LINE ASSEMBLY – MECHANICAL SOUL
671
 
SPILL ALBUM REVIEW: PAUL McCARTNEY – McCARTNEY III
578
 
SPILL ALBUM REVIEW: GUIDED BY VOICES – STYLES WE PAID FOR
556
 
SPILL MUSIC PREMIERE: CHURCH OF TREES FEAT. CAROLE POPE – “WORLD’S A BITCH”
462
 
SPILL LIVE REVIEW: LORD HURON ALIVE FROM WHISPERING PINES: EPISODE 1 OF 4 (VIRTUAL EVENT)
388
 
SPILL ALBUM REVIEW: BLACK PISTOL FIRE – LOOK ALIVE
366
 
SPILL ALBUM REVIEW: GEORGE THOROGOOD AND THE DESTROYERS – LIVE IN BOSTON, 1982: THE COMPLETE CONCERT
349
 
SPILL NEW MUSIC: “SHAMELESS” STAR WILLIAM H. MACY RELEASES DEBUT SINGLE “WHISKEY DELL” UNDER “WILLIE CREEKS” MONIKER
327
 
SPILL ALBUM REVIEW: THE DIRTY NIL – FUCK ART
282
 
SPILL ALBUM REVIEW: CHRIS CORNELL – NO ONE SINGS LIKE YOU ANYMORE
275
 
SPILL FEATURE: TRULY ORCHESTRATING HIS OWN LIFE – A CONVERSATION WITH RICK SPRINGFIELD
274
 
SPILL ALBUM REVIEW: GRIEVOUS ANGELS – SUMMER BEFORE THE STORM
269
 
SPILL ALBUM REVIEW: THE KINKS – LOLA VERSUS POWERMAN AND THE MONEYGOROUND, PART ONE: 50th ANNIVERSARY EDITION BOX-SET
257
ENTERTAINMENT HEADLINES