The Allman Brothers Band have announced plans for the fall release of a partial recording of guitarist Duane Allman’s final concert performance with the group, just days before his death in a 1971 motorcycle accident.
According to Relix, “The Final Note” presents 7 of 11 songs from an October 17, 1971 show at the Painters Mill Music Fair in Owings Mills, MD, as captured on a hand-held cassette machine by 18-year-old radio journalist Sam Idas.
“My only intention was to record the interview,” recalls Idas. “This was a brand-new cassette recorder with an internal microphone, and I had one 60-minute cassette tape. I was sitting there with the recorder in my lap, and I remember thinking ‘Why don’t I try this out? I can record the concert!’ It was a totally spontaneous decision.
“I’d been to many concerts, but this was the only time I had the thought – and the motivation – to record the show.”
The cassette went forgotten by Idas until a few years ago, when his old roommate asked him if he still had it; the tape’s audio quality has been upgraded with current recording techniques.
Due October 16, “The Final Note” features seven tracks, including “Statesboro Blues”, “Trouble No More”, “Hot ‘Lanta” and “Whipping Post.”
The package will feature never-before-published photos from the Maryland show alongside liner notes from band archivist John Lynskey and an image of the actual cassette Idas used to tape part of the concert.
Duane was born in Nashville, TN in 1946; after playing in a number of groups to various degrees of success, the guitarist and his younger brother, Gregg, formed the Allman Brothers Band in Jacksonville, FL during a series of jams with guitarist Dickey Betts, bassist Berry Oakley, and drummers Butch Trucks and Jai Johanny "Jaimoe" Johanson.
The group issued their self-titled debut album in 1969, a set that featured classics like “Whipping Post” and “Dreams.”
Duane died as a result of injuries suffered in a motorcycle accident in Macon, GA on October 29, 1971 at the age of 24; Gregg passed away from liver cancer in 2017 at the age of 69.
Allman Brothers Band
“The Final Note”
Release date: October 16
1. Statesboro Blues
2. Trouble No More
3. Don’t Keep Me Wondering
4. One Way Out
5. In Memory Of Elizabeth Reed
6. Hot ‘Lanta
7. Whipping Post
See also:
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Allman Brothers Band to reunite for 50th anniversary concert
Duane Allman guitar from Eric Clapton Layla sessions sells for $1 million at auction
Search The Allman Brothers at hennemusic
