The Allman Brothers Band: Brothers And Sisters - 1973

This album, the first to feature later to be Rolling Stones keyboardsman Chuck Leavell, was one blighted by deaths, drunkenness, drug abuse and inter-band arguments. All that considered, it rocks with a carefree vibrancy that is perhaps unexpected. It is more country-ish than blues in places too. 

Wasted Words is an easy-going, rambling rocker while the instantly recognisable rocking bar-room strains of Ramblin' Man are pretty much irresistible. Top quality upbeat blues rock. Come And Go Blues slows the tempo down somewhat on an appealingly shuffling heavy blues rock grinder that features some fine piano. Talking of the blues - Jelly Jelly goes the whole hog and delivers some grade 'A' walking pace, grumbling blues rock, punctuated by a killer guitar solo. 

Southbound gets us back to rocking once more in a style that Eric Clapton would utilise many times over subsequent years. 

The lively instrumental Jessica was the album's second most popular track and is an attractive country rock groove in a sort of CSN(Y) style. Pony Boy (not the Bruce Springsteen song) is a jaunty, country serving of fun to end this album with, confirming that it was one that sounded happy, even though beneath the surface it was clearly not.

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