Published on Nov 6, 2003
This is a really great record.
It’s been almost a decade since the last studio album from the
Allman Brothers Band. I thought that perhaps ABB didn’t have
anything new to say anymore, and had decided to just stick to being
a live attraction. Then few years back, the band split up with
guitarist Dickey Betts. On the other hand, this brought back
six-stringer Warren Haynes. The results of such splits and shuffles
can be very unpredictable — very good, or simply disastrous. In
case of Allman Brothers Band it must’ve worked out for the best.
The music speaks for itself here.
Hittin’ The Note is a very flowing album. After just one
listen, you want to listen to it again, and again. As for the
standout tracks, my favorite appears to be “Desdemona.” I wonder
what the long-time fans think about this album, but I have a
feeling the feedback must be positive. I’m fairly a new ABB fan,
but I’m very taken with the record.
Technically, there’s so much great playing going on, every note
is in place. These guys have a distinct style, and are absolutely
professionals when it comes to executing the music. The new faces
in the band provide the spark that ABB needed to take their music
into the new millennium. There’s definite feel of excitement, and a
sound of a band that is very happy.
One other cool thing about this album is that it defends itself
in every setting. I managed to play it at home, in the car, even
during family functions, and it always passed the test. It’s truly
one of those records for every occasion.