Idlewild South [Super Deluxe]

Idlewild South is the second album from the remarkable and now legendary The Allman Brothers Band. A perfect example of a band taking what they did well on their first album and expanding on it. After little success with their self titled debut album, their follow up was released in late 1970. Idlewild South is an album that really outshines its predecessor. The band maintain that classic southern rock charm that held together their debut album with songs like Revival, Midnight Rider and their impressive cover of, Hoochie Coochie Man showing the band at their blues driven peak. But with a song like the now classic live staple and Betts penned, In Memory of Elizabeth Reed, the band push the limits of their abilities by experimenting with more jazz influenced music. The variety of styles come together in a very solid collection of music, one that is an instant classic when one looks at the big picture. Idlewild South is blessed with some top quality early '70s production. You know the type, the kind that makes every album from the 1980s on wards sound like sterile rubbish. Each instrument is superbly recorded, comes across clear as day and has received a mix that just sounds beautiful to this day. The fact that the band managed to get this kind of sound on their second full length album is some kind of miracle and it definitely plays to the benefit of the music. The Allman Brothers Band have released a lot of classic material through out the years and Idlewild South is hands down their most creative album. By comparison, even Led Zeppelin II has faults when this record has none. With a perfect selection of songs it is impossible to find a fault in a record like this. Published by Steven Lornie of Demonszone

This is a lesson in how to re-issue an album which is well known to the fans, and tempt maybe the casual fan. 1st off remaster the original album, and do a good job of it, as the album was possibly not the best recorded album, but it does have a good selection of Allman brothers staples Dickey Betts, ‘Revival’ and ‘In memory of Elizabeth Reed’, Gregg Allmans ‘Midnight Rider’ and ‘Don’t Keep Me Wonderin’’. As an album it is short but does have that keep them wanting more appeal because of it. 2nd Re-mix and master a previously released live album, Live at Ludlow Garage has had ‘In memory of Elizabeth Reed’ restored adding 15 minutes more music, and some of the between song banter has been added. 3rd pick some choice outtakes 5 in total almost doubling the album in length. Finally re-mix the whole album in 5.1 and release on Blu ray and have someone remix it who really wants to give it a new mix and not just extend the stereo, this makes full use of all the speakers with vocals front and centre which I very much like. The only thing letting this set down is the cover with the discs slipped into card with no protection, rather than on proper jewel case type spindles. For the music and extras I give this 10 out of 10 the packing falls woefully short and only gets 2 out of 10 and that’s because the book is quite good.

Named after a lake cabin in Georgia where they rehearsed and partied throughout album sessions and where brotherhood and campfire unity between band members happened, this is pure southern-style 70s-outbreak rock and roll stemming straight from their hearts as one reviewer put it here. There is no sense in each song analysis, there is simple-but-nice riffs and each one is a standout on its own, Elizabeth Reed being my no. # 1 on the album. Surely worth having.

VERY GOOD

According to the stats in front of me, this is an album released n 1970. That was a bit of time ago, aye?! Starts off sounding like 60s hippy music, which I instantly loved. The rest of the album is great, too. Shocked to find the Allman's did a version of Midnight Rider before Paul Davidson got his vocals recorded. Actually, this song is an Allman Brothers original. Love the album. Glad I bought it.

This was a really great album in the first place but this reissue alongside the Ludlow Garage gig is just superb.

Great music, quick delivery and perfect cd and cover.

Magnificent classic sound of the Allman Brothers Band. They always play directly from the heart. Pure stream of real american music. Note "Midnight Rider" was reinvented for Gregg's solo album to great effect.

I had some of the live versions of these songs (eg. Filmore East) and it's great to hear the studio versions. This is a solid Allman Brothers album, one of their best. If you only have their later stuff, make sure you add this to your catalogue.

Ótimo album

Un disco straordinario , peccato che mi sia arrivato con un piccolo difetto proprio tra i solchi di una delle canzoni più spettacolari del south rock….in the memory of elisabeth reed…un gruppo oramai maturo dopo il disco di esordio , una grande energia con gli strumentisti che creano magie soniche, i fratelli allman inarrivabili ; la sfortuna ci priverà di uno di loro poco tempo dopo ma la magia resta.

Nice album!

El único defecto del disco es que se hace corto. pero así eran los LPs en aquellos lejanos tiempos. No tiene desperdicio, lo recomiendo encarecidamente. Es un placer escuchar a los Allman en su primerísima época. Excelente edición con el logo original de Capricorn Records sobre el disco.