Down in Texas '71 explained

Down in Texas '71
Type:live
Artist:The Allman Brothers Band
Cover:Down-in-Texas-71.jpg
Alt:A mushroom, and an emblem in the shape of Texas
Released:March 26, 2021
Recorded:September 28, 1971
Venue:Austin Municipal AuditoriumAustin, Texas
Genre:Blues rock, Southern rock
Label:Allman Brothers Band Recording Company
Producer:The Allman Brothers Band
Prev Title:Warner Theatre, Erie, PA 7-19-05
Prev Year:2020
Next Title:Syria Mosque
Next Year:2022

Down in Texas '71 is a live album by the Allman Brothers Band. It was recorded on September 28, 1971 at the Austin Municipal Auditorium in Austin, Texas. It was released on March 26, 2021.

This recording features the original lineup of the Allman Brothers Band. Saxophonist Rudolph "Juicy" Carter sits in on six of the nine songs. The album includes a bonus track with a 13-minute interview of Berry Oakley and Duane Allman for a radio station in Houston from June 6, 1971, about three months before the concert was recorded.

Critical reception

In the Sarasota Herald-Tribune Wade Tatangelo wrote, "When the Allman Brothers arrived at the Austin Municipal Auditorium in Texas on Sept. 28, 1971, they were the hottest band in the country.... And while Carter's contributions are at times a bit too skronky, it's fascinating to hear how Duane Allman and Betts weave their twin guitar attacks around his often aggressive playing."

On Cryptic Rock Vito Tanzi said, "Collectively one of the greatest Southern Rock bands in history, the Allman Brothers Band built a legacy that defined the genre over the course of five decades.... For all the years of great music and countless live albums, you would think another live album would be too much. Well, for the Allman Brothers Band Down in Texas '71 is simply a gift adding to a plethora of live performances captured on tape for fans to enjoy."

John Apice of Americana Highways noted the musicians' "stellar playing," and commented: "The lead guitars of Duane Allman & Dickey Betts smoke, Greg Allman's vocals are strong & the epitome of the genre." However, he cautioned that "few listeners will sit through the poor recording quality."

A reviewer for Jambands.com stated: "the ensemble was smoking good... Duane's guitar work is brimming with confidence and daring; his slide wailing and prodding, dirty and clean, mirroring his brother Gregg's distressed howl or countering and complimenting Dickey Betts' blistering charms. It's all very crisp and energetic."

Writing for Sea of Tranquility, Jon Neudorf remarked: "It is safe to say the band was at their creative and performing peak and what makes this an even more important musical document is the tragic passing of Duane Allman just over a month later... I think fans of classic rock will want this in their collection."

Track listing

  1. "Statesboro Blues" (Will McTell) – 5:01
  2. "Trouble No More" (McKinley Morganfield) – 4:43
  3. "Don't Keep Me Wonderin'" (Gregg Allman) – 4:03
  4. "Done Somebody Wrong" (Clarence Lewis, Elmore James, Morris Levy) – 3:36
  5. "One Way Out" (Marshall Sehorn, Elmore James) – 5:26
  6. "In Memory of Elizabeth Reed" [incomplete] (Dickey Betts) – 6:09
  7. "Stormy Monday" (T-Bone Walker) – 9:03
  8. "You Don't Love Me" (Willie Cobbs) – 15:11
  9. "Hot 'Lanta" (Gregg Allman, Duane Allman, Dickey Betts, Butch Trucks, Berry Oakley, Jai Johanny Johanson) – 7:40
  10. Berry Oakley and Duane Allman 06/06/71 Houston TX interview – 13:04

Personnel

The Allman Brothers Band

Additional musicians

Production