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Gregg Allman's 10 greatest blues performances of all time

News
By Joe Bosso published 3 February 2011

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Gregg Allman's 10 greatest blues performances of all time

Gregg Allman's 10 greatest blues performances of all time

Gregg Allman knows a thing or two about the blues. Whether it's with the legendary group that bears his surname, The Allman Brothers Band, or as a solo artist (he's just released one of his finest works yet, the T Bone Burnett-produced Low Country Blues), Allman has never strayed from that supernatural site musicians have come to call 'the crossroads.'

Currently gearing up for what has become a beloved spring tradition, The Allman Brothers Band's residency at New York City's Beacon Theatre (a 13-night stand that is sure to feature a host of special guests), Allman checked his iPod to run down his top 10 favorite blues performances of all time.

"There's so many great artists, songs and performances that have affected me throughout my life," he says. "These ones, though, I'd put them right at the top."

Page 1 of 11
Page 1 of 11
Ray Charles - The Danger Zone (1961)

Ray Charles - The Danger Zone (1961)

“Ray Charles. What is there one can say about Ray? The arrangements he did, with the horn charts and everything... The man was an absolute genius.

"Everything he did was phenomenal, but The Danger Zone, man, something about that really says it all.”

Page 2 of 11
Page 2 of 11
Little Milton - Grits Ain't Groceries (1969)

Little Milton - Grits Ain't Groceries (1969)

“Little Milton Campbell...yeah. He had the strongest voice I’ve ever heard. I mean, the man had incredible control, power and emotion. In all of music, I would have to say that his singing voice just might be my favorite.”

Listen: Little Milton - Grits Ain't Groceries

Page 3 of 11
Page 3 of 11
Marvin Gaye - What's Going On (1971)

Marvin Gaye - What's Going On (1971)

“Everything I said about Little Milton applies to Marvin Gaye. What a beautiful voice. And his songwriting was just off the charts! A complete artist.”

Listen: Marvin Gaye - What's Going On

Page 4 of 11
Page 4 of 11
Bobby "Blue" Bland - Driftin' Blues (1968)

Bobby "Blue" Bland - Driftin' Blues (1968)

“He has some nice cruisin’ songs, then he’s got some numbers that are almost like show tunes. I just like everything about this one. The arrangement, the singing - it’s all right there.”

Page 5 of 11
Page 5 of 11
BB King - Losing Faith In You (1968)

BB King - Losing Faith In You (1968)

“This is one of those songs that’s almost impossible to find. It’s on an album called Blues On Top Of Blues. It’s definitely difficult to try to buy. The arrangement is amazing, and of course, BB’s voice is simply incredible.

"This was during his big band era, and I’ll tell you, the sound is almost the same that Ray Charles was going for at the time. What a song. This knocks me out.”

Page 6 of 11
Page 6 of 11
Sonny Boy Williamson - Nine Below Zero (circa 1954)

Sonny Boy Williamson - Nine Below Zero (circa 1954)

“That’s a cute little song. I just love it. Great harp playing, great voice… You put those two elements together, and that’s all you need.”

Listen: Sonny Boy Williamson - Nine Below Zero

Page 7 of 11
Page 7 of 11
Taj Mahal - You Don't Miss Your Water (1968)

Taj Mahal - You Don't Miss Your Water (1968)

“A lot of people have covered this song, but Taj Mahal did one hell of a rendition of it, probably the best I’ve ever heard. It’s a beautiful song.

"I think William Bell was the first to sing it back in the early ’60s. Nothing wrong with his, of course, but there’s something very special about the way Taj Mahal did it."

Listen: Taj Mahal - You Don't Miss Your Water

Page 8 of 11
Page 8 of 11
Albert King - Born Under A Bad Sign (1967)

Albert King - Born Under A Bad Sign (1967)

“The man with no neck. [laughs] His head was shaped like a bullet. God bless Albert King. He was a good friend of mine.

"I love real simple songs, the kinds of tunes that don’t have a lot of changes, yet they’re still capable of blowin’ you away. This is one of them. Albert takes this one and really makes it. The man was unbelievable.”

Listen: Albert King - Born Under A Bad Sign

Page 9 of 11
Page 9 of 11
Muddy Waters - Gypsy Woman (1947)

Muddy Waters - Gypsy Woman (1947)

“I play this one when I’m getting ready to go on stage every night. Muddy gets me in the mood every time. You really can’t go wrong with Muddy Waters, but if you want to hear something that’ll take you somewhere, this is the one. I can’t get enough of it.”

Page 10 of 11
Page 10 of 11
Howlin' Wolf - Howlin' For My Darling

Howlin' Wolf - Howlin' For My Darling

“Oh yeah. This is a good boogie song - a great boogie song! It’s a simple blues tune, but boy, what it does to you is nothing simple at all.

"I got Muddy on my iPod. Muddy Waters, Marvin… You listen to these guys and you’re all ready to go play, as far as I’m concerned. A great performance by a great man.”

Page 11 of 11
Page 11 of 11
Joe Bosso
Joe Bosso

Joe is a freelance journalist who has, over the past few decades, interviewed hundreds of guitarists for Guitar World, Guitar Player, MusicRadar and Classic Rock. He is also a former editor of Guitar World, contributing writer for Guitar Aficionado and VP of A&R for Island Records. He’s an enthusiastic guitarist, but he’s nowhere near the likes of the people he interviews. Surprisingly, his skills are more suited to the drums. If you need a drummer for your Beatles tribute band, look him up.

Read more
Clem Burke, Ancienne Belgique (AB), Brussels, Belgium, November 1998
"I've analyzed hundreds of players over the years. They're all a part of what I do": Clem Burke's 10 essential drum albums
Clapton in 1970
"There had to be some sort of telepathy going on”: The genius of Eric Clapton's controversial masterpiece, Layla
AC/DC in 1979
AC/DC - ranked! Every studio album, from worst to best
The Black Crowes and Jimmy Page, on sofas
“Suddenly there were all these harmonies”: Jimmy Page and the Robinson brothers on Live At The Greek
Joe Bonamassa plays a vintage Gibson Les Paul SG equipped with a Maestro Vibrola. He wears a gray patterned suit and sunglasses.
Joe Bonamassa announces new album, Breakthrough – listen to the title-track now
This composite image features Charlie Starr playing a TV Yellow Les Paul Junior on the left, while Metallica's Kirk Hammett plays his Greeny Les Paul Standard, and James Hetfield plays his his ESP Snakebyte.
Blackberry Smoke’s Charlie Starr on that time he took Duane Allman’s '57 Goldtop to a Metallica show
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