The Allman Brothers formed in Macon, Georgia around 1969. Brothers Gregg and Duane had played in earlier “British-roots-sounding” bands but formed a southern rock band that was much closer to their musical heritage.

Eat A Peach was the Allman Brothers’ fourth album, and (along with their previous release, Live At The Fillmore East) established the group as the premier “live” band of their day. During the recording of Peach, the band was dealt a demoralizing blow when their 24-year-old founder/guitarist Duane Allman was killed in a motorcycle accident (it wasn’t a peach truck either, as folklore would want you to believe). Though the remaining members completed the album (mostly outtakes from Fillmore), three more studio tunes were added, and Peach is now considered their best work.

The album’s opening track “Ain’t Wasting Time No More” is a eulogy to Gregg. “Les Brers In A Minor” is one of their numerous free-forming instrumentals next to the more celebrated “In Memory Of Elizabeth Reed” and “Jessica.” Gregg’s “Melissa” is a soulful track that has become one of the band’s trademark sounds. “Little Martha” is a tender acoustic ballad with just Duane and Dickey Betts. The Allman’s covered Elmore James’ “One Way Out” and Muddy Waters’ “Trouble No More.” Sort of risky, but they pull it off and stay true to the originals, only adding a pinch of southern spice. Then there’s “Mountain Jam,” over a half-hour of musical craftsmanship in which the band takes ‘jamming’ to new heights, creating a new “jam band” genre, still alive today.

The Allman Brothers still tour with the fantastic guitar work of Derek Trucks and Warren Haynes, and critics say they are almost as good as Betts and Greg Allman. Eat A Peach is in my Top 10, and always will be.

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