Queen of Hearts
Artist: Gregg Allman
Author: James Kellogg
People of a certain age may recall that, back in the day (late 60's--early 70's), we had this thing called the Colombia Record Club. They would send you a flier in the mail that had five or six pages of album covers from various bands across different genres. As the albums arrived, I was introduced to all kinds of new music, and I really liked it. Thus began my passion for collecting albums. One of the first albums I got from the club was the debut album from the Allman Brothers Band. I cut my musical teeth on this blues based rock. It has a heart and soul to it that just feels comfortable to me. Losing brother Duane to a peach truck in 1971 was one of the many catastrophic losses we suffered during that generation. This past year, 2017, marked the passing of Gregg Allman, so I wanted to show the brother some love by reviewing a song of his titled Queen of Hearts. This is from the Gregg Allman Tour album which was recorded at Carnegie Hall in 1973.
Although not commercially popular, this song is really interesting and important for a number of reasons. First of all, the musicians that played with him on this tour represented the nexus between the Allman Brothers Band and the spin off's or disciple bands that would be born out of these live sessions. Only Gregg and Johnny Johnson (drums and percussion)
remained from the original band. They were joined by Chuck Leavell on keys and Randall Bramblett on soprano and alto sax. They were soon to become the core of the band Sea Level. A signature element of the Allman Brothers Band was the dual guitarists, brother Duane and Dickie Betts. For this incarnation, Gregg paired Tommy Talton on lead and slide
a la Duane, and Scott Boyer on rhythm guitar. They would form the genesis of the band Cowboy. This reminds me of the influence of the Bitches Brew album by Miles Davis. So many significant jazz fusion bands were spawned from that album. But, I digress. Both Chuck and Randall have featured leads on the song, and each one introduces the jazz element into the blues groove of the song. This would become the staple sound of Sea Level. Tommy and Scott play off of each other in a natural, organic way that enhances the soloists and the overall flow of the song. In classic Allman Brothers style, the song stretches out seven and a half minutes. They, along with the Grateful Dead, were among the early pioneers of what is currently referred to as jam bands. Leads, played live, would be extended and improvised the way live jazz and, jazz in general, has always been played.
The second and more intriguing part of this song is the lyrics. It's very personal. Gregg is pouring out his heart in memory of his lost brother. A brief sampling includes the following. As the song starts, he's saying, "Once I was glad.....never seemed to have no dough, but I never once got lonely...you're gamblin' with your own happiness...but, times they change." Duane is the Queen of Hearts referred to in the chorus. In the second verse, the melancholy creeps in as Gregg sings that he's, "done so wrong...and...wasted so much time feelin' guilty." Then, in somewhat of a vision, he sees Duane sitting across the room believing that, "one day brother, you're gonna jump back." In the last verse, he lovingly and longingly reminiscing about his brother, and says, "I find when I think of you...a warm south wind runs through and through....in my heart there's only you...I love you Queen."
It’s pretty heavy stuff. I can't know what it's like to lose a brother because I don't have one...or sisters for that matter. When Gregg is singing, you can just feel the pain and remorse and his yearning desire to overcome the loss. Well Gregg, this is for you, my brother in Christ. No more tears. No more pain. Well done bro!
© 2018 James Kellogg. All rights reserved.
Artist: Gregg Allman
Author: James Kellogg
People of a certain age may recall that, back in the day (late 60's--early 70's), we had this thing called the Colombia Record Club. They would send you a flier in the mail that had five or six pages of album covers from various bands across different genres. As the albums arrived, I was introduced to all kinds of new music, and I really liked it. Thus began my passion for collecting albums. One of the first albums I got from the club was the debut album from the Allman Brothers Band. I cut my musical teeth on this blues based rock. It has a heart and soul to it that just feels comfortable to me. Losing brother Duane to a peach truck in 1971 was one of the many catastrophic losses we suffered during that generation. This past year, 2017, marked the passing of Gregg Allman, so I wanted to show the brother some love by reviewing a song of his titled Queen of Hearts. This is from the Gregg Allman Tour album which was recorded at Carnegie Hall in 1973.
Although not commercially popular, this song is really interesting and important for a number of reasons. First of all, the musicians that played with him on this tour represented the nexus between the Allman Brothers Band and the spin off's or disciple bands that would be born out of these live sessions. Only Gregg and Johnny Johnson (drums and percussion)
remained from the original band. They were joined by Chuck Leavell on keys and Randall Bramblett on soprano and alto sax. They were soon to become the core of the band Sea Level. A signature element of the Allman Brothers Band was the dual guitarists, brother Duane and Dickie Betts. For this incarnation, Gregg paired Tommy Talton on lead and slide
a la Duane, and Scott Boyer on rhythm guitar. They would form the genesis of the band Cowboy. This reminds me of the influence of the Bitches Brew album by Miles Davis. So many significant jazz fusion bands were spawned from that album. But, I digress. Both Chuck and Randall have featured leads on the song, and each one introduces the jazz element into the blues groove of the song. This would become the staple sound of Sea Level. Tommy and Scott play off of each other in a natural, organic way that enhances the soloists and the overall flow of the song. In classic Allman Brothers style, the song stretches out seven and a half minutes. They, along with the Grateful Dead, were among the early pioneers of what is currently referred to as jam bands. Leads, played live, would be extended and improvised the way live jazz and, jazz in general, has always been played.
The second and more intriguing part of this song is the lyrics. It's very personal. Gregg is pouring out his heart in memory of his lost brother. A brief sampling includes the following. As the song starts, he's saying, "Once I was glad.....never seemed to have no dough, but I never once got lonely...you're gamblin' with your own happiness...but, times they change." Duane is the Queen of Hearts referred to in the chorus. In the second verse, the melancholy creeps in as Gregg sings that he's, "done so wrong...and...wasted so much time feelin' guilty." Then, in somewhat of a vision, he sees Duane sitting across the room believing that, "one day brother, you're gonna jump back." In the last verse, he lovingly and longingly reminiscing about his brother, and says, "I find when I think of you...a warm south wind runs through and through....in my heart there's only you...I love you Queen."
It’s pretty heavy stuff. I can't know what it's like to lose a brother because I don't have one...or sisters for that matter. When Gregg is singing, you can just feel the pain and remorse and his yearning desire to overcome the loss. Well Gregg, this is for you, my brother in Christ. No more tears. No more pain. Well done bro!
© 2018 James Kellogg. All rights reserved.
In memory of Gregg Allman
Born 12-8-47 - Died May 27, 2017
Born 12-8-47 - Died May 27, 2017