Rating:
Genre:
Rock
Release Date: 10/14/1997
Run Time: 76:26
Whereas most great live
rock albums are about energy,
At Fillmore East is like a great live
jazz session, where the pleasure comes from the musicians' interaction and playing. The great thing about that is, the original album that brought
the Allmans so much acclaim is as notable for its clever studio editing as it is for its performances. Producer
Tom Dowd skillfully trimmed some of the performances down to relatively concise running time (edits later restored on the double-disc set
The Fillmore Concerts), at times condensing several performances into one track. Far from being a sacrilege, this tactic helps present
the Allmans in their best light, since even if the music isn't necessarily concise (three tracks run over ten minutes, with two in the 20-minute range), it does showcase the group's terrific instrumental interplay, letting each member (but particularly guitarist
Duane and keyboardist/vocalist
Gregg) shine. Even after the release of the unedited concerts, this original double album (single CD) remains the pinnacle of
the Allmans and
Southern rock at its most elastic, bluesy, and jazzy. [In 2004,
Mercury reissued
At Fillmore East as a hybrid SACD, playable in both regular CD players and Super Audio CD players. On each of the layers, the remastered sound is spectacular, a considerable upgrade from the initial CD pressings.]
~Stephen Thomas Erlewine, All Music Guide
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