Though it appears in the aftermath of their dissolution in 2014, and the deaths of both actual
Allman brothers,
Duane and
Gregg, this 50th anniversary retrospective box set is arguably the only career overview of the band one can call representative. Arranged over ten LPs or five compact discs,
Trouble No More examines in depth each incarnation and stage of the pioneering rockers. It convincingly formulates the argument that no other American band accomplished more musically (especially live) by seamlessly marrying rock, blues, jazz, and R&B to each other and to extended improvisation.
This set compiles 61
Allman Brothers Band classics, live performances, and rarities -- including seven previously unreleased tracks -- all painstakingly remastered, with and a hefty 88-page book full of photos and a lengthy historical essay by
ABB historian John Lynskey that recaps all 13 incarnations of the band's lineup. Lynskey co-produced the set with fellow
ABB authorities
Bill Levenson and
Kirk West. Sequenced chronologically, the music and its accompanying visuals offer a detailed, rounded portrait of this legendary band at their best in all incarnations. It forever puts to bed the argument that after
Brothers and Sisters in 1972 they were done creatively until
Warren Haynes signed up for their second re-formation in 1989. The set is bookended by versions of the
Muddy Waters-penned title track. Disc one is an unreleased studio demo from 1969, while disc five's electrifying closer is taken from the farewell shows at the Beacon Theater. The demo is interesting, mainly for the brief, raw interplay between guitarists
Dickey Betts and
Duane Allman. Some listeners may be surprised to find only the studio version of "Whipping Post" here, but given how many long jams are included, it's a small omission; besides, "In Memory of Elizabeth Reed" from the same Fillmore East concerts is included. There is a previously unissued version of "Mountain Jam" from the Watkins Glenn Music Festival in 1973 that has never been issued before either. At just over 12 minutes, it's nowhere near as long as the one from
Eat a Peach, but it does offer the
Chuck Leavell version of the band with
Betts,
Gregg,
Jaimoe,
Butch Trucks, and bassist
Lamar Williams. at their best with three special guests: guitarists
Robbie Robertson,
Jerry Garcia, and
Bob Weir! There are excellent choices from the albums
Win Lose or Draw and
Enlightened Rogues (otherwise spotty documents) that showcase
Betts' fine songwriting on "High Falls," Crazy Love," "Pegasus," and "Can't Take It with You," co-composed with actor Don Johnson.
The final disc houses most of the unreleased material, all of it cut live during the Peach Records years, between 2000-2014. The ten-minute read of
Fenton Robinson's "Loan Me a Dime" with
Derek Trucks and
Jimmy Herring on guitars is one of two tunes with this lineup, who offer up their own take on the tune that
Duane played on for
Boz Scaggs' self-titled debut in 1969. Likewise a 1999 show, with
Betts and
Jack Pearson on guitars, delivers a read of the latter's "I'm Not Crying" and features the composer's impassioned vocals. While
Trouble No More is almost certainly for hardcore fans only (given its cost and [beautifully] assembled excess), it is also the only
Allman Brothers Band compilation ultimately worth owning for those same enthusiasts. ~ Thom Jurek