This live album was released by Capricorn Records largely as a way of raising money in a hurry, but it fares surprisingly well musically. The 1973-1974
Allman Brothers Band featured here is the one that most fans actually saw, since most listeners didn't discover them or get to their concerts until after the deaths of
Duane Allman and
Berry Oakley.
Wipe the Windows isn't a landmark release like the Fillmore tapes -- a collection of rock's greatest guitar albums could be complete without it. But no
Allman Brothers Band fan should pass up
Wipe the Windows, which is a most solid live album, and, in particular, a better representation of the songs off of
Brothers and Sisters and
Win, Lose or Draw than the original studio versions. "Southbound," "Ramblin' Man," "Jessica," and, to a lesser degree, "Wasted Words" come off exceptionally well. This second-generation band, with
Dickey Betts as the sole lead guitar and
Gregg Allman and
Chuck Leavell sharing the keyboards, also performs a preconceived version of "In Memory of Elizabeth Reed" -- they could never spark more fire than the version from the Fillmore, so they transform it into a moodier piece with more space for the keyboards to open up. Compiled from shows in New Orleans, San Francisco, Bakersfield, Oakland, and Watkins Glen (New York). ~ Bruce Eder