DICKEY BETTS
These
are the best of times for Dickey Betts. After being nominated for
a Grammy in 2001, the co-founder of one of America’s most
beloved musical groups has continued to create some of his finest
music since leaving the Allman Brothers Band. As the man behind
The Allman Brothers Band’s greatest musical triumphs such as
"Ramblin’ Man", "Blue
Sky", "In Memory of Elizabeth Reed",
"Southbound", "Jessica", Betts has
continued his path as an innovator in Americana Music with his new
release entitled, The Collectors #1.
Reunited with original Great Southern and one-time Allman Brothers
Band partner "Dangerous" Dan Toler, Betts explores a
more traditional music approach, recording an all-acoustic record
featuring his 6-piece band along with some musical guests. The
Collectors #1 finds the Rock 'n' Roll Hall of Fame guitarist
mining such American music genres as jazz, western swing, blues,
Celtic, and some good ole rock n’ roll.
Born in West Palm Beach, FL, Betts’ early musical career
included tenure in such bands as The Jokers and The Second Coming
which would also include future ABB bassist Berry Oakley. When
slide guitarist Duane Allman, who at the time was an established
Muscle Shoals studio musician, was offered a record deal he
convened Betts and Oakley from The Second Coming, along with his
younger brother Gregg, in what would become The Allman Brothers
Band. The groups’ bluesy sound featured the thrilling twin
guitar duels between Duane Allman and Dickey Betts on such Betts
penned instrumentals as "In Memory of Elizabeth Reed"
that was featured on that band’s landmark recording, Live At
Fillmore East. Following the death of Duane Allman, and later
Berry Oakley, the band would reach its zenith primarily due to
Dickey Betts penned chart topping songs; "Ramblin’
Man", "Jessica", and "Blue Sky". In 1974,
Betts continued to push the musical envelope releasing his classic
country-rock album Highway Call. The album found the inventive
guitarist exploring western swing and country-tinged acoustic
music with a band that included fiddle wizard Vassar Clements and
fellow Allman Brother and future Rolling Stones pianist Chuck
Leavell. In 1976, Betts continued in a more blues-rock vein
forming Great Southern. Great Southern paired Betts with fellow
guitarist Dan Toler and the group’s two albums remain a standout
in Dickey Betts’ storied career. It would be nearly 12 years
before he would release another solo album, however, 1988’s
Pattern Disruptive recorded under the Dickey Betts Band moniker
proved to be well worth the wait. Significantly road-tested, The
Dickey Betts Band featured future Allman Brothers Band, Gov’t
Mule, and Phil Lesh & Friends guitarist Warren Haynes on
guitar, future Allman Brother, keyboardist Johnny Neel, and
Gov’t Mule drummer Matt Abts. The record included the hit single
"Rock Bottom", and showcased one of Betts’
best-remembered instrumentals, "Duane’s Tune".
Following his split from the Allman Brothers Band in 2001,
Dickey Betts headed into the studio to record the highly acclaimed
Lets Get Together. Joining Betts in the studio would be guitarist
Mark May and the nucleus of what would later become the second
incarnation of Great Southern: bassist Dave Stoltz, drummers: Matt
Greenburg and Frankie Lombardi, saxophone ace Kris Jensen, and
keyboardist Matt Zeiner. The CD included a plethora of new Dickey
Betts classics such as "Rave On", "Tombstone
Eyes", "Donna Maria", and the instrumental odyssey,
"One Stop Be-Bop."
Dickey Betts & Great Southern have honed their considerable
musical skills through a relentless touring schedule that have
included live concert appearances with the Charlie Daniels Band,
Lynyrd Skynyrd, Bob Weir and Rat dog, and Phil Lesh & Friends.
The Collectors #1 finds Dickey Betts in fantastic spirits and rich
musical company as the guitarist has brought back his old musical
partner Dan Toler and Betts’ original guitar mentor Dave Liles,
along with harmonica ace, T.C. Carr and fiddler Lenny Ski. The
record is as real as it gets as the musicians mix it up quite a
bit with no overdubbing. Dickey Betts explains: "When you
listen to it and you hear three guitar parts, there are really
three guys playing guitars", adding, "it really isn’t
a dressed up, overproduced record-it just sounds big."
Listening to The Collectors #1 brings
about a wide array of emotions with playing that flows freely from
the haunting Gaelic-tinged "Beyond The Pale", through
rollicking western swing "Georgia on a Fast Train" and
"One Stop Bebop #2",to the earthy Robert Johnson delta
blues: "Steady Rollin’ Man". Dickey Betts fans will
enjoy his interpretations of Bob Dylan’s "Tangled Up in
Blue", and familiar favorites, "Seven Turns #3" and
"Change My Way of Living’#2". Throughout The
Collectors #1, the multi faceted guitarist displays his
considerable skill delivering the musical goods and has at long
last found a band that is equally up to the task.
Feel free to take the ride- you’ll be glad that you did!
