The Allman Brothers Band - Hittin' the Note (Sanctuary) 2003
1. "Firing Line" (5:17)
2. "High Cost of Low Living" (7:52)
3. "Desdemona" (9:20)
4. "Woman Across the River" (5:51)
5. "Old Before My Time" (5:23)
6. "Who to Believe" (5:38)
7. "Maydell" (4:35)
8. "Rockin' Horse" (7:23)
9. "Heart of Stone" (5:06)
10. "Instrumental Illness" (12:17)
11. "Old Friend" (6:12)
The Allman's first studio album in over a decade, and the band's first record ever without guitarist Dickey Betts, is quite a killer disc. I mean, if this disc had only one song, "Instrumental Illness" it would have been worth the price of admission. However, include ten more scorching blues based jams and you've got yourself one excellent CD. "Old Before My Time" is a standout track that starts off as an acoustic ballad number and has a haunting, emotional tone that is hard to describe. It brings back memories of the Allman Bothers Band of old. The Gregg Allman and Warren Haynes collaboration "Desdemona," is another standout cut. The song is a rock & roll, Southern blues number with some jazzy overtones. Actually that really is the case with most of the CD. While the bases is Southern blues, there are these jazz overtones that really make this album pop. There are a few exceptions to that rule. "Old Friend" is a down home, rockin' on yer porch blues number without even a tinge of jazz or rock n' roll. "Who To Believe" also has more of a traditional blues sound to it. "Hittin the Note" is just a scorcher of a Southern blues rock album. Thanks to Jeff at Arrow 95.9 for hooking me up with a copy of this gem.