Down in Texas '71 is a live album by the Allman Brothers Band. It was recorded on September 28, 1971 at the Austin Municipal Auditorium in Austin, Texas. It was released on March 26, 2021.[1][2][3]

Down in Texas '71
A mushroom, and an emblem in the shape of Texas
Live album by
ReleasedMarch 26, 2021
RecordedSeptember 28, 1971
VenueAustin Municipal Auditorium
Austin, Texas
GenreBlues rock, Southern rock
LabelAllman Brothers Band Recording Company
ProducerThe Allman Brothers Band
The Allman Brothers Band chronology
Warner Theatre, Erie, PA 7-19-05
(2020)
Down in Texas '71
(2021)
Syria Mosque
(2022)

This recording features the original lineup of the Allman Brothers Band. Saxophonist Rudolph "Juicy" Carter sits in on six of the nine songs. The album includes a bonus track with a 13-minute interview of Berry Oakley and Duane Allman for a radio station in Houston from June 6, 1971, about three months before the concert was recorded.[1]

Critical reception

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In the Sarasota Herald-Tribune Wade Tatangelo wrote, "When the Allman Brothers arrived at the Austin Municipal Auditorium in Texas on Sept. 28, 1971, they were the hottest band in the country.... And while Carter's contributions are at times a bit too skronky, it's fascinating to hear how Duane Allman and Betts weave their twin guitar attacks around his often aggressive playing."[4]

On Cryptic Rock Vito Tanzi said, "Collectively one of the greatest Southern Rock bands in history, the Allman Brothers Band built a legacy that defined the genre over the course of five decades.... For all the years of great music and countless live albums, you would think another live album would be too much. Well, for the Allman Brothers Band Down in Texas '71 is simply a gift adding to a plethora of live performances captured on tape for fans to enjoy."[5]

John Apice of Americana Highways noted the musicians' "stellar playing," and commented: "The lead guitars of Duane Allman & Dickey Betts smoke, Greg Allman's vocals are strong & the epitome of the genre." However, he cautioned that "few listeners will sit through the poor recording quality."[6]

A reviewer for Jambands.com stated: "the ensemble was smoking good... Duane's guitar work is brimming with confidence and daring; his slide wailing and prodding, dirty and clean, mirroring his brother Gregg's distressed howl or countering and complimenting Dickey Betts' blistering charms. It's all very crisp and energetic."[7]

Writing for Sea of Tranquility, Jon Neudorf remarked: "It is safe to say the band was at their creative and performing peak and what makes this an even more important musical document is the tragic passing of Duane Allman just over a month later... I think fans of classic rock will want this in their collection."[8]

Track listing

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  1. "Statesboro Blues" (Will McTell) – 5:01
  2. "Trouble No More" (McKinley Morganfield) – 4:43
  3. "Don't Keep Me Wonderin'" (Gregg Allman) – 4:03
  4. "Done Somebody Wrong" (Clarence Lewis, Elmore James, Morris Levy) – 3:36
  5. "One Way Out" (Marshall Sehorn, Elmore James) – 5:26
  6. "In Memory of Elizabeth Reed" [incomplete] (Dickey Betts) – 6:09
  7. "Stormy Monday" (T-Bone Walker) – 9:03
  8. "You Don't Love Me" (Willie Cobbs) – 15:11
  9. "Hot 'Lanta" (Gregg Allman, Duane Allman, Dickey Betts, Butch Trucks, Berry Oakley, Jai Johanny Johanson) – 7:40
  10. Berry Oakley and Duane Allman 06/06/71 Houston TX interview – 13:04

Personnel

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The Allman Brothers Band

Additional musicians

  • Rudolph "Juicy" Carter – saxophone on "Statesboro Blues", "Don't Keep Me Wonderin'", "In Memory of Elizabeth Reed", "Stormy Monday", "You Don't Love Me", "Hot 'Lanta"

Production

  • Produced by the Allman Brothers Band
  • Executive producer: Bert Holman
  • Project supervision: Kirk West, John Lynskey, Bill Levenson
  • Liner notes: John Lynskey
  • Mastering: Jason NeSmith
  • Package design: Terry Bradley

References

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  1. ^ a b Broerman, Michael (February 11, 2021). "The Allman Brothers Band Announces 'Down in Texas '71' Live Album". Live for Live Music. Retrieved February 11, 2021.
  2. ^ Bernstein, Scott (February 11, 2021). "The Allman Brothers Band Announce Live Archival Release 'Down in Texas '71'". JamBase. Retrieved February 11, 2021.
  3. ^ "The Allman Brothers Band Prep New Archival Release 'Down in Texas '71'". Relix. February 11, 2021. Retrieved February 11, 2021.
  4. ^ Tatangelo, Wade (March 24, 2021). "Allman Brothers' 'Down in Texas '71' Captures Band at Its Creative Peak". Sarasota Herald-Tribune. Retrieved April 3, 2021.
  5. ^ Tanzi, Vito (March 26, 2021). "The Allman Brothers Band – Down In Texas '71". Cryptic Rock. Retrieved April 3, 2021.
  6. ^ Apice, John (May 4, 2021). "Review: The Allman Brothers Band 'Down in Texas '71'". Americana Highways. Retrieved May 17, 2023.
  7. ^ "CD Reviews". Jambands.com. Retrieved May 17, 2023.
  8. ^ Neudorf, Jon (April 16, 2023). "Allman Brothers Band, The: Down in Texas '71". Sea of Tranquility. Retrieved May 17, 2023.