And here are great live recordings from Germany (1978 and 2008). Dickey Betts and Great Southern were the third highlight at the Rockpalast Festival on March 4th/5th, 1978. On those evenings they played for the first time in Europe in front of an enthusiastic audience at the Gruga-Halle in Essen/Germany and millions of viewers on television. Dickey Betts is not an unknown to those who are familiar with American Rock music. He was one of the original members of the Allman Brothers Band and formed his own band Great Southern in 1976. Nowadays, Dickey Betts and Great Southern are considered to be one of the most important and influential Southern Rock bands of all time.
The air in Germany definitely agrees with Dickey (see Ohne concert in 1991). I just got this music and it is phenomenal to compare him playing songs 30 years apart. The first side is from 1978 and Dickey is a madman–fast, furious, inventive, and uninhibited. This is the GS with the Toler brothers and Dan kicks ass as well. Every song is unique–in High Falls, Dickey does his Whipping Post solo. Inventive riffs on all solos throughout. Liz Reed and Jessica are other standouts. It’s a different GS in 2008 but no less original if a bit more mature. You can’t go wrong with this one. (by Mabulous)
A then and now collection, a live show from 1978 and on disc 2 a show from 2008. The sound quality on both these shows are excellent.It is amazing how Dickey has survived all these years and not loose too much of his guitar playing and singing.Dickey delivers on both these shows.This is a must have for any Dickey, Allman fan. (by Richard L. Raines)
Personnel:
The 1978 Great Southern lineup:
Dickey Betts (guitar, vocals)
David Godflies (bass)
Dan Toler (guitar)
David Toler (drums/percussion)
Dani Sharbono (drums/percussion)
Michael Workman (keyboards)
The 2008 Great Southern lineup:
Andy Aledort (guitar)
Pedro Arevalo (bass)
Dickey Betts (guitar, vocals)
Duane Betts (guitar)
Michael Kach (organ, vocals)
Frankie Lombardi (drums)
James Vanardo (drums)
Tracklist:
CD 1 (Essen/Germany, Grugahalle 1978):
01. Rockpalast-Intro 0.14
02. Run Gypsy Run (Betts/Buck/Paramore) 5.23
03. In Memory Of Elizabeth Reed (Betts) 11.39
04. Good Time Feelin’ (Betts) 7.06
05. Dealin’ With The Devil (Betts/Reynolds/Toler) 3.50
06. Jessica (Betts) 12.19
07. High Falls (incl. Drum Solo) (Betts) 29.13
08. Ramblin’ Man (Betts) 6.11
CD 2 (Bonn/Germany, Museumsplatz 2008):
01. Statesboro Blues (McTell) 6.09
02. Nothing You Can Do (Betts) 5.22
03. Blue Sky (Betts) 9.26
04. Get Away (Betts) 6.38
05. One Way Out (Sehorn/James) 8.36
06. Havin’ A Good Time (Betts) 5.51
07. In Memory Of Elizabeth Reed (Betts) 19.49
08. No One To Run With (Betts/Prestia) 6.27
09. Ramblin’ Man (Betts) 5.42
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