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Thursday, May 15, 2014

The Allman Brothers Band "Ramblin' Man" Isolated Rhythm Section

Here's a real treat. It's the isolated rhythm section for The Allman Brothers Band hit "Ramblin' Man," which was the band's first and only top 10 single, topping out at #2 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart. The song was featured on the 1973 album Brothers and Sisters. Here are some things to listen for.

1. Berry Oakley's bass part is littered with minor mistakes that we wouldn't leave in today, but were considered just fine for the time, not that anyone can easily pick them out with the rest of the parts playing.

2. The dual drums of Butch Trucks and Jai Johanny Johanson is interesting in that one plays straight time on the right channel while the other plays a doubletime feel on the left.

3. As with most dual drummer recordings, you're hard pressed to find the kick. This frequently happens, as the pulse of the song is taken by another instrument instead since the kick is somewhat nebulous.

4. Interestingly enough, this is one of the few songs were the guitars tuned up a half step instead of down (or they used a capo).

Thanks to my buddy Fred Decker for the heads up on this.


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1 comment:

Dmoon said...

Instead of tuning up or capoing, the published story I've read is that some record company exec decided that the original recording was too slow so they sped up the entire performance. Butch Trucks said the band called it the Donald Duck version because Dickey's voice was pitched so high

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