Crate Digging: “Eat a Peach”

The story of the Allman Brothers Band spans triumph, tragedy and reinvention. They pioneered the jam-band style in rock, dazzling crowds with long, improvisational sessions. Marquee album “At Fillmore East” is a legendary live recording at the famed venue where the band showcases this signature style. The road wasn’t easy, or straightforward, for this classic group. 

Frontman Duane Allman and bassist Berry Oakley both died in motorcycle accidents in the two years after “Fillmore.” In the proceeding 30 years of touring and recording, the band underwent changes in personnel, sound and popularity.

Fourth studio album “Eat a Peach” arrived at the apex of the band’s notoriety and devastation. The LP includes recordings from both before and after Duane Allman’s passing, and mixes live performances with studio sessions. 

Nine tracks spanning 70 minutes delve into the band’s inventive melodies and harmonies. Mixing lyrical songs with instrumentals, the band showcases their versatility–they can both produce chart-topping singles and geek out on 30-minute odysseys. 

The album’s title, which alludes to the band’s home base in Macon, Georgia, harnesses country influences while interspersing funk, jazz and blues. This amalgamation of genres makes for a dynamic listening experience, with tracks shifting quickly between up-tempo breakdowns and slow, tender ballads. 

While the Allman Brothers are a mainstay for many a classic rock station, this album offers cuts that wouldn’t often appear on a list of hits from the era. Tracks “Melissa” and “Blue Sky” offer a more traditional structure, while “Mountain Jam” centers the album with a 32-minute sonic exploration, flowing through different forms and progressions.

Gregg Allman honored his late brother with “Melissa,” a personal favorite of Duane’s that had yet to find its way on an Allman Brothers release. The track’s acoustic strumming and soft vocals provide a tranquil interlude between two bookending jams. 

The content of each song ranges widely, though the band uses similar guitar tones and processing to achieve a consistent sound throughout the project. While “Eat a Peach” has its own unique flavor, it's these creative decisions that construct a cohesive identity for the group.