Devon Allman - Ride Or Die

2016 –  Ruf Records

By Phillip Smith; Oct. 21, 2016

Ride Or Die, the third solo album from Devon Allman is quite strong and very bold.  Recorded in Nashville, this rocking, soulful and rootsy recording confidently hits on all cylinders.  Allman returns to the studio with co-producer/drummer Tom Hambridge, along with guitarist/bassist Tyler Stokes, bassist Steve Duerst, saxophonist Ron Holloway, violinist Bobby Yang, and keyboardist Kevin McKendree. 

Best played loud, “Say Your Prayers” masterfully ushers in the album, firing off catchy marching riffs and wavy psychedelic licks. Allman adds more heat to the swirling rock anthem “Galaxies”, asking “when galaxies collide, will you ride or die?” Allman performs this one with a beautiful intensity.  Allman sings “Watch What You Say” with the attitude and suaveness of Tom Jones.  His vocals, dripping with soul and conviction, are wonderfully accented with his stellar guitar playing.  I love the bouncy folky rhythm Allman threads through “Live From the Heart”.  It is contagious and a sheer delight.  He then wraps the album up with “A Night Like This”, a big meaty track consisting of jet-streamed riffs, lush keys and bubbly blasts of sax.  I can’t help but think of James Bond when I hear this fabulous piece.  It truly would make for an astounding 007 theme song.

Ride Or Die is a lovely album, and is Allman’s best work yet.     

Devon Allman - Live at Irish District Music & Arts Festival - Cedar Rapids, IA - June 20, 2015

All Photos by Phillip Smith 

Devon Allman - Ragged & Dirty

2014 – Ruf Records

By Phillip Smith; Sep 27, 2014

They say you got to strike the iron when it’s hot.  I’m thinking that must be a part of Devon Allman’s philosophy.  Amid a super busy schedule of recording and touring, both on his own, and with Royal Southern Brotherhood, Allman was able to find time to record this bluesy southern-rock masterpiece called, Ragged & Dirty.  Bringing Grammy winner Tom Hambridge onboard to help write and produce, as well as drum, was a choice that seems to have paid off very well.

Kicking things off in a big way, Allman energetically delivers Texas style blues with “Half the Truth”.  I not only listen to this song, but I physically feel it  Soaking up the vibrations from Allman’s tasty guitar riffs riding atop a wall of sound from Marty Sammon on B-3 organ, instantly puts me in a great mood.  The hounds are released on “Blackjack HeartAttack”, another electrically-charged track.  Simply put, this is just a great song, with infectious hooks, and bodacious guitar licks.

Allman shows off his funky side in “Can’t Lose ‘em All”. This one seems to be perfectly fitted for lengthy jam sessions, and reminds me a little of the music of The Allman Brothers.  While on the subject of funky, it’d just be wrong to not mention “I’ll Be Around”, a smooth cover of the Spinners 1973 classic. Allman unveils his chops as a soul singer on this track showing he can go pretty much any direction he wishes, musically. 

“Midnight Lake Michigan”, clocking in at about nine and a half minutes, is an amazing instrumental.  This one is best played loud, without any outside disturbances, so as to catch every lovely and strategically played note.  Immediately following is, “10 Million Slaves”, a song reminding us about the atrocities of the transatlantic slave trade, written and previously recorded by trace-blues king Otis Taylor.  Allman’s guitar sings beautifully as he stays true to the original spirit of the song.

Allman, taps into his southern rock roots with “Traveling” and “Times Have Changed”.  Vocals lowered and raspy, he reminds me tremendously of one my favorites, Jim “Dandy” Mangrum, of Black Oak Arkansas on these two tracks.

There’s something in every song that deserves to be heard.  Besides the well-crafted songwriting, and flawless performances, Ragged & Dirty has heart, soul, and a boatload of personality.  It’s sure to be a fan-favorite. 

  

         

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