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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