The Allman Brothers Band Stand Back: The Anthology (2-CD)

Personnel: Dickey Betts (vocals, guitar, acoustic guitar, slide guitar); Gregg Allman (vocals, electric guitar, piano, organ); Dan Toler (guitar, acoustic guitar, electric guitar); Duane Allman, Warren Haynes (guitar, acoustic guitar, slide guitar); Les Dudek (guitar, acoustic guitar); Derek Trucks (guitar, slide guitar, acoustic slide guitar); Jim Essery (harmonica); Jimmy Hall (saxophone); Mike Lawler (piano, electric piano, synthesizer); Chuck Leavell, Johnny Cobb (piano, background vocals); Allen Woody (bass instrument, background vocals); David Goldflies, Lamar Williams, Oteil Burbridge, Berry Oakley (bass instrument); Jai Johanny Johanson (drums, timpani, percussion); Butch Trucks (drums, percussion); David "Frankie" Toler (drums); Marc Qui¤ones (congas, percussion); Thomas Caine, Bonnie Bramlett (background vocals).

Audio Mixers: Michael Barbiero; Warren Haynes.

Liner Note Author: Scott Schinder.

Recording information: Ardent Recording, Memphis, TN (09/1969-04/2002); Atlantic Recording Studios, New York, NY (09/1969-04/2002); BR Ranch Studios, Jupiter, FL (09/1969-04/2002); Capricorn Sound Studios, Macon, GA (09/1969-04/2002); Criteria Studios, Miami, FL (09/1969-04/2002); Fillmore East, New York, NY (09/1969-04/2002); Pyramid Eye Recording Studio, Lookout Mountain, GA (09/1969-04/2002); The Record Plant, Los Angeles, CA (09/1969-04/2002); Water Music, Hoboken, NJ (09/1969-04/2002); Young'Un Sound, Nashville, TN (09/1969-04/2002).

Photographers: Jeffrey Mayer; Twiggs Lyndon; Stephen Paley; Kirk West; Bob Gruen; Joe Sia; Bob Johnson.

A beautifully packaged and sequenced two-disc set, STAND BACK is the definitive overview of one of the most successful and influential blues-rock acts ever. The Allman Brothers Band were superior musicians who incorporated elements of country, jazz, and R&B into their playing, and displayed a remarkable penchant for group improvisation. The synthesis of these factors, delivered with a distinctive country-fried edge, is laid out on this excellent 32-song career retrospective.

Arranged chronologically, STAND BACK traces the evolution of the Allmans, from edge-pushing rockers (the first cut from the band's 1969 debut, "Don't Want You No More," with its shifting time signatures and jazz inflections, is almost progressive rock), to their country-rock of the '90s and 2000s. In between are fiery interpretations of blues classics by Blind Willie McTell and Muddy Waters, and songs by vocalist/keyboardist Gregg Allman and guitarist Dickey Betts, many of which ("Whipping Post," "Midnight Rider") are now blues-rock classics in their own right. With its driving, twin-drummer rhythm section, and complex organ/dual-guitar interplay, the band never misses a step on this superb collection.