WHO ARE THEY? A mighty, massive crew of first-call session cats and studio rats, augmented by guest performances from vocalists Ruthie Foster and Marc Broussard, along with trombone virtuoso Wycliffe Gordon and guitar hero Jack Pearson.
WHAT IS THIS? Just what the title says: An album of the legendary Allman Brothers Band’s southern blues-rock classics, rearranged into killer jazz workouts.
WHAT DOES IT SOUND LIKE? The coolest big-band concert you’ve ever heard in your life — unless your high school or college band happened to deliver a smokin’ take on Hot ’Lanta, complete with complex horn charts, burgling B3 lines and blazing solos.
WHAT SHOULD IT BE TITLED? Farm Fresh Peaches — just like it says on the cover art. Though Ramblin’ Cats would also work.
WHO SHOULD I LISTEN TO IT WITH? Your rock musician buddies who dream of playing jazz — and vice versa. Or maybe that old hippie you know who likes to play Jimi Hendrix and John Coltrane back to back.
WHAT 10 WORDS SUM IT UP? Swinging, boisterous, celebratory, brassy, sophisticated, tight, polished, propulsive, dynamic, snappy.
WHAT ARE THE BEST SONGS? It’s tough to beat muscular versions of Whipping Post and Statesboro Blues with Broussard on the mic, but don’t skip impressive instrumentals like Stand Back and In Memory of Elizabeth Reed.
WHAT WILL MY FRIENDS SAY? ‘The only thing that could make this better would be cameos from Dickey Betts, Warren Haynes and Derek Trucks.’
HOW OFTEN WILL I LISTEN TO IT? It’s way too cool to stay on the shelf for long.
IF THIS ALBUM WERE AN OUTFIT, WHAT WOULD IT BE? A white tuxedo jacket with fringes on the sleeves.
SHOULD I BUY, STREAM OR STEAL IT? Reach for the wallet.
