This came out in 2003 – or at least that’s when I got it. Here’s what I said about it back then (with some minor editing):
When Gregg Allman claims that “all the things that used to mean so much to me have made me old before my time” on the new Allman Brothers Band album Hittin’ The Note, it’s tough to take him at his word. Especially after you listen to the rest of this superior disc, the veteran southern-rock jammers’ first studio album in nine long years.
If anything, this epic 11-track comeback outing finds the Allmans rejuvenated and reinvigorated, chiefly thanks to the return of prodigal Gov’t Mule guitarist Warren Haynes and the presence of slide guitar prodigy Derek Trucks (nephew of drummer Butch). The interplay (and friendly competition) between the seasoned vet and the young whippersnapper helps kick these old dogs off the porch and back into the hunt on the funky firecracker Firing Line, the downbeat High Cost Of Low Living and Desdemona, the searingly bluesy Woman Across The River and the wah-wah boogie-bounce of Maydell. For the faithful, there are also plenty of rambling-man jams, and even a B3-soaked Memphis-style revamp of The Rolling Stones’ Heart Of Stone. So never mind Gregg and take it from us; on Hittin’ The Note the Allmans sound younger than they have in years.
