Heart Of Stone

One of the major traits I look for in a cover version, especially one of a classic song, is that the performer doing the cover doesn't dispose of their own established musical identity in favor of trying to replicate the sound of the original artist. The result of that is often not good, even when mimicking the original recording in detail was the whole point of the exercise. Then it falls back to pass or fail, with pass being the more rare outcome.

But today's featured band will have no trouble with any of that, as they probably couldn't sound like anyone else if they wanted to, and that's a very good thing. Over the last 45 years, the Allman Brothers Band has established a firm and unique identity in the American musical landscape. Following the loss of two crucial band members, Duane Allman and Berry Oakley, back in the early 1970's, the band very well could have folded right then, but bravely soldiered on with the release of "Brothers And Sisters". Had they decided to pack it in at that time, they would still be in the Rock 'n Roll Hall of Fame for their incandescent live performances, notably those recorded at New York's Fillmore East.

Stepping into the large shoes of guitarists Duane Allman and the retired Dickey Betts are Derek Trucks, nephew of Allmans' drummer Butch Trucks, and Warren Haynes. While both musicians have their own bands, they somehow found time to keep the fire burning with The Allman Brothers until January of this year, when Derek and Warren issued this joint statement announcing their departure from the band.

Warren Haynes & Derek Trucks, hittin' the note.

"Warren Haynes and Derek Trucks have confirmed they will be leaving the legendary Allman Brothers Band at the end of 2014 to focus on other projects. 'For 25 years and 15 years respectively, we’ve had the honor and pleasure of playing, living, learning, and traveling with the Allman Brothers Band, one of the truly legendary rock and roll bands. We will be forever grateful for the opportunity and the experience, and for the love, enthusiasm, and support of the incredible fans. We are both preparing to dig even deeper into our various creative and musical endeavors and, as a result, 2014 will be our final year as part of the band. We are looking forward to seeing our loyal ABB fans at the Fox Theatre in Atlanta this Friday night January 10th and in March at the Beacon Theater in New York City as we celebrate the 45th Anniversary of the band.' – Warren Haynes & Derek Trucks". As some other original members were contemplating retirement as well, 2014 could be the final curtain for The Allman Brothers Band. But shed no tears; 45 years is a damn good run by any standard.

I've only seen a filmed concert of Warren and Derek playing with The Allman Brothers, and their combined musicality is incendiary. However, I did get to catch Derek performing with his wife, Susan Tedeschi, at a Soul and Blues festival in Las Vegas last year. Susan is amazing in her own right, but I swear, if Derek Trucks is not the return to this life of Duane Allman himself, then he is certainly able to channel Duane's musical spirit. Derek is one of those rare players with a unique voice, stunning musicality, and few peers. I'd put him in the same league with Jeff Beck; he's that good. But just to be fair, Warren Haynes is no slouch himself.

Hearing this track for the first time, I experienced what National Public Radio refers to as a 'driveway moment'. I had Sirius XM on in the car, and had just about arrived at my house when this song began. I was enjoying it so much, I didn't turn the car off and go inside until the song had finished playing! That doesn't happen often. Ok, I did turn the engine off. I'm not wasting gas just to listen to the radio!

From the 2003 Allman Brothers album, "Hittin' The Note", here's Warren and Derek flaking the ceiling plaster on a soulful version of the early Rolling Stones hit, "Heart Of Stone", that's sung by Gregg Allman with all his usual fervor. Derek's blistering slide solo kicks in at about the 3:20 mark, then Warren joins in. All killer, no filler.

"Hittin' The Note" was the Allman's first studio album to include Derek Trucks, bassist Oteil Burbridge, and marked the full-time return of Warren Haynes to the band. It was also their first studio album without original guitarist Dickey Betts. Also featured on the album is a spirited rendition of John Mayall's "Maydell"; another song that fits the Allmans like a well worn glove. We may have to get to that one on these pages sometime soon.

The Rolling Stones, where many parents of the day wanted them.

Now, as to why The Allman Brothers would choose to do "Heart Of Stone", my guess is that although it's similar to many American Soul ballads of the period, particularly the influential writing of Arthur Alexander, it wasn't the same as any other Blues or Soul song that The Rolling Stones had been covering at the time. Mick 'n Keef's songwriting had progressed to where they were finding their own voice and raising it above their influences, so it was a good place for someone like the Allmans to hunt for an early Stones song to do. Besides, it would be pointless for the Allmans to do a cover of a Stones cover. They'd just go right to the source, as they've done for decades.

"Heart Of Stone" was first released in December of 1964 as a single in the US, where it became their second Top 20 US hit, reaching #19. The song was included on the US album, "The Rolling Stones, Now!", the following February. In England, it appeared on the UK version of "Out Of Our Heads", and in many European countries on an EP, with a subsequent single release. A longer early version appeared in 1975 on the odds 'n sods album "Metamorphosis". That one was recorded on 21–23 July 1964 with Jimmy Page on guitar and Clem Cattini on drums, probably as a demo. Here's the Stones' original single version.

For reasons unknown to us, reissues of Rolling Stones albums are some of the highest priced CD's and downloads out there, with the notable exception of their live archive series that's available at Google Play for about 5 bucks each. But despite their apparent need to fatten their 401k's while they can, one must consider The Stones' spotty track record since 1980. So from a viewpoint of stocking your library with legitimate Rock history, I will suggest that you ignore the ever popular "Hot Rocks" compilation and go straight for the far superior "Singles Collection: The London Years". It's still not cheap, as it contains 3 discs, but it's a comprehensive treasury of all their A and B sides from their reign as one of the top singles bands of the 60's; many of them in their powerful original mono mixes. From 1970 on, you're fairly safe on your own.

Almost everything ever released by The Allman Brothers Band, even titles that went out of print, have found their way back to the musical marketplace as either downloads or hard copy CD's. For all of you connoisseurs of high quality vinyl, be advised that Allman Brothers titles are always among the first to be reissued. Do yourself a humongous favor and look into the incredible music being made by both the Tedeschi-Trucks Band and Warren Haynes. By all means, go see them play live, should they visit your city. Your soon-to-be blown mind will thank you profusely.