After introducing their new organ trio project DTF last month with their debut single “Chester”, Lettuce drummer Adam Deitch, Dumpstaphunk guitarist Ari Teitel, and rising soul-jazz organist Sam Fribush are back with a bold reinterpretation of the Allman Brothers Band classic “Midnight Rider”.
Premiering today exclusively via Live For Live Music ahead of its official release on Friday, the track filters the ABB’s soulful Southern rock spirit through a funky, improvisational lens. The result is a rendition that feels both fresh and familiar—a nod to the past with a modern touch. The song will appear on DTF’s forthcoming debut album, Another Side Of The Sound, due out May 23rd.
“When Dickey Betts passed in April 2024, I started revisiting the Allman Brothers catalog, and ‘Midnight Rider’ immediately stood out to me as a special track,” Fribush reflected. “At the time, I was looking for a familiar tune where I could hold a drone with the bass pedals and experiment with some delay effects on top. The song’s harmony lent itself perfectly to that, especially with that ride-cymbal-Idris Muhammad-esque groove from Adam Deitch. Gregg Allman wrote this one, and he was also known for playing the Hammond organ. Ari delivers a killer guitar solo with a bit of country flair. I hope people really enjoy the soul-jazz take on this iconic song.”
Fribush said he shared the track with Allman Brothers Band kin Duane Betts, who responded with a succinct seal of approval, texting back, “I love that vibe.”
Deitch also expressed enthusiasm about the trio’s unconventional approach, pointing to the song’s continued influence across genres and generations. “I enjoyed digging into this classic tune, famously sampled by Pretty Lights and now re-imagined by DTF!!” he said.
“We wanted to take a familiar song—something that’s in everyone’s musical DNA, but throw our kitchen sink of influences on it,” added Teitel. “Everything from country, bebop, gospel, and funk bubbles to the surface in our version, which by the way, got arranged completely on the fly. Sam asked Deitch to lay down a Billy Martin-esque groove. I decided to dip into my Jerry Garcia and Dickey Betts bags, which I normally don’t do, but I was raised on that music. Sam played some spooky-yet-soulful organ on the track, and I think it really gelled together nicely. It was a nice opportunity to play music that’s totally in our wheelhouse, but that people don’t usually get to see us play.”
With its reverent nods to the Allman Brothers and bold stylistic flair, DTF’s “Midnight Rider” goes beyond a traditional cover, delivering a fresh, revitalized interpretation of a timeless classic. Stream the exclusive premiere below and click here to pre-save/pre-order DTF’s debut LP, Another Side Of The Sound, before its release on May 23rd.
DTF – “Midnight Rider” (Allman Brothers Band)