The Allman Brothers Band will revisit their September 28th, 1971 concert at Austin Municipal Auditorium in a new archival release, Down In Texas ’71, available digitally on March 26th. Notably, the forthcoming release will contain nine live tracks pulled from the Allman’s concert to mark the anniversary of the band’s formation on 3/26/1969.
Down In Texas ’71 finds The Allman Brothers hitting their stride in what proved to be one of the best–as well as one of the worst–years of their career. Recorded just one month prior to founding guitarist Duane Allman‘s death in October 1971, the concert features the full original lineup of Duane and Gregg Allman, Dickey Betts, Berry Oakley, Butch Trucks, and Jaimoe.
Coming two months after the release of the band’s seminal live album, At Fillmore East, The Allman Brothers are at the top of their game as they tear through fan favorites like the opening “Statesboro Blues”, “Trouble No More”, “One Way Out”, and, of course, “In Memory of Elizabeth Reed”.
Down In Texas ’71 carries more historical significance than being just a great show, however, as The Allmans were joined onstage by saxophonist Rudolph “Juicy” Carter. A bandmate of Jaimoe’s during their tenure in Percy Sledge who also gave the drummer born Johnny Lee Johnson the nickname Jaimoe, Carter appears on six of the nine tracks featured on the CD and holds the title for the most extensive guest appearance during the band’s original lineup.
In addition to the nine live tracks, fans who order the CD will receive a special bonus disc featuring an interview with Berry Oakley and Duane Allman taped on June 6th, 1971 a few months ahead of the concert. Sales from Down In Texas ’71 will go to benefit The Allman Brothers Band Museum, also known as “The Big House,” in Macon, GA.
Physical pre-orders for The Allman Brothers Band’s Down In Texas ’71 are now open, with copies expected to ship on March 26th. Scroll down to see the full tracklist.