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 Not Quite The Allman Brothers Band, Yet Still Great Jun 01, 2008
Gregg Allman's first solo album after getting off drugs and alcohol, I'M NO ANGEL, is a great testament to his survivalist courage. Granted, it's not up to the standards of the albums the Allman Brothers Band made in the 70s and from 1990 to the present, or Allman's 1973 solo album LAID BACK, but is still wonderful in its own right. The sound may be a bit overly commercial, but the lyrics cut deep enough to overcome any musical shortcomings, and even if he sometimes sounds a bit like Michael Bolton, Allman's stories of love gone sour are a lot more believable than Bolton's sappy love ballads. If you love the Allman Brothers Band, by all means buy this CD; just don't come expecting "Wasted Words" or "Southbound."
5 of 6 found the following review helpful:
 HE'S NO ANGEL, BUT GREGG ALLMAN IS ONE HELL OF A SINGER ! Mar 11, 2008
Gregg Allman's I'm No Angel (1986) is mostly a romantic rhythm and blues album, other than the rocking and fantastic title song. And that's not a bad thing! Sure, he's one of the greatest blues singers who ever lived, but that voice doesn't go to waste on these (mostly) rock n' soul love songs. Here, he adjusts his commanding blues voice to interpret these songs with a soulful and sensual growl. The song arrangements still include plenty of guitar, but you're more likely to hear a saxophone solo and female backing vocals on most of the songs. I'm No Angel kicks it off, and it's a great swaggering declaration of rough and rowdy masculine independence.
No, I'm no angel, I'm no stranger to the street
I've got my label, so I won't crumble at your feet
And I know baby, so I've got scars upon my cheek
And I'm half crazy, come on and love me baby
So you find me hard to handle, well I'm easier to hold
So you like my spurs that jingle and I never leave you cold
So I might steal your diamonds, I'll bring you back some gold
I'm no angel
Can't Keep Runnin' is another great song with rocking guitars, but it's more romantic and soulful with it's pleading lyrics and female backing singers. Evidence Of Love is the big surprise on the album. A duet with Don Johnson (from TV's Miami Vice), the song really works in a meaningful way to express the pain of a relationship that's hanging by a thread, or even already over.
I still believe we can see this through
But there's only so much that I can do
It doesn't make sense
Without some evidence
...of love
Allman sounds better than great on this one, Don Johnson sings well, too, and the sax solo is perfectly amazing. Lead Me On is a strong cut that features Allman at his virile best, singing lines like "Your lies mean less than nothing to me anymore" like he means it. Anything Goes, Yours For The Asking, and Faces Without Names are all love songs, and each one sounds soulful and romantic. Gregg closes the album with a remake of Don't Want You No More/It's Not My Cross To Bear from The Allman Brothers Band's first album. This version is more laid back and jazzy, and sounds pretty good, too.
I'm No Angel is a good album, but just don't expect any Allman Brothers style blues-rock. It's a treat to hear Allman show off his skills as a singer in a different setting, though. The sax solos work well with his voice, and the production is top-notch. Other than the title song, this is a romantic album, and Gregg Allman certainly knows his way around....even if he is no angel.
S PENN Jan 08, 2008
When I listened to the Guitar solo on "What might have been" I was for lack of a better word in awe! Buy this CD just for that!
0 of 1 found the following review helpful:
A Few Surprises! Jan 04, 2007
I'm very fond of this CD. One of the surprises is Don Johnson ( yes, the actor) who performs in one of the tracks. he's suprisingly good. I also like the smoothness of this CD.
2 of 3 found the following review helpful:
Greg Allman at his best! Jan 31, 2006
One of those albums where almost every song is a pleasure. Southern blues at its best. Greg and his band just keep getting better with age!
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