The Allman Brothers Band at the international crossroads of southern music, history, & culture
Conversation from the Crossroads
A month or so ago, an article referencing Play All Night! Duane Allman & the Journey to Fillmore East came across the transom—“Duane Allman’s opinion on Eric Clapton.”
I reached out to thank the author, Rafael Polcaro of Brasil, and founder of https://rockandrollgarage.com/.
“Grateful for you and glad you dig the book! I love talking with international rock music fans because your entry points to this music is so much more circuitous than mine. You had to WORK to find this kind of stuff. Love your reporting/writing. Keep up the great work!”
His answer offers some insight into the global reach of the Conversation from the Crossroads I’m curating here at Long Live the ABB.
“I also love talking about music with people from different countries because it helps me understand how others perceive the same music I listen to. Something I find really interesting and something native English speakers might not always be aware of, is that for foreigners like me, whose first language is Portuguese, we usually fall in love with the music first. The lyrics tend to be the last thing we pay attention to when a song first hits us.
Take the Allman Brothers, for example. Long before I could understand a single word they were singing, it was the guitars that grabbed me first and certainly many others as well. That was very much my experience, music and movies were what really taught me English, so they have a deep meaning for me in that sense too.
I find this contrast fascinating because for American or British bands with a huge international audience, it often comes down to melody first for listeners outside their home countries.
Meanwhile, native English speakers are probably absorbing both the music and the lyrics at the same time, which is exactly how my ears work when I listen to a song in Portuguese.”
Here’s the thing with me…I’m the EXACT SAME WAY.
Lyrics don’t typically mean much to me at all at first. I struggle to remember them, even to my favorite songs.
It’s the melody that grabs me.
Always has.
I suppose that’s why the Allman Brothers appeal to me so much.
Which brings me to this Japanese release of At Fillmore East
This conversation came to mind as I pulled out my 1975 Japanese version of At Fillmore East, to christen the maiden voyage of a new turntable.
The album, a gift from my dear friend The Chairman, Gary N, is a beautiful set, in pristine condition.1
I was going to share it with y’all anyway, but then I made the connection with my conversation with Rafael.
The gatefold is the same as other versions of the album.
This one also came with a poster…
…a lyric sheet in Japanese and…
…a lyric sheet in English.
Look closely.
Here’s just “Statesboro Blues” (Sing these lyrics as you play the song in your head, they’re not too far off.)
STATESBORO BLUES
Wake up, mama
Turn your lamp down low
Wake up, mama
Turn your lamp down low
You got no nerve, baby
To turn Uncle down from your doorI woke up this morning
I had them Statesboro blues
I woke up this morning
I had the Statesboro blues
Well, I looked over in the corner, babe
And grandma seemed to have them tooWell, my mama darling loved me
My papa darling loved me
I ain’t good looking, baby
I’m someone sweet and kind
I’m all through the concert
Baby, do you wanna go
’Cause you can’t make it, baby
Your sister Lucille said she wanna go
And I’m sorry to hearI love my mama
Better than any woman I’ve ever seen
Well, I love that woman
Better than any woman I’ve ever seen
Well, she treats me like a cheat, yeah
I treat like a doggone queenOh, wake up, mama
Turn your lamp down low
Oh, wake up, mama
Turn your lamp down low
You got no nerve, baby
The son of a dime on your door
English is my native language and this phonetic translation is not far from how I have always heard lyrics. I often hear nonsense—words and phrases that make no sense until I discern the pattern of the words. Even then, I still struggle.2
This example brought to mind Rafael’s and my discussion about how music in a language other than your own resonates differently. The melody, the sounds, stand out more so than the lyrics.
That makes sense to me, someone for whom lyrics have long been a less-prominent part of the greater musical “whole” that is a song.
The Allman Brothers overseas
International Allman Brothers’ fans indeed have their work cut out for them to just find the band in the first place.3 In their 45-year history, the ABB toured Europe only three times—1974, 1980, and 1991—and Japan just once, 1991. They never once hit South America.
Lagniappe
Speaking of European tours, here’s one of my ABBsolute favorite Allman Brother videos from the 1990s: July 5, 1991, Ohne Filter Swf, Baden-Baden, Baden-Württemberg, Germany.
Dickey is particularly inspired.
Isn’t she lovely?4
Finally took a decent photo of my commission from Psychodelik Pete/Peter Nogas.
Long Live the ABB merch
Original designs in collaboration with artists and graphic designers. https://www.etsy.com/shop/longlivetheABB
Thanks for reading y’all.
Fantastic sound, still not quite as good as the original pink label Capricorn though.
And it’s way less obvious than Jimi Hendrix “‘Scuse me while I kiss this guy” in “Purple Haze” or Elton John singing “Hold me closer, Tony Danza” in “Rocket Man.” I am just not good at this lyric thing.
Here’s one such example from the archives:
The question is WHO did you hear as you were reading the Japanese Statesboro Blues lyrics? For me it was beyond a shadow of a doubt Blind Willie McTell singing along in my head as I read.