Personnel includes: Gregg Allman, Dickey Betts (vocals, guitar); Duane Allman (guitar, dobro, background vocals); Paul Hornsby, Scott Boyer, Elvin Bishop, Tommy Talton, Steve Beckmeier, Rickey Hirsch, John Hug, Dan Toler (guitar); John Hughley (steel guitar); Tom Doucette (harmonica); Steve Madaio, Pat Rizzo, Dave Luell (horns); Steve Miller, Chuck Leavell (piano); Dale Betts, Neil Larson (keyboards); Reese Wynans (organ); Bob Keller, Pete Carr, David Brown, Berry Oakley, Lamar Williams, Willie Weeks, Ken Tibbets, David Goldflies (bass); Maynard Portwood, Johnny Sandlin, Butch Trucks, Jaimoe, Bill Stewart, David Warshaw (drums); Maeretha Stewart, Helene Mills, Buck Rambo, Dottie Rambo, Reba Rambo, Don Johnson (background vocals).

Producers include: Dallas Smith, Adrian Barber, Tom Dowd, Johnny Sandlin, Allman Brothers Band.

Compilation producer: Bill Levenson.

Recorded between 1966 & 1988. Includes a 32-page illustrated booklet and liner notes by John Swenson.

Spanning four discs and nearly 100 tracks, Dreams is one of those rare box sets that tells a story while delivering the definitive word on its subject. Its success has a lot to do with its status as Polygram/Bill Levinson's sequel to the acclaimed hit Crossroads, which summarized Eric Clapton's winding career perfectly. They follow the same approach here, gathering pre-Allman's recordings from the clan, including cuts by the Allman Joys, selecting the hits from the classic years, and adding stray cuts by solo projects to the mix. It's a smart move and it results in a terrific box that truly offers the definitive word on one of the longest-running dramas in Southern rock. Yes, the Allmans reunited rather successfully after this box, so none of that material is here, but it's not missed -- this is the story of the band. ~ Stephen Thomas Erlewine

Like nearly all box sets, DREAMS has plenty to recommend it-and a few nagging drawbacks. The set's chief shortcoming is its two conflicting goals: providing an overview of the Allmans' history, thus attracting buyers seeking the ultimate hits package, and including enough unreleased tracks and rarities to appeal to the band's most devoted fans. As a result, DREAMS is neither the definitive Allman Brothers collection nor the gift to hardcore fans that, say, THE BOOTLEG SERIES is to Dylan-philes.

DREAMS' strengths are considerable. First and foremost, the box contains nearly five wall-to-wall hours of great music. By including everything from early demos to Gregg Allman and Dickie Betts' solo material, DREAMS does a great job of tracing the group's musical evolution from hippie blues band to kings of Southern rock. And, while the unreleased studio version of "Statesboro Blues" included here isn't definitive, it's still mighty good-as are the set's other rarities. Start your Allman Brothers collection with THE FILLMORE CONCERTS; if that grabs you, DREAMS should also find a welcome place on your CD shelf.