Personnel: Dickey Betts (vocals, guitar); Gregg Allman (vocals, organ, keyboards); Duane Allman (guitar, acoustic guitar, slide guitar); Jaimoe Johnson (drums, congas, percussion); Butch Trucks (drums, maracas, timbales, percussion).

Recording information: Atlantic Recording Studios, New York, NY.

Photographer: Stephen Paley.

Arrangers: The Allman Brothers Band; Phil Walden.

The Allman Brothers Band debut album, like the following three records made by the original Allman Brothers lineup (which included the late Duane Allman and Berry Oakley), is pretty essential stuff. Included here are all of the elements that would make LIVE AT THE FILLMORE EAST one of the greatest live records ever: Duane's searing guitar playing, Gregg's hoarse, soulful vocals and poetic blues songwriting (both "Dreams" and "Whipping Post," two of his best, are here), and the near-telepathic interplay among all six members of the band.

In addition to showcasing the band's fine musicianship, and laying down an undeniable series of soulful, hard-edged blues grooves, THE ALLMAN BROTHERS BAND may be the founding document of Southern rock. The Allmans' pioneered the sound of twin electric lead guitars in rock (they got the idea from Bob Wills), and were probably the first to use two drummers. On these earliest recordings they remain a world away from the stars 'n' bars posturing of their musical descendants. This is true, enduring American music.