Song of the South – Duane Allman & the Rise of the Allman Brothers Band
Sexy Intellectual
http://www.amazon.com/Allman-Duane-Song-South-Brothers/dp/B00DNJ99F2

Rating: B

While this film is not authorized by the Allman Brothers, their record company or their management, it is actually a pretty damn good in-depth documentary on Duane Allman and his life and career, both in and outside of the band.   While there are no current interviews with anyone in the Allman Brothers, there are many revealing and emotional testimonials from people who worked with the band and/or were their friends.

The documentary looks at the American South and racist issues of the day and describes how the band was ahead of its time when it came to integration of the races and the attitudes of togetherness for humanity.  The flick goes on to discuss Duane’s failure as a recording artist in the early days and then his work with Eric Clapton and Derek & the Dominos.  From there his career in the Allman Brothers band becomes the focus of the show.

The viewer is taken into the famous Muscle Shoals sessions as the producers and the founding members of the Muscle Shoals Rhythm Section, David Hood and Jimmy Johnson, contribute interviews about their time with Duane.  Paul Hornsby is very interesting to listen to as he knows as well as anyone the story of Southern Rock and how Duane and the other Brothers fit into, and even created, the era.

This one may not be a sanctioned release, but it was done with love and care and little worry about length as it goes on and on and on… but, if you are a true fan of Duane Allman, time stops while watching this offering.  This is a job well done, indeed.

By Jeb Wright