The Allman Brothers Band released their comeback album, Seven Turns, in 1990. The band was riding a wave of momentum as old fans were reminded of the band's powers with the release of their 4-CD box set retrospective, Dreams. In addition, a new whole audience discovered the band's greatness on their 1989 tour. Original members Gregg Allman, Dickey Betts, Butch Trucks, and Jaimoe were joined by guitarist Warren Haynes, keyboardist Johnny Neel, and bassist Allen Woody. The inclusion of both Haynes and Neel indicate an attempt to not only recreate the magic of the two-guitar lineup of Betts and Duane Allman but to also relive their popular Brothers and Sisters album in which Chuck Leavell's piano added another weapon to the band's impressive arsenal. The infusion of new blood is very apparent as the performances on Seven Turns show a classic band regaining their hunger. Allman certainly was feeling the vibe as his vocals on this album are arguably the best of his career. Whether it's on the smoking rocker "Good Clean Fun" or on the bluesy tracks "Low Down Dirty Mean" and "Gambler's Roll", Allman sounds reborn. "Let Me Ride" is a cool country rocker from Dickey Betts while "Shine It On" is a driving slice of southern rock. "True Gravity" is another strong jazz inflicted instrumental to add to their collection and is highlighted by Neel's impressive piano solo. The title track is a modern classic in the country rock vein with a memorable chorus and some cool slide guitar during the outro. The remaining tracks "It Ain't Over Yet" and "Loaded Dice" are also very good. All told, while Seven Turns is not on par with their best work, it's a very strong comeback and easily their best album since Brothers and Sisters.

A great comeback after eight long years. Very bluesy tunes. The new cats are virtuosos on their instruments. Good Clean Fun shows Gregg Allman very dinstinctive voice full of power, True Gravity makes the strings shine on the top and Dickey Betts shows new skills in Seven Turns (sounds like The Eagles with a south flavour). Make a deal and get this in your collection and to the company records: please, put again the entire Allmans catalog specially the hard-to-find Shadows of Two Worlds, Brothers on the Road and the first Arista Label album...let me ride!!

Seven Turns (1990) was the last comeback album from the Allman Brothers Band. It's also the last time they've needed to comeback. They've been going strong ever since. What a comeback this was for us long time ABB fans who had all but lost hope in the desolate 1980s! Now, eighteen years and a few more excellent albums later, Seven Turns has lost a little of it's initial luster. In 1990, it was utterly fantastic. In 2008, it's a very good album that has a couple of great songs.

The title song is an excellent Dickey Betts acoustic/electric guitar ballad that makes ABB magic and has become an Allman Brothers Band classic. Good Clean Fun is a rocking romp with great swagger, mean guitars, a screeching harmonica and Gregg Allman's gravelly growl. Those two are great songs, the best on Seven Turns.

Gambler's Roll is an exceptional atmospheric blues-ballad where Allman's golden-throated blues singing is spotlighted. Warren Haynes steps up as the lead singer on his blues-rocker Loaded Dice. Of course, there's the usual ABB instrumental, the jazzy True Gravity, and it's a winner, too. I also like the southern rocker Shine It On. Gregg Allman sings the optimistic Dickey Betts/Warren Haynes lyrics.

I've had my troubles

I know you've had your troubles, too

Sometimes when you need a little sunshine

It keeps raining down on you

But I'm not gonna let it get me down

Keep on pullin', things are gonna come around

Shine It On

The Allman Brothers Band really got back to form with Seven Turns and started what would become their new beginning. It's a good album, one that long-time fans will remember as the rebirth of the ABB. While not quite as good as any of the "Duane Era" albums, it's as close as they had come in a long time. And that's really saying something.

Way too many albums are given the top rating of 5 stars. This one is a real classic & deserves it. If you own some of their material from the 1970s and are hunting for more, this is a great place to start. True Gravity, Good Clean Fun, Let Me Ride, Seven Turns, Shine It On, and Low Down Dirty Mean will make you glad you bought this one. After the weak Brothers of the Road album(1981), it is hard to believe these guys came back so strong.

This was the Allman Brothers first studio release since 1982 and it said, without a doubt, "WE'RE BACK!"

Each track, beginning with "Good Clean Fun" right through to "It Aint Over Yet" proves that their southern rock and blues sound was not lost in the long hiatus, especially at a time (1990) when rock music was about to take a dramatic turn into the "grunge" scene.

I'd own this CD for "True Gravity" alone, their best instrumental piece since "In Memory of Elizabeth Reed".