It is hard to understand what went wrong in the studio in 1980 & 81 for the ABB to have put out this bad of music. They had just come off of one of their best studio albums in Enlightened Rogues in 1979, which was back to the basics dual guitar ABB. I own every major release ever by this band & returned this bomb. If you are looking to expand beyond the early ABB classics, go for An Evening With the ABB, Where It All Begins or Seven Turns all from the post 1989 reunion period. Gregg's last solo disc (Searchin for Simplicity) is wonderful, too. They have come back on fire and have put real ABB records with all four living original members sounding as inspired as ever. I am not sure what went wrong during this brief period of time in their history. The band broke up for 8 years after this time if that tells you anything.

This does sound somewhat like the ABB, but what an inferior product. I generally like it when a band attempts stylistic changes, but the female choruses and horn solos in these efforts just don't ring true. And fiddle?

*Hell & High Water - were they aware that they were borrowing the melody of "Will The Circle Be Unbroken?" ? Choruses sound out-of-place, but otherwise the song is OK

* indicates the songs I consider decent, though none are great

I agree with the assessment that Arista was looking for another Doobie Brothers. It's odd what expectations can do; I would like these songs better on a Marshall Tucker Band or Outlaws disc, but the ABB were capable of so much more. Almost the whole CD sounds like an ABB imitation, the solos are derivative of older - and better - songs, the lyrics are rehashes, the arrangements are often too pop sounding. Some cuts have the characteristic ABB drum sound, guitar scale bridges and vocal growling, but it sounds perfunctory. Being a longtime ABB fanatic, I want to totally hate this CD, but it is listenable - just not inspired. Approaching this as a Country-Rock disc and not a typical ABB disc allows objectivity, but hearing merely OK material from a great band is a let down. I can't say that I'll play it much.

Ok, this compilation album highlighting the band's best from their Arista years isn't vintage Allman Brothers, but it's nevertheless an enjoyable listen. There are flashes of their older sound, with melodies that mirror Jessica and Ramblin' Man for instance, but that's not what they're trying to do here. These songs are a bit more uplifting and of a softer edge. A band that has been around as long as this one goes through inevitable changes in sound; it has to happen. If it didn't, then every song or album would sound the same. Now, for the songs that I recommend: FROM THE MADNESS OF THE WEST is a standout with nice drum fills and that western feel to it. ANGELINE is another good track that sounds like their older stuff. STRAIGHT FROM THE HEART (while poppish) is one that I can embrace as an acquired taste. Finally, THE JUDGMENT is a moving track with a good chorus. All in all, this album is good, and represents another side and sound to this enormously successful southern rock/blues band. 7/10

I cannot believe how many bad reviews this album has gotten, when in fact, it's a great transition collection of hits from the golden ABB 70s period to the "comeback late 80s-90s era". Yes of course this collection doesn't have classics like Whippiing Post, Jessica, No Way Out, Melissa, etc. but songs such as "I Got A Right To Be Wrong", "Straight From The Heart", "Never Knew How Much" and "Angeline" makes this album worth the money. If you are a true ABB fan, you have to buy it, end of story. If all you listen to is a 22 minute live version of Whipping Post and Elizabeth Reed, well this album may just "wake you up" and show you the blue sky for once.

"Angeline". That's it.You can get that on the box set.It has a beat and won't put you to sleep.I don't even recommend this disc to dedicated fans.What happened ?