I have wondered for a long time when this was going to be released. This 2 cd set contains both of the Allman Brothers Band's performances from the Atlanta International Pop Festival in July of 1970. "Every Hungry Woman" from the first set was previously released on the "Mycology" compilation and scorching versions of "Statesboro Blues" and "Whipping Post" from the second set were released on the "Great Festivals of the Seventies" lp in 1971. Highlights of the first set include an inspired version of "Dreams" and the Berry Oakley vocal spotlight "Hoochie Coochie Man". The band was really locked in by the time of the second set. From the barnstorming opener "Don't Keep Me Wonderin'" the intensity never fails. After the aformentioned slide workout "Statesboro Blues" the band performs one of the best ever versions of "In Memory Of Elizabeth Reed". Duane and Dickey trade licks like there is no tomorrow. An emotional reading of T-Bone Walker's "Stormy Monday" follows with a great vocal by Gregg. Berry Oakley's lead bass kick starts the runaway version of concert favorite "Whipping Post" played jazzier than usual. Just when you think the intensity can not get any higher the best ever version of "Mountain Jam" clocks in next at around 28 minutes. Johnny Winter joins in on the jam to make it more interesting than usual. It contains a monster bass solo by the underrated Berry Oakley and great jazzy drum interplay between Butch Trucks and Jaimoe. The guitars of Duane and Dickey just soar and Gregg adds some interesting keyboard fills to the mix. Old friend Thom Doucette adds his tasty harmonica playing to a number of songs on the set. The first set also contains a good version of Muddy Waters' "Trouble No More" which was not played during the second set. Some have called the Allman Brothers Band of this time period the greatest live American rock band. This new set "Live at the Atlanta International Pop Festival" ranks right up there with "At Fillmore East" and after hearing these two live sets I'm inclined to agree. The new 2 cd set is the next best thing to being there! If you like this set by all means pick up the Deluxe Edition of "At Fillmore East" that was recently reissued. The new Deluxe Edition of that set contains at least one version of every song played during this historic run of concerts. Hopefully some of the performances of the other bands that played at the Atlanta International Pop Festval like Ten Years After, Mountain, Johnny Winter, Jethro Tull etc. will be released in the future.

It's been an overwhelming year in regards to the quantity of ABB releases/goods in 2003. With a long list including the Beacon dvd, the Instant Live shows, & along with the recent gem> the 9/19/71 archive release... the Atlanta Pop release from Sony. (For more information, check out the offcial ABB web page.)

These recordings have been circulating in the trading circles(you know who you are) for a bit, but NEVER in this recording quality. The quality of these recordings is nothing short of breathtaking. There was a neat little promotion for this release through the Sony web site that included a promo poster as well(I think it's over though).

Re: the shows

My personal preference between the two shows is the 7/3/70, as I like the flow of the setlist(even w/ the rain delay). Duane Allman is simply awesome throughout the gig- recommended are Dreams & his solos on Mountain Jam. The guest appearance by Johnny Winter on the second MJ is a mixed bag.... he does not add anything musically, & some may even find him to be a distraction. One should also note, that the Mountain Jam w/ Winter also has been edited down, as the original running time is much longer (in the 40 min. range). How do I know this? Well, I have it, as do countless other traders. So people that have had the show should hold onto their Captain Skipper remaster.... but should get this release as well due to the stunning sound quality & packaging.

Although the recent Dickey Betts split has caused a division of sorts to the many faithful in the ABB legion, w/ many claiming who is "right" or "wrong", there is a common ground for them all: the original line up. A dear place in the hearts of many, when Duane, Gregg, Dickey, Berry, Butch, & Jaimoe were all playing music together.

The Allman's were living close to where this festival was held, and turned on several hundred thousand people to a band that had played together for the first time less than a year earlier. It is amazing how fast the Allmans became among the tightest performing units in rock. For fans of the original Allman Brothers, this release fills a void we have been craving- the only multi-track live set with Duane other than Fillmore East. The band released a 2 track reel recording from December 1970 on their site as well. These performances reveal variations to the songs which highlight their impovisational skill. You'll notice there are 2 versions of most songs, however they are different in approach, varying in length, tempo and soloing. They may be a bit rougher in spots compared to Fillmore East, but amazing nonetheless...if anything one gets the feeling that the band is taking more chances here, without worrying about making a mistake (which must have been in the back of their minds during the recording of Fillmore East). There is alot of burning solos from Duane and Betts throughout, and Oakley proves to be a strong contributer also. The Whipping Posts are shorter, but don't meander..they are intense throughout. The longer version of Elizabeth Reed is one to stand right alongside the Fillmore version...and to have a nice live version of "Dreams" with Duane is the icing on the cake. The sound quality is about as good as you can expect for a large outdoor festival from 1970, well recorded for the time with a good mix...and thank god the engineer was awake to roll the tapes when Duane and Co. came onstage at 3:30 AM (disc 2), Duane biding all "GOOD MORNING!".

I love this 2 cd set. The Allmans opened and closed the Atlanta International Pop Festival in 1970. What a music festival this must have been. Hendrix even played one of the days.

These 2 shows must have been special for the brothers because they were still trying to create a buzz about their music and this festival was right in their backyard. According to the notes the crowd grew to over half a million during the weekend. The brothers certainly played like they had something to prove. One reviewer complained that Duane's guitar was out of tune. Not to me. True, Duane's playing was all over the place - some licks worked and some didn't. The entire band seemed to be reaching as far as they could on every song. The results are a show not nearly as smooth and even as the Fillmore shows but that only adds to the beauty of this set and makes it a necessary purchase for the collector. And I am one fan who would have loved to have been able to attend this show.

Stand outs:

Duane first slide licks on Elizabeth Reed don't really seem like their on the mark but once he and Dickey lock into the guitar lines together (one on slide, the other straight lead) the experience becomes surreal. Interestingly, Elizabeth Reed is approached the same way during both shows.

Stormy Monday (2nd set, disc 2) rivals any other version I've heard by them. They manage to wring true blues out of every note.

Moutain Jam is great as always. You get the added guitar of Johnny Winter in the 2nd set but I have to agree with the reviewer who says that it's hard to tell he's there. Still, this is their version of Dark Star and is always amazing to hear.

Buy this along with Ludlow and the Fillmore shows and you have a perfect picture of how the brothers played when they were the tightest band in the world.

5 stars just for the retro artwork (I believe the cover is how the actual poster art work looked).

Having grown up in the south and following ABB around for most of my youth, I can say that this is ABB at their best. I remember both sets fondly....well...those parts that I CAN remember!! The weekend was complete havoc, but the musical moments are still burned into my memory 35 years later. Duane and Betts were magic, plain and simple. One thing that I remember but haven't seen mentioned anywhere is that not only Johnny Winter, but his brother Edgar jammed on stage with ABB that evening. Can anyone that hasn't destroyed those brain cells please confirm?

Mark in Alabama (51 and still rockin')