Allman Brothers Band – "Dreams" (1969)

’Cause I’m hung up

On dreams I’ll never see

At Fillmore East was the album that really put the Allman Brothers Band on the map.

The group’s first two studio LPs – The Allman Brothers Band and Idlewild East, respectively – didn’t sell well initially, but the band was killing it on stage.  So they decided a live double album would be just what the doctor ordered.

At Fillmore East – which was recorded at Bill Graham’s famous Lower East Side rock venue in March 1971 – took off almost immediately, and eventually went platinum.  Many people consider it one of the best live rock albums – if not the very best live rock album – of all time:

The At Fillmore East album

It would have been even better if it had included “Dreams,” which I’m inducting into the 2 OR 3 LINES “GOLDEN DECADE” ALBUM TRACKS HALL OF FAME today.  

It’s not clear why “Dreams” wasn’t on the Fillmore East setlist, but it’s wasn't – I think that was a mistake, but there’s no use crying over spilled milk.

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While “Dreams” isn’t on At Fillmore East, a July 1970 recording of it is included on the Live at the Atlanta International Pop Festival album, which wasn't released until 2003.

Some Allman Brothers fans like that album even better than At Fillmore East.  (I know – that’s blasphemy to many.)

One aficionado of the group had this to say about it on a fan forum: 

I think [the Atlanta album] is right up there, but I find it has a little more of a fun edge to it; maybe that is more because I know [At Fillmore East] so damn well, plus Fillmore can be a little sterile . . . . 

Another fan had this to say in that same forum:

No disrespect to [At Fillmore East] . . . but that one really does sound a little bit like sitting in church.  Maybe it's so quiet because everybody's jaw is dropped, but that's always been a problem for me.  I want a live record to make me feel like I'm someplace specific . . . and I love how the Atlanta recordings really put you there.

Click here to listen to the live Atlanta International Pop Festival recording of “Dreams.”

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What made the Allman Brothers Band great?  Most people cite Gregg Allman’s voice and Duane Allman’s guitar as the keys.  But “Dreams” demonstrates how important Gregg’s Hammond B3 playing was to the group’s unique sound.

Click here to listen to the studio recording of “Dreams,” which was released in 1969 on the group’s eponymous debut album:

Click here to buy that recording from Amazon.