Duane Allman - Part 7 - In Memory Of Elizabeth Reed
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The live version of “In Memory Of Elizabeth Reed” from the Allman Brothers Band’s “At Fillmore East" album is critically acclaimed as perhaps the greatest rock instrumental of all time. Written by Dickey Betts and inspired by a Latin American woman he was dating, the song is a melodic tour-de-force that also serves as the perfect vehicle for some remarkable guitar improvisation.
Never short on self-confidence, Duane Allman once famously quipped, “I know they are!” when asked if he thought other guitar players might be envious of him. But by late ’69, Betts was coming into his own as a songwriter and player, and one can’t help but speculate whether “Skydog” was beginning to feel just the slightest bit intimidated by his guitar slinging counterpart. In 1971, Duane candidly revealed that “[he felt] like everybody in the band can smoke [him]," and that competitive spirit was a key component of the band’s creativity.
In addition to writing the song, Betts lays down what is quite possibly the world’s most melodic guitar solo. In fact, it’s so good that most guitarists would have run for the hills rather than attempt to follow it. But not Duane! He was fueled by such performances. Driven by a combination of one-upmanship and his own artistic inspiration, “Elizabeth Reed” represents the pinnacle of Duane Allman’s abilities as an instrumentalist. Nowhere is his raw energy and originality on greater display than the solo of this song. Pulling out all the proverbial stops, Duane reaches deep into his bag of tricks and leaves no stone unturned. There are no unnecessary notes, no missteps, no dead ends; in short, NO MISTAKES. Dickey may have written the song, but few would argue that Duane "owns" it at the Fillmore.
Taking a cue from his hero John Coltrane, the solo opens with a roundhouse kick to the teeth and proceeds to take the listener on a figurative journey through varying levels of intensity. Every single note is trademark Duane, and many of these licks have become a fixture of the rock guitar lexicon. The solo features two distinct sets of dynamic peaks and valleys, each with their own nuances. Several of the devices employed here are so unique, one might wonder if Duane had just arrived on earth from another planet. At times, his guitar sounds almost like a human voice, other times like a cello, still others like a woodwind. But it’s important to remember that Duane used no effects pedals for this performance; only a good Les Paul, a Marshall amplifier, and one legendary set of hands.
Emulating Duane (or any musician for that matter) is more than simply playing the correct notes. To really get to the core of Duane’s sound, one must study not only the notes he played, but HOW he played them. Subtle nuances like his pick articulation, his string bending, his vibrato, his use of dynamics and his timing all combine to form “the Duane Allman sound” that we’ve all come to instantly recognize. I can’t emphasize enough how much this requires careful listening. Light a stick of incense, turn off the lights, put on some good headphones and REALLY LISTEN. Even if you’ve heard this recording hundreds of times, new details will emerge that you won’t understand how you missed before.
Learning this solo has become a right of passage for countless aspiring guitarists. By the time I was 15 I could sing every note; by 17 I could play most of it. As one of my all time favorite Duane solos, it is also the most important one I ever learned. There is so much good material here that to discount even a single phrase would be a disservice.
Gear wise, I used a stock 2018 R9 Les Paul straight into GarageBand where I played through the vintage Marshall model with a simulated 4x12 cab. This guitar has Gibson’s new Custom Bucker pickups and I LOVE them. I think they sound as close to Duane as anything I’ve ever heard. And for those who really want to get in the weeds, I use D’Addarrio 10-46 strings and Fender 346 extra heavy picks. The entire solo was played on the bridge pickup and the tone was rolled back to about 3. Volume varied between 5 and 10 depending on the passage. For comparison purposes, Duane is on the left and I’m on the right in this recording. What you see and hear is one take with no punch-ins or edits of any kind.
Incidentally, I play in an Allman Brothers tribute band called Skydog, and if you like my playing, you’d probably like our band. Please check us out at www.skydogtribute.com and like us on Facebook at / skydogtribute . You can also find me on facebook here: / brian-willie-williams-... .
Duane Allman departed this world far too soon, but he left a surprisingly large body of work from which we can all learn, study and build upon. Eat a peach folks. This is a big one.
Пікірлер: 254
Duane's solo on this song on Live at the Fillmore is, in my opinion, the greatest live, improvised solo of the 20th century! I listen to it a few times a week and it never gets old, which is the sign of a true classic. It has withstood the test of time.
@gustavvader2207
5 жыл бұрын
Oldsixtyeight Absolutely the greatest improvised guitar solo of all time and I bet he never played it like that again. So lucky it was recorded. And to play it as great as you did is a real accomplishment.
@mikebaird8648
4 жыл бұрын
I have listened to this jam and of Duane's song's for 50 years, not to mention all the shows. ABB is still my daily listening. Don't guess I'll ever get enough Thank God!
@spankystrat49
3 жыл бұрын
i'll go one further no opinion just the greatest most melodic guitar solo ever. End of story.
@amblealong4581
3 жыл бұрын
Absolutely agree!
@terry5355
2 жыл бұрын
I couldn't agree more.
Easily one the if not THE greatest solo of all time. Awesome to see this played.
I can't imagine a recreation of Duane's solo being better than this. Well done.
I could watch this All day!!
The chemistry between Duane and Berry is unmatched
Duane Allman the John Coltrane of Blues Rock
Absolutely fantastic have a wonderful day ❤❤❤❤❤❤😊
Been listening to this solo for over 50 yrs and still gives me goosebumps thats how phenomenal Duane was!!!!!!!!!!!!! Great job on this solo my friend
This is a true testament to the genuis of Duane Allmans playing......thanks for this
I'm only now-- in my 60's-- figuring out things on guitar that Duane had mastered by age 24. Thanks for bring this epic solo to light.
I see why the face is out of frame. That can only be Duane Allman playing. Amazing!!!👍🏼🍑👍🏼
OK....I AM IMPRESSED BEYOND WORDS.........I AM AMAZED AT YOUR ABILITY TO DECIPHER THE GUITAR PLAYING OF DUANE ALLMAN SO ACCURATELY............AND i AM GRATEFUL TO YOU FOR SHARING THIS WITH ALL OF US. THAT IS SO NICE OF YOU. I CAME TO THIS POST OF YOURS AFTER FIRST SEEING THE "12 LICKS YOU MUST KNOW" of Duane Allman. Like John Pandolphino, posting before me, i also heard the " THE ALLMAN BROTHERS BAND LIVE AT THE FILLMORE EAST" AND IT MADE ME GO OUT AND BUY AN ELECTRIC GUITAR and start playing, March 15, 1972. I first heard Duane Allman in the group Hourglass, playing at the Whiskey A go go in Hollywood on Sunset Boulevard I'm guessing 1969. A few years later, I heard the Allman Brothers band on a radio station in Los Angeles, and a good friend came by and gave me the now famous vinyl album which I still have, it is a "promotional" copy, stating it is a promotional DJ copy, suggested cuts for airplay being "Hot Lanta" and "statesboro blues" Capricorn SD 2-802.......and not for sale. I think I listened to that album some where under 2,000 times. then i got the cd........what an amazing group of humans who for some unknown reason where able to sometimes be as one entity all tuned in at the same time to the same thing I am one of the many who heard and felt what they were sending out.........truly magnificent.......and reaching into my soul that communicated with something in there that so many of us could understand..........Thank you man, for sharing your exceptional talent with us..( sorry i don't know your name) but I'm going to take a good look at a lot of what you have posted.............thank you again virtual woodshed ......." Hurry.....before the roar of the moment, becomes but the whisper of a distant memory"................Douglas hay junior.
@VirtualWoodshed
4 жыл бұрын
hi Doug, sorry I missed this comment back when you posted it. I'm just now seeing it for some reason. Those are great stories, I read every word. Thank you for sharing that. Please check out my band Skydog, there are several videos of us on this channel. I think you'll dig us! Peace my friend, Willie Williams
As I mentioned before I had the opportunity to see him play live 3 times before he passed......he is the reason I picked up the guitar and still play guitar today......
SWEET!!! Perfectly replicated.
I am both amazed and dumbfounded by this man's ability. I have learned some of Duane's leads but this one I don't get very far. This had to take an immense effort to not only learn, but to excel at.
Thank you.
Duane’s solo on this song is the greatest of all time I’ve listened to it over and over again and still get shocked by the notes he plays
@zgrcic
3 жыл бұрын
Same here my friend! I’ve listened to it over and over again and brings goosebumps and chills everytime. Just an incredible masterpiece of soling. How do you even comprehend how to write such a miracle?!
Thanks!
👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻🙌 As if I’m listening and watching Duane Allman up close. W😱W! Thank You.🙏🏻✌️
@VirtualWoodshed
3 жыл бұрын
That was exactly the inspiration for the video. I wanted people to see what it looked like on the fingerboard. Thank you for commenting. Made my day 🍄
I’ve been listening to the song and in particular this solo for 45 years and could only imagine what it looked like. This is as good as I could hope for. Would travel a long way to see your band live. Thank you.
AWESOME. Thank you for sharing.
Great players like Duane proof you don't need to shred to be great. Every note counts and every note is played with soul. As a former bass player, what often gets overlooked is how berry oakley chooses notes that play off the solo. Obviously Duane could never be replaced but neither could oakley. Berry's playing on the fillmore east album is perfection.
@VirtualWoodshed
Жыл бұрын
Thank you for pointing this out. I’ve been meaning to make a video on this very topic for sometime now, and hope to get around to it soon. Besides maybe butch trucks, Duane locked with Berry Oakley more than anybody else in the band in my opinion. You can totally hear them playing off each other all over the Fillmore record and other live recordings.
@michaeltassi6018
9 ай бұрын
Absolutely agree! Berry builds that tension and emotion that Duane weaves in and out of! Orgasmic!! 🤘
@stuartstuart321
Ай бұрын
You won't be great if you shred
thanks
hey, I've got the intro down and I'm starting w Dickies solo. I haven't listened to the whole song in a while and as good as Dickies solo is Duane's is just as good, i like how they are different but still keep the melody going. PS that fast riff in the beginning of Dickies solo is tough. thanks again E
Very well played, Duane was such a master mind. I have to remind myself that he was only 24 when this song was recorded for Live At The Fillmore
Making my music debut in 2002 on stage with 30 - 40 year old Professionals no keyboards but I played this both solos and organ...buy listening to the song in my head...! Blew the crowd away...got offered to play in two bands that night in New Orleans...! My favorite trilogy...Stormy Monday...Hot Lanta...In Memory Of Elizabeth Reed...every Monday Morning...starts my week off RIGHT...!
Great playing you put in a lot of time perfecting this solo. Job well done!
You sir, are one hell of a player 👏
Excellent!!!!!
Beautiful. Thank you.
Excellent!
Seriously I’ve must have listened to this song a thousand times . It never gets old .
You've spent your time wisely, my friend...you have our gratitude.
I've never seen another play Duanes solo so accurately snd completely!
@VirtualWoodshed
4 жыл бұрын
SJ SMITH thanks SJ. I appreciate the comment. 🍑
What a beast song
well done!!!
Never heard it played better, other than Duane! ❤ Kudos, my Brother...
That was awesome.
Without the silly superlatives of "Best" guitar player, etc., this has always been my favorite solo. This is what I once wrote: I've been nominated by Dave Ladner to post my ten all time favorite albums ... one per day ... the ones that really made an impact, and are still in rotation, even if only now and then. Even though explanations aren't necessary, I'm a music geek, so buckle up. Live at the Fillmore East by the Allman Brothers has been written about ad nauseam… one of the greatest live albums… THE greatest live album!? Who’s the greatest guitar player? All trolling nonsense. All that aside, this album captures a band at its intuitive peak, dynamically and effortlessly mixing blues, rock, and jazz influences. When I first heard this as a 13 year old, many of the songs sent chills down my spine. Much of it still does. For a music fan, a jam band fan, or even a fan of literature, Duane Allman’s 4 minute and 30 second solo on “In Memory of Elizabeth Reed” may be a musical example of the “hero’s journey”. The Les Paul through the Marshall amp was never more soulful, contemplative, sweet, and explosive… and genius producer, Tom Dowd, captures all of it. It's obvious, Duane and the band are telling a story, with each note, pushing... Berry Oakley's bass dialogue clearly urging Duane to fight the battle, get to “that musical place”. Even before Duane’s and Dickey’s harmony lines triumphantly restate the melody, you know the hero has won. Actually, so has the listener. Cheers!
@VirtualWoodshed
5 жыл бұрын
John Petitt well said my friend! Eat a peach for peace. 🍑
@johnpandolfino8663
5 жыл бұрын
You should give a listen to his lead on the studio version of Dream's......and also loan me a dime with boz scags......he was a master
@VirtualWoodshed
5 жыл бұрын
John Pandolfino thanks John. I love both of those solos, and plan to feature each of them on this channel eventually.
@rocketguy2
5 жыл бұрын
Hands down, THE definitive blues rock solo!
@stephenreed1298
5 жыл бұрын
Great review and spot on. History was made that night...
Awesome!
Wow ! in the the words of Pete Townshend " who the fuck are you"? that is fantastic. I 've always been frustrated by bad camera work at a lot of early rock show recordings, this puts you right in the pocket, right frickin there on a Duane Allman solo, sound, fingers and all, great stuff man,
@VirtualWoodshed
2 жыл бұрын
Too kind. Yeah, that was the idea. To show people what it looked like. Thanks for digging.
Skydog !
F'n awesome.
You're such a bonus to this journey. Thanks man.
superb.. quite possibly my favorite solo of all time.. the road goes on forever🍄
Sends chills, note selection, timing, fire and improvisation is just absurd and ridiculous!
Duane Allman probably inspired me more than any other player, including my heroes BB, EC, JBeck, Bloomfield, SRV. Not saying Duane's better than them, just that his way of phrasing, dynamics, string bending and tone just blew me away. IMHO, the sweetest lick I've every heard anyone play is between the 3:25 - 3:40 mark. I just dropped my jaw and sat there for 10 minutes, stupefied. RIP in peace Skydog. :(
@VirtualWoodshed
5 жыл бұрын
Stephen Reed That’s my favorite part too. Well that, and the cello sounding part at 1:38.
@charliedanoele
5 жыл бұрын
Man O Man I remember the first time I heard this song in 78 ..didn't really care for the beginning by the end I was standing on the couch playing air guitar, what a journey ...in a word ..thunder sruck.. and still to this day..appreciate woodshed for putting it out there...excuse me but i gotta get back on the couch my solo is coming up..😎😎😎
@prestonrumbaugh7532
3 жыл бұрын
you can go ahead and say it., it's simply a fact. duane -was- better than all of those other guys. he jut was.
Nice job
Dang that was fun.
Duane Allman gave me a gift, the desire to learn to play guitar. I will always be grateful to him for that, and I still play into my mid-60s. I can only imagine what he' be playing now, had he lived. I would bet my last dollar that he would have moved on from what the band was doing right before his death. IMO more jazz-based stuff.
いつ観てもduaneですね❣️
Vocabulary, dexterity, power, restraint, emotion, feeling. This solo has it all and even more than that. Thank you so much for putting this up. I intend to woodshed off of this video and see what all I can learn. And RIP, Duane. Even though you passed away 15 years before I was born, I feel your loss like it happened in my lifetime.
fantastic bro you nailed it amazing when we think how long ago he did that this one and his on You dont love me and his solo on Stormy Monday is absolutely perfect.
Been listening to this for 50 years. Man you really nailed it, just fantastic. Good thing I can't play like this because if I did I'd never do anything else.
Very good man
3:06 onward & 3:24 especially -- some of the classiest phrasing in classic rock! thank you so much for all of this.
The best I've ever listened to, been working on this solo for 45+ years, almost there but you've nailed it and a inspiration to me that it can be done, thank you!
Utter perfection.
I've heard many live tracks of Duane's Liz Reed solos from 1970-71. There's a piece of his Fillmore cut in every one of them. It all came together that March night. Every note meant something, no mundane passing notes, no sloppy fills. Pure feel and emotion, a composition steeped in adrenalin. Don't no another way to describe what that song does to me. I've seen that lead inside my head since the 1st time I listened to Fillmore East. In my opinion Duane's ultimate run. Watching you decipher it, makes me want to pick up my guitar and fantasize being there. Oh, if I'd only been born 5 years earlier. Thank you brother
@VirtualWoodshed
2 жыл бұрын
Well said, and you could say the exact same thing of Betts. Both played perfect solos that night. 🍄
Damn good👍
nice performance!
Spot-on expression of the greatest guitar solo ever recorded. Like many guitarists, I've listened to the live version of Liz Reed on Fillmore East and know every phrase and sound. This captures not just the notes, but the pure joy of Skydog's playing. Thanks for a beautiful experience.
Killed it! Damn dude
Excellent. I have listened this solo for 50 years. You nailed it note for note!
Amazing job on that.
Cool cat
I would be very interested in Dickey’s solo on this one too. Both had absolutely amazing solos on this song.
@VirtualWoodshed
2 жыл бұрын
Indeed. I know that one too. I’ll try to post it soon.
I am a lead guitarist also man. Excellent work learning ALL those licks!
Nice job!
Nailed IT! Nice job.
Very nice!
Excellent stuff!
Wow. You even made it easy. Impressive performance. Thanks.
Amazing!!!
Bravo!
Absurdly good here. Didn’t know the Coltrane connection but makes sense. Well done, Creme de la creme!
Man you play great!
Outstanding!!! You really nailed it! Hope you do more Duane stuff and Dickey wouldn’t hurt either! Thanks for this! :)
@VirtualWoodshed
5 жыл бұрын
midrider335 Thanks, and yes, lots more on the way. Stay tuned!
thankyou love it!!!
@VirtualWoodshed
5 жыл бұрын
marcos haggerty yeah man! ✌️
Fantastic! I have lived with these solos in my head for decades and it's a thrill to see someone reproduce this one so accurately. Good job! Each segment of Duane's solo is wonderful- I was especially digging the low-string badass sorcery at 1:37. Thanks!
That is so good.......you really did this nicely..........it gives me a good feeling.........I have listened to you when you have played that in your band " SKYDOG" a little bit different but quite good . You were connected on this day.........Soon as i get the chance, i'm going to learn that from you !!! thank you......Doug
Well done my brother
Wow!
Wow! Also, thanks, I've been wondering how he did the modulation near the end of the solo for the last 50 years and you finally demystified and shared Duane's method. Y'all are amazing!
@VirtualWoodshed
3 жыл бұрын
Thanks. Full disclosure, I’m not exactly sure that’s how he did it but it’s as close as I could get. 🍄
Mad props. Well done.
Flawless, great!
Please keep doing more Allman Brothers. Outstanding playing and content. Keep up the good work. I am always working on a Duane tune. You got a sub for great content.
@VirtualWoodshed
5 жыл бұрын
Paul Parks thank you Paul! So glad you are enjoying the content. Lots more Allman Brothers stuff on the way. Stay tuned!
Wow.... Thank you!! Can’t wait to see the band in the future. Come up to PA for the Ardmore Music Hall!
Clean! Right on the money!
Oh my god this is incredible! You nail his playing every time...hope a lesson for the solo parts of this song is in the works 😊
Imagine being that much of an open channel for ideas. Dude was a daredevil landing all that sh*t. Gigantic boulders for balls.
Outstanding....well done..
@VirtualWoodshed
5 жыл бұрын
Nick-O thanks man
Your incredible attention to detail and the ruthless passion you’ve harvested for this music is inspiration within itself! Thank you so much for this content. You really inspire me to take myself down the Skydog path of guitar alchemy.
@VirtualWoodshed
3 жыл бұрын
Jonathan Kelley ruthless passion. I like that, thanks. Good luck with your quest. ✌️
Awesome job.. Duane's on my top 5 best guitarist..
Fantastic job! This has always been one of my favorite Duane solos.
Man, you just blew my mind a little bit. I watched your 12 DA licks first then subscribed. Then played this one. Not only did it blow my mind a little bit, but it opened up my eyes...a lot. What I’m trying to say is that what to a hack like myself, seemed at times to be nearly randomness around the fretboard by Duane turns out to have been genius. Thank you for making that happen for me. It’s tragic to think what else he might’ve had left in him.
@VirtualWoodshed
5 жыл бұрын
Ray Martindale Thanks Ray. Once you get some of the building blocks under your fingers it all starts to make sense. Keep jamming and stay tuned for more!
Probably the best Duane Solo cover I've ever seen, alot of his signature techniques are in here, would love a breakdown lesson of the licks.
@VirtualWoodshed
5 жыл бұрын
Isam Abandah thanks man. A bunch of those concepts are here: kzread.info/dash/bejne/lZqZw7SuqManeKw.html
This is fantastic. Just amazing. Duane is my all time favorite guitar player. The first time I heard Live at the Fillmore it blew me away and still does. Great job man. Inspiring to me a as fellow guitar player.
Excelente!!! Felicitaciones amigo!! Gracias por eso!!
this guy is incredibly amazing !!! 0:33