Here are some customer reviews of
One Way Out
: This is worth it for Desdemona-listen to Derek Trucks' solo-great modal jazz-type soloing by him. I wasn't sure what to expect because I hadn't listened to the ABB in about 10 years, but this version of the band has pretty much dropped the country sound and returned to the heavy blues with jazz feeling from the Duane era. This means more improvisation, and more INTERESTING improvisation (although I do miss Dickey's solos). Derek Trucks is the best guitarist that I have heard who is still alive and playing vital music today. If you haven't yet, you have to check him out, with the ABB and with his own band. Amazing talent. This album would get 5 stars if they left off the way overdone and not-interesting-anymore Statesboro Blues and Trouble No More. Get an Instant Live with Afro-Blue or Gilded Splinters on it and hear just how good the ABB is now
 "One Way Out" is a flat out inspired album. Their summer tours are always great, but nothing matches the intensity of the band when it plays in the intimate Beacon Theater, and unlike their "Peakin' at the Beacon" which was a poor snapshot of their live prowess, "One Way Out" showcases the band at its best--soaring guitar solos, brilliant call and answer sessions between Derek and Warren, and a driving rhythm section that pulls it all together in perfect harmony. There isn't a song in the set that disappoints, and it includes absolutely stunning versions of "Wasted Words," "Instrumental Illness," and one of the best takes of "Whipping Post" I've heard in recent years--Warren's solo is flat out transcendent. While it's hard to picture the Allman Brothers Band without Dickey Betts, the new lineup features a great Rock/Blues sound that soars to great heights, redefining the band and showcasing the band's talent and virtuosity. This is a must own for any Allman Brothers fan. I highly recommend it.
This is the same show captured so well on the LIVE AT THE BEACON THEATRE DVD (March 25-26, 2003). (That, by the way, is an excellent 5 star production showing a serious and renewed ABB, including bonus interviews with them all that reveal them at the peak of their careers). What the DVD interviews allude to, but is never spelled out very clearly, is that these are different versions of the songs recorded on the DVD. I'm not sure if they all are, but on casual listening they do sound different. And four songs on this CD are not on the DVD ("Trouble No More", "Wasted Words", "Every Hungry Woman" & "Good Morning Little Schoolgirl"), as well as ten songs appear on the DVD but not here, (ironically "One Way Out" appears as the encore on the DVD but doesn't even make it onto this CD to be the title track!). So there is plenty of reason to get BOTH the CD and DVD versions of this great show.
Obviously, my first impressions of this CD are influenced by having watched the DVD first, but the experience of only hearing them play here is if anything more intense (or is it just that the versions included here are more intense?!)
Needless to say the Allman Bros are hot here, a renewed, inspired and sober bunch of masterful musicians. Gregg's vocals sometimes come across a bit thin (miking or mix?), but his playing is delicate and strong, the percussion/drumming from the trio of Jaimo, Butch and Marc is tight, strong, playful and tasteful, the funky fluid bass playing from Oteil comes across more clearly here than in the DVD (perhaps because that showed him very little). Then there are the guitars..... on the DVD the visually dominant Warren takes center stage but shares the leads with obvious delight with the young and able Trucks, here his presence is less obvious (more blended?), and it is the guitar of the visually subdued Derek that jumps out of the mix and really tears it up. It's like he's jamming on a chain saw! (Can the 13 minute "Desdemona" get any hotter?!) The intensity of the tag team and shared leads is a beautiful thing.
This was a magical set of shows. I'm just happy to see and hear the Brothers back in top form and having the time of their lives playing for us (and each other and themselves...).
I think "One Way Out" is the best recording from the ABB since "Eat A Peach"!!! The founder's of the ABB, Gregg Allman, Jaimoe & Butch Trucks, along with Marc Quinones, Warren Haynes, Derek Trucks & Oteil Burbridge, have really laid down a "MUST HAVE" CD for every ABB Fan!!! They have their own sound but they still add some "Signature Licks" that you will recognize as being from 1969 (Duane & Barry). Great Blues with every song and having the ABB "Jam" that goes along with each song. Gregg & Warren's vocals complement each other. They are very solid. Derek & Oteil have great talent also. You will just have to hear them, then you'll know what I mean. The DVD "Live at the Beacon" is a "MUST HAVE" also!!! (It just went PLATINUM) Then you will see what I am talking about!!!
For those of you who crave the old sound of the Allman Brothers, this album may not be for you. But for the newer generations who are into Derek Trucks this is an amazing album. The quality of it is decent, and it was recorded recently which also means that it is composed of newer tracks. While most prefer the older ones, these are still quite excellent. This depicts the band as they are today which is nice.
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