(Shouts to Aja West for this great post; a look at the Allman Brothers’ “Midnight Rider” and its many incarnations. Joe Cocker’s take especially kills but all versions highlight different traits of the original. Really, they’re all great. Word Aja! -DM)
By Aja West
The Allman Brothers Band: “Midnight Rider” off Idlewild South [1970]
I love these blue-eyed soul men for their harmonizing voices on this escape and chase caper. The simple guitar pattern that grows in strength with the low end throughout this country funk song works well as hell. For all those riding dirty this ones for you!
Stephen Stills: Thoroughfare Gap [1978]
Still’s guitar lick led version rolls “smooth as strawberry ice cream” down the side of a waffle cone. Stephen loads his falsetto crossbow carefully palming his high-pitched “ace in the hole” arrows, guarding the audience against how he’s about to funk them up.
Joe Cocker: Classics Vol. 4 [1987]
Smoking. A slow opening with Cocker testifying then: congas, bass, drums and a mean Bruce Lee cymbal pattern. The Female backline rocks the Kasbah. I have subtle memories of a “Doobie Brothers” style break beat on this track but I was riding dirty at the time so who knows?
The Wood Brothers: Up Above My Head [2009]
The Wood Brothers version carries a unique jazzy arrangement. I especially like the upright bass changing the whole groove significantly and not just the low end. This is the poorest recording of the pile, at times verging on distortion and I simply don’t want these fools to fix it.
Gregg Allman: Laid Back [1973]
The original inspired voice renders a rock version featuring beautiful Rhodes electric piano work that keeps with the deep good old boys root feeling of the original track.
Classics and Obscure versions for the whole family
Devon Allman’s Honeytribe – Son to Father
The Vibrations – Funk
Willie Nelson – Classic Country
Buddy Miles – Classic Rock
Pickin’ On Series – Bluegrass
Theory of a Deadman – Metal
Hank Williams, Jr. – Country
Phill Durham – Smooth
Kenny Wayne Shepherd – Pop
