The Final Note
An absolutely vital piece of Allman Brothers Band history, The Final Note is the previously unreleased recording of Duane Allman’s last performance with the ABB. Taped on a handheld cassette recorder, The Final Note captures Duane’s guitar brilliance at Painters Mill Music Fair in Owings Mills, MD, on October 17, 1971, only 12 days before his fateful motorcycle accident in Macon, GA.
The concert at Painters Mill was the last stop on an extensive tour by the group, which was riding a crest of popularity that stemmed from the July, ’71 release of At Fillmore East, the ABB’s seminal live album. Captured on this simple audience recording were eight tracks from the band’s standard setlist, including smoking versions of “Statesboro Blues,” Hot ’Lanta” and “Whipping Post.”
Despite the obvious limitations that come with a 50-year-old cassette tape, modern technological enhancements help restore the magic of this significant night. Complete with 14-page booklet that includes extensive liner notes on the origins of this CD, as well as never-before published photographs of the 10/17/71 show, The Final Note is a must-have for anyone who appreciates the musical excellence of the original Allman Brothers Band.