Enlightened Rogues - THE ALLMAN BROTHERS***

Crazy Love/Can’t Take It With You/Pegasus/Need Your Love So Bad/Blind Love/Try It One More Time/Just Ain’t Easy/Sail Away

The southern blues-rock band The Allman Brothers had not released an album in four years but they still retained a loyal following. However, Enlightened Rogues would be the last time that they enjoyed a placing in the upper reaches of the charts. (US:9)

“After four years off, the boys return with this typical Allman Brothers southern blues rock long play. This is not a great album but it does have good dual guitar work. Pegasus is a fine jam and sounds great with a buzz and headphones.”

“Enlightened Rogues was a great comeback for the Allman Brothers Band after an acrimonious split in 1976. Guitarist Dickey Betts is energized by new guitarist Dan Toler's presence, and he and organist Gregg Allman really shine both vocally and instrumentally.”

“Most of this sounds like a band trying recapture lightning in a bottle. They get close a few times, but in the end they just miss it.”

“Not exactly a standout in the Allmans' catalogue and far from essential, but certainly worth owning for Crazy Love and Pegasus. The highlight, however, is the soulful ballad, Just Ain't Easy, anchored by one of Gregg's best vocal performances.”

“Enlightened Rogues is very similar in sound to Brothers & Sisters, although perhaps a bit less bluesy. Dickey Betts shoulders most of the compositional work here and it is fairly obvious which tracks were penned by him when listening.”

“The Allman Brothers reunited during late 1978 and entered the recording studio to produce their first studio album in four years. What emerged was a very good, if not excellent album. If you want to experience some good music by the group, but are not in the mood for their longer, drawn-out, improvisational material, then Enlightened Rogues is an album for you.”

“It may have been four years since their last album, but Dickey Betts was still the focal point of the band. He wrote or co-wrote five of the eight tracks, provided the lead guitar work, and shared lead vocal duties with Gregg Allman. There may not be many tracks considered essential, but this is populated with a number of consistently good songs.”