"Beginnings" is a compilation album by The Allman Brothers Band. It was released in April of 1973 by Atco and Mercury Records. This album is an amalgamation of the band's first two studio albums, "The Allman Brothers Band" and "Idlewild South", which were released in 1969 and 1970 respectively.
The Allman Brothers Band, after which the album is named, was an American rock band formed in Jacksonville, Florida, in 1969 by brothers Duane Allman (founder, slide guitar and lead guitar) and Gregg Allman (vocals, keyboards, songwriting), as well as Dickey Betts (lead guitar, vocals, songwriting), Berry Oakley (bass guitar), Butch Trucks (drums), and Jai Johanny "Jaimoe" Johanson (drums).
This band was a major influence in popularizing southern rock during the 1960s and '70s. The two albums included in "Beginnings", have the band's breakthrough hit "Whipping Post" from their first self-titled album and "Midnight Rider" from "Idlewild South".
This double LP, reissued in 1973, was an attempt to introduce newcomers to the band's work up to that point. The collection was popular in the band's early years and was certified gold on August 25, 1971. The album artwork features a notable cover painted by James Flournoy Holmes, who created artwork for several of the band's other albums.
The music of The Allman Brothers Band successfully merges elements of southern rock, blues, jazz, and country music, with standout guitar and keyboard solos that reflect the band's roots in improvisational jamming.
The band's first two records feature the original lineup that was shattered by Duane Allman's tragic death in a motorcycle accident later in 1971. Regardless, The Allman Brothers Band continued to record and perform after his passing. It is with these records that the band's reputation was built, and "Beginnings" serves as an insightful look at their early work.
