Stand Back: The Anthology in Bloomington, MN

In
Stand Back
's subtitle, the word "The" is no mistake, nor is it a grammatical convenience. This sprawling two-disc set is the only cross-licensed retrospective to dig into the all of the band's studio recordings from its debut in 1969 to 2003's
Hittin' the Note
and to offer not only representative cuts but the shining examples of the band's studio and live prowess, its transitions from incarnation to reincarnation to mutation, and its seminal
At Fillmore East
live set. Disc one is comprised of five cuts from
The Allman Brothers Band
, three from
Idlewild South
, two from
(the 13-plus minute
"In Memory of Elizabeth Reed "
and
"Statesboro Blues"
), and a whopping six cuts from
Eat a Peach
. Disc two begins with a handful from
Brothers and Sisters
, a pair each from
Win, Lose or Draw
Enlightened Rogues
, and
Dickey Betts
' brilliant
"Hell & High Water"
from
Reach for the Sky
, issued in 1980. It goes on to include tracks from
Brothers of the Road
,
Seven Turns
Shades of Two Worlds
Where It All Begins
, and ends with an edited version of
Gregg Allman
Warren Haynes
' fine
"High Cost of Low Living."
There are 32 tracks in all, and the sound and package are excellent. Certainly it serves as a great introduction for the newcomer, but perhaps more importantly, it is the only place to get all the band's best cuts from albums that are sometimes spotty. Producer
Bill Levenson
has, with input from the band, assembled a truly awesome, even unbeatable collection. ~ Thom Jurek