Record Reviews

DELANEY & BONNIE & FRIENDS ~ D&B TOGETHER (EXPANDED EDITION) COLUMBIA 5099750788028 (Barcode: 5099750788028) ~ USA ~ Classic Rock Recorded: 1969 - 1973 Released: 2003 This is the sixth album by American singer / songwriter couple Delaney BramlettFind albums by this artist and Bonnie BramlettFind albums by this artist, known as Delaney & BonnieFind albums by this artist and later on as Delaney & Bonnie & FriendsFind albums by this artist. This album, their fourth release on AtcoFind albums on this label Records, was recorded in 1971 and released by the label in 1972 as "Country LifeFind albums with this title", only to be withdrawn from distribution almost immediately and sold to ColumbiaFind albums on this label Records, which released the album with an altered running sequence and the new title "D&B TogetherFind albums with this title". The album presents twelve songs, ten of which were newly recorded and two were recorded during the sessions for Eric ClaptonFind albums by this artist´s debut album ("Eric ClaptonFind albums with this title"). Over forty musicians took part in the recordings and they are a loose version of the "Friends" moniker, including of course guitarists Eric Clapton, Duane AllmanFind albums by this artist and Charlie FreemanFind albums by this artist and a plethora of other great musicians. Almost all the songs on this album were written by the Bramletts. Sadly this was the last album recorded by Delaney & Bonnie, who divorced soon after. This remastered and expanded reissue includes six bonus tracks taken from Delaney´s and Bonnie´s solo albums recorded for Columbia after the duo´s breakup. In retrospect this is perhaps the most "perfect" album by the duo, superbly sung, played and produced, with a great mixture of ballads and up tempo numbers and excellent songwriting. It is strange why Jerry WexlerFind albums by this artist (the Atco head poncho) decided to drop the album. The reasons were most probably personal (the strained relationship between the couple) rather than musical. In any case this is definitely the smoothest Delaney & Bonnie album, which potentially might have been a great commercial success, but in reality simply sunk into oblivion. Delaney & Bonnie´s career, as reflected by the legacy of the six wonderful albums they managed to record, is a great example of a missed opportunities and bad luck, which prevented them from becoming superstars, which they well deserved. Their revolutionary concept of integrating Afro-American music with Rock in retrospect had a dramatic influence on countless musicians / songwriters around the world, which changed the face of music and completely eradicated racial segregation in music (at least for a while). For Rock connoisseurs this is a must have gem, which is also a closing chapter of a legend. Younger listeners might lend it an ear to discover what music really is all about, contrary to what is marketed as music today. Wholeheartedly recommended!

Updated: 02/06/2018Posted: 02/06/2018

CD 1 Remastered Bonus Tracks Recommend To A Friend