The Hour Glass - Hour Glass [Bonus Tracks] (CD)

All Music Guide

Anyone buying this CD in search of revelations of Duane Allman's early playing is in for a disappointment, as Gregg Allman's voice, a soul choir, and a horn section dominate most of the stuff here, which is weighted toward a popular white soul sound, with the occasional intrusion of bits of psychedelic flotsam and jetsam. On the other hand, this isn't bad as a white soulpop venture, with Gregg Allman, 20 years old at the time, turning in an extraordinary performance. And every so often Duane's playing cuts through with the basic band, as on the previously unissued outtake of "I've Been Trying" and the longavailable "Love Makes the World Go Round." Alas, the bulk of the previously unissued cuts feature Gregg Allman and a group of unnamed session musicians, so one isn't going to find any lost links in Duane's life story there, either. But "I've Been Trying" and the bulk of the issued album are worth the price of this CD, assuming one cares about this brand of popsoul. [This version of th...e album includes bonus material.] - Bruce Eder, All Music Guide Read more Less