The Allman Brothers Band: Gregg Allman (vocals, piano, organ); Duane Allman (guitar, slide guitar); Dickey Betts (guitar); Berry Oakley (bass guitar); Jai Johanny Johanson (drums, congas, timbales); Butch Trucks (drums, timpani).

Additional personnel: Thom Doucette (harmonica).

Recording information: Fillmore East, New York, New York (03/12/1971 - 03/13/1971).

The original Fillmore East album is one of the finest live documents of the rock era, capturing the original line-up of one of the '70s' tightest outfits before they were cruelly robbed of Duane Allman and Berry Oakley. Taken from five 1971 performances at New York's fabled Fillmore East, the extended and effortlessly melodic workouts of "In Memory Of Elizabeth Reed" and "Whipping Post" still have the power to rivet and move.

On display here is the Allmans' fabled chemistry at its finest. The band not only rocks, it rolls, swings, and stretches out in exploratory, jazzy passages. The dual guitar interplay of Duane Allman and Dickey Betts glides effortlessly over the propulsive rhythm section of Oakley and twin drummers Jaimoe and Butch Trucks, while Greg Allman's powerful blues voice and melodic keyboard work provides the icing on the cake. Though the later-released THE FILLMORE CONCERTS presents these songs in their original entirety, AT FILLMORE EAST, with its seamless edits of multiple performances, may be the superior recording. It highlights all the glint and sparkle of what still ranks among the best jamming committed to record.

Rolling Stone (8/19/71, p.39) - "...The Allman Brothers had many fine moments at the Fillmores and this live album must surely epitomize all of them..."

Rolling Stone (9/30/71, p.42) - "...The Allman Brothers Band as a whole is making some of the best rock band music anywhere these days....ALLMAN BROTHERS BAND AT FILMORE EAST is their best so far..."

Rolling Stone (8/8/02, p.82) - 5 stars out of 5 - "...Captured America's best blues-rock band at its peak..."