Rating: 
Summary: An engaging account
Review: "Midnight Riders: The story of the Allman Brothers Band" is a biography of the exciting life of one of America's greatest Rock & Roll bands. Scott Freeman has written a wonderful account of the band's beginnings all the way through their breakups and reunions. This band had some tremendous trials to go through such as two original members deaths as well as problems with drugs and greedy record companies. But it is pretty impressive they managed to not only survive Duane Allman's and Berry Oakley's death but also that they managed to still be a great band without Duane, the elder Allman and founder/leader of the band. The story starts out with Duane and Greg's childhood in Florida and how they got hooked on "the fever." It follows the two from their attraction to "black music" or the blues all the way through the last incarnations of the band in the early to mid-nineties. This biography is written so well that I thoroughly enjoyed learning about all the amazing things they accomplished up until the time that Duane Allman dies, then I struggled to get through the rest of it just because I was so depressed that such an amazing musicians life was cut so short. Duane Allman actually died at the peak of his musical powers, but who knows, he could have taken the electric slide guitar to even more celestial heights than he already had on the Fillmore East album. ... The author also gives album reviews of each album as they make them. This was helpful because they are done very well and it gives you a chance to picture the music more clearly. Another plus is the album reccomendations in the appendix, which is great because not very ABB album is fantastic so he tells you which ones to avoid and which to add to your collection. For me, I think this is one of the best stories ever told about a rock band. And the ABB story is an incredible story of love, devastating losses, and redemption. All of it is true. It has increased my love for the ABB, who represent everything good about southern rock and American music in general. It would be a great addition to any person's collection of literature whether you're a ABB fan or not. But after reading this book you may find yourself a fan of the band afterall.
Rating:
Summary: An engaging account
Review: "Midnight Riders: The story of the Allman Brothers Band" is a biography of the exciting life of one of America's greatest Rock & Roll bands. Scott Freeman has written a wonderful account of the band's beginnings all the way through their breakups and reunions. This band had some tremendous trials to go through such as two original members deaths as well as problems with drugs and greedy record companies. But it is pretty impressive they managed to not only survive Duane Allman's and Berry Oakley's death but also that they managed to still be a great band without Duane, the elder Allman and founder/leader of the band. The story starts out with Duane and Greg's childhood in Florida and how they got hooked on "the fever." It follows the two from their attraction to "black music" or the blues all the way through the last incarnations of the band in the early to mid-nineties. This biography is written so well that I thoroughly enjoyed learning about all the amazing things they accomplished up until the time that Duane Allman dies, then I struggled to get through the rest of it just because I was so depressed that such an amazing musicians life was cut so short. Duane Allman actually died at the peak of his musical powers, but who knows, he could have taken the electric slide guitar to even more celestial heights than he already had on the Fillmore East album. ... The author also gives album reviews of each album as they make them. This was helpful because they are done very well and it gives you a chance to picture the music more clearly. Another plus is the album reccomendations in the appendix, which is great because not very ABB album is fantastic so he tells you which ones to avoid and which to add to your collection. For me, I think this is one of the best stories ever told about a rock band. And the ABB story is an incredible story of love, devastating losses, and redemption. All of it is true. It has increased my love for the ABB, who represent everything good about southern rock and American music in general. It would be a great addition to any person's collection of literature whether you're a ABB fan or not. But after reading this book you may find yourself a fan of the band afterall.
Rating:
Summary: If your just looking for some good,clean,fun
Review: I've had few literary journeys like the one I've just experienced. You are not only reading about places like Macon Ga. or the Fillmore East as examples, but you feel as if you are actually there. The story is well told as you are brought from the joys of success and good times to the tradgedies of death. This book gives new insights to one of the best bands ever in the history of rock and roll, and clears up some rumors that have followed the band for years. No matter how big a fan you think you are of the Allman Brothers, there are numerous things in this book that you didn't know. In addition, you will learn facts about other prominent figures of rock, recording sessions, and unseen members of the Allman Brothers family. We could probably find flaws with most books, I however, just took in what was given to me and enjoyed it completely. Fan or not, this book is a must for anyone into the music scene.
Rating: 
Summary: A redneck Greek tragedy...
Review: More than anything else, the Allman Brothers Band was a group that crossed boundries. They easily transcended the dreaded "Southern Rock" categorization because of their devotion to the blues, and beacuse of the emotion behind that devotion. They made so many mistakes along the way, and made so many bad decisions, that one cannot help but root for these loveable Allmans - much the way a Chicago Cubs' fan will hang in there year after year despite disappointment. That's probably not a very good comparison, however, because, unlike the seemingly hopelessly mediocre Cubs of baseball, the Allman Brothers have been "champions"... any band who could create the live masterpiece Live At Fillmore East or comeback from several mediocre efforts to produce the passionate (and STILL highly underrated) Enlightened Rogues some ten years later has most certainly been on top. But this book, this very entertaining redneck Greek tragedy, reveals alot of the truth behind their uneven career. The deaths of Duane Allman and Berry Oakley were enough to stop most bands, but add to that the fact that the Allmans signed probably the worst record deal in the history of rock and roll and it is hard to believe that they carried on. Their manager was also their record company head (which essentially meant that he was negotiating with himself at signing time), and the bands' attorney doubled as the label's counsel as well. They were, in plain English slang, ripped off, and way too little of the substansial fortune they generated found its' way into the group members' pockets (Phil Walden - shame on you, man). Add to the business woes the cerimonial trappings of drugs, liquor and all the other various and sundry complications of a road band of their era, and you've got quite a few mountains to climb. Author Scott Freeman has prepared a book that details these ups and downs in a consise, drama-laden fashion. It's worth a read even if you aren't a huge Allman Brothers fan.
Rating:
Summary: Very Real
Review: Scott Freeman gives a in depth portrait of one of most influential bands of the Classic Rock era. Most special is the description of Duane Allman's influence on the band. From reading this book, I realized that Duane was both a talented musician and a leader as he knew how to interact with every one of the band members including his sometimes irresponsible brother Gregg. It seems that after Duane died, the other band members carried on a piece of the legacy Duane created. However, each of these other band members has a special personality as well. There are some great stories interwoved in this book which are funny, sad, and historical in the shape of how blues rock music has evolved. Anyone who appreciates rock n roll music and even casually likes this band will find this book a winner.
Rating:
Summary: Very Real
Review: Scott Freeman gives a in depth portrait of one of most influential bands of the Classic Rock era. Most special is the description of Duane Allman's influence on the band. From reading this book, I realized that Duane was both a talented musician and a leader as he knew how to interact with every one of the band members including his sometimes irresponsible brother Gregg. It seems that after Duane died, the other band members carried on a piece of the legacy Duane created. However, each of these other band members has a special personality as well. There are some great stories interwoved in this book which are funny, sad, and historical in the shape of how blues rock music has evolved. Anyone who appreciates rock n roll music and even casually likes this band will find this book a winner.
Rating:
Summary: An insightful and informative book
Review: Scott Freeman has written an insightful and informative book about a legendary band. Being a musician himself, Freeman is able to analyze the band's music with authority, yet he avoids using musical terms that would go above the head of a non-musician. The breadth of information (particularly on the formative and Duane/Berry eras) gives the band's legend a depth that had never been reported before. This book is as enjoyable as a literary read as one of the Allman Brothers' albums is as a musical album. "Midnight Riders" is a fine example of what a music biography should be. I await Mr. Freeman's book on soul great Otis Redding with relish.
Rating:
Summary: Well researched book
Review: The book that had to be done. Great story on The Allman Brothers Band. Well researched and written. I recomend it.
Rating:
Summary: A must for Allman Brothers Band junkies-book junkies that is
Review: They're saints, sinners and geniuses, and, Mr. Scott Freeman has captured all these elements in describing the Allman Brothers Band. Everything/anything you wanted to know about the band when Duane and Berry were alive you'll find out. Where the book falls short is in the Band's continuing trials(sorry Gregg, no pun intended) and tribulations after their reincarnations. Remember, their have been several lineups of the band since 1980. It's as if some "side" members just get a passing mention. However, Mr. Freeman pays the reader a gigantic compliment by capturing the pure essence of all of the elements that created The Allman Brothers Band. What's best of all in Mr. Freeman's narrative is the way their music is described without getting bogged down in borish song anologies like many other music biographies do. Maybe one may not read this book from cover-to-cover in one four hour sitting like I did. But, with that distinct possibility in mind for fans of the band, when you do get to the end of the book you may find yourself saying"no, don't stop, tell me more!"
Rating:
Summary: The greatest book I have read about a rock band
Review: This book is so well written that I couldn't put it down. First I love the Allman Brothers Band and there music, but I hadn't really read anything about there life and I was intrigued to find something out about them.
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