Dickey Betts Band - Pattern Disruptive

  by Carl Bookstein

published: 30 / 6 / 2013

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Article

Dickey Betts is an American southern rock legend. As founding co-lead guitarist with Duane Allman in the Allman Brothers Band, Betts’ place in the rock pantheon is undeniable. In the years after Duane’s early tragic death in a motorcycle accident, Betts emerged as a primary Allman Brothers Band songwriter. Originally released in 1988, 'Pattern Disruptive' is the one outing of the Dickey Betts Band and is currently being reissued by Retroworld. 'Pattern Disruptive' is a typical Betts blend of blues, rock and country. 'Rock Bottom' starts the album out with a stinging guitar led instrumental assault. Betts sings about a gypsy woman who turned his head around. This is engine-fuelled southern rock with great keyboards, steady inspired drumming by Allman Brothers Band’s Butch Trucks and a two pronged guitar tandem. Betts is joined by slide guitarist Warren Haynes, later of Govt Mule and Allman Brothers. At the time of 'Pattern Disruptive' Haynes was a young gun being given a big break by Betts. Haynes and Betts, later teammates in the Allman Brothers, always played so well together. 'Pattern Disruptive' positively rocks from the get go. “Sun don’t want to shine… whole world falling apart.” On 'Stone Cold Heart', Betts is describing darkness, but his music remains in light - a rollicking, straight ahead chugging number with a distinctive guitar attack. “I’ve been shook, rattled right down to my soul,” Betts sings on 'Time to Roll'. The lyrics are evocative of heading out on the road, by Betts, a great songwriter of this genre, including the author of the Allman Brothers classic road song 'Ramblin’ Man'. 'The Blues Ain’t Nothin’ is a pure blues and rocker co-written by Taj Mahal- another inspired guitar journey of a song. Betts’ vocals have an appealing lonesome cowboy quality. Seeing him perform live is a treat, but this recording also does some justice to his talent. 'Duane’s Tune', an instrumental number and a fine southern rock symphony, features distinctive guitar interplay between Betts and Haynes. The band meshes together skilfully - a first rate musical ensemble playing uplifting rock. This is the only album by this band and a memorable occasion. 'Loverman' is the piano led boogie-woogie style closer, ending the album on an up note. At the present moment, it seems unlikely that Dickey Betts will ever rejoin the Allman Brothers Band. He is instead currently playing with his own formation Dickey Betts & Great Southern.

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