Gregg Allman - Searching For Simplicity (1997)

A possible admission of the excess that marred Gregg Allman's past efforts outside the Allman Brothers Band is the title of his 19997 solo release, Searching for Simplicity. More often than not he finds it. And with the clutter of strings, choirs, and synths removed, Allman's soulful baritone shines. Except for one lapse into pop excess ("Silence Ain't Golden Anymore"), the album's tracks are straightahead blues and soul tunes recorded with the Muscle Shoals rhythm section, longtime collaborator Johnny Sandlin, and new Allman Brothers guitarist Jack Pearson. The album begins with an unplugged arrangement of "Whippin' Post," continues with several respectable originals and really catches fire on inspired remakes of songs associated with Ray Charles, James Carr, Jimmy Hughes, and John Hiatt. --Geoffrey Himes