Dickey Betts - Bouganvillea’s Call: The Very Best Of, 1973-88

Aussie collection of Allman brother’s other work

While Dickey Betts is revered as a guitar-slinger second to none in Southern rock circles, his work outside of The Allman Brothers Band (here represented by Ramblin’ Man) might be less familiar. This 17-track collection rectifies that, taking tracks from his solo and band projects, from 1974’s Highway Call to 1988’s Pattern Disruptive. Four solo tracks kick off, providing an insight into his country-rock heart, with plenty of slide on the likes of Rain and the piano rock of Highway Call. However, Let Nature Sing could’ve come from The Muppets, and No Hard Times (Live) is a yodel-laden brass piece that brings to mind scenes of high-speed mayhem from Tom & Jerry. Playing with Great Southern on eight tracks adds psych and the Free-esque Bougainvillea, but a Charlie Daniels duet plods along. Only the DB Band really take off with the Thin Lizzy-like Rock Bottom. More education than edification.

Raven | RVCD 231

Reviewed by Tim Jones
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