By Esther Callens
This year marks the 45th anniversary of the greatest southern rock/blues band of all times – The Allman Brothers. Likewise, new to retail is the life story of one of its founding members. Please Be With Me – A Song For My Father, Duane Allman – features the poignant journal of his daughter (and author) Galadrielle Allman. It offers a wonderful look into the life of a talent taken too soon.
How do you say goodbye before literally saying hello? This is a question that Galadrielle Allman has asked herself numerous times over as she remembers her father, Duane Allman, who died suddenly when she was a toddler. Although there is no cut and dry answer, one thing is certain – her father’s love and legacy will forever live on, through her and fans alike. This is the exact sentiment that Please Be With Me expresses.
Through countless stories and intimate accounts from family and friends, Galadrielle has written a beautiful story. In doing so, she included never before seen letters, highlights of interviews and photos. Although sometimes painful, this was done in order to accurately depict the son, man, musician and father that Duane was. Please Be With Me is highly emotive as it is a one of a kind biography/memoir. This is perfectly in sync with Duane Allman – the legendary one of a kind guitarist.
About Duane and Galadrielle:
Howard Duane Allman was a talented musician. “Midnight Rider” and “Hot’Lanta” are just two of the titles he and the Allman Brothers are famous for. The Skydog (his nickname) possessed an extraordinary expertise on the slide guitar along with phenomenal improvisational skills. Aretha Franklin, Herbie Mann, King Curtis and Wilson Pickett are some of the talents he performed with. Duane Allman died in 1971 as a result of a motorcycle accident.
Galadrielle Allman is the producer of Skydog: The Duane Allman Retrospective (Rounder Records). It is a rare seven disc collection of some of her father’s recordings. Please Be With Me is her first book. She makes Berkeley, Calif. home.
