page_title: Laid Back (album)
section_title: Recording and production
hierarchical_section_title: Laid Back (album) / Recording and production
caption_attribution_description: English: The former location for Capricorn Sound Studios in Macon, Georgia, April 2014.
context_page_description: Laid Back is the debut studio solo album by American singer-songwriter Gregg Allman, released in October 1973 by Capricorn Records. Allman, best known as the vocalist/lyricist/organist of the Allman Brothers Band, first began considering a solo career after internal disagreements with that group. He developed the album as a small creative outlet wherein he would assume full control, and he co-produced the album alongside Johnny Sandlin. Laid Back was largely recorded in March 1973 at Capricorn Sound Studios in Macon, Georgia, with additional recording taking place at the Record Plant in New York City.
  The album explores Allman's varying influences, including rhythm and blues and soul music. It consists of several cover songs, originals, and a traditional hymn, and contains performances from a host of musicians, most notably Scott Boyer and Tommy Talton on guitars, Bill Stewart on drums, and Charlie Hayward on bass guitar. The album was created while Allman also worked on Brothers and Sisters, the fourth Allman Brothers album. The album title was a studio term Allman coined for relaxing a song's tempo, while its cover was painted by Abdul Mati Klarwein.
context_section_description: Laid Back was further developed throughout late 1972, with Allman and Sandlin continuing to record between September and December. Work stalled on Laid Back as production commenced on Brothers and Sisters, though the two were worked on roughly concurrently. Work began in earnest in March 1973, after Brothers and Sisters was completed. Sandlin helped hire various session musicians to work on the album, including Bill Stewart on drums, and Charlie Hayward on bass guitar. David Brown also performed bass on the album, and Sandlin ended up playing the instrument on many songs as well. Scott Boyer and Tommy Talton, also of the band Cowboy, play guitar on the LP and were a large influence on its sound. Boyer contributes pedal steel guitar on several songs, notably "These Days", with Talton adding slide and acoustic guitar; in addition, both sang backing harmonies on many tracks.
  Allman likened the album's presence to a mistress, noting that the rest of the band were not thrilled. It slowed down progress on their own album, and it created tension between the group, particularly between Allman and guitarist Dickey Betts. Nevertheless, several Allman Brothers members made appearances on Laid Back, including Jaimoe, who provided congas, and Chuck Leavell, a new addition to the Brothers, who added piano. Leavell stayed in Macon after leaving Dr. John's band, and found himself contributing to both albums. Allman felt Leavell's style of playing fit the album perfectly: "He'd give you exactly what you wanted, without any questions, and if he embellished on a song, he made it even better."
  Unlike with the Brothers, none of the songs were performed live—or "road-tested"—before their release, with the album's eight songs being developed and arranged in the studio. The experience recording the album was a pleasurable one, according to all involved. Talton, reflecting in 2019, said the chemistry between the musicians were at a high, which he attributed to the fact that he, Boyer, and Leavell lived together during production. "That camaraderie created a bond [...] The studio became our playground, our clubhouse." Talton credited Sandlin with creating an open, collaborative environment, noting that the musicians were free to enter the control room and make suggestions. Leavell expounded upon the studio atmosphere in 2019:
  I recall just how happy everyone was in the studio. Gregg especially seemed very relieved and pleased to be doing something different to keep his mind off the loss of his brother, as well as the challenges the Allman Brothers had. Johnny did a masterful job in helping Gregg guiding things, taking Gregg's suggestions and making them happen, while also encouraging us to be ourselves and contribute in our own way.
caption: Laid Back was largely recorded in March 1973 at Capricorn Sound Studios in Macon, Georgia.
exif: {}