I’m No Angel – The Gregg Allman Band

I have to admit, I never gave The Gregg Allman Band a fair chance. My thought process was probably something along the lines of “If it ain’t the Brothers, I don’t want it,” which is a really unfortunate mentality to have considering how much I love Gregg‘s voice. Up until the past few years or so, I would pretty much write off anything in the ultra ’80s style that this song is, and when I wrote about Duran Duran, I discussed my unjustified disrespect for the music of the 1980s, but damn if I’m not slowly coming around to a bit more of it.

I’m No Angel seems to differ a bit from the rest of the album, which overall has a more yacht rock vibe to it in my opinion, save for about 4 of the tracks, with a newly arranged version of Allman Bros classic, “It’s Not My Cross to Bear” being the most true to his roots. I was actually a bit nervous to listen to that one, as much as I love yacht rock, some things are best left untouched. While it is certainly a more 80s style, it’s still a great rendition. The track before, done in a similar vein, is another Brothers classic, originally by The Spencer Davis Group, “Don’t Want You No More“

In news to me, as I’m writing and researching this song, “I’m No Angel” is actually a cover! Wow! Originally written in part by Phil Palmer (give him a Google) for Bill Medley (of The Righteous Brothers) debut solo album. I can’t find it on any streaming services, but it is on YouTube. I really like both versions, and I would give Gregg the preference because of how much I love his voice. I don’t know anything about Bill Medley, but lyrically, this really seems to fit Gregg’s style more.

Audio – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=t5MvrlvTuWQ

Live – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gFflgIlutmA

Bill Medley (original) – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ju6U4VAUE1A