One Way Out – A fine example of the evolution of the blues. #MusicisLife #TedTocksCovers #SonnyBoyWilliamson #ElmoreJames #GLCrockett #TheAllmanBrothersBand

One thing about the blues is any one song can take you down a twisting, turning road to find its origin. Today’s song ‘One Way Out’ is one such example. As a result I am going to share four versions to help tell the story. So here is where it begins…I think. The great Elmore James recorded ‘One Way Out’ in late 1960/early’61 with a full band arrangement but he didn’t release it at that time. Later in 1961 and in 1963 another blues legend, Sonny Boy Williamson II recorded two versions, the second of which included legendary guitarist, Buddy Guy. The first version was more harmonica based and the second with Guy’s presence was more guitar dominated. It was the second release that grabbed the attention of the Allman Brothers Band. Getting back to Elmore James…his version was actually released posthumously in 1965, but due to Sonny Boy Wiiliamson’s efforts the song became more associated with Wiilamson than James. Through the years the writing credits for the song have varied which add to the fascination. No matter what, the song’s narrative is a classic blues tale and it opened the door to yet another reworking of the same theme. Here is the opening passage:

Ain’t but one way out baby, Lord I just can’t go out the door —

Ain’t but one way out baby, and Lord I just can’t go out the door!

‘Cause there’s a man down there, might be your old man … I don’t know.

‘It’s a Man Down There’ was released by blues man G.L. Crockett. Crockett’s song made it to #10 on the Rhythm and Blues charts in 1965 with a slow tempo soft blues vocal style. 

So for those of you keeping score you’ve got:

Sonny Boy Williamson II

Elmore James

G.L. Crockett

…and then you have the classic version recorded by the Allman Brothers Band in 1971 as part of their Live at the Fillmore East double live album. This is widely regarded as one of the best live albums ever. ‘One Way Out’ is an example of the ABB power train, offering the best of the Dickey Betts/Duane Allman guitar combination. ‘One Way Out’ was an Allman Brothers live standard right through ’til their final performance just a few years ago. In this version, listening to Betts and Allman trade solos never gets old. There are few better. Magical! My ‘school of rock’ included taking my two older sons to see the Allman Brothers Band play at the Molson Amphitheatre in 2007. it was an unbelievable show and we were fortunate to see them joined by the great Chuck Leavell on piano. We sat about fifty feet from Gregg Allman on keyboards and vocals. They opened with…’One Way Out’. Just awesome.