Allman Brothers Band: Brothers and Sisters

The Allman Brothers Band's "Brothers and Sisters" - Mobile Fidelity's Anadisq Victory

A Pivotal Moment in Southern Rock History
Released in August 1973 on Capricorn Records, "Brothers and Sisters" stands as a testament to The Allman Brothers Band's resilience in the face of devastating loss. This fourth studio album emerged from the shadows of tragedy—arriving as the second release following the death of founding guitarist and band leader Duane Allman, and the first after losing bassist Berry Oakley. The album's back cover poignantly features Brittany Oakley, daughter of the late bassist and his wife Linda, reinforcing the familial bonds that gave the record its title.

Despite these hardships—or perhaps channeling them into creative determination—the band created what would become their commercial pinnacle. "Brothers and Sisters" sold over seven million copies worldwide and claimed the top position on Billboard's Top 200 Pop Albums chart. The record yielded "Ramblin' Man," which remains the band's only top ten single, peaking at #2 on the Billboard Hot 100. Other standout tracks like "Jessica," "Come and Go Blues," and "Wasted Words" have since become cornerstones of the classic rock canon, solidifying the Allman Brothers' reputation as perhaps the definitive American rock band of the 1970s.

The Mobile Fidelity Anadisq 200 Edition: A Rare Success Story
Mobile Fidelity Sound Labs (MFSL) has long occupied a complicated position in the audiophile community. While the label's releases typically feature exceptionally quiet vinyl pressing quality, their sonic presentation has often been polarizing—particularly their reputation for what vinyl enthusiasts have termed the "smiley face EQ" approach: boosted highs and lows that sometimes overshadow midrange frequencies, creating a presentation that deviates from artists' original intentions and can become fatiguing during extended listening sessions, especially at higher volumes.

This particular pressing emerges from MFSL's short-lived Anadisq 200 Gain System series (1994-1996)—an ambitious program featuring 200-gram "super quality virgin vinyl," premium heavyweight jackets, and half-speed mastering by Original Mastering Works. The Anadisq experiment ultimately proved problematic for MFSL, as they discovered what Bernie Grundman would later encounter with Classic Records: manufacturing consistent 200-gram vinyl presents significant technical challenges.
Many releases in this series suffered from "non-fill"—a pressing defect where molten vinyl fails to properly flow into and form complete record grooves. This manifests as an unmistakable "shsssshing" sound as the stylus traverses affected areas. These quality control issues ultimately led MFSL to suspend the program after just two years in 1996.

Against the Odds: An Audiophile Triumph
However, this particular "Brothers and Sisters" pressing stands as one of the rare unqualified successes from the Anadisq 200 series. The copy under review exhibits none of the dreaded non-fill issues or other quality control problems that plagued many contemporaries from this program.

Instead, listeners are treated to a genuinely superior presentation compared to the original Capricorn pressing. The surfaces remain impressively quiet throughout—that characteristic "black background" that allows subtle details to emerge. Instrumental separation exceeds the original pressing, revealing the interplay between guitars, keyboards, and rhythm section with enhanced clarity. Dynamic range—so crucial to the Allman Brothers' blend of delicate passages and driving Southern rock—receives respectful treatment, avoiding both compression and exaggerated dynamics.

Most importantly, this pressing largely avoids the infamous "smiley face EQ" that characterizes many MFSL releases. The midrange retains proper presence, allowing Gregg Allman's soulful vocals and the band's intricate guitar harmonies to occupy their rightful place in the sonic landscape.

The Vinyl Verdict: The Definitive Vinyl Edition
For collectors and Allman Brothers enthusiasts seeking a definitive vinyl presentation of "Brothers and Sisters," this MFSL Anadisq 200 pressing deserves serious consideration—perhaps even above original pressings. While purists often favor first pressings of the band's earlier ATCO-era albums, this particular Mobile Fidelity effort genuinely improves upon the original Capricorn release in meaningful ways.

The pressing captures both the technical brilliance and emotional weight of an album created amid profound loss. That Mobile Fidelity managed this feat during their technically challenging Anadisq experiment makes it all the more remarkable. For those lucky enough to find a clean copy, this stands as one of those rare audiophile reissues that genuinely earns its premium status through sonic excellence rather than collector cachet alone. 💰

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