Ocean Awash the Gunwale

The Zoo Crew is spinning the soulful sounds of "Ocean Awash the Gunwale" by the Gregg Allman Band from their 1988 album Just Before the Bullets Fly, and Zoo Freaks, this track is a gem packed with stories! Written by Gregg Allman, Dan Toler, and Tony Colton, the song’s nautical imagery and themes of resilience reflect Allman’s love for Sarasota, Florida, a place he often called home. The line “Once again we sail home to Sarasota” is a nod to his connection to the Gulf Coast, where he found solace amid a turbulent life. In a 1988 interview with Billboard, Allman described the song as a metaphor for surviving life’s storms, saying, “It’s about keeping your head above water when the world’s trying to drown you.” The track’s recording was a family affair, with Dan Toler’s searing guitar work shaping its Southern rock vibe, a contribution Allman praised in a 2002 PopMatters article for being “tasty, dangerous, and absolutely essential.”

Digging into the song’s live history, “Ocean Awash the Gunwale” was performed in only 17 out of 338 shows by the Gregg Allman Band between 2001 and 2007, making it a rare treat for fans, according to Guestpectacular. A YouTube comment on a 2018 fan-uploaded video of the track noted its “underrated” status, with one user reminiscing about hearing it live in 2007 at the Pistoia Blues Festival, describing it as “a spiritual experience.” The song’s lyrics, like “cheating on The Reaper with all the gypsy, still in our souls,” capture Allman’s defiance and free-spirited ethos, a sentiment echoed in fan discussions on the Allman Brothers Band Fanatics Facebook group, where members often share how the song’s raw energy resonates with their own life struggles.

Now, let’s rewind to how Gregg Allman got his start. Born Gregory LeNoir Allman on December 8, 1947, in Nashville, Tennessee, he and his brother Duane developed a passion for music as teens in Daytona Beach, Florida. Their early band, the Allman Joys, played local gigs in the mid-1960s, honing a bluesy, soulful sound. By 1967, they moved to Los Angeles as the Hour Glass, releasing two albums for Liberty Records, but the band’s pop-leaning direction clashed with their raw style. In 1969, Gregg and Duane formed the Allman Brothers Band in Macon, Georgia, blending blues, rock, and jazz into a pioneering Southern rock sound. Their 1971 live album At Fillmore East became a breakthrough, cementing their legacy. Gregg’s solo career took off with 1973’s Laid Back, and he formed the Gregg Allman Band in the 1970s for projects separate from the Allman Brothers, including hits like “I’m No Angel” in 1987. Allman’s distinctive voice and keyboard work earned him a spot in the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1995 and a ranking as the 70th greatest singer by Rolling Stone.

Zoo Freaks, you can dive deeper into Gregg Allman’s world through his official channels and fan communities. Visit his official website at greggallman.com for tour archives and merch. Check out the official Gregg Allman Facebook page for photos and updates, or follow his legacy on Instagram for throwback posts. On X, fans share memories and clips of his performances. Join the Allman Brothers Band Fanatics on Facebook to connect with fellow fans, or explore allmanbrothers.com, the official site for the Allman Brothers Band, for more on Gregg’s broader legacy. Keep it groovy, Zoo Freaks, and let “Ocean Awash the Gunwale” carry you through the waves!