Little Martha history and trivia FWIW

[GnLguy]

The story behind how Little Martha came to be & was written is interesting and leaves a lot of room for the imagination to wander.

Duane Allman dreamed one night that The Brothers were on tour and that Jimi Hendrix stopped by the Holiday Inn Motel/Hotel where he was staying. During the course of their conversation, Jimi began playing Little Martha on the bathroom faucet and other bathroom fixtures.
When he woke up the next morning, being at the band house in Macon GA, now known as the Big House, Duane first worked the tune out on Gregg’s B3 that was in the band room and later on his Gibson J-200 and finally on his Dobro

The version that was included on the Dreams box set that was released in 1989, included not only Dickey Betts but had Berry Oakley laying down a bass track as well

I’ve also included an electric version that Dickey Betts arranged and recorded with his band Great Southern. They had a little snafu in the beginning of the tune but this arrangement is so indicative of Dickey’s take on melody & harmony
The Brothers were still a great band with Warren & Derek after Dickey was ousted but his absence was so obvious in their arrangements

[Author]

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