 Work stalled on Laid Back as production commenced on Brothers and Sisters , though the two were worked on roughly concurrently . Sandlin , a former Hour Glass bassist and longtime Allman friend , helped hire various session musicians to work on the album , including Boyer and Tommy Talton on guitars , Bill Stewart on drums , and Charlie Hayward on bass guitar . Allman likened the album 's presence to a mistress , noting that the rest of the band were not thrilled . It slowed down progress on their own album , and it created tension between the group , particularly between Allman and guitarist Dickey Betts . Nevertheless , several Allman Brothers members made appearances on Laid Back , including Jaimoe , who provided congas , and Chuck Leavell , a new addition to the Brothers , who added piano . Leavell stayed in Macon after leaving Dr. John 's band , and found himself contributing to both albums . Allman felt Leavell 's style of playing fit the album perfectly : " He 'd give you exactly what you wanted , without any questions , and if he embellished on a song , he made it even better . " 
