| The Allman Brothers Band in Concert |
| Beacon Theater – New York, NY – 3/19/2009 |
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Review
by Paul Walrus
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The Allman Brothers Band 40th Anniversary run at The Beacon Theater has featured some amazing performances by guest stars each evening. I was there opening night to see Taj Mahal and Levon Helm. During the start of the second set a mini-Band concert broke out with "Ophelia," "I Shall Be Released," and "The Weight." Taj who had guested during the first set returned for the last tune so it was him, The Allman Brothers Band and Levon Helm doing the Band's signature tune…not too shabby. Over the course of the next few shows Johnny Winter, David Hidalgo and Cesar Rosas of Los Lobos, Randy Brecker, Robert Randolf, Buddy Guy, Trey Anastasio and Page McConnell of Phish, Lenny White, Stanley Clarke, Boz Scaggs, Bruce Willis, Bonnie Bramlett, John Hammond , Sheryl Crow and others all dropped by to jam with the band.
On Thursday, March 19, Eric Clapton, an old buddy of Duane Allman's showed up to continue the celebration in what turned out to be a classic and historic evening. Warren Haynes and Derek Trucks played "Little Martha" as the Duane Allman tribute slide show filled the screen above and behind them…very tasteful and classy way to begin the 40th years' celebration. Then the entire band kicked off "Statesboro Blues," with Warren and Derek with second lead. Greg's voice and keyboard work was on the money….powerful opening…the bar was set high. A very cool instrumental jam led into a red hot "Done Somebody Wrong." Then the spirit of the sixties lived with "Revival." The crowd ate it up and remained on their feet…love was in the air. Warren kicked off "Woman Across The River." He and Derek were trading licks when Derek broke a string…didn't matter - he just seemed to turn up the intensity in what became and incredible jam…..words do not do it justice…amazing stuff…the reason everyone bought a ticket….fantastic. It was Gregg’s turn in the spotlight with “Don’t Keep Me Wonderin," and now Derek and Warren were just showin‘ off, playin' their riffs while Gregg’s voice flowed right along....they were one. O'Teil kicked off "Whipping Post," and that's when it happened…hittin' the note…peakin' at The Beacon…..everything that exemplifies the Allman Brothers experience happened, and all during one of their all-time favorite tunes. During this performance they reclaimed the title of world's heavyweight champion jam band. They had it on several other occasions during their 40 years - The Dead held the title many times and Phish had a good run with it, but until further notice, The Allman Brothers Band are once again the apogee of jam bands. It was mind boggling and a joy to watch and hear them take it back, and thus a killer first set came to a conclusion. The second set opened with Gregg on solo piano with "Oncoming Traffic." It was a treat to see this legend on stage alone turning in a soulful, beautiful number, especially after the cancellation of this Beacon run last year due to his illness . . . a treat. "Come and Go Blues" was the tune that brought the rest of the band back on stage. Next I thought it was "Spoonful," but turned out to be "Good Morning Little School Girl." Danny Lewis from Govt Mule took over on keyboards and Warren proved he was as bluesy as anyone ever claimed to be…SOULFUL down and dirty.
Then Gregg brought out Eric Clapton and they traded vocals on "Key To The Highway." The audience went nuts as the two old friends sang effortlessly over Warren and Derek's hot, hotter, and hottest solo's with Eric on his pastel blue Strat and the rhythm section pushing everyone forward awhile holding it together at the same time. This was special. The next tune proved that this was the band Clapton is perfect for. He did his thing all over "Dreams" and made it his own. Warren, Derek, and E.C. just pushed each other to new heights. This was beautiful…just beautiful and perfect. Derek & The Dominos 2009 continued "Why Does Love Got to Be So Sad." I'm running out of words here. I'll recycle some…incredible, sensational, magical, just great guitar geniuses at play. Hendrix's beautiful "Little Wing" was next, and then Susan Tedesci came out for "Anyday." She nailed it as usual. And the set ended. The encore? "Layla." Danny Louis returned to the piano. And it rocked. It was one of the greatest Allman Brothers Band concerts in their 40-year history, but this band is hot. So there is a lot more of this on it's way over the next few months. If you go to one concert this year make it one of theirs. This is the point in the review where it's customary to say something like here's to the next 40 years, but lets get real….. The road doesn't go on forever or as George Harrison wrote, "all things must pass." Don't let his opportunity pass you by….tomorrow is promised to no one…GO SEE THE ALLMAN BROTHERS BAND and have the time of your life. SET LIST Little Martha Statesboro Blues Done Somebody Wrong Revival Woman Across The River Don't Keep Me Wonderin' Whipping Post SET
TWO ENCORE LATE NEWS: As I was writing this review Lady Jane Rushmore called from The Beacon. She just saw the Friday night show and E.C. was back. He played with the band on: Key
To The Highway Hopefully
there will be a DVD of his appearance as well as some of the other
artists who participated. All of the concerts can be viewed at www.moogis.com |
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