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The Allman Brothers Band at The Beacon, March 23, 2009

The rumors were flying once again. Some thought that Dickey Betts would join the band tonight, while others were speculating on everyone from Sonny Landreth to Jimmy Hall. They were all wrong. But boy howdy, did we ever get a treat.

The Duane tribute slide show lit up the back of the stage as the boys kicked off with “Don’t Want You No More” and “It Ain’t My Cross to Bear,” a familiar two-fer for sure. Gregg was again in fine voice, and the band was rocking.

“Done Somebody Wrong” was next, with Gregg introducing old friend Thom Doucette on the harp. Thom sounded as good as ever, and the song built to a frenzy when Derek Trucks laid into some smokin’ slide.

The blues just kept on flowing with “Can’t Lose What You Never Had.” Derek and Warren were both at the top of their game tonight. Amazing guitar pyrotechnics.

Sax ace Ron Holloway (Dizzy Gillespie group) was introduced and Gregg sang the living daylights out of “Desdemona,” which turned into one of those trademark Peaches in Space jams, with Derek launching straight into the middle of the nebula. Holloway tacked on a smooth jazz sax solo, and the song just rocked upward and onward. Absolut Allman.

Next was the ultra-cool new instrumental that the band has been playing this run. It begins as an almost Pink Floyd kind of space vibe, and then breaks into total Allmania. Great song, with swingin’ solos from the guitars.

What happened next was one of the absolute coolest things to happen thus far during the run. King Curtis’ old band The King Pins were welcomed to the stage - Jerry Jemmott on bass, Bernard "Pretty" Purdie on drums, and Jimmy Smith on keys, along with Ron Holloway on sax, Mike Mattison of The Derek Trucks Band and Susan Tedeschi on vocals. Wow. Jerry said a few words about Duane Allman and his connection to King Curtis. Then they broke into “Soul Serenade.” Spectacular doesn’t even begin to describe it. Down and dirty, super bad soul. Just the best you’d ever want to hear. Butch on one kit, Purdy on the other.

Their second opus was “Memphis Soul Stew,” with Mattison doing a fine job of setting it all into motion. Butch stepped down and Jaimoe played alongside his old friend Purdie. No Gregg. No Oteil. Man, that sucker was awesome. Great playing all around, and just when I thought they were teasing a Buddy Miles tune, they went straight into it full on. “Them Changes” just wore me out. Warren sang it with passion, and the Kingpins just aced the whole thing.

In one of the longest first sets, if not the longest, so far this run, they brought Thom back onstage, while the Kingpins chilled. “You Don't Love Me” with brother Thom was smokin.’ An incredible end to a stellar set if I ever heard one in my life.

After an intermission, it was time for round two. I was still punch drunk from being K.O.ed in round one.

And now, for something completely different. “Little Martha” to begin set two, ah, but in comes the drums and keys, and low and behold, an instrumental jam of “Blue Sky,” with Derek smiling the whole time and he and Warren smoking. Then back to “Little Martha”: and out. Amazing.

Any jam band fans in da house? Out came Jimmy Herring and John Bell of Widespread Panic. How cool. And everybody headed down to New Orleans with a rousing “Walk On Guilded Splinters.” Bell shared vocals with Gregg and Warren and Jimmy nailed the guitar solo. Bell also shared vocals on “It Stoned Me,” which was not only awesome but pretty darned appropriate.

Next came “Can’t Find My Way Home,” sounding amazing. Bell sang it well, but for my money, I was hoping Susan T. would join then to sing that one. Oh well. Maybe next time. The Widespread guys were amazing. What  night.

The stage cleared except for current ABB members, and “Leave My Blues at Home” rocked the walls of the Beacon. Excellent bass from Oteil and some very cool drums from Butch, Jaimoe and Mark. And have I mentioned Gregg Allman is just on his game. For a man who scared us to death last year with that Hep C thing, he is back fellow babies, and better than ever.

Jimmy Herring returned to the stage for an amazing version of “Les Brers in A minor.” Watching Warren, Derek and Jimmy play triple -not dual- triple leads in unison was just the bomb. And when they took off on solo runs they carried it to that place Col. Bruce always talks about ... that land of Zambie! My God, did Herring smoke! (Smoked Herring? Sorry.) I mean, Herring was off the hook! (Again, sorry.) Best jam so far of the Beacon run? You tell me. All I know is that this was through the roof and over the freakin’ moon. And in a real “I love you man” moment, Jimmy walked over to Warren at the end of the song and gave him a big man hug. Sweet.

Encore time. The boys returned to the stage to take it home with an extended version “Statesborro Blues,” rocking it to the nines with major guitar from Warren and slide action from the young Mr. Trucks.. A great closer for another great show. And a nice long one that didn’t wrap until 11:56 pm.

More Allmans Tuesday night. Same Beacon time. Same Beacon channel.

Keep it Real. Keep it Southern.
Buffalo

SET LIST MARCH 23, 2009
Don’t Want You No More
It Ain’t My Cross to Bear
Done Somebody Wrong (w/ Thom Doucette)
Can’t Lose What You Never Had
Desdemona (w/ Ron Holloway)
New Instrumental
Soul Serenade ( w/ The Kingpins,  Jemmott, Bernard "Pretty" Purdie, Jimmy Smith, Mike Mattison, Susan Tedeschi)
Mempis Soul Stew > Them Changes ( w/ The Kingpins,  Jemmott, Bernard "Pretty" Purdie, Jimmy Smith, Mike Mattison, Susan Tedeschi)
You Don't Love Me  (w/ Thom Doucette)

SET TWO
Little Martha > Blue Sky Jam
Walk On Guilded Splinters  (w/ Jimmy Herring and John Bell)
It Stoned Me (w/ Jimmy Herring and John Bell)
Can’t Find My Way Home (w/ Jimmy Herring and John Bell)
Leave My Blues at Home
Les Brers in A minor (w/ Jimmy Herring)

ENCORE
Statesboro Blues

For further Allman Brothers Band interviews and articles please visit:

Six Degrees of Swampland: The Allman Brothers Band

 Please also visit our 2009 Beacon Page to see reviews of every show

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