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Allman Brothers!

Wednesday, March 25, 2009

Posted by: Source Audio | Posted in: Music Reviews

This is another report by the elusive, intrepid and fearless CEO of Source Audio, Roger Smith.

 

A band that remains fresh after 40 years

 

I am told that Count Basie and Duke Ellington managed to oversee bands that remained productive and highly relevant for decades.  While the Grateful Dead shows were always a scene, and the Rolling Stones deliver shows that are consistently  great entertainment, the sense of intense musical freshness and excitement is not what it was when these bands and so many others were at their peak.  I can say with near certainty, however, that one band seems to have pulled off the impossible: The Allman Brothers Band is peaking yet again just as they are celebrating their 40th anniversary.  Don’t just take it from me, ask anyone who has been to one of the Beacon Shows over the past 2 weeks. Just have a look and listen at their official website for more tour info.

 

Duane Allman died in a motorcycle accident when he was only 25 years old.  During his short life he not only created the southern fried blues/rock sound of the Allman Brothers Band, but he also laid down memorable solos all over  Derek and the Dominoes' classic "Layla" album, and another one on Boz Scagg’s “Loan me a Dime”.  The Allman Brothers have been playing a run of at least 14 shows each March at the Beacon Theater in New York for like the last 20 years.  This year’s run celebrates not only 40 years of ABB music, but there is a special level of tribute and focus on Duane. 

 

For those of us who attend these shows on Broadway in Manhattan’s Upper-West Side, the paradox represented by the ever-increasing quality of the music is a frequent source of discussion.  How the hell to they pull this off?  The following is the consensus on what has given the band its enviable longevity.

 

First, the sound that Duane Allman established 40 years ago remains unique and enduring.  Second, younger brother Greg Allman’s ability to sing the blues remains in a class by itself and he is completely healthy after a couple of serious health scares.  Third, Derek Trucks and Warren Haynes slip into the roles as replacement for Duane and Dickey Betts with a sense of purpose and pleasure.  I could see nothing but smiles from my position a feet away.  It does not hurt that these guys are among the most respected guitarists in the business right now.  In fact, Guitar Player Magazine current issues identifies Warren as the best current rock guitar artists and Derek as the best current slide guitar artist.  It also does not hurt that both Warren and Derek have been steeped in the music of ABB for most of their lives.  Fourth, there seems to be a level of harmony in the entire organization that has firmly taken root since the tumultuous period with Mr. Betts.  Finally, and here is where it gets interesting: the Beacon run has featured a non-stop flow of guest artists night after night who inspire the band and the audience alike.  These are not just random jam-outs of simple ABB songs, but rather well-conceived and rehearsed collaborations using the entire catalog and more.  For instance, when Eric Clapton took the stage for 2 nights last week, he and the band launched into an ambitious swath of material from the Layla album.  More recently they were joined by Billy Gibbons (an old friend of Duane’s) and ripped into “Jesus Just Left Chicago”.  When it is all said and done, the band and their 50+ guest musicians will play 75+ different songs over 15 nights with crisp execution and great excitement.  These guests will include, Billy Gibbons, Eric Clapton, Buddy Guy, Boz Scaggs, Bruce Hornsby, Phil Lesh, Bob Weir, Johnny Winter, Trey Anastasio, Page McConnell, Southside Johhny, Sheryl Crow, Taj Mahal, Stanly Clarke, Lenny White, John Hammond, Randy Brecker…..and there are still a few more nights to go!

 

You can check out all of the Beacon show via a very cool new web video service called Moogis.  It is a very effective way to catch all of the shows either live of via replay.

 

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