Last night the Allman Brothers Band kicked off a sold-out run of 15 shows at New York City’s Beacon Theatre by digging deep into their storied catalog and welcoming the first of what promises to be a steady stream of special guests (the leading rumors say Eric Clapton, Ron Wood and members of the Dead will make appearances). The Allmans opened their 176th show at the Beacon since 1989 with “Little Martha” and from there plowed through a string of sonic chestnuts, including “Midnight Rider,” “Statesboro Blues,” “Stormy Monday,” “Mountain Jam” and “Southbound.”
The Allmans are celebrating their 40th anniversary this year and the crowd at the Beacon, which recently underwent a $16 million renovation, was in a celebratory mood. The band was forced to cancel their 2008 run at the theater because founding member Gregg Allman was recovering from Hepatitis C.
Taj Mahal played harmonica and sang with the Allman Brothers on “Leaving Trunk” and sang on “44 Blues” and “Statesboro Blues.” Levon Helm opened the second set by leading the Allmans through the Band’s “Ophelia, followed by “I Shall Be Released” and “The Weight.” Helm played his own drum kit and was joined by Levon Helm Band members Larry Campbell on guitar and vocals, Teresa Williams on vocals and Brian Mitchell on keyboards. He shared vocal duties with Williams and Warren Haynes on “I Shall Be Released while Allman and Mahal joined Helm on “The Weight,” with each taking a verse.
Source RollingStone
