When “The Brothers” show was first announced to celebrate the 50th anniversary of the Allman Brothers Band, it seemed like a surprise. The band played its last show in 2014 and both Gregg Allman and Butch Trucks have sadly passed on since then. Warren Haynes, Derek Trucks, and Oteil Burbridge have all been touring steadily but this music clearly called them back together along with the Jaimoe, whom along with Dickey Betts are the only original founding members alive and percussionist Marc Quinones, who joined the band in the early 90’s. It occurred to this reviewer on the way to Madison Square Garden last night that this was The Allmans’ version of “Fare Thee Well.”
“The Brothers” was an appropriate title for the group since there were no Allmans in it. The only original member present, Jaimoe, sat behind his kit with Duane Trucks and Quinones filling out the percussion section. Reese Wyans handled keyboards and Chuck Leavell joined him for about half the show. The Allman Brothers Band, especially during Warren Haynes and Derek Trucks’ tenure, became a guitar band. Their two styles evolved and meshed perfectly and that twang and snarl were on full display on March 10th. From the opening notes of “Don’t Want You No More” to the parting “Whipping Post,” these guys tore the roof off the building. Oteil Burbridge was smiling from ear to ear all night and for good reason. The first set featured an eleven-minute “Black Hearted Woman” with Haynes singing about your “slippery ass ways” and the outro jam was completely insane. Trucks was wringing the life out of his guitar and they segued into an “Other One” like jam with Haynes taking lead. “Dreams” and “Hot ‘Lanta” followed. ‘Nuff said.
Chuck Leavell came out for “Come And Go Blues,” “Soulshine,” “Stand Back,” and, of course, “Jessica.” He’s played that solo so many times since the Brothers and Sisters album, but it still sounds fresh. The set was so strong that it was a bit surprising that they were taking a full break before starting the second. When they emerged, Trucks was playing Duane Allman’s guitar and “Mountain Jam” started. “Blue Sky” was sung by Leavell, rather than Haynes. “Desdemona,” from the band’s final studio album, was a nice surprise as Haynes has never sang the Gregg Allman tune, but you wouldn’t know it from the way it sounded. Leavell’s keyboard was also a nice touch. After “Ain’t Wasting Time No More” and “Every Hungry Woman,” Haynes picked up an acoustic guitar for “Melissa.” “In Memory Of Elizabeth Reed” was 15-minutes of jazzy bliss and “No One Left To Run With,” allowed Haynes and Trucks to push each other into the outer reaches with a guitar duel. The encore was a perfectly-selected “Midnight Rider” and “Whipping Post.”
There were no real omissions unless you count “You Don’t Love Me” or maybe “Wasted Words.” It was fantastic from start to finish and the nugs.net webcast and audience tapers have already left us with plenty of proof. The band said they have no plans to play again, but who knows? If they are to be taken at their word, (and in the words of Paul Giamatti in Cinderella Man) that was one hell of a goodbye at The Garden.
One Response
Is anyone doing a Duane tribute. Gone 50 years ago. The day music really died.