In their 35-year history, The Allman Brothers Band threw down more epic lived performances that rivaled that of The Grateful Dead. One such performance is making its way to an official release.
On April 7, 1972, the Allman Brothers Band was invited to perform at Manley Field House on the campus of Syracuse University. Coming shortly after the sudden passing of band leader Duane Allman in October 1971, this show captured a rare, brief, and emotionally charged “Five-Man Band” period when the lineup was composed of only five original members—Gregg Allman on vocals and keyboard, Dickey Betts on guitar, Berry Oakley on bass, and drummers Butch Trucks and Jaimoe.
This show has been widely circulated as a fan-favorite radio broadcast bootleg for years, however this release is the first to include the complete show with the highest audio quality preserved from the direct source.
The band’s performance at Manley Field House, the school’s indoor track and field facility, was recorded and simulcast on Syracuse University’s WAER college radio on the night of the show, and subsequently rebroadcast by the station and some of its’ former staff members as they moved around in radio. The recording was made with the ABB’s cooperation and authorization using an auxiliary mixing board on the side of the stage with a feed from the ABB sound desk.
The 11-track collection features set staples from this period including show opener “Statesboro Blues,” “In Memory of Elizabeth Reed,” “Midnight Rider,” and “Whipping Post,” as well as “Ain’t Wastin’ Time No More” off their then newly released album Eat a Peach. “Syracuse Jam,” included here for the first time, is an example of the one-time melody jamming the band was famous for and is unique in that it does not appear in any other known ABB recording.
Manley Field House, Syracuse University April 7, 1972 track list:
Disc One:
1. Introduction
2. Statesboro Blues
3. Done Somebody Wrong
4. Ain’t Wastin’ Time No More
5. One Way Out
6. Stormy Monday
7. You Don’t Love Me
Disc Two:
1. In Memory Of Elizabeth Reed
2. Midnight Rider
3. Whipping Post
4. Syracuse Jam
5. Hot ‘Lanta
