The Allman Brothers Band have announced initial plans for their 45th anniversary in 2014, including the annual string of concerts at New York City’s Beacon Theatre, with 10 shows kicking off March 7. The Rock & Roll Hall of Fame inductees and live music stalwarts have performed at the 2800-seat Beacon over 220 times since they began the tradition in 1989.
In February, the group’s own Allman Brothers Band Recording Company will issue Boston Common 8/17/71, which was recorded 10 weeks before the death of co-founding guitarist DUANE ALLMAN. It is one of the few Duane Allman-era shows that no fan has heard or owns. In addition, on February 18 Epic/Legacy Recordings will release the two-CD set Play All Night: Live At The Beacon Theatre 1992 and a live DVD from 1991, Live At Great Woods.
In April, the group will return to Live Oak, FL for the 10th annual WANEE FESTIVAL, which they have curated and headlined since 2005; the full line-up will be announced in early 2014. Major acts who have joined the ABB at Wanee in past years include Gov’t Mule, the Tedeschi Trucks Band, Jaimoe’s Jasssz Band, The Black Keys, Furthur, Widespread Panic, Robert Plant, Dr. John, Steven Stills, Steve Miller Band, O.A.R., Robert Randolph, Bob Weir & Ratdog, Levon Helm, Buddy Guy, Little Feat, Drive-By Truckers, Grace Potter & The Nocturnals, Sharon Jones & The Dap Kings and many more.
Tickets for the Beacon Theatre shows go on sale to the public Friday, January 10 at 10AM ET and can be purchased at www.ticketmaster.com and www.beacontheatre.com and via charge by phone at (800)745-3000. If tickets remain, they will also be available at the venue box office beginning Monday, January 12. American Express® Card Members can purchase tickets before the general public beginning Friday, January 3 at 10AM ET through Thursday, January 9 at 10PM ET.
ABOUT THE LIVE RELEASES:
The release of Boston Common 8/17/71 marks another chapter of self-released archival recordings from the Allman Brothers Band Recording Company, which has also issued American University 12/13/70, Stonybrook 9/19/71, Macon 2/11/72 and Nassau Coliseum 5/1/73. John Lynskey–ABB authority and publisher of the group’s Hittin’ The Note magazine–wrote the liner notes and sums up this Boston show, a city that continues to embrace the Allman Brothers Band:
“1971 was a watershed year for the Allman Brothers Band – they recorded their seminal live album, At Fillmore East, in March, and continued to tour relentlessly. By this point, their performances had reached a level of musicianship and intensity that other groups could only dream of. At Fillmore East was released in July to massive critical acclaim, and a month later, they rolled back into Boston to once again jam in the Common, playing two shows on August 17th. Boston Common 8/17/71 manages to capture the loose and engaging early set, with the band clearly enjoying themselves – Berry [Oakley]’s stage banter is particularly engaging as he comments on the group’s relationship with Boston and their friendship with the J. Geils Band. As for the music, Duane’s slide guitar is blistering on ‘Statesboro Blues’ and ‘Don’t Keep Me Wonderin’’; his interplay with Dickey [Betts] on ‘You Don’t Love Me’ is a complex masterpiece, and their dual melody line on ‘In Memory of Elizabeth Reed’ is flawless. Gregg’s vocal work is stellar throughout, and his growl on ‘Trouble No More’ clearly justifies his reputation as one of the best blues singers of all time. Berry, Butch and Jaimoe lay down a rhythm foundation that is a mile wide – the thumping bass line and syncopated drum patterns turn the ‘Whipping Post’ finale into a musical maelstrom.”
On February 18, Epic/Legacy Recordings, a division of Sony Music Entertain¬ment will release Play All Night: Live At The Beacon Theatre 1992, a new two-disc set showcasing The Allman Brothers Band’s very first time playing such an extended run at the Beacon. In 1989, The Allman Brothers Band reunited for a tour which saw the group first take the Beacon’s stage for a residency that’s now a tradition for both band and venue. In March 1992 the band would tape two of their 10 shows at the theatre and amazingly, little of the material from these electrifying shows has been available to fans–until now.
Also due out on February 18 (Epic/Legacy Recordings), the DVD release of Live At Great Woods. Filmed in September of 1991 before a crowd of nearly 20,000 adoring fans at the Great Woods Center for the Performing Arts in Massachusetts, this DVD release features–for the first time on the format–the original long-form video version of this concert, with no interviews edited into the main feature. This DVD reissue has been long requested by Allman Brothers Band fans.
DATE CITY VENUE
Fri 3/7 New York, NY Beacon Theatre
Sat 3/8 New York, NY Beacon Theatre
Tue 3/11 New York, NY Beacon Theatre
Wed 3/12 New York, NY Beacon Theatre
Fri 3/14 New York, NY Beacon Theatre
Sat 3/15 New York, NY Beacon Theatre
Tue 3/18 New York, NY Beacon Theatre
Wed 3/19 New York, NY Beacon Theatre
Fri 3/21 New York, NY Beacon Theatre
Sat 3/22 New York, NY Beacon Theatre
Fri 4/11 Live Oak, FL Wanee Music Festival
Sat 4/12 Live Oak, FL Wanee Music Festival
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