Way down upon the Suwannee River, The Allman Brothers Band’s electrifying Third Annual Wanee Festival returned to the scenic Spirit of Suwannee Music Park in Live Oak, Florida. The festival featured The Allman Brothers Band’s 38th Anniversary as America’s most enduring musical road warriors.
Two stages surrounded by majestic moss draped oaks, encompassed a mellow vibe where Mother Earth merged with a natural symphony of traditional splendor. The festival also featured Govt. Mule, The Derek Truck’s Band, blues songstress Susan Tedeschi and bassist Oteil Burbridge spirtualized Peacemakers. Second generation genetic rockers Devon Allman’s Honeytribe and Vaylor Truck’s Bonobos Convergence served as the opening bands. Rounding out the lineup was pedal steel guru Robert Randolph, Rusted Root and platinum faceted instrumentalist Keller Williams.
Recently supporting The Who’s American tour, power trio rockers Rose Hill Drive blasted a mountainous set. Allman Brother’s bass prince Oteil Burbridge and his Peacemakers electric sky church weaved a soulful, funky quilt of bottom driven grooves, honey flavored vocals and a sunny high road to salvation praise. Oteil is the Jimi Hendrix of the bass guitar, and the Peacemakers vibrant versions of Hendrix’s "Manic Depression", "Got Me floating", and "Power of Soul" solidified the legacy.
The spiritual roots revival shifted to the larger Peach Stage where Robert Randolph’s Family Band pumped up the energy as keyboardist Jason Crosby’s talents mingled with Randolph’s potent pedal steel. A stroll through the trees to the intimate knee high Mushroom Stage found New Orlean’s Radiators playing a fiery set.
Dove tailed perfectly for eager music lovers the main Peach Stage welcomed Warren Haynes mega – quartet Govt. Mule. The high and mighty Mule soul shined an incendiary 90 plus minutes on both days anchored by the inimitable drumming of Matt Abts. Haynes masterful guitar double duty diversity with The Allman Brothers band remains unparalled.
Classic rock legend Gregg Allman orchestrated three hours of southern soul flavored rocking blues on both nights. Spotlighted collaborations welcomed the amazing Ron Holloway’s soaring sax and Tom Petty’s Heartbreaker keyboardist Benmont Tench.
The Allman’s twin guitar attack of Haynes and Derek Trucks resides at the pantheon of musicianship. Truck’s recent tour with Eric Clapton solidified the torchbearer status as the slide guitar legacy prematurely vacated by Duane Allman in 1971. Truck’s dueling axe work with Warren Haynes in the Allman Brothers Band is the definitive crystalline sound born from the musical heart. It is with Derek Trucks Band that Derek can explore the antiquity of Eastern influences, island vibes and searing blues while crafting his own signature songs. World rhythm drummer Yonrico Scott embellished the counter point of Truck’s stratospheric high end, while he performed for absent drummer Jaimoe without missing a beat.
Poet T.S. Eliot called "April the cruelest month". Cruel morphed into cool as the hottest live musicians converged for a weekend of over the top – flight jams. Naturally great events ‘make it rain’ and shortly following the final notes on late Saturday night, the clouds burst and the lazy Suwannee River rose to greet the Sunday morning dew.
