Once a year, NYC’s Upper West Side is graced with the pleasure to host The Allman Brothers Band at The Beacon Theatre, for about 2-3 weeks. 10 nights of the Allman’s. Southern twang, slide guitars, songs that break your heart and songs that transport you to another place. Well, for me anyways……….
March Madness. And, on a side note. Soulive‘s residency at the Brooklyn Bowl, Bowlive, usually overlaps the Beacon run. ABB seems to be at the Beacon a little earlier than last year, so the urge to be at both places at the same time will be tough to handle.
Luckily, they like to jam with each other. Grab your tickets!
I woke up and hung with my camp family while some people trekked up to the Peach Stage for Bruce Hornsby. Even in camp I could hear Bruce playing a soulful tribute to Levon Helm with “The Night They Drove ‘Ole Dixie Down” and “Ride That Train”. It gave me the chills and I wasn’t near the stage. My friends told me it blew them away.
I do finally motivate around 1:30 to go see Buddy Guy. On a hot afternoon, the sun beams down on the field and my notes go something like this: playing with one had, keyboardist explosion, deep southern groove, Buddy is BAD.
Yes, Buddy is bad singing “Nobody Loves Me but my Guitar,” and then he stops and banters with the crowd. “Wait a minute, wait a minute. Ya’ll brought me here to sing the blues, we will not disappoint!” He goes into “Hoochie Coochie Man” and then stops again to scream at the crowd. “I was in India, and even they didn’t f*ck up the words like yall have.” Yep, Buddy Guy is a character – but can belt the blues like nobody’s business.
Then he does this bit where he leans on the speaker, turns the guitar around and sings this song where he plays a lick with his belly – or more to the point – his man parts. Uh huh. Seriously.
Then I move over to the mushroom stage to hear Mickey Hart’s new band that I had been hearing really great things about. I wanted to hear it for myself. The crowd goes wild on the first song, Not Fade Away, and the female singer, Crystal Monee Hall, brings a nice feminine voice to the mix. Dave Schools (Widespread Panic) is on base and then we go into some of Mickey’s new songs from his latest album, Mysterium Tremendum.I can honestly say this was the set that blew me away with new sounds, great jams and hard hitting percussion and bass. Some new music that really blew me away with its experimental groovy danceable jams. The third song began sounding reminiscent of early Pink Floyd with a bit of space and drums mixed in. The jams were hot and new and fresh. I can’t wait to see them again.
SET LIST: Not Fade Away >, Let There Be Light, Time Never Ends > Who Stole The Show?, Starlight Starbright, Cut The Deck > Bertha >, Supersonic > jam >, Fire on the Mountain
photo by: Shelly Smith
I then move back to the Peach Stage to see Tedeschi Trucks Band. If you know me at all, you know I’m a huge Derek Trucks fan. No, I was not disappointed at this set. They are greeted by a loving crowd. Tedeschi sings the first note of the first song and the audience is captivated. The sun beams down on the field, Susan Tedeschi banters with Derek Trucks’ guitar. The horn section is tight and sharp.
A few songs from Trucks’ old band, Derek Trucks Band were dusted off with “I Know” with Matt Mattson singing. It was a strong rendition, with a B3 keys explosion from Kofi Burbridge, and a just a tiny bit of shredding from Derek Trucks.
“Love Has Something Else to Say” was changed up a bit, there was a sick trumpet groove by DeShawn Ross, Oteil Burbridge, bass, was squirming in the background, hitting the sickest bass groove.
I then found some food while they played “Midnight in Harlem.” Derek noodled for a bit while I was on the ticket line, and then they began the song. Derek and Kofi start off the song sultry and soft. It is a beautiful song, Susan sings it perfectly – there is no one else out there with her type of voice. It was chillingly beautiful. And it was silent during Trucks’ solo. A field of 20,000 people, silent. He shreds that guitar to a silent crowd. Wow.
The second DTB song was Majoun, with its soft and dreamy bantering flute and guitar also kept me swaying in the crowd. Full set list below:
Don’t Let Me Slide, I Know, Love Has Something Else To Say, Midnight In Harlem, Down Don’t Bother Me / Band intros, Lord Protect My Child, Nobody’s Free, That Did It, Mahjoun > bass > drums, Darlin’ Be Home Soon >, Bound For Glory
I needed a break after that one; needed some food, more drink, and a rest back at camp. On the way back to the site I heard Bonerama from the Mushroom stage. A little bit later I heard Furthur begin to play. I sat in a chair at camp (home), and listened to both bands play. Continue reading →
The chatter and anticipation is humming here in NYC with the return of the 3rd annual Bowlive, Soulive’s 10 day residency at The Brooklyn Bowl.
Soulive has announced in drips and drabs the special guests, and to be honest with you, this year sounds like the best yet. I am excited to get it on with my bad self, and the hundreds of other bad selves dancing to great music, incredible jams, loud horns and shredding guitars. Ah, let Bowlive III begin.
I got in late, close to the end of the first set and I missed Natalie Cole and Ron Holloway, (darn it.) I did, however, hear an incredible Liz Reed with Bill Evans on sax – making it a spacy, raging, beautiful jazz/guitar mashup jam before setbreak. Warren tells us they are going to take a short break, a really short one and to stay tuned for more really special guests. Time to hit the restrooms, wrestle the crowd for a drink, and get back for more.
photo by: Allison Murphy
Second set, David Crosby and Graham Nash were already on stage with Derek Trucks when I walked in (I was dealing with a large unmovable crowd), and the three of them are on stage, Derek strumming his guitar while Crosby and Nash sing Teach Your Children. My eyes at this point are bugging out of my head, I don’t think I have ever seen Crosby and Nash live before, and I’m frozen in watching these three men on the stage.
The whole theater was on their feet, I was in awe seeing Crosby and Nash only 10 rows away from me. Couldn’t get the grin off my face, but did not sing along because I wanted to hear these two sing, play acoustic guitar, with Derek. It was so beautiful and special, I had goosebumps. I doubt I was the only one.
Crosby and Nash alone sing Guinnevere . Guinnevere. Yes, really. If I didn’t have goosebumps by then, I really had them now. Liftoff to my blissful music high, this is when I began to swoon. Warren Haynes comes out and the three sing Find the Cost of Freedom a capella. David Crosby then tells us “…how he hasn’t played the next song for a while because, well, he couldn’t remember all the words. Since he wasn’t stoned tonight,” he continued, “he wanted to play it.” Chuckles from the stage and audience started Cowboy Movie song.
photo by: Allison Murphy
Afterwards, Phil Lesh comes out to join for a plethora of Dead tunes including Continue reading →
OK – I’m beginning to get my festival schedule ready, and this is the first one on my docket. I’m itching for summer festies to come, and always look forward to Wanee!
Set in the swamp on the beautiful Suwanee River, this festival has a bit of magic around it – the scenery is calming, the people are of the utmost southern hospitality and friendliness, and the music… well… just check it out. Also, you can read about last year’s beautiful festival here: View Skewed Wanee 2010 Coverage
This show could easily have been the best show of the year.
After almost a week, I believe I have processed this show enough to write my own notes. I have floated all week from this gig, and many of my friends have also experienced the same. Chad Berndtson has written two great write-ups for Glide Magazine, and Jambands also has reviewed the show. I will try not to replicate, but put my own skewed view on it.
For a Southern Rock lover, this whole show was bliss. From Warren’s first line, “Thanks for being part of this special night, we really appreciate it.” to the ending song by the Allman’s (Wish You Were Here), the place stood on their feet for six hours and we all lifted off the ground a few feet. The ticket was pricey ($117 from Ticketmaster), but it was worth it. Here are my own personal highlights, and why…
The line up consisted of:
7:45 pm Set 1: Warren Haynes Acoustic(Warren Haynes, Edwin McCain & Kevin Kinney):
Edwin McCain on vocals during the second song, The Lucky One, literally made tears form in my eyes, the lyrics tugged at my heartstrings… seriously. I knew we were in for a show, we were no more than 10 minutes in and here I was… moved to tears and goosebumps already. They end with I Shall Be Released which was àpropos since Edwin McCain sounded (to my ears) very Dylan-esque. What a beautiful acoustic way to slide into this night’s magical soundtrack.
photo by: Dino Perrucci
8:15/8:30 pm Set 2: The North Mississippi Allstars(Luther Dickinson (guitar, vocals) and Cody Dickinson (drums, keyboards, electric washboard) with special guests: Gordie Johnson)
They came out like a bat outta hell, raging on those guitars. They sounded crisp and clear, and they looked like they were having a blast. These guys are so fun, they have that beautiful twang of the guitar that makes me melt. Slowing down for a second after the first 3 or 4 songs with Glory Glory, then bringing up Gordie Johnson for Po Black Maddie, this set really set the tone. Shake up the audience a bit with nice lookin’ men up there with their twangy, slidy, southern guitars. Mmhmm… The Roseland was lifting higher to the stratosphere…
photo by Allison Murphy
9ish Set 3: Gov’t Mule (Warren Haynes (guitar), Matt Abts (drums), Jorgen Carlsson (bass), Danny Louis (keys, trumpet) with special guests: Gordie Johnson, Jim Loughlin, Vinnie Amico, Chuck Garvey, Hook Herrera, Luther Dickinson, Cody Dickinson, Artemis Pyle, Rich Robinson, Robert Kearns, Audley Freed, Savannah Woody
If you know me at all, you know I’m a Mulehead. So, obviously, I was in heaven the minute these guys took the stage. But a few songs standout to me, and the only way I know this is because I’ve put these selects on repeat on my iPod since the show ended.
Gov’t Mule Highlights: Simple Man, Soulshine, Dear Prudence, 32/20 Blues
Um, 32/20 was incredible, harmonica by Hook Herrera, Luther Dickinson on guitar, Cody Dickinson on some sort of washboard instrument around his neck. The music was coming at you in 100 mph speeds…
Dear Prudence was killer with moe. guitarist Chuck Garvey joining in on the fun.
But for me, the one that blew me away…. Simple Man with Skynyrd’s Artemis Pyle and Robert Kearns … holy hell, my head exploded, heaven…seriously…no words. Look below for the video. Good lord.
Then Soulshine with Woody’s beautiful daughter singing with Warren. Savannah Woody’s voice is sweet and angelic, she seemed a little shy up there, but all the musicians around her on stage were propping her up, you could feel the love on the stage, from the audience and back again. She stood up there, and Artemis ran up to her with a tambourine. This song with Savannah – again it was a goosebump moment…. Breathtaking.
photo by: Dino Perrucci
11:45ish – Allman Brothers Band (Gregg Allman (vocals, keys), Warren Haynes (guitar), Derek Trucks (guitar), Oteil Burbridge (bass), Butch Trucks (drums), Jai “Jaimoe” Johanson (drums, percussion), Marc Quiñones (drums, percussion, background vocals) with special guests: Hook Herrera, Berry Oakley Jr., Rich Robinson, Audley Freed, Danny Louis, Chuck Garvey, Vinnie Amico, James Van de Bogard, Luther Dickinson, Cody Dickinson, Gordie Johnson, Matt Abts
After a loooong set break, setting up for the last set, we got started probably sometime around the midnight hour with ABB in all their guitar glory.
Allman Brothers Highlights: Black Hearted Woman/Other One Jam, Southbound, Whipping Post
My personal “woohoo” ABB moments: (1): Jorgen Carlsson making eye contact with me at the bar, after he checked out my chest/Dose symbol t-shirt. (2): Being so close to the stage that I made eye contact with Derek Trucks. I am sure he was making eyes at me (hah!)
My feet were killing by this point. Standing since 7pm by midnight my dogs were barking. However, you endure amazing things while under the influence of incredible music.
Black Hearted Woman/Other One Jam was incredibly fast, loud, shredding glorious guitar banter. Oteil dancing, turning his back to the audience, the whole stage jamming hard, fast, greatness. Almost 13 minutes of tasty licks. Yeah the boys are in town, and making a raucous about it.
Southbound was a guitar lovers feast, while Warren and Derek play tit for tat with each other. Two mindblowing guitarists, trying to up each other with their licks. Hook Herrera on harmonica brings this baby up another 10 notches. Good frikkin lord, hot stuff, so hot.
At 1:30, I was willing to sacrifice what I would miss, unbelievably, as I made my way towards the door. Right then, Whipping Post came on, and I couldn’t leave. Derek Trucks wailed on that guitar, and it was the perfect way to end a perfect evening. Close to 2am, floating out of the Roseland, I was grateful to be there and experience, speechless for days, and riding high on the whispers of southern guitars raging in my head.
Woody’s daughter came out and sang Soulshine with Mule. Her voice was beautiful, to see her on stage with Warren and the boys, to feel the love from the crowd, to see her nervous up there… Wow. Head blown. Goosebumps.
Good lord, the Southern guitars churn my soul like no other. Warren Haynes, Gov’t Mule, Allman Brothers Band, North Mississippi Allstars, so many people coming and going, sauntering up on that stage. The crowd was rowdy, the Roseland was packed, they played for six hours straight. What can you say? But amazing… Speechless.
Pictures and more video coming throughout the day…. I am still trying to form words.
Setlists:
Warren Haynes, Edwin McCain & Kevn Kinney @ Another One For Woody: Set: Just Outside Of Heaven (A Good Country Mile), The Lucky One, I Shall Be Released
North Mississippi Allstars Duo @ Another One For Woody: Set: Sitting On Top of the World, Shimmy She Wobble > Station Blues > Preachin’ Blues, Glory Glory, Po Black Maddie (w/ Gordie Johnson), Straight To Hell (w/ Gordie Johnson), Whiskey Rockin Rolla (w/ Artemis Pyle, Danny Louis, Audley Freed)
Gov’t Mule @ Another One For Woody: Set: Railroad Boy > Blind Man In The Dark, Steppin’ Lightly, Banks Of The Deep End, I’m A Ram (with Gordie Johnson, Jim Loughlin & Vinnie Amico), Dear Prudence (with Chuck Garvey, Jim Loughlin & Vinnie Amico), 32/20 Blues (with Hook Herrera, Luther Dickinson, Cody Dickinson & Artemis Pyle), Stay With Me (with Rich Robinson & Artemis Pyle), Sometimes Salvation (with Rich Robinson, Robert Kearns & Artemis Pyle, without Jorgen Carlsson), Simple Man (with Artemis Pyle, Audley Freed & Robert Kearns, without Matt Abts & Jorgen Carlsson),Wishing Well (with Artemis Pyle & Audley Freed), Soulshine (with Savannah Woody & Artemis Pyle)
Allman Brothers Band @ Another One For Woody: Set: Don’t Want You No More, Ain’t My Cross To Bear, End Of The Line, No One Left To Run With, Black Hearted Woman > Other One Jam, Who’s Been Talking (w/Hook Herrera), Midnight Rider, One Way Out (w/Rich Robinson & Berry Oakley Jr), Statesboro Blues (w/Berry Oakley Jr), The Weight (w/Audley Freed & Danny Louis), Franklins Tower (w/Chuck Garvey, Vinnie Amico & James Van de Bogart), Southbound (w/Hook, Luther, & Cody)
Encore: Whipping Post, Wish You Were Here (Warren w/ Berry Oakley jr., Gordie Johnson, Danny Louis & Matt Abts)
Ed note: If you haven’t read Day 1 or Day 2 before Day 3, you should start there.
Lost Vortex #3: You knew it was coming, right? Things happen in threes. Sunglasses. Gone. Sheesh.
Back to camp, hangin’ with the camp family with coffee in hand, we hear flute sounds coming from the Peach Stage. 10:30 am, it was time to boogie. I went down to see the goings on with my girl. Her brother was playing with the Bobby Lee Rodgers Trio this morning, and we wanted to get up there and see the music. The Bobby Lee Rodgers Trio was lovely morning music, nice and jazzy with shredding rock, a flute here and there, keys, killer. Yep, just beautiful. After the show, we were told that Sharon Jones and the Dap Kings were stranded in Iceland because of the volcanic ash, so they were gonna re-jigger the schedule around and there would be a jam session before Johnny Winter. I laughed out loud, I love Wanee impromptu jams, they are so sweet… heh, we are in for a treat later today.
Spirit of the Suwanee Magical Moment: I asked my friend to call my phone, one last time, maybe someone will pick up? She looked at me crazy but appeased me. The next thing I know she’s saying “Hello? Hello?” The person on the other side says, “Wow, I just turned the phone on this second and it rang.” Yes, that is what I’m saying…magical. He found it in another campsite, in the dirt, two days ago. Wow.
Went back to the campsite, chilled with my camp family and waited for Dr. John. The Peach Stage and the Mushroom Stage’s schedules had slipped because Sharon Jones couldn’t make it, and my timing was getting off. The dilemma: Dr. John vs. Robert Randolph vs. Dumpstaphunk. I decided to go see a bit of Dr. John, then go see Dumpsta, then go see Robert Randolph and the Word. I was feeling a bit schizophrenic, to be honest. I had total “I’m gonna miss a really great set” anxiety going on. I had camera, notebook and earplugs. I left the camp and started on my journey.
A Family Affair with Ivan Neville’s Dumpstaphunk is on stage. Wow. Good lord they threw down. A Sly set, holy schmoley. It was a breezy hot afternoon, people were raging out, the sax and the trumpet were loud and strong. Ivan’s keys were screaming, bass low and groovy. Whooo, out of control funky, and now I can hear The Word with John Medeski, Robert Randolph and the North Mississippi Allstars from the other stage. So, I decide to run over to the Peach Stage after Everyday People to see Robert and the Word, but still can hear Dumpsta and want to get back there to that crazy rage. See, schizophrenic.
I did run back to the Dumpsta craziness. Danced hard, my legs now were beginning to ache, serious ache in my calves, but it didn’t matter, I can’t stand still. Legs and hips had a mind of their own, cuz this was going DOWN. One of my personal highlights of the festival. Phewwwwww.
I went back to my camp for hydration purposes, and could still hear The Word featuring John Medeski, Robert Randolph and North Mississippi Allstars playing from the other stage. They sounded so sweet, Funk + Southern Rock… Rage. Yes, it was raging.
So now, the next dilemma I had was The Black Keys vs. The Funky Meters. Yes, it was getting insane. So, I decide to get to the hammock and listen to the Funky Groove of the Funky Meters before the Wanee Family Funk Jam that was going on. And, wow, did it go on.
Wanee Family Funk Jam: If I thought Dumpsta and the Funky Meters brought it in….I was wrong. I mean, Dumpsta was way insane, way amazing, way fun, but this Funk Jam stuff. Hot. Way hot. Way deep. Damnnnn. Let’s see – Dumpstaphunk and The Funky Meters, Cody and Luther Dickinson, Oteil and Kofi Burbridge, JoJo Herman, Bobby Lee Rodgers, Matt Grondin. Yep, that’s what I’m talking about.
Day 2 starts with a little 7 Walkers w/ Bill Kreutzmann and Papa Mali. It was sweet, but have to admit, it wasn’t the highlight.
No, that would come after with Oteil and Kofi Burbridge w/ The Lee Boys. Um, that was some incredible funky stuff going down on the Mushroom Stage. Way high energy, like stamp your feet in the sand, shake your head, oooh boy this was good stuff coming off the stage. They played an hour and it was incredible. I’ve never seen the Lee Boys, from South Florida, and good lord! they were steaming in that little forest called the Mushroom Stage. Oteil kept that bass grooving fast and low, Kofi’s keys screaming through the shredding guitars, -screaming pedal steel guitar played by Roosevelt and the pounding drums… Oteil scats, oh yeah. Fast, funky, fun.
Spirit of Suwanee Magical Moment: Run into another friend in the immense crowd of people shaking and dancing, and she led me, holding my hand to connect with another friend. Yes, I felt the Spirit.
Then no break for the weary as I heard Stephen Stills in the background as I wandered the venue with a buddy on a shopping trip. We bought sunglasses and these hemp rope sandals as Stephen played from the Peach Stage. Things now get a little crazy, with all the things to do, people to see. I was running back and forth from each stage. My friend went one way, I went another, and some how, miraculously, we kept bumping into each other in a crowd of 23,000 16,000. Seriously, how does that happen?? Spirit of the Suwanee Moments all around me.
So, to cool down from that bit of crazy, I went for a walk and heard North Mississippi Allstars while wondering around. They rocked, it was a bluesy kind of southern rock thing, but raged. Hard rock, shredding guitars, the sun was beaming down. So beautiful, danced so hard. Smile beginning to hurt my face. Listen here at Archive
JJ Grey and Mofro. 2 horns and they jam some funky stuff. My notes say: Raging guitar, voice like the Black Crowes, Raging, Shaking head, dancing, shaking ass, dancing. Um. Well… hah. That says it all, doesn’t it? Again, another band to put on the list to see again and again. Listen here at Archive.
Hot Tuna no recollection at all. Unknown.
Widespread Panic. At this point my friend and I split and I went to the Peach Stage to see Widespread. Damn, there was a lot of people there and I started to flit around the field. I was trying to scope out a place to dance, as well as find my Orlando camp family, but to no avail. But WSP raged! Continue reading →
Pre-show: Honey, we’re not at the Beacon anymore. After 3 subways and 45 minutes of travel I got up to the United Palace Theater at 175th St. Found a ticket no problem, Row A, Orchestra. Karma, folks, is good. Checked out the theater, wow so beautiful. Carved walls and ceilings, sweet comfy seats. Killer!
Set 1: Hot’lanta, Can’t Lose What You Never Had, Trouble No More, Come & Go Blues, Rocking Horse > Little Martha Tease > Jam > Rocking Horse, Gamblers Roll, Only You Know & I Know, Kind of Bird, Statesboro Blues
Hot’lanta rocked, Trouble No More w/ Warren singing, Oteil’s bass deep and low, setting the pace and the vibrations through the theater. Derek and Oteil are bouncing back and forth between each other, Derek shreds. I mean, wow. I hear “clank clank clank” from a cowbell, hit at exactly the perfect moment and Gregg’s keys lift us higher. Warren makes that “wah, wah” sound on the mic, scatting in his own Warren way. (Ed note: Warren’s scatting is much different from Oteil’s scatting … and scatting is my new word of the week. Warren scats in a “wah wah” way, where Oteil scats like he’s plucking the bass. I guess that is the obvious difference.)
Set 2: Melissa, Good Clean Fun, Black Hearted Woman>Other One Jam, The Weight, Every Hungry Woman, Jessica > Will The Circle Be Unbroken > Oteil Solo > JaBuMa > Jessica Encore: You Don’t Love Me
Highlights: Gregg on guitar for Melissa, Black Hearted Woman > The Other One Jam, The Weight, Jessica, Oteil Solo and Oteil on Drums, Butch on Timpani – ok, the whole second set.
Gregg comes out with his acoustic for Melissa. So pretty. It’s Gregg’s song and he sings it perfectly. Then we go into a shredding Black Hearted Woman>Other One Jam. Oh my. Continue reading →
