Well, I have had the privilege of being asked to pen my review about the performance of this monumental group of music legends… yeah, me! How about that shit? A performance that I was equally honored to have been allowed to photograph.
What can you say about this legendary group? What can I say that would do them justice that has not already been said? They formed in 1969, and these road veterans continue to tour with a schedule and energy like they still have something to prove. Beyond already being legends with a secure place in music history, a plaque at the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame and a 2012 Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award, they are also STILL a vital contemporary phenomenon and as much a part of the present and future of music as any band could ever hope to be.
Unquestionably, this has to be the concert event of the season and when they hit the stage at Darien Lake Performing Arts Center on Friday August 25, 2013, to a standing, roaring ovation – even before they played their first note, it was nothing short of awe inspiring. So when the first notes of “Statesboro Blues” waved over the crowd like an atomic sound wave blessing its children with the phenomenal guitar slide work of southern rock’s team Warren Haynes and Derek Trucks, the night was off and running.
As they continued into “Don’t Keep Me Wonderin’,” the amphitheater was filled with dancing that intensified even more with the instantly recognizable “Midnight Rider.” The band included Gregg Allman on organ/vocals, long time drummers Butch Trucks and Jai Johanny “Jaimoe” Johanson, Warren Haynes on guitar/vocals, Marc Quiñones playing percussion, Oteil Burbridge on bass/vocals since 1997 and Derek Trucks on guitar.
A lot has been said about the differences in style between the two guitarists and here’s the short version from this reviewer’s perspective… Mr. Haynes plays guitar as guitar, paving down single-note leads, high on the neck, with a pick. He gets a meaty, heavy sound. Mr. Trucks plays the guitar more as a voice. He uses no pick, rather fingering the strings while using a slide, his hand positions are fast movements but you still hear the raw noise of his open tuning in between phrases, like a preacher’s sermon.
This night, full of sound, sight, dancing, love, laughter and ultimately one of the best concert experiences I have had in a long time, was one to go down in the books as the concert of the year. I’m still grinning. …and I got one more silver dollar.
Opening for the Allman Brothers Band was none other than Steve Winwood, a legend in his own right from the days of Traffic, Blind Faith and the Spencer Davis Group. This singer, keyboardist and guitarist, also noted for hits such as “Higher Love”, “While You See a Chance”, “The Low Spark of High Heeled Boys”, “Dear Mr. Fantasy” and more. The early crowd loved his performance and was ready for whatever came next by Mr. Winwood’s flawless and energetic stage prowess. It was all high spark from this veteran musician tonight!
The Allman Brothers Band Set List:
Statesboro Blues (Blind Willie McTell cover)
Don’t Keep Me Wonderin’
Midnight Rider
Hot ‘Lanta
Feel Like Breakin’ Up Somebody’s Home
Desdemona
Trouble No More (Muddy Waters cover)
Melissa
Dusk Till Dawn
Revival
Drum solos
In Memory of Elizabeth Reed
Into the Mystic (Van Morrison cover)
One Way Out (Elmore James cover)
Encore:
Blue Sky
Southbound
Steve Winwood Set List:
Rainmaker
I’m a Man (Spencer Davis Group song)
Can’t Find My Way Home (Blind Faith song)
Had to Cry Today (Blind Faith song)
Low Spark of High Heeled Boys (Traffic song)
Light Up or Leave Me Alone (Traffic song)
Higher Love
Keep On Running (Spencer Davis Group song)
Dear Mr. Fantasy (Traffic song)
Gimme Some Lovin’ (Spencer Davis Group song)
We would like to thank Lynn McDonnell from Livenation for her assistance in helping BackstageAxxess review the show.
