In Memoriam: Earl Scruggs

Legendary bluegrass banjo player Earl Scruggs passed away today.  His music did have an influence on me and introduced me to the world of acoustic bluegrass music and the quartet arrangement of mandolin, banjo, guitar and upright bass.  People will play bluegrass for a long time to come but few people (such as Earl Scruggs and the late, great mandolin master, Bill Monroe) will do it the same way it was when it first came on the scene in Kentucky and Virginia back in the '30s and '40s.  Rest In Peace, Earl Scruggs.

Here is an article from USA Today reporting his passing.

 http://www.usatoday.com/life/people/obit/story/2012-03-28/earl-scruggs-banjo-legend-bluegrass-dies/53841194/1

Here's a version of Scruggs' tune "Foggy Mountain Breakdown".

Allman Brothers Band Beacon Theater set list: March 25, 2012

In the final show of their run at the Beacon Theater, the Allman Brothers played without Gregg on keys as he was not feeling well.  Bruce Katz (keys player in Gregg's solo band) sat in on B3 and piano for the whole show.  There were plenty of guest artists who helped out with the show as well.  Here's hoping Gregg recovers soon.

Meanwhile, check out the set list from the grand finale for the Allman Brothers 2012 New York City Beacon Theater run.

Set 1:

1. Blue Sky
2. Every Hungry Woman
3. Gambler's Roll
4. Les Brers in A minor
5. Statesboro Blues (Blind Willie McTell cover), (feat. Jimmy Hall: harmonica & vocals & Berry Oakley Jr., bass)
6. She Caught the Katy (Taj Mahal cover) (feat. Jimmy Hall: harmonica & vocals)
7. River's Gonna Rise (feat. Alecia Chakour: vocals & Ron Johnson: bass)
8. Jessica

Set 2:

9. Soulshine (feat. Alecia Chakour: vocals, Ron Johnson: bass, & Anton Fig: drums)
10. Hot 'Lanta
11. All Along The Watchtower (Bob Dylan cover) (feat. Maurice Brown: trumpet)
12. Spoonful (Willie Dixon cover) (feat. Col. Bruce Hampton: vocal, Oz Noy: guitar, & James van de Bogert: drums)
13. Why Does Love Got To Be So Sad (Derek & The Dominoes cover)
14. Alone (Blues Traveler cover) (feat. John Popper: harmonica & vocals)
15. That's What Love Will Make You Do (Little Milton cover) (feat. John Popper: harmonica & vocals, Jimmy Hall: sax, Jay Collins: sax & Maurice Brown: trumpet)
16. Dreams
17. Mountain Jam
18. Smokestack Lightning (Howlin' Wolf cover) (feat. Hook Herrera: harmonica)
19. Dazed & Confused (Led Zeppelin cover) (feat. Hook Herrera: harmonica)
20. Mountain Jam (reprise)
21. Soul Serenade (King Curtis cover) (feat. Jr. Mack: guitar & vocals: Hook Herrera, harmonica: Berry Oakley Jr.: bass & Will Calhoun: drums)

Encore:

22. You Don't Love Me (Willie Cobbs cover) (feat. Jr. Mack: guitar & vocals: Hook Herrera, harmonica: Berry Oakley Jr.: bass & Will Calhoun: drums)

So ends another incredible Beacon Theater run.  The Allman Brothers next perform two shows at their own Wanee Festival with several other bands slated to be on the bill in Live Oak, Florida, on April 20th and 21st.  Stay tuned to this blog for information on that.  Long live the Allman Brothers Band!

Gregg Allman Band feat. Floyd Miles "Going Back To Daytona"

Today marks the 43rd anniversary of the founding of the Allman Brothers Band on March 26th, 1969.  Before the Allman Brothers came about, Duane and Gregg Allman grew up playing in bands in Daytona Beach, Florida and had a buddy named Floyd Miles who sang and performed with them.  Floyd and Gregg are still friends to this day.  Miles wrote a tune called "Going Back To Daytona" recounting the memories of playing those gigs with Duane and Gregg.  On this anniversary of the Allman Brothers founding, it is appropriate to share this song.

Check out "Going Back To Daytona" by the Gregg Allman Band featuring Floyd Miles.

Allman Brothers Band Beacon Theatre set list: March 24, 2012

Some more cool musical moments surely happened in the penultimate show of their run at the Beacon Theater in New York City which concludes tonight.  Here is the Saturday March 24th, 2012 set list.

Set 1:

1. Done Somebody Wrong (Elmore James cover)
2. Leave My Blues At Home
3. Come & Go Blues
4. Egypt
5. Good Morning Little Schoolgirl (Muddy Waters cover) (feat. Jaimoe on percussion w/Butch Trucks & Marc Quinones on drums)
6. Commit A Crime (Howlin' Wolf cover) (feat. Jimmy Hall: harmonica, Bruce Katz: piano, Jaimoe: percussion, Butch Trucks & Marc Quinones: drums)
7. She Caught The Katy (Taj Mahal cover) (feat. Jimmy Hall: harmonica & vocals, & Bruce Katz: piano)
8. Dreams
9. Blackhearted Woman

Set 2:

Acoustic

10. Old Friend (Warren & Derek)
11. Dark End of the Street (Chips Moman & Dan Penn cover) (Gregg, Warren, Derek, Oteil & Marc)
12. Needle and The Damage Done (Neil Young cover) (Gregg, Warren & Derek)

Electric

13. Down Along The Cove (Bob Dylan cover) (feat. John Popper: harmonica & Scott Sharrard: guitar)
14. Franklin's Tower (Grateful Dead cover) (feat. John Popper: harmonica, Rob Barraco: piano & James van de Bogert: drums)
15. In Memory of Elizabeth Reed (feat. Rob Barraco: piano & tandem bass solo w/Oteil & Alvaro Benevides)

Encore:

16. Southbound (feat. Rob Barraco: piano, Jimmy Hall: harmonica & vocals, & James van de Bogert: percussion)

The Wallflowers "One Headlight"

I have just rediscovered one of my favorite songs from my teenage years.  I have gone through quite a few musical phases and now, they've kind of amalgamated into one idea.  But, I remember hearing this song a lot during my early high school years.  "One Headlight" by The Wallflowers.  This could very well be the first band I'd ever heard that had a Hammond B3 player, too.  I think that's the source of my fascination of the Hammond organ, or at least one of them.  Check out this tune.

Son House "Grinnin' In Your Face"

Here is the Son House song called "Grinnin' In Your Face".  House wrote many, many great songs and along with Robert Johnson, Lonnie Johnson, Charley Patton and Blind Lemon Jefferson (among others) is a founding figurehead of Mississippi Delta blues music.

Allman Brothers Band Beacon Theater set list: March 21, 2012

Set list from the March 21st concert by the Allman Brothers at the Beacon Theater in New York City.  Two shows remain in the Beacon run.  Tonight (March 24th) and tomorrow night (March 25th), before the band takes a break and then heads to the Wanee Festival (a concert series they helped create and make popular) in Live Oak, Florida, for two shows in mid April. 

Here's the 3/21/12 set list.

Set 1:

1. One Way Out (feat. Bernie Williams: guitar) *Bernie Williams is a former Major League Baseball player who played with the New York Yankees and is a great guitarist with his own band.
2. Midnight Rider
3. The High Cost of Low Living
4. Bag End
5. River's Gonna Rise (feat. Ruthie Foster, vocals & Bernie Williams, guitar)
6. Blind Willie McTell (feat. The Jukes Horns)
7. Stand Back (feat. The Jukes Horns)
8. Soulshine (feat. The Jukes Horns)
9. The Same Thing (feat. The Jukes Horns)

Set 2:

Acoustic

10. Katrina (feat. Rocky Lawrence: guitar & vocals) w/Warren & Derek
11. Grinnin' In Your Face (Son House cover), feat. Warren Haynes & Ruthie Foster a capella
12. Death Came A Knockin' (traditional sounding gospel song) feat. Ruthie Foster: guitar & vocals, & Susan Tedeschi: vocals).  *This could be a Ruthie Foster penned song, or, a traditional gospel number.  Not sure.
13. These Days (Gregg & Warren)

Electric

14. Blue Sky
15. The Weight (The Band cover) (feat. Ruthie Foster & Susan Tedeschi: vocals, & The Juke Horns)
16. Les Brers in A minor (feat. Tony Trischka: banjo) (including bass and banjo solo & drum solo)

Encore:

17. Revival

Allman Brothers Band circa 1990 on the Tonight Show with Johnny Carson

This is cool.  It’s an appearance by the Allman Brothers on The Tonight Show when Johnny Carson was still hosting it circa 1990 or 1991.  Warren Haynes and Dickey Betts are the guitar tandem and this was also during the short stint keyboardist/harmonica player/songwriter Johnny Neel had in the Allman Brothers.  This is pretty cool!  The Tonight Show Brass playing with the band is icing on the cake.  Check it out.

Allman Brothers Band Beacon Theater set list: March 20, 2012

Set list from the Allman Brothers concert at the Beacon Theater, New York, New York, March 20th, 2012.

Set 1:

1. Don't Want You No More
2. It's Not My Cross To Bear (medley: first two songs in the set)
3. Done Somebody Wrong (Elmore James cover)
4. End of The Line
5. Forty-Four Blues (Howlin' Wolf cover)
6. Kind of Bird (instrumental paying tribute to Charlie Parker)
7. It Makes No Difference (The Band cover) feat. The Juke Horns, Alecia Chakour: vocals, & Yonrico Scott: drums
8. Who To Believe
9. Don't Keep Me Wonderin' feat. The Juke Horns & Gary Forkum: drums
10. Southbound (feat. The Juke Horns)

Set 2:

Acoustic

11. Death Letter (Son House cover), Warren & Derek
12. Dark End of The Street (Chips Moman & Dan Penn cover), Gregg, Warren, Derek, Oteil & Marc
13. Come On In My Kitchen (Robert Johnson cover), Gregg, Warren, Derek, Marc, & Oteil on banjo
14. Back Where I Started (Warren, Derek, Marc, & Susan Tedeschi: vocals)

Electric

15. I'd Rather Go Blind (Etta James cover), feat. Susan Tedeschi: vocals, The Juke Horns, & Yonrico Scott: drums
16. Anyday (Derek & The Dominoes cover), feat. Susan Tedeschi: vocals & The Juke Horns)
17. Statesboro Blues (Blind Willie McTell cover) feat. Susan Tedeschi, guitar
18. No One To Run With

Encore:

19. Whipping Post

note on "You Don't Love Me"

The song "You Don't Love Me" which has been played numerous times by the Allman Brothers on albums and in concert is originally written by Willie Cobbs.  This is noted in the October 29th, 2011 post about Duane Allman and the "Live at Fillmore East" record.  Just some clarification as I did not note it as a cover song in the sets by the ABB in New York this month where it was played.

Frank Gambale & Alain Rieder "Awakening"

Check out this tune by Frank Gambale, drummer Alain Rieder, and Mike Fahn on trombone.  Rieder has an entire channel on YouTube dedicated to his musical work.  There are a bunch of videos with him playing in a band with Frank Gambale in the mid 1990s.  Keyboardist Tom Coster (of Santana fame) also plays synthesizer in this particular band.  Here is a video for their beautiful piece entitled "Awakening".  

Muddy Waters & James Cotton "Got My Mojo Working"

Another version of "Got My Mojo Working" by two more blues legends circa 1966.  Muddy Waters on guitar and vocals and, his legendary harmonica player (who is still active today), James Cotton.  Enjoy.

Willie Dixon "Got My Mojo Working"

From All Bass, No Treble, here is legendary blues upright bassist Willie Dixon playing his song (famously covered by Muddy Waters and others) "Got My Mojo Working".  Have no idea who the harmonica player is on this one.  But, he's good, too!

http://www.notreble.com/buzz/2011/08/31/willie-dixon-i-got-my-mojo-working/

Allman Brothers Band Beacon Theater set list: March 17, 2012

Here is the set list for the Allman Brothers St. Patrick's Day show at the Beacon Theater

Set 1:

1. Midnight Rider
2. Trouble No More (Muddy Waters cover)
3. I Walk On Gilded Splinters (Dr. John cover)
4. The Sky Is Crying (Elmore James cover), feat. Bruce Katz: piano
5. Statesboro Blues (Blind Willie McTell cover) (feat. Bruce Katz: piano)
6. Egypt
7. Desdemona (feat. Bruce Katz: piano & Randall Bramblett: saxophone
8. Hoochie Coochie Man (Muddy Waters/Willie Dixon cover)

Set 2:

Acoustic

9. These Days (Gregg & Warren)
10. Dark End of The Street (Gregg, Warren, Derek, Marc & Oteil)
11. Gold Dust Woman (Fleetwood Mac cover), feat. Grace Potter: vocal, & Randall Bramblett: backing vocals)

Electric

12. Southern Man (Neil Young cover), feat. Grace Potter, vocal, Randall Bramblett: B3, Marc Quinones and James van der Bogert: drums
13. Ain't Wastin' Time No More (feat. Bruce Katz: piano)
14. Maydell
15. Manic Depression (Jimi Hendrix cover)
16. That's What Love Will Make You Do (Little Milton cover), feat. Randall Bramblett: saxophone & Geoff Atchison: guitar)
17. Jessica (feat. Bruce Katz: piano)

Encore:

18. One Way Out

Allman Brothers Band Beacon Theater set list: March 16, 2012

Yet another Allman Brothers set list from NYC.  Here are the details on their Friday March 16th gig at The Beacon.

Set 1:

1. Done Somebody Wrong
2. Leave My Blues At Home
3. Come & Go Blues
4. Worried Down With the Blues
5. Bag End
6. Blind Willie McTell     (Bob Dylan cover)
7. Revival
8. Hot 'Lanta
9. All Along The Watchtower  (Bob Dylan/Jimi Hendrix cover, feat. Bill Evans: saxophone)

Set 2:

Acoustic

10. Working Class Hero (John Lennon cover) Warren, Derek & Marc
11. All My Friends (Gregg, Warren, Derek, Oteil & Marc)
12. Needle & The Damage Done (Neil Young cover) Gregg, Warren & Derek

Electric

13. Melissa
14. Rocking Horse
15. Dreams (feat. Nels Cline: guitar)
16. Spanish Key (Miles Davis cover)>Mountain Jam (feat. Nels Cline: guitar & Bill Evans: saxophone)

Encore:

17. You Don't Love Me

Allman Brothers Band Beacon Theater set list: March 14, 2012

Here is the set list from the Allman Brothers Band show at the Beacon Theater, New York City, on March 14th, 2012.

Set 1:

1. Trouble No More      (Muddy Waters cover)
2. Midnight Rider
3. The High Cost of Low Living
4. Good Morning Little School Girl     (Muddy Waters cover)
5. Kind of Bird
6. It Makes No Difference (The Band cover) feat. The Juke Horns & Alecia Chakour: vocals
7. Stand Back (feat. The Juke Horns)
8. Soulshine (feat. The Juke Horns & James van de Bogert: drums)
9. The Same Thing (feat. The Juke Horns)     (Muddy Waters cover)

Set 2:

Acoustic

10. Little Martha (Warren & Derek only)
11. Old Before My Time (Gregg, Warren, Derek, Marc & Oteil)
12. Catfish Blues (Gregg, Warren & Derek)

Electric

13. Statesboro Blues
14. Woman Across The River (feat. Eric Krasno: guitar)    (Freddie King cover)
15. Black Hearted Woman
16. Into The Mystic (feat. The Juke Horns)    (Van Morrison cover)
17. One Way Out

Encore:

18. Whipping Post

concert revisited: Stanley Clarke Band, The Dakota, March 15, 2011

My first experience seeing Stanley Clarke was before the unforgettable Return To Forever concert last summer.  Clarke and his solo band, featuring (among other musicians), Rusian Siroda on keyboards and Ronald Bruner Jr. on drums, came to The Dakota to play.  I still have the set list from that show.  The band played four songs as I recall. 

1. Majestic Dance                Return To Forever

2. Romantic Warrior             Return To Forever

3. Black Narcissus                Joe Henderson (a well known jazz tenor saxophonist)

4. Goodbye Pork Pie Hat     Charlie Mingus

There may have been one other song played that evening.  I cannot remember.  But, this was one of the most interesting gigs I've attended just from a listening standpoint.  Another virtuoso jazz bassist named Victor Wooten and his band, opened the show.  Victor and his brothers Joe and Reggie are part of the band.  Reggie plays guitar and Joe is the keyboardist.  Joe Wooten also plays keys with the Steve Miller Band, or at least he did for a while.  Not sure if he's part of the band any longer.  Still, this show was an incredible one and something I will always remember.

Allman Brothers Band Beacon Theater set list: March 13, 2012

March 13th set list: Allman Brothers Band, Beacon Theater, NYC.

Set 1:

Electric

1. Don't Want You No More
2. It's Not My Cross To Bear (this is a medley of two songs)
3. Leave My Blues At Home
4. Key To The Highway (Big Bill Broonzy cover)
5. Who's Been Talking (Howlin' Wolf cover)
6. Egypt
7. Don't Keep Me Wonderin' (feat. The Asbury Jukes Horns)
8. I've Been Loving You Too Long (feat. The Asbury Jukes Horns) (Otis Redding & Jerry Butler cover)
9. Who To Believe (feat. The Asbury Jukes Horns)
10. The Weight (The Band cover, feat. The Asbury Jukes Horns)

Set 2:

Acoustic

11. Back Where I Started (Warren, Derek & Marc)
12. Come On In My Kitchen (Robert Johnson cover) (Gregg, Warren, Derek, Marc, feat. John McEuen: banjo)
13. Will The Circle Be Unbroken (Carter Family cover) (Gregg, Warren, Derek, Marc, feat. John McEuen: banjo)

Electric

14. Blue Sky
15. Every Hungry Woman
16. And It Stoned Me (feat. The Jukes Horns) (Van Morrison cover)

Encore:

17. No One To Run With

The Jukes Horns is the horn section for New Jersey blues man Southside Johnny Lyon who plays harmonica, guitar, keys and other instruments and has sat in with, or opened for the Allman Brothers).

The Jukes Horns:

Chris Anderson: trumpet
Don Harris: trumpet
Neal Pawley: trombone
John Isley: tenor saxophone
Bill Harris: baritone saxophone

Allman Brothers Band Beacon Theater, Setlist March 10th, 2012

Here is the March 10th, 2012 set list for the second ABB show in NYC.

Set 1:

Electric

1. Statesboro Blues
2. Come and Go Blues
3. Down Along The Cove (Bob Dylan cover)
4. Stand Back
5. Sailin' 'Cross The Devil's Sea
6. Blind Willie McTell (another Bob Dylan cover)
7. Bag End (ABB instrumental named by Derek Trucks as the ending chords in the song are B, A, G).
8. One Way Out (feat. A.J. Ghent: lap steel guitar)

Set 2:

Acoustic

9. Old Friend (Warren & Derek)
10. Dark End of The Street (Gregg, Warren, Derek, Marc, Oteil) (Dan Penn & Chips Moman cover)
11. Done Somebody Wrong (Gregg, Warren, Derek, Marc, Oteil)

Electric

12. Revival
13. Hot 'Lanta
14. All Along The Watchtower (Bob Dylan/Jimi Hendrix cover)
15. Hot 'Lanta (continued) (Hot 'Lanta/All Along The Watchtower medley, feat. Randy Brecker: trumpet)
16. Dreams (feat. Randy Brecker: trumpet)
17. Mountain Jam (feat. Randy Brecker: trumpet & James van der Bogert: drums)

Encore:

18. Southbound (feat. Randy Brecker, trumpet, Duane Trucks: drums, A.J. Ghent: lap steel guitar)

Allman Brothers Beacon Theater set lists (first three shows) March 9th, 2012

The Allman Brothers have played three out of ten shows on their annual run at New York's Beacon Theater thus far.  No live streaming of the gigs this year as noted in another post.  But, the first three set lists have been published.  Every few days until the end of the run, look for the set lists here or go to www.allmanbrothersband.com.

March 9th, 2012

Set 1:

1. My Favorite Things (John Coltrane version)
2. Blue Sky
3. Trouble No More
4. I Walk on Gilded Splinters
5. Worried Down With The Blues
6. Midnight Rider
7. That's What Love Will Make You Do
8. Kind of Bird

Set 2: (divided into an acoustic and electric section)

Acoustic

9. Needle and The Damage Done (Gregg, Warren & Derek)  A Neil Young cover
10. Come On In My Kitchen (Marc Quinones: djemba, Oteil Burbridge: banjo)
11. Soulshine
12. These Days

Electric

13. Rocking Horse
14. Black Hearted Woman
15. The Same Thing>Drums
16. Jessica

Encore:

17. You Don't Love Me

"Riding Thumb" King Curtis version

Here is the original version of "Riding Thumb" by King Curtis and the Kingpins.  King Curtis is on tenor saxophone and lead vocals.  The rest of the band features Cornell Dupree on guitar, Jerry Jemmott on bass, Bernard Purdie on drums, and Truman Thomas on keyboards if memory serves me correctly.

Gregg Allman "Riding Thumb"

Here is the cover of King Curtis' "Riding Thumb" by the Gregg Allman Band from a performance done by the band in New York State last summer.  Also found the original King Curtis version on video.  That will be posted in due course.

Gregg Allman: Live @ The Buffalo Chip, Sturgis 30th anniversary concert

It is a rarity to see Gregg Allman playing outside of the Allman Brothers Band.  But, he does in fact have a noteworthy solo band simply called The Gregg Allman Band.  Their first incarnation was in the late 1980s before the Allman Brothers reformed in 1989.  But, the new version is a real talented group of musicians.  Gregg Allman, for his part in this band, plays both B3 and electric guitar.  A concert he did at the Buffalo Chip in Sturgis, South Dakota during the famous motorcycle rally, was captured on television last night.  With the Allman Brothers not broadcasting their New York City Beacon Theater shows, this is the next best thing.

Speaking of The Beacon, when set lists can be accessed for the shows that are going on right now, they will still be posted.

Gregg's solo band is comprised of the following musicians:

Gregg Allman: Hammond B3, guitar, vocals

 

Floyd Miles: Percussion, vocals

 

Bruce Katz: Keyboards

 Scott Sharrard: guitar

 Jerry Jemmott: bass

 Steve Potts: drums

 Jay Collins: Saxes, flute

Allman played a thirteen song set.  Each song had noteworthy highlights.  It was a mix between Allman Brothers classics and other songs Gregg has written or been influenced by.  Here's the set list with notable highlights.

  

1. Don’t Keep Me Wonderin’         

This is from the "Idlewild South" album and also appeared on "Live At Fillmore East".  Scott Sharrard did a searing take on the slide guitar solo while Jay Collins played baritone sax.

2.  I’m No Angel

This tune was a solo hit for Gregg Allman back in 1987 off of a record by the same name and he's still playing it to this day.  It's a fan favorite.

3. Statesboro Blues

This Blind Willie McTell song about the town of Statesboro, Georgia is a staple of the Allman's catalog and took on a jump blues sound with Sharrard and Collins weaving all over it as compared to the straight ahead shuffle version done by the ABB.

4. These Days

This is an old chestnut written by Gregg that seems to only be played by his solo band.  Gregg and Scott Sharrard share the vocals in a duet.  Allman plays acoustic guitar and Bruce Katz delivered a great keyboard line.

5. Just Another Rider


This new tune is featured on "Low Country Blues" and penned by Allman and Warren Haynes.  Jay Collins shines once again on saxophone.


6. I'm Going Back To Daytona (feat. Floyd Miles & Pat Simmons)


This is a song penned by Gregg and Duane Allman's friend Floyd Miles who is now a member of Gregg's band, (see above).  It's about memories of the Allman Brothers playing together way before the band even came back, at gigs in Daytona Beach, Florida during Gregg and Duane's youth and features piano and B3 solos as well as a guitar solo by another friend of Allman's, Pat Simmons.


7. I Can't Be Satisfied


Gregg shows his rhythm guitar chops here, along with Sharrard and Katz as they pay tribute to Muddy Waters, playing one of his great songs which is also featured on "Low Country Blues"


8. Ridin' Thumb

This is a King Curtis song.  I was not aware of it until hearing it in the concert.  Details coming soon.

9. Melissa

Another Allman Brothers standard with a solid Sharrard guitar solo and, Jay Collins playing flute.

10. Just Before The Bullets Fly

Bruce Katz and Jay Collins add flair to this Warren Haynes' penned number first recorded on Gregg's 1988 solo record by the same name.

11. Whipping Post

This version is completely different from how the Allman Brothers play it.  Sharrard, Collins and Katz contribute solos.  Bruce Katz plays the B3 while Gregg is on rhythm guitar.  Scott Sharrard does a blistering solo towards the end.  Just as much fire, but with a completely R&B inspired vibe.

12. Floating Bridge

This track, penned by blues man Sleepy John Estes is the first cut off of "Low Country Blues" and the band turns in a superb performance of it.  Estes lyrics are vivid and haunting.

13. One Way Out

The closing number of the set.  This Allman Brothers staple (penned by Elmore James, Marshall Sehorn and harmonica legend Sonny Boy Williamson II.), brings the show to it's climax.

What Allman's band showcases is that he can be completely comfortable in a different setting and play with the same fire and energy he's always possessed.  It does not matter if Gregg Allman is playing solo or with the brothers.  He understands his musical roots and showcases them in his own unique way.  This concert from The Buffalo Chip that aired on the HDNet television network last night (Sunday March 11th), proves that.  It will be re-aired undoubtedly.  Any ABB fan going through withdrawal of not seeing the shows streamed live, this gig is the perfect remedy.

Charlie Mingus "Moanin' "

Here, for your listening pleasure is a song highlighted in a "record collection revisited" segment some time ago.  This is "Moanin' " by Charlie Mingus.  But, this is the original 1959 version.  LOVE this tune!  Enjoy.

more Allman Brothers (featuring Johnny Winter)

Here's a medley of blues numbers featuring the Allman Brothers and Johnny Winter at an ABB Beacon Theater show from back in 2007.  This helps with the withdrawals of not having the live concert broadcast for the Beacon this year.  The April date at the Wanee Festival may work out for being televised via www.moogis.com.  Time will tell.  But, enjoy these blues for now.  A medley of "Mojo Boogie", "Blackjack", and, "I'm Tore Down".

Fun jam: The Crusaders with Larry Graham & Stanley Clarke "Put It Where You Want It"

Now, here's what I'd call just a plain ol' good time at a gig!  This is The Crusaders playing their song "Put It Where You Want It" with special guests, Larry Graham and Stanley Clarke.  They play the intro verse of the tune but then, it changes into a red hot, free form jam session!  The fans obviously just get right into it.  The jam really involves Larry Graham, Stanley Clarke, and then current Crusaders bassist, Brad Bobo.  Talk about spontaneity and improvising!  No need for any more words on this.  Just enjoy it.

This is sourced from All Bass, No Treble at www.notreble.com.

Vince Gill "Don't Let Our Love Start Slippin' Away"

One of Vince Gill's best known songs from the early 1990s.  "Don't Let Our Love Start Slippin' Away".  This particular version, performed on one of his many appearances at the Grand Ole Opry is interesting.  Vince is a great guitar player, but, I honestly have not heard someone who is a country influenced guitarist, get a twangy sound out of a Les Paul.  Usually, that's the domain of the Telecaster.  Still, "Nashville" tuning with three "unwound" strings can work on any electric guitar.  This is just a really cool guitar tone and that's why I'm posting the video, in addition to the song being a good one.

something a little different

I found this and was very captivated by it.  The theme to the movie "The Good, The Bad and The Ugly" played by a ukelele orchestra.  Sometimes these musical oddities just work out really, really well.

Frank Zappa "Excentrifugal Forz"

OK.  I was wrong, slightly.  "Excentrifugal Forz" lives!  Hopefully this one works.

Stanley Clarke "School Days"

There are times I like to highlight two different versions of the same song (or maybe, more than two).  I have posted about Stanley Clarke's song "School Days" several times.  There is a version in the archives from the Return To Forever tour and one, featuring many of today's talented jazz bass players playing the tune together in a concert as the encore.  Well, a third version is indeed the original track from the Stanley Clarke record by the same name, "School Days".  Check this out.  Guitarist Ray Gomez absolutely flies on the solos and fills in the song.

Corea, Clarke & White "500 Miles High" 1982

Check this out.  Chick Corea, Stanley Clarke, and Lenny White playing their song "500 Miles High" circa 1982.

Concert revisited: The Allman Brothers Band, Minnesota State Fair Grandstand August 31st 2004, and, August 28th, 2007

I have been fortunate enough to see the Allman Brothers Band in person, twice.  Both shows took place at the Minnesota State Fair Grandstand.  I have also followed their shows in New York City at the Beacon Theater and the United Palace Theater between 2009 and 2011.  As mentioned in an earlier post, those shows for their 2012 run from March 9^th to March 25^th will not be broadcast on the web.  That is unfortunate.  The archives from 2009 to 2011 are still up.  Might go through and highlight some of the awesome guests they’ve had play with them over the past three years.

The website will have the set lists, too.  So, I could find a way to highlight the song order from each show.  But, since I have a few of their concert recordings from the shows at the Minnesota State Fair, it makes sense to relive them again.  Those two concerts were shows that I was VERY excited about.  In 2004, I was so charged up, it’s the only time I’ve ever lost my voice from cheering so at a concert that I can remember.  That night, in ’04, the band was cooking!  They just had everything in the pocket.  Still to this day, I can go back and listen to those recordings and be transported in a time machine.

It’s interesting, because that show was just before I started college and the ’07 gig was right in the middle of my college years.  The Allmans’ music was a real source of comfort to me in my times of trial, working through my classes all the way up to graduation.  Other bands had that same effect that I found later on in college.  But, for some reason, the Allman Brothers music is something that I see as part of me and my existence.  I cannot see myself not listening to their records after a good friend of mine turned me on to them.

This friend of mine (my friend and junior high and high school classmate Andrew Miller’s dad, Joe), is someone who I have to give full credit for turning me on to their music.  The first album I bought was a compilation greatest hits record and I’ve been hooked on “The Brothers” ever since.

From memory, I think I can rattle off the set lists for BOTH state fair shows.  OK, well, maybe I’ll just have to look at the CD boxes.

Robert Randolph opened the show with his band The Family Band which included his brother Marcus and sister Lenesha.  Marcus plays drums.  Danyel Morgan played bass and he has now gone through a few different keyboard players.  Playing B3 on the gig at the Minnesota State Fair was Jason Crosby.   The opening act at the '04 show was a great alternative country/rock band called The Bottle Rockets.  I have a CD of theirs that will be reviewed when possible.

Here are the set lists for the two Allman Brothers shows from '04 and '07.

 Allman Brothers Band    Minnesota State Fair Grandstand             August 31st, 2004

1.       Don’t Want You No More/It’s Not My Cross To Bear

2.       Done Somebody Wrong

3.       Ain’t Wastin’ Time No More

4.       Woman Across The River

5.       Key To The Highway

6.       Melissa

7.       Hot ‘Lanta

8.       Statesboro Blues

9.       Soulshine

10.   Trouble No More

11.   Midnight Rider

12.   Rocking Horse (w/drum solo and bass solo)

13.   One Way Out

14.   Southbound

Encore:

15.   Whipping Post

Allman Brothers Band  Minnesota State Fair Grandstand     August 28th, 2007

1.       Revival

2.       Done Somebody Wrong

3.       Midnight Rider

4.       Woman Across The River

5.       Come & Go Blues

6.       Every Hungry Woman

7.       Who’s Been Talking

8.       Anyday

9.       The Same Thing

10.   JaBuMa (drum solo feat. Jaimoe, Butch Trucks and Marc Quinones)

11.   Jessica

12.   Melissa

13.   One Way Out (feat. Robert Randolph: pedal steel guitar)

the drum solo

Just had a thought.  I've heard and seen so many bands drummers' do gigantic drum solos right in the middle of songs, out of nowhere.  You know, the monstrous rhythmic labyrinths that begin in one place and end up in a complete different spot before going back into an actual song.  Yes, this concept probably started in jazz and it's fascinating to some (i.e. drummers and probably people who are just really tuned in to musical nuance).  But, I can understand, too, that people might get bored, yawn, and want to head for the concession stand for another bucket of popcorn and a large cola or glass of beer when one of these things comes around and charges it's way at the fans to leave them spellbound.   

I've seen and heard my fair share of them, probably starting with seeing the Allman Brothers at the Minnesota State Fair in 2004 (a concert I am working on an article about as I write this one).  At first, I was utterly awestruck by drum solos and how intricate certain drummers could be with their fills and flourishes while being able to swing and maintain rhythm structures to a T.  But, for some reason, later on, after seeing countless jam band concerts or bands that put drum solos in their set, I began to find them, well, predictable.

There is some adrenaline rush extension about a drum solo, though.  Somehow, the energy that flows out of one and makes it a chain linking the rest of a red hot jam between the beginning and the end, makes it nearly a necessity.  A drummer who can either swing, or, just pound the heck out of the skins, is a thrilling thing to hear.  ...And, please, don't start any debates on who is the best drummer of all.  There are countless greats in all forms of music.

But, in certain cases, maybe a drum solo just not necessary.  I am not anti drum solo.  Rather, just the opposite.  However, I can understand the debate.  Necessary or not?  That's the question.  Well, leave that decision up to the bands.  Conclusion, drum solos are a great way to add suspense to a concert situation.  Whether they are something that needs to be included in every sort of jazz, rock or improvisational show (including in classical music), is entirely up to individual listeners and musicians alike.  I am just stating that I enjoy drum solos.  That is all.  Long live the drum solo!

sorry, folks

Well, my ideas about highlighting the annual Allman Brothers Band concerts from New York City's Beacon Theater have been somewhat derailed as there are no plans for their web broadcasting service Moogis to stream concerts live this year as they have done the past three years in 2009, 2010 and 2011.  Rats!  I was really looking forward to highlighting those shows because the Allman Brothers playing in New York has been stuff of legend since they began playing at the Beacon Theater back in 1989 and dating back even further to the days of their epic 1971 "Live At Fillmore East" record which I have documented on this blog.  Will look at the set lists thought.  For anything related to the Allman Brothers Band, go to www.allmanbrothersband.com.  Just majorly bummed that the shows cannot be on webcast this year.  Oh well.

In place of that, working on an entry highlighting the two occasions I have actually seen the Allman Brothers in concert.  Stay tuned.

Gentle Giant

Here is a very interesting band I was actually turned onto by my brother and one of his friends.  English prog rock band Gentle Giant was active between 1970 and 1980 and in that decade, they came up with some very unique music.  It is prog rock.  But, it also has medieval themes and the lyrics are quite compelling.  Not just the lyrics, but also, the phrasing.  An example of this can be found in a video of a concert from 1978.

Miles Davis "All Blues"

Check this out.  Another of my favorite Miles Davis tunes.  "All Blues" off of the 1958 "Kind of Blue" album.  Review of that record coming up soon.  March will be a busy month for music blogging.  Stay tuned.