Sunday at the Peach Festival. It was the day the festival would end, and, the best, was saved for last. More about that, shortly. Got over to the Peach Stage, during Warren Haynes' solo acoustic set entitled "Wake Up With Warren Haynes". He played some of his own material, including one of my favorites... "Old Friend", which is the final track on the Allman Brothers' 2003 "Hittin' The Note" CD. Haynes closed the set out with a pair of Pink Floyd covers, ("Wish You Were Here", & "Comfortably Numb"), that were very, very well done.
Next up, it was the Taj Mahal Trio. I had seen Taj Mahal, previously, five years ago. In 2009, he came to the Minnesota State Fair Grandstand, and played on a double, co-headlining bill with Bonnie Raitt. At that time, Taj Mahal, was backed by The Phantom Blues Band. This time, however, for his trio, it was he and another guitarist, as well as an electric bass player. Notable songs in Taj Mahal's set were "Queen Bee", "Fishin' Blues", and "She Caught The Katy (And Left Me A Mule To Ride)".
Mahal would even mimic the gruff voice of blues legend Chester "The Howlin' Wolf", Burnett, at times. Taj Mahal would also appear later on. Stay tuned.
Next up, as the precursor to the big show, was the Soul Rebels. It seems their name would imply they are a soul music band, similar to Otis Redding, Sam & Dave, Wilson Pickett etc., and all the recordings from Stax Records or Muscle Shoals Sound Studios. Nothing could be further from the truth. These guys were a genuine, New Orleans, horn driven Dixieland jazz band. Their set was two hours, and had a lot in it. Can't remember much except for bits and pieces.
They did cover a Michael Jackson tune, and had lots of energy on stage, really getting the crowd into what they were playing. After this set though, later in the evening, as the sun was sinking lower in the sky, over Montage Mountain... it was time. Time, for the Allman Brothers, to play their second, and final show of the festival. The band came on at 5:30 P.M. and came charging out of the gate. Compared to the "Eat A Peach" set from the night before, this one, had FAR more fire.
The band opened with their medley of "Don't Want You No More"/"It's Not My Cross To Bear", from their first album, and then, launched into the staple, "Midnight Rider". The set list, (for a little while), would mirror that of a show I saw them play at the Minnesota State Fair, back in 2004. The next two numbers, were also familiar, as the band did their stellar cover of "Done Somebody Wrong" by Elmore James, and transitioning to the instrumental, "Hot 'Lanta". Both of these tunes are of course, from "Live At Fillmore East". Many numbers from that record, would appear throughout the set.
After the first throwback section of the show, a new tune, emerged. This one, probably only heard by fans, with access to YouTube, and a video of the song. The tune was called "Dusk 'Til Dawn", and sung, by Warren Haynes. The lyrics, painting vivid landscapes in the listener's mind. This is a number, though it's perfectly well to sing along with, leaves a listener, delving into the lyrics, and maybe taking a more introspective look at their own life.
The tune has a unique beauty to it's melody, with lyrics like:
A new moon is rising
What happened to the old one?
Did it burn itself out?, shining night after night
From dusk 'til dawn
The chorus is also moving, and says:
Blood runs through my veins
Like a river, wild and free
Beautiful it seems
Maybe only to me
The song is about living your life, and looking at life, as a journey. The truest words in the tune, for me, are those in the chorus, about finding beauty in the mundane and simple things. But, the beauty is, as they say, "in the eye of the beholder", as much of a cliche phrase as that is. It's a philosophical message. Search for video of the tune, "Dusk 'Til Dawn", and give the tune a listen. You will understand what I mean.
Next up, Taj Mahal came to the stage to sing "Statesboro Blues", with Gregg introducing him saying, "we'd like to welcome an old buddy. This is where we got the song. Y'all make welcome Mr. Taj Mahal". Mahal sang the originally written words from McTell's version in one of the verses. "Mama died and left me reckless. Papa died and left me wild. I ain't good lookin' baby, but I'm somebody's angel child." Next up, another number remembered from a decade ago. "Soulshine", that was originally released on the 1994 Allman Brothers album "Back Where It All Begins".
Tenor saxophonist Ron Holloway takes a solo as the next special guest of the evening, with Warren singing his name just before he launches into it, and then, Warren follows with a guitar solo of his own. Willie Cobbs' "You Don't Love Me" is next. This is always a spirited number, whenever the Allman's play it. It swings, and Warren Haynes takes a wicked slide guitar solo. Derek Trucks' solo has just as much fire. Awesome number.
The blues theme, continued as the band launched into Muddy Waters' classic "Good Morning Little Schoolgirl" featuring more special guests. This time, it's the turns of Hungarian pianist Gabor Presser, and baritone saxophonist Chris Karlic, to show how they play the blues. The tune is a slow burning blues, which is the best kind there is. Warren Haynes sang the lyrics with the passion and fire that he always delivers. He's just a fabulous singer, pure and simple. Karlic follows with a deep, throaty, aggressive tone on the bari sax before returning to the next verse.
The chorus is repeated, with quiet whispers from Trucks' guitar, and Presser's piano, while Warren sings another chorus:
Good morning little schoolgirl
Can I go home with you?
Can I go home with you?
Can I go home with you?
Next up, another pianist joins the band. This is Pete Levin, from Gregg Allman's solo band. Boom! We're off to the races, with "Don't Keep Me Wonderin' ", from 1970's "Idlewild South". A boogie woogie intro, inspires the audience to clap in time, and boom! This high energy tune, takes off! Allman on Hammond, and Levin on piano, lock in with each other, before Gregg sings the verse and then, the chorus. Derek Trucks' slide guitar is as passionate as ever on this one. The tune is done and dusted.
But, then comes, the surprise of the set for yours truly. Drum and cymbal rolls, as well as a distinct statement of the theme by Derek, mean one thing. It's time for the highlight of the evening. The Allman Brothers play my FAVORITE song in their catalog. It's "In Memory of Elizabeth Reed", a tune I've wanted to hear, for years, live. A dream come true. Warren states the theme with violin like swells, as Allman and Levin come in on keys.
The piano flourishes are magnificent, as Gregg vamps the main theme on the B3. Then, the tune settles into it's theme. Original Allman's guitarist, Dickey Betts, wrote the song after seeing a tombstone in a cemetery where the band would rendezvous and write songs. The tombstone said, "In Memory of Elizabeth Reed", although, Betts wanted to name it for a lady he was in a relationship with at the time, but realized, he couldn't do that.
So, the words on the tombstone, became the song title. "Elizabeth Reed" is truly, a jazz inspired number, and is the Allman's flying leap into the world of jazz fusion, combining jazz, with rock, blues, and world music elements. After stating the theme again, Levin takes off on a graceful, flowing piano solo. In modal jazz tunes like "Liz Reed", the key, never changes. But, each note played by the musicians, is still different, every single time. Case in point, "Elizabeth Reed" is written in the key of A Minor. Come back to the theme, and now, it's time for Warren Haynes' solo.
All this time, I was in a trance. I stand there, listening, transfixed by what I am hearing. I'd heard this song lots of times before on recordings. But, never, in a live setting. It was truly awe inspiring. "Liz Reed" is just an incredible piece of music. Haynes' solo builds in intensity, and he slays the dragon, on the high frets of his Gibson Les Paul. Bassist Oteil Burbridge is rock solid, and so is Levin's piano playing. Then comes the bridge, and, the ubiquitous Allman Brothers drum solo, just like in "Mountain Jam" the night before, which is always started, as a bass solo for Oteil to show his stuff.
Then, the drummers take off. Butch Trucks is the solid foundation... the backbone of the percussion section, while Jaimoe plays strictly jazz influenced styles, and Marc Quinones is the percussionist, and adds into the mix, with his own flourishes and ideas. What you get, is three drummers, that play like one drummer. It's the Allman Brothers' three-headed drumming monster, and it's a sight and a sound, to behold. These cats are syncopated, and especially since Trucks and Jaimoe have been playing together for 45 years. That's a LONG time to collaborate.
Oteil, Derek, and Warren, return the song to it's theme, with the keys also coming back in, and "Liz Reed" reaches it's climax, leaving the audience floored, and wanting more. More, they will get. Next up, it's "No One To Run With". This is a Bo Diddley beat inspired romp that is a fun song about people's lives changing with time, and how things just aren't like they used to be.
The band encores with "Whipping Post", their magnum opus. This is a song of pain, betrayal, and despair, as a man is put through hell by his supposed lover, and feels as if he's dying from the affects of unfaithfulness. The lyrics, and the instrumental sections of the tune, convey this anguish. It's the true anthem of the Allman Brothers' catalog. After the final ascending rave up, Allman belts out the chorus.
Baby, sometimes I feel
Like I've been tied to the whipping post
Chained and bound, yeah
Good Lord, I feel like I'm dyin'
A fitting way to cap off not only a great show, but, a fabulous weekend of music overall. At the end of the show Gregg Allman says, and I quote... "Thank you. Thank you so much. Thank you for coming. We'll be here next year. Don't forget to eat a peach for peace. God Bless You." One wonders... will the Allman Brothers make any one-off appearances, even though they are retiring for good at the end of the year? Only time will tell.
The Peach Music Festival at Montage Mountain in Scranton, Pennsylvania... a musical memory, yours truly will cherish, forever.
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