After 45 years on the road with the Allman Brothers Band, who bid their farewell last fall at the Beacon Theater in New York City, one would think that Gregg Allman would have slowed down considerably. That, couldn't be further from the truth. Allman brought his large solo band, to Minneapolis, Friday night, for a show, at the Pantages Theater, one of the historic theaters, within Minneapolis' Hennepin Theater district.
To diehard Allman Brothers Band fans, (including yours truly), the band, may have been different. But, the music, was so familiar, with Allman and company, playing numerous recognizable numbers from the ABB catalog, and at the same time, delivering songs from his own solo catalog, that fans were at home with. Allman, played his role as bandleader and Hammond B3 wizard, while also, occasionally, strapping on a guitar (either electric, or acoustic), from time to time. His band mates, including Scott Sharrard on guitar, Pete Levin on electric piano, Ron Johnson on bass, Steve Potts on drums, fellow Allman Brother Marc Quinones on percussion, and a three piece horn ensemble of Jay Collins on saxophones, Art Edmaiston on saxophones, and Mark Franklin, on trumpet.
The band came romping out of the gate, with "Statesboro Blues", a familiar Blind Willie McTell chestnut, the Allman Brothers Band, had played, through their entire career. Some surprises were heard, throughout the set, too, as Allman delved into many well known solo numbers, including "I'm No Angel", and 1973's "Queen of Hearts" to kick off the show. Many Allman Brothers Band songs, were present, in the set list, but, reworked, for the horn section, to show their stuff. One of these, the instrumental from "Live At Fillmore East" titled, "Hot 'Lanta", was a real treat to hear.
This was the most intriguing feature of the show. The dual drumming so prevalent in the Allman Brothers Band, was also on display, as, occasionally, Steve Potts and Marc Quinones, would replicate the feat by ABB drummers Butch Trucks, and Jaimoe. Quinones, in his own right, was third wheel, as percussionist, in the Allman's for over 20 years. The blues, was also heavily represented throughout the show, with tracks such as Muddy Waters' "The Same Thing" and "Trouble No More", and "I Can't Be Satisfied" (which Allman recorded for his 2011 solo blues record, "Low Country Blues"), taking center stage.
Elmore James' "Done Somebody Wrong" (another ubiquitous ABB cover), let the whole horn section shine, with a solo, from lead sax man, Jay Collins. Gregg introduced "Soulshine" as a song written by, Mr. Warren Haynes, Allman's right hand man in the ABB, and a great guitarist in his own right, who is now working full time with his band, Gov't Mule. Here, Allman, and guitarist Scott Sharrard, shared the vocal, and it was very well done. After band intros, an instrumental, starting with the percussion, and building into a classic jam, that the Allman Brothers, were famous for.
This may be Gregg's solo band, with his name on the marquee. But, that doesn't mean these guys have lost the art of jamming. Oh no. Far from it. Yours truly, cannot remember the name of that jam tune. It had to be something that the band had written, and is perfecting. After introducing the band, Allman gave credit (surprisingly), to former ABB lead guitarist, Dickey Betts, to kick off "Southbound", (a Betts penned tune, from the 1973 Allman Brothers record, "Brothers & Sisters"), that is oh so familiar, to fans.
Everyone, from Gregg, to Scott on guitar, to Pete Levin on piano, to the horns, got a solo on this one. Next up, a tune yours truly only heard live, for the first time... "Dreams". This one, is another staple of the ABB catalog, from their self titled debut, released in 1969. Here, the horns, took center stage. Allman does give his band mates a chance to go for it, and improvise, and during "Dreams", some of that improvisational spirit of the Allman Brothers Band, returned to the fore, including a tandem improvisation between Scott Sharrard, and Jay Collins, which was lots of fun to hear.
To close out the show, "Midnight Rider" took the form of the solo version, from Gregg's "Laid Back" album, featuring electric piano, and horns, more than guitar. A refreshing take, on a tune, that has seen much rotation, with both the Allman Brothers, and the Gregg Allman Band. If it ain't broke, don't fix it, and "Midnight Rider" is one of those songs. The band closed the set out, with a more uptempo, jazzy version, of the classic "Whipping Post", that, while the pain and anguish of the original was still there, the vibe, was a little different, adding Quinones' percussion, and a Latin feel to the tune.
The encore... another staple... "One Way Out", with Ron Johnson, soloing on bass. So, though the Allman Brothers Band, is now in the annals of music history, Gregg Allman shows no signs of slowing down, and he and his solo band, delivered a beautifully played, and fun, concert. Maybe we'll see a live CD and DVD of this band playing together. Yours truly hopes so.
1. Statesboro Blues
2. I'm No Angel
3. Queen of Hearts
4. The Same Thing
5. Trouble No More
6. Hot 'Lanta
7. Melissa
8. I Can't Be Satisfied
9. Done Somebody Wrong
10. Soulshine
11. Instrumental (title unknown)
12. Southbound
13. Dreams
14. Midnight Rider
15. Whipping Post
16. One Way Out
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