Yours truly, predicted it, after seeing Gregg Allman & Friends play the Pantages Theater in Minneapolis, back in March, and that prediction, came true, with the release of "Gregg Allman, Live. Back To Macon, Georgia". On the DVD, Allman and his band play Macon's Grand Opera House, on January 14th, 2014. The version of the band on the DVD is slightly different than that of the 2015 tour. But, the only differences are in keyboard and trumpet players, with Ben Stivers on piano, and Dennis Marion, on trumpet, joining sax men Jay Collins and Art Edmaiston. The integral band members... Gregg Allman (Hammond B3, vocals), Scott Sharrard (guitar), Ron Johnson (bass), Steve Potts (drums), and Marc Quinones (percussion), are the same.
The set starts with the triple threat of "Statesboro Blues", "I'm No Angel", and "Queen of Hearts". before blending into a songwriter vibe and also, throwing in more Allman Brothers covers. Gregg and the band groove on Muddy Waters' "I Can't Be Satisfied", and follow that up with poignant versions of Jackson Browne's "These Days", and "Ain't Wastin' Time No More", from the Allman's "Eat A Peach" record. Some surprises are thrown in towards the end of the first half of the set.
Gregg plays a tune, that he mentions the history of, saying, "this is a song I cut in 1976, for a solo record called 'Playin' Up A Storm'. Myself, and Ray Charles are the only two people to ever record this song. It's called "The Brightest Smile In Town". This is a soul blues, at it's finest, with plenty of input, from the horns, and Gregg's soul drenched vocals and organ, highlighting the tune. Then, the band gets jazzy, and pays tribute to the Allman Brothers, with "Hot 'Lanta" which the band recorded on the second side of "Live At Fillmore East", circa 1971.
"Hot 'Lanta" is a springboard, for Allman, Sharrard, Stivers, Johnson, and the drummers, to all go for it, and improvise. Not to mention, Jay Collins on tenor sax. It is clear, that other instruments, have picked up the mantle from where dueling lead guitars used to be. Set one closes, with a rare, and really cool take on Wilson Pickett's "I Found A Love", another great R&B ballad. On some of the tunes, Sharrard sings harmony lines, in addition to providing solid lead guitar, similarly to how Warren Haynes fulfilled that role in the Allman Brothers.
"Don't Keep Me Wonderin' " from "Idlewild South", begins the second set, and speaking of Warren Haynes, his song, "Just Before The Bullets Fly", (covered by Gregg Allman on a 1988 record of the same name), is next up, and it's a definite rock and roller. A ubiquitous number follows. "Melissa", which (like "These Days", from earlier in the set), features Jay Collins, on flute, as opposed to saxophone.
The arrangement for "Midnight Rider" is from Allman's 1973 "Laid Back" solo record... his first solo record he cut, right around the same time as the Allman Brothers Band released "Brothers & Sisters". "Queen of Hearts" was also featured on "Laid Back". The solo version of "Midnight Rider" is so different from the Allman's version. But, the difference, provides for a unique feel, with horns, and electric piano, taking center stage. Closing out the set are a romping boogie tune called "Love Like Kerosene" (you will have to hear/see that one, to believe it, folks... trust me), and, the Allman's magnum opus, "Whipping Post".
This time, "Whipping Post", (just as at the concert back in March), is done with a very Latin, uptempo feel, as opposed to the original version from the Allman's first record, which is between a thunderous rock anthem, and a stone cold blues. Speaking of stone cold blues, the encore is... you guessed it... "One Way Out", which is treated with horns, and a major league drum solo by Steve Potts. Gregg's son Devon Allman, makes another cameo, and takes an energy charged solo, before the tune comes to a close.
There is some bonus material, on the DVD, too, in addition to the sections of the interview that are interspersed during the concert. Two bonus tracks appear, that were not included in the track list, but were played at the same gig. T Bone Walker's "Stormy Monday", (a staple of the Allman Brothers Band's catalog through the years), and Sleepy John Estes' 1937 blues, "Floating Bridge".
To close out the concert, is a short little feature/interview with the legendary H&H soul food restaurant, in Macon, Georgia, where the Allman Brothers used to get meals from owner, Mama Louise Hudson. The band members, chat with each other, over lunch, how much of an honor it is, to get to play with a legend like Gregg Allman. Sax player Jay Collins describes the difference in approach between the Allman Brothers and the Gregg Allman Band, saying, "the Allman Brothers is like a sledgehammer and just comes at you full force. Our band, is more precise, like a surgical instrument."
Bass player Ron Johnson, and the other band members joke about how they knew each other, and also discussed their approach for recording the concert that is on the DVD. H&H's soul food is just as much a part of Macon, Georgia's heritage, as the Allman Brothers Band's music, and Mama Louise's daughter explains the popularity of the soul food dishes, served at the restaurant, like collard greens, black eyed peas, lima beans, baked ham, fried chicken, and stew beef. Good food, and good music. Two of the things, that make life, a pleasure.
So, though the Allman Brothers Band's career is over, it seems like Gregg's solo band is just getting started, and this concert DVD is a brilliant example of that. If you are an Allman Brothers fan, or just want to know more about the music, check out the CD/DVD "Back To Macon, Georgia."
Here's the set list/track listing, which is identical for the 2-disc CD and DVD.
1. Statesboro Blues
2. I'm No Angel
3. Queen of Hearts
Interview, Part 1: What Macon Was To Us
4. I Can't Be Satisfied
5. These Days
6. Ain't Wastin' Time No More
Interview, Part 2: Practicing in Macon
7. Brightest Smile In Town
8. Hot 'Lanta
9. I've Found A Love
10. Don't Keep Me Wondering
11. Before The Bullets Fly
12. Melissa
Interview, Part 3: We Worked Hard
13. Midnight Rider
14. Love Like Kerosene
Interview, Part 4: Songwriting for the Allman Brothers
15. Whipping Post
16. One Way Out
Bonus Tracks:
17. Stormy Monday
18. Floating Bridge
Mini Feature: The Gregg Allman Band at the H&H
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