So I went to the show on a beautiful night under the stars and had premium seats which were about 8 feet from the stage. The band played about an hour and 45 minutes.
This was the first night of tour and the band was very tight and played several new songs from their upcoming album, a few non ABB covers, and the rest were ABB covers which they did very well.
The band is excellent and did the ABB cover justice but they did not stretch out and solo like the ABB's and kept the solos short but tight.
SOme observations.
While they featured all three sons in the spotlight there is no doubt that Devon runs the show. He commands the stage and is the noticeable alpha male of the group. The others look to him for cues and while the band is good they lack that mojo the ABB had as brothers amoung equals. Maybe just my imagination but when the band did an old ABB instrumental, can't remember which one, and Devon left the stage. once he was gone the other band members seemed to loosen up and interact together especially Betts and Stachela. Once Devon came back they resumed being more passive backups. I am not knocking Devon but he does dominate the stage and has some charisma.
Betts is very laidback and deferred to Allman the whole night. He certainly seems to be the opposite personality of his father. His playing was very good and there were times where he let loose and you could really see the talent.
Berry Oakley Jr. is a fantastic bass player and you can hear his fathers influence when they played ABB covers. He was very animated and smiling through the whole show. He really seemed to be enjoying himself.
Johnny Stachela is the real star guitar player in the band. His slide playing is stellar and when I closed my eyes he sounded more like Derek Trucks style then Duane but still fantastic. He talents are under utilized IMHO.
I think this band has real potential to help fill lthe void, at least for me, with the end of the Allman Brothers. The original songs they played has a real ABB feel to them and I hope they last to the point where they become a more cohesive unit that lets their talents blend together more uniformally.
[Edited on 6/15/2019 by Bill_Graham]
[Edited on 6/15/2019 by Bill_Graham]
Another take on ABB from this spring: https://glidemagazine.com/223260/allman-betts-band-exhibit-professional-savy-mature-musical-chops-in-stowe-vermont-show-review-photos/
Excellent review and spot on with your observations. When I saw them in March, I thought Devon was too dominant and not a big fan of his guitar playing. Stachela is a great guitarist and I am a huge Duane fan. But Devon, to me, is a bit over the top.
I can really relate to all aspects of your review if i think back to last year's Devon Allman Project Ft. Duane Betts show (well except for Berry Oakley Jr. who wasn't in that band). Great that they kept Johnny Stachela in the band. Awesome slide player. I hope they loosen up a bit and stretch out more in the weeks to come. Looking forward to seeing them in Berlin, Germany.
We saw them last night in Utica, excellent show.
We saw them in April as well.
Devon leaves the stage during Jessica, leaving it a two guitar song as was originally done.
Typically this sets him up for Mahalo where he plays while walking through the venue.
He didn't do that last night, I'm sure theater logistics play into the decision for that.
Devon is definitely the band leader here, remember, a year ago the core of this group was the Devon Allman Project featuring Duane Betts.
Brotherhood of Light's effects really make the show look like the old ABB.
The Stealie on the screen during the final encore of Shakedown Street was a nice touch.
As for ABB covers, last night we got:
Blue Sky
AWTNM
Multicolored Lady
Jessica
They also did
You Got Lucky
Purple Rain
[Edited on 6/16/2019 by PhotoRon286]
Forgive me if I'm being picky PhotoRon286. But the first three years the ABB did Jessica it was just one guitar. Chuck Leavell did the first solo on piano and Dickey did the second. On the melody lines that are twined it was Gregg on organ and Dickey. Later on it was two guitars with Dickey and Dan Toler.
On the Brothers and Sisters studio version Les Dudek plays acoustic guitar and is the first instrument you hear.. Jaimoe added a conga part and Butch is on kettle drums at the end. I seem to remember Butch doing that on stage too during the Chuck/Lamar years.
Les and Dickey twined the guitar harmony on Ramblin' Man in the studio but all the solos and the slide at the end were all Dickey.
Les Dudek initially got thr impression from Phil Walden he would replace Duane Allman and Dickey had Les hanging around so he ended up on two tracks on Brothers and Sisters. I don't remember what Berry Oakley's reaction was to Les other than saying his playing was so like Duane but Gregg and Butch were opposed to ANYONE replacing Duane. They could have Chuck play those solos on piano but no guitar player. Dickey told Les Dickey would be the only guitar player in the band and told Les he could play on Jessica but do a rhythm acoustic part instead so the guys wouldn't think you are replacing Duane.
Les went to Phil Walden and when it was confirmed Les wanted out of his contract. When the album came out Les was very disappointed he didn't get a writing credit on Jessica. Les said Dickey had it all but the bridge so he came up with that. Dickey later said when they got it ready to record, Chuck Leavell added some changes that brought the song together and almost should have been in the writing. But Chuck recently said what he and Les did was more in an arrangement of the song and that Dickey came up with the melody and core parts. That it's Dickey's song and that he (Chuck) asked Dickey for permission to feature Jessica as his signature song in his solo shows and Dickey said okay.
Forgive me if I'm being picky PhotoRon286. But the first three years the ABB did Jessica it was just one guitar. Chuck Leavell did the first solo on piano and Dickey did the second. On the melody lines that are twined it was Gregg on organ and Dickey. Later on it was two guitars with Dickey and Dan Toler.
On the Brothers and Sisters studio version Les Dudek plays acoustic guitar and is the first instrument you hear.. Jaimoe added a conga part and Butch is on kettle drums at the end. I seem to remember Butch doing that on stage too during the Chuck/Lamar years.
Les and Dickey twined the guitar harmony on Ramblin' Man in the studio but all the solos and the slide at the end were all Dickey.
Les Dudek initially got thr impression from Phil Walden he would replace Duane Allman and Dickey had Les hanging around so he ended up on two tracks on Brothers and Sisters. I don't remember what Berry Oakley's reaction was to Les other than saying his playing was so like Duane but Gregg and Butch were opposed to ANYONE replacing Duane. They could have Chuck play those solos on piano but no guitar player. Dickey told Les Dickey would be the only guitar player in the band and told Les he could play on Jessica but do a rhythm acoustic part instead so the guys wouldn't think you are replacing Duane.
Les went to Phil Walden and when it was confirmed Les wanted out of his contract. When the album came out Les was very disappointed he didn't get a writing credit on Jessica. Les said Dickey had it all but the bridge so he came up with that. Dickey later said when they got it ready to record, Chuck Leavell added some changes that brought the song together and almost should have been in the writing. But Chuck recently said what he and Les did was more in an arrangement of the song and that Dickey came up with the melody and core parts. That it's Dickey's song and that he (Chuck) asked Dickey for permission to feature Jessica as his signature song in his solo shows and Dickey said okay.
You are ABBsolutely correct, no offense taken.
I guess wott I meant was it was the two guitar version that most of us have been used to hearing for the last 30 years.
First time I've heard Little Martha at show's end but in April at the Homer show I was in the lobby at the end, talking to the tour manager about giving Devon my ABB4UNME license plates.
Well, I'm seeing the band in a little 250 seat country theatre Wednesday night, believe Me You, I is excited..........Peace.........joe
I saw The Devon Allman Project a little over a year ago and will see the Allman Betts Band at the same 450 seat venue in three weeks. Look forward to seeing the subtle differences I have heard about in the new shows.
Why is it that no one seems to want to give Devon his due credit? He’s been touring writing performing,etc for a long time and has paid his dues. His work with RSB was stellar and I really enjoy all his solo work. He’s the one in this band who is a seasoned front man with verve and command. His voice is powerful and so expressive. I think he has every bit of the talent and potential of his old man but he has his own very unique style. I’m all in for Devon and this outstanding new band!
Why is it that no one seems to want to give Devon his due credit? He’s been touring writing performing,etc for a long time and has paid his dues. His work with RSB was stellar and I really enjoy all his solo work. He’s the one in this band who is a seasoned front man with verve and command. His voice is powerful and so expressive. I think he has every bit of the talent and potential of his old man but he has his own very unique style. I’m all in for Devon and this outstanding new band!
Agree 100% here, I support this band and hope they do well, their new tunes seem to hold up ok side by side with Allman Brothers songs, to me that says alot. I saw the Three Oaks Mich. Show last night and enjoyed it a lot. Devon's vocal have greatly improved I feel and he took a couple fine guitar solos, one wandering through the crowd, which illustrated his fuzzier slightly more distorted tone compared to Duane's cleaner tone. Berry was excellent holding down that bottom and took some real fine l ead vocal on one tune, these Guys are out working very hard, get out and see em for Yourself........Peace.......joe
I saw the Three Oaks Mich. Show last night and enjoyed it a lot. Devon's vocal have greatly improved I feel and he took a couple fine guitar solos, one wandering through the crowd, which illustrated his fuzzier slightly more distorted tone compared to Duane's cleaner tone. Berry was excellent holding down that bottom and took some real fine l ead vocal on one tune, these Guys are out working very hard, get out and see em for Yourself........Peace.......joe
Really appreciate your comments about this show. I had a ticket and was planning on attending until a late hour conflict popped up. Hopefully attendance was good, otherwise?
Seeing them in St. Charles, IL late August
I saw the Three Oaks Mich. Show last night and enjoyed it a lot. Devon's vocal have greatly improved I feel and he took a couple fine guitar solos, one wandering through the crowd, which illustrated his fuzzier slightly more distorted tone compared to Duane's cleaner tone. Berry was excellent holding down that bottom and took some real fine l ead vocal on one tune, these Guys are out working very hard, get out and see em for Yourself........Peace.......joe
Really appreciate your comments about this show. I had a ticket and was planning on attending until a late hour conflict popped up. Hopefully attendance was good, otherwise?
Seeing them in St. Charles, IL late August
Indeed, the show was well attended, only a very quaint little 250 seat theatre, but the show was a sell out, the crowd was quite appreciative and vocal, the band rewarded them, with a very solid show........Peace........joe
Why is it that no one seems to want to give Devon his due credit? He’s been touring writing performing,etc for a long time and has paid his dues. His work with RSB was stellar and I really enjoy all his solo work. He’s the one in this band who is a seasoned front man with verve and command. His voice is powerful and so expressive. I think he has every bit of the talent and potential of his old man but he has his own very unique style. I’m all in for Devon and this outstanding new band!
What is RSB?
Everything in Moderation. Including Moderation.
Why is it that no one seems to want to give Devon his due credit? He’s been touring writing performing,etc for a long time and has paid his dues. His work with RSB was stellar and I really enjoy all his solo work. He’s the one in this band who is a seasoned front man with verve and command. His voice is powerful and so expressive. I think he has every bit of the talent and potential of his old man but he has his own very unique style. I’m all in for Devon and this outstanding new band!
What is RSB?
Royal Southern Brotherhood. I bought those cds and saw them once though I can't say I was particularly impressed. But to each their own.
Why is it that no one seems to want to give Devon his due credit? He’s been touring writing performing,etc for a long time and has paid his dues. His work with RSB was stellar and I really enjoy all his solo work. He’s the one in this band who is a seasoned front man with verve and command. His voice is powerful and so expressive. I think he has every bit of the talent and potential of his old man but he has his own very unique style. I’m all in for Devon and this outstanding new band!
What is RSB?
Royal Southern Brotherhood. I bought those cds and saw them once though I can't say I was particularly impressed. But to each their own.
Thanks. I had forgotten about them. Couldn't put the acronym together.
Everything in Moderation. Including Moderation.
Why is it that no one seems to want to give Devon his due credit? He’s been touring writing performing,etc for a long time and has paid his dues. His work with RSB was stellar and I really enjoy all his solo work. He’s the one in this band who is a seasoned front man with verve and command. His voice is powerful and so expressive. I think he has every bit of the talent and potential of his old man but he has his own very unique style. I’m all in for Devon and this outstanding new band!
What is RSB?
Royal Southern Brotherhood. I bought those cds and saw them once though I can't say I was particularly impressed. But to each their own.
Thanks. I had forgotten about them. Couldn't put the acronym together.
Everything in Moderation. Including Moderation.
This band is working hard. I took a look at their tour schedule, and they are clearly trying to earn their fan base brick by brick. I commend them
Why is it that no one seems to want to give Devon his due credit? He’s been touring writing performing,etc for a long time and has paid his dues. His work with RSB was stellar and I really enjoy all his solo work. He’s the one in this band who is a seasoned front man with verve and command. His voice is powerful and so expressive. I think he has every bit of the talent and potential of his old man but he has his own very unique style. I’m all in for Devon and this outstanding new band!
Who is not giving Devon his due in this thread? All I see in the posts in this thread is love for the Allman Betts band.
[Edited on 6/21/2019 by Bill_Graham]
Why is it that no one seems to want to give Devon his due credit? He’s been touring writing performing,etc for a long time and has paid his dues. His work with RSB was stellar and I really enjoy all his solo work. He’s the one in this band who is a seasoned front man with verve and command. His voice is powerful and so expressive. I think he has every bit of the talent and potential of his old man but he has his own very unique style. I’m all in for Devon and this outstanding new band!
What is RSB?
Royal Southern Brotherhood
Why is it that no one seems to want to give Devon his due credit? He’s been touring writing performing,etc for a long time and has paid his dues. His work with RSB was stellar and I really enjoy all his solo work. He’s the one in this band who is a seasoned front man with verve and command. His voice is powerful and so expressive. I think he has every bit of the talent and potential of his old man but he has his own very unique style. I’m all in for Devon and this outstanding new band!
Who is not giving Devon his due in this thread? All I see in the posts in this thread is love for the Allman Betts band.
Sorry I’m not trying to stir anything up. There just seems to be an apologistic tone toward him as though he is somehow a lesser talent and I don’t think that is the case. Certainly don’t want single anyone out but usually there are comments in articles and threads that his voice or guitar playing are improving whereas the guy is in his 40’s and well down the road in a solid career and already established. Truth be told he’s keeping his head together and his creative drive seems much better than his father at the same stage. He hasn’t seen the same level of success but not many have. Nevertheless I really enjoy most of his music and I’m glad everyone here does too.
[Edited on 6/21/2019 by Bill_Graham]
