Started at 7:30 with Jackson Stokes. After the grammys and super bowl, I was really in the mood for a live band with great guitars. I really liked Jackson and his band. They also played a rousing cover of "Life During Wartime" by the Talking Heads. He is the first guy Devon signed to his new label, and Devon produced his album. Really liked his songs, think he will do well.
Next up was JD Simo - originally from Chicago, now in Nashville. Just was a trio. Maybe I'm getting old, but he was a little loud and rocked a little harder than the other bands. Did a song in the style of Lightning Hopkins that was pretty good. A lot of good guitar, but played a little long for me. They also played a nice cover, but I don't remember what it was right now. It was a very energetic set.
This was the first night of ABB this year, and it took them quite a while to get the stage setup. They started around 9:20-25. Started out with their new song Cocaine. Great video to go with it - the Brotherhood of the Light is doing their shows (I think) and the videos were fantastic all night. They played Shinin' from their cd which was good. They did Midnight Rider and Blue Sky, and Blue Sky was awesome. Duane Betts has the same clear tone that Dickey had - you could close your eyes and swear it was Dickey. Duane left the stage and Devon played 'Mahalo'. They played a Duane song 'Taking Time' that was good. They played All Night off their cd. Devon left the stage and they played Liz Reed - it was also great. They let Berry sing Shakedown Street by the Dead - also a fun song with the crowd filling in the 'Whooo' in the right places.They ended with Purple Rain, and then played Good Ol' Days for the encore - with pictures of Duane and Gregg, along with Devon, Duane and Berry. Very cool. I'm sure I didn't get the songs in order and may have forgotten a couple. They played until about 11:15. It snowed, especially in the south suburbs, so it was an interesting drive home but I made it home about 12:40 or so.
Even though it was the first show of the tour, the music was great and they seemed to be having a great time on stage. The crowd was also very into them. All in all a great way to spend a Wednesday night.... If you get a chance to see them, go do it!
Also great to run into Steve RoadDog Pitts and Tim Vancura there!
[Edited on 2/6/2020 by Sang]
Thank you for the report, I'm getting stoked to see them for the first time next month. Sure hope they play Elizabeth Reed!!!
Appreciate the report and glad it was a good show.
I was just driving home early from work bc I thought the show was tonight..... so bummed I missed it!!!!
I found out bc I called the theater and think I spoke to the owner named Rick to confirm the 2 tix I bought for me and my wife last October for the show that got cancelled were still good.
He was like, " uh, Allman Betts was last night. Sorry about that. They were great!" Nice guy
Sucks but I will catch them at some point. Again, thanks for the report and glad you had a good time!
I'm kinda sad about this! I coulda made it to this one absolutely, totally not paying attention, if any Y'all think of a punishment, You know I likes that kinda thing!!!? Lost one show last summer over in Ft. Wayne due to Devon's illness, so glad I did catch a June show!!!.......Peace......joe
A huge thank You Brother Sang!!!
[Edited on 2/7/2020 by crazyjoe]
