My expectations were high. This was the band I most wanted to see at the Peach. Butch doesn't always get the love on this site but damn he and the band Butch Trucks and Friends nailed it yesterday. Hopefully someone has some video or audio to share. For me the whole friggin set was a festival highlight. Special mention for me is warranted for Blue Sky and Liz Reed. Seeing Bruce Katz, jack Pearson, Bill Evans and Oteil lined up across the front was unique. There was another guitar player that you all probably know but I did not and I don't remember his name off hand but great jamming between him and Jack. Bill Evans had numerous opportunities to put on a sax clinic and Bruce brought his A game. They all had numerous opportunities for solo jamming. Butch mentioned at the end that they may do other shows. All Allman Brothers songs done exactly the way I want to hear them. Other festival highlights include Warren's Blue Sky with Railroad Earth, the set by Old Crow Medicine Show, Rusted Root, Phil Russos Almost Dead, Ron Holloway's band and Gregg Allman. It's true what people are saying about Gregg's voice. I have never heard it stronger. His band is tight and he is very animated. Nice when Warren joined Gregg for One Way Out Encore. Jack Pearson also joined for a few songs. My third Peach Festival and my most enjoyable yet.
Agreed 100%. Butch's band was by far the highlight of the festival, and the kicker was seeing them on the small stage, right up close and personal. That rhythm section is still the best in the biz, and throw in Jack and Bruce and you got yourself a band on par with anyone out there. The vocals were great, and Jack was just Jack. I can't imagine there being a better keyboardist than Bruce Katz. He was on fire.
As for Gregg, he is clearly happier doing his own thing. It was nice seeing him so animated, and his vocals never sounded better. His band was excellent too.
The one downside to the festival was the camping situation. They make it an incredibly frustrating and difficult experience to get your equipment to your camp site. It was so bad we saw lots of people trying to sell their camping passes, and even saw people turn back to their cars once they realized the difficulty ahead of them. It kind of ruined the experience for me personally. I have to look into Mountain Jam and other festivals to see what their camping is like. For me, if you can't camp, it isn't worth my time.
Just curious - they didn't allow you to drive to your campsite?
Bob, the other guitarist was Pat Bergeson. Not too shabby on a harp as well.
The band Butch put together really was the highlight of the festival for me. The whole band is great and I'm especially a fan of Jack Pearson, who always hits it out of the park.
At the beginning of the set Butch announced that while the band was billed as "Butch Trucks and Friends", this was actually the first performance of a band he called "Les Brers", strongly implying that they'll be playing more together. Butch said at the end of the set, given how good they sounded, that that's how they sounded without ever practicing together, but that would start practicing now. Who know if anything will come of it, but I'd love to hear more of this lineup, so here's hoping there's more to come.
I will try to post some videos later today.
They were awesome at Wanee, I can only imagine how great they were with Jack. Maybe I'll catch the show out on LI.
Just curious - they didn't allow you to drive to your campsite?
No. Their plan is to have people carry their camping equipment to a yellow school bus (or on a cart if you have one). Keep in mind how much stuff a couple will need - tent, pillows, sleeping bags, cooler, etc. So, from the main parking lot offsite, you take your stuff to a bus, load it on through the back of the bus (if you happen to be lucky enough to fit it all on the bus). Once you get off the bus, you are to carry your stuff to another area where it gets inspected. Once inspected, you must push your cart or hand truck about 20 yards on a trail covered with giant rocks. A tractor then takes you to the camping area, where they drop you off, and you must unload, and drag your equipment up the mountain to the first available space, which is also covered in dirt or rocks.
Once we learned that, we decided to sleep in our cars. If we come back next year, we'll just get a hotel.
[Edited on 8/17/2015 by BoytonBrother]
Butch said at the end that this was the first time this lineup had ever performed together and all I can say is watch out!!! Unbelievably good for what what effectively a first live rehearsal.
Jack is the clear leader onstage, but Butch seemed to defer to Oteil just as often. Jabuma was tight and moving the ship. Haven't seen Jaimoe smile so much while playing in a long time. When you have a rhythm section like on which to form a band, it's going to be at least a high quality show.
Katz on keys was his usual self --- blended well and kept things upbeat, but then would take off on solos, which he didn't get too many of.
Steve Evans was terrific on his solos. Just took things to a whole new level. He was NOT holding back.
Lamar Jr. has a good stage presence and a solid voice, but color me mostly un-impressed. Feels too much like he's trying to emulate Gregg's sound and when you go there, especially with what is effectively an ABB band here, then you disappoint. It also doesn't help doing Midnight Rider and other classics the night after GAB killed those same versions.
The white guitarist was just ok - once he got going and the volume levels got properly adjusted, the guy could bring it. He played a lot of notes. Probably too many and missed a lot of solo cues so there would be gaps of silence from him fairly often. His stage presence wasn't quite a fit, either.
Jack was freaking Jack and made a good show into an excellent one. Ridiculous solos to Mars and beyond but tight and structured and kept the other soloists on check by calling out who had next lead and various other cues. I want to hear the tapes just for Jack's solos alone.
This is going to be very interesting to watch play out. Is there a market to see what is effectively the best ABB cover band?
Music was awesome all weekend. Sorry I missed Jack with Jaimoe but saw him sit in with Gregg and play on I cant be Satisfied and Aint Wasting time No more. The Butch set with Jack started off a little sloppy but quickly turned into a special set as Jack and Oteill quietly but forcefully directed traffic on the stage. The set had an old fashioned Brothers feel as Burt Holman was jumping all over the place helping out and Rachel 'Stixx' Turner made sure all the musicians were set up properly.
Gregg's band was the set of the festival by far. Gregg in excellent form and his band and the arrangements were incredible.
I will echo the sentiments regarding Butch's band at Wanee. It was the highlight of that weekend, for me. Not sure what my expectations were, but the band exceeded them exponentially. Funny, Butch's set started with about 200 people watching at Wanee. By the end of the set there were probably 2000 people staring in amazement and joy.
I hope to see them again. Does anyone think Butch could have a post ABB career modeled on Phil & Phriends? I really think he could do a very similar rotating members deal ....
Were Jaimoe and Marc in the band?
The Funky Biscuit Presents
BUTCH TRUCKS AND THE FREIGHT TRAIN BAND FEATURING BERRY OAKLEY JR. & DAMON FOWLER WITH SPECIAL GUESTS
SATURDAY SEPTEMBER 19, 2015
8:00 pm
The Funky Biscuit
Boca Raton, FL
$20.00 - $35.00 General Admission $25.00 Day Of Show
Were Jaimoe and Marc in the band?
Yes --- the rhythm section needs to stay tight for the 50th 😛
I will echo the sentiments regarding Butch's band at Wanee. It was the highlight of that weekend, for me. Not sure what my expectations were, but the band exceeded them exponentially. Funny, Butch's set started with about 200 people watching at Wanee. By the end of the set there were probably 2000 people staring in amazement and joy.
I missed the first couple of songs from Butch's Wanee set because they were the first band of the day (and I had no idea what time it was the whole weekend except when bands were starting/ending their sets). I think a lot of people didn't have the show on their radar, but once they heard some familiar Allman Bros tunes they put their coffee down and wandered on over.
Were Jaimoe and Marc in the band?
I believe so, JaBuMa was reunited at Peach Fest.
Agreed 100%. Butch's band was by far the highlight of the festival, and the kicker was seeing them on the small stage, right up close and personal. That rhythm section is still the best in the biz, and throw in Jack and Bruce and you got yourself a band on par with anyone out there. The vocals were great, and Jack was just Jack. I can't imagine there being a better keyboardist than Bruce Katz. He was on fire.
As for Gregg, he is clearly happier doing his own thing. It was nice seeing him so animated, and his vocals never sounded better. His band was excellent too.
The one downside to the festival was the camping situation. They make it an incredibly frustrating and difficult experience to get your equipment to your camp site. It was so bad we saw lots of people trying to sell their camping passes, and even saw people turn back to their cars once they realized the difficulty ahead of them. It kind of ruined the experience for me personally. I have to look into Mountain Jam and other festivals to see what their camping is like. For me, if you can't camp, it isn't worth my time.
Mountain Jam can be a clusterf*ck too depending upon when you arrive and where you eventually get directed to in order to set up. In the early days Mountain Jam wasn't nearly the hassle and nickle and dime everything for money type of thing it is today. Still a great festival for many reasons, but no longer so much for the ease of camping, parking, and affordability.
In my opinion it began its slow steady descent when it went to four days about five years ago and most recently when it became a corporate run event....My advice is go at least once and experience it for yourself. However, try and find a nearby hotel and simply buy a parking pass and commute to Hunter Mountain each day.
Mountain Jam can be a clusterf*ck too depending upon when you arrive and where you eventually get directed to in order to set up.
Man, makes me appreciate Wanee Fest so much. I did my first Gathering of the Vibes Fest a couple weeks ago, and it was still a great fest - the music was incredible - but you just can't beat Wanee. Some people gripe here and there about minutia, but it takes no time to drive in and set up camp anywhere you want.
Does anyone have an audio recording of the Butch Trucks & Friends set at the Peach fest? I would love to have a copy.
I have about 20 minutes of high quality video, but the audio is not good due to the proximity of the speakers.
Since there were a few questions about who was in the band, the band was:
Butch Trucks-drums
Jaimoe-drums
Oteil Burbridge-bass
Marc Quinones-percussion
Jack Pearson-guitar & vocals
Lamar Williams Jr-vocals
Bill Evans-sax
Bruce Katz-keys
Pat Bergeson-guitar & harmonica
Does anyone have an audio recording of the Butch Trucks & Friends set at the Peach fest? I would love to have a copy.
I have about 20 minutes of high quality video, but the audio is not good due to the proximity of the speakers.
They released a recording of Butch's set at Wanee, not sure if they will do the same thing with the Peach Fest set.
http://www.hittinthenote.com/cart/p-1758-butch-trucks-brvery-special-friendsbrlive-at-wanee-cd.aspx
This was the next best thing to the Allman Brothers Band. We were floored by them,definitely the instrumentals were about equal to much of ABB music...and why not with the lineup consisting of Jaimoe,Oteil,Marc,Butch and Jack on lead. The keyboard player kept bouncing out of his seat & could not contain himself during his solos. I was not overly excited but curious going into the mushroom stage before showtime but we all left saying 'they're back' at the end...definitely one of the best surprises of the festival,and there were many with Warren joining Greg at his show,Jack playing 3 or 4 songs with Greg,Warren jumping onstage with Blues Traveller,Weirs surprise jams,etc. The crowd kept growing & growing as they played & people heard and so did the enthusiasm. We were already satisfied after the previous night with Gregs 90% ABB set & ABB guests but this just pushed it way over the edge.We took some good video & if I ever figure out how to place it on this site I will eventually.
Its hard to imagine how Peachfest can ever top this lineup next year but we should start a competition to guess who they'll get. Hopefully 'Les Brers' is one!! and what a good name.
A good recording has been posted on etree.
Soundboard for purchase, CD or download:
https://www.munckmusic.com/wms/random/index.html
Audience:
http://bt.etree.org/details.php?id=581785
I thought I saw a link to a youtube video of them doing Jessica in this thread earlier. Does anyone have that? I checked online and couldn't find it. The audio is amazing, and I remember seeing Bruce and Bill going nuts on stage. Always fun to watch.
Piqmule - thanks for heads up. Listening to the download from Munckmusic as I write this.
Listened to it yesterday.
good band, they'll only get better with more rehearsal. I'm sure I would have been dancing non stop if I was there.
I really like the dimension that Bill Evans brings to the group.
For me personally, they need to bring new material into the mix. I realize that this was they're 1st gig, but...
Munck Music has this show for download in case anyone is still looking for it.
https://www.munckmusic.com/wms/random/index.html
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Thank you, porkchopbob and pigmule (are you guys the Bacon Brothers?) for the links. Jack Pearson tipped the scales for me, and I downloaded it last night. It will be my commute music for a bit.
Blooby
I'm confused, what is the official name for this band? I've heard a couple of different names for it I think. I just want to know what to search for when I'm looking up their tour.
God,maybe its the time of day but I feel like doing a BBQ w/ pork Chops & roast pig....
but aside from that,I've just been watching the video from their (Les Brers') show & personally,I thought,they were awesome,great,incredible,happy-doesn't really describe. I thought Butch did a nice job/choice of these guys. Oteil 'owned' the stage & was egging the rest on & Jack was great!! Really was 1 of the 'Highlights' of the festival in our 'humble' opinion! Take or leave it.
Really I would catch these guys if they so decide to tour or visit your fair city...if you like the 'Allman Brothers"!!
