I was at this show. Charlie opening for Widespread Panic (1st of 2 nights in Birmingham for Panic). Great performance by Charlie! The Panic crowd loved him! He stayed away from (conservative) politics and just played the music - different from his most recent Birmingham appearance (with Alabama Symphony Orchestra in Caldwell Park) where he sang of things like hangin' towel-heads from trees and stuff. Charlie Daniels and his band are incredible players! This was a great show!

Night Rider, from where "Birmingham Blues" comes from and Saddle Tramp are my two favorite CDB records. Not a bad song in the bunch and chocked full of dope smoking references. That is a stark contrast to Charlie's Ted Nugentlike right wing fanaticism of today. It's a shame ... And while I personally like "Birmingham Blues." It does bear more than a passing resemblance to "Whipping Post." An obvious ABB rip off IMO. Oh well ... What do they say about imitation and flattery? Anyway Charlie always surprised me with his underwhelmed response to the importance of the ABB when asked on at least one Southern Rock documentary when it's obvious they punched his meal ticket.

[Edited on 7/11/2015 by Charlesinator]

The similarities between Birmingham Blues and Whippin Post have been duly noted over the years. I don't know roots of Whippin Post, but I would not be surprised to learn that it was derived from another piece of music (as with the intro to Layla). Maybe - maybe not.

Fair to say that Charlie's meal ticket was punched a time or two along the way by the ABB. But before the Allman Brother's Band came along, he was busy playing with folks like Bob Dylan, Leonard Cohen, Johnny Cash, the Youngbloods and others.

As stated, I don't care for his Nugent-esque political stances, but he has always been a mighty fine guitarist and fiddler. His partaking of substances was less than that of many of his peers. Thusly, at the age of 78 (+/-) he's still got a considerable amount of his chops left in tact.

The similarities between Birmingham Blues and Whippin Post have been duly noted over the years. I don't know roots of Whippin Post, but I would not be surprised to learn that it was derived from another piece of music (as with the intro to Layla). Maybe - maybe not.

Fair to say that Charlie's meal ticket was punched a time or two along the way by the ABB. But before the Allman Brother's Band came along, he was busy playing with folks like Bob Dylan, Leonard Cohen, Johnny Cash, the Youngbloods and others.

As stated, I don't care for his Nugent-esque political stances, but he has always been a mighty fine guitarist and fiddler. His partaking of substances was less than that of many of his peers. Thusly, at the age of 78 (+/-) he's still got a considerable amount of his chops left in tact.

Very accurate post. I think you got it right on all points.

I liked Charlie much more in the early days before he wrote the theme based songs. I do realize that it was those songs that put him over and made plenty of $$$, but I like the older stuff. Birmingham Blues is a good tune & done well. Maybe my favorite is No Place Left To Go.

I saw Charlie the first time opening for the ABB many years ago, and he just blew the place apart. He owned the stage. Wouldn't go to see him these days as I'm not interested in most of his set list.

In interviews I've read Charlie is very complementary towards the Brothers & mentioned that they were the pattern for his band.

Back to the tunes.

From the same gig - "Saddle Tramp":

& "Redneck Fiddlin' Man":

& a re-record of "Birmingham Blues":

Here's a great CDB show from the Capitol Theatre in Passaic, NJ. It's got some great tunes on it. He does some covers inc Johnny B. Goode. The original Long Haired Country Boy and Birmingham Blues. It's great to see them with Taz and Tommy. He does a few encores.

He did Birmingham Blues at that Rock, Ribs, & Ridges Festival a couple weeks back and Johnny Cash's Folsom Prison Blues. Some covers are fiddle friendly. I love Charlie!