10 hours of driving for work were made a lot easier by taking Oct 22nd and the 24th with me to listen too. One of Derek's comments after the run was that the band didn't really kick into gear until Friday night. From my amateur ears The Brothers were on fire from the get go. I've now listened to the 21st, 22nd 24th and the 27th completely ( 27th several times ) . Derek's wish for the band to go out in a 'Blaze of Glory' was realized. They were on fire each night of the run. I was lucky enough to witness the 21st, 25th, 27th and 28th in person. Listening to the recordings has allowed me to really focus on the music rather than the overall concert experience. Derek's playing was completely on another level during this run. More so than at anytime over the last 15 years, did he take over like he did during this run. He drove the band to a level that I didn't think they would ever be able to get too again. When I'm done with these shows I plan on giving The Fillmore Recordings a complete , undisturbed listen so I can compare we're The Brothers were at in 71 versus October 2014. Derek's appreciation and understanding of the historical significance of The Brothers pushed them to the new level of greatness they reached in October. It really is an incredible story of determination and desire that I think as time goes on will have greater significance.
I completely agree in regards to Derek. His playing during the final run was on another level. Every night he tore it up. Best guitarist on the planet currently.
You were lucky to attend four shows especially the last two. I was there on the 27th and purchased the 27th and 28th on CD. I also like to focus on the music seperating it from the experience - every live show I attend I leave thinking it was one of the best. The 27th and 28th are great shows but musically I place the Clapton 2009 March 20th (I did not attend but have CDs) and the United Palace March 20, 2010 (I did attend) above the 27th and the 28th of this last run. Again this is purely based on listening to the music side by side. I have built a best of live playlist inhabited by the best live versions of songs done primarily in New York since 2009. Black hearted woman from the 28th made the list as well as Whipping Post but that was it. Actually best Whipping Post I have heard is on the Crossroads Guitar Festival MSG DVD from two years back. Still listening to the latest shows so there may be more but that is my take. Just one persons opinion. If someone out there has suggestions on other stellar Beacon shows let me know and I will add to my collection.
I have all the shows you mentioned as well. Each of them have their moments. The 3/20/09 Clapton show is very good. But for some reason as I listen to the shows off of the final run they just continue to shine. I get emotional listening to a lot of it. "Will The Circle Be Unbroken" from 10-27 has reduced me to tears several times for example. It's just beautiful.
I suppose I need to break those 2009 Clapton shows back out but the 27th and 28th keep finding their way into my daily soundtrack.
I personally thought Oteil drove a lot of the magic of the last two shows as did Warren. Warren's Dreams on the 27th was fantastic. So was Derek's on the 28th.
Just to stay out of the fray about which guitarist sits on the right hand of Duane - I'm giving the medal of honor to Oteil and the rhythm section.
Billy and Forever,
Sitting here working at home - will start right now with the 27th.
Billy and Forever,
Sitting here working at home - will start right now with the 27th.
I think just the sheer "passion" those last two nights was unmatched. You could really feel the emotion in almost every song.
I'm actually listening to the 27th right now. It's just fire.
BB - I taped mid 6.5 minutes of Dreams on the 27th on Itouch and sound
is simply amazing. Warren was simply on fire.
This thread makes me smile. 
Part way through the 10/28 show during one of the breaks, the guy next to me from CA and I both agreed that the 27th was more on fire, but then the night of the 28th just keep on going and getting better and better and more intense. The 28th show was a continual build and was unlike any other ABB show I have ever seen and stands on its own for all time. The 10/27 show as a "regular show" was one of the best.
Part way through the 10/28 show during one of the breaks, the guy next to me from CA and I both agreed that the 27th was more on fire, but then the night of the 28th just keep on going and getting better and better and more intense. The 28th show was a continual build and was unlike any other ABB show I have ever seen and stands on its own for all time. The 10/27 show as a "regular show" was one of the best.
That's a good way to put it. 10-27 has jumped up to the number 2 spot on my top 5 for the year list. 10-28 is the "Holy Grail" for this version of the band. It's their "6-26-71" or "March '71". Nothing else touches it for me.
It was a great run.
It was all strong, but starting Friday they definitely kicked it up several notches, well past overdrive.
Liz Reed>Politician from Saturday, WP from Monday, and pretty much all versions of YDLM, TG from Friday were all beyond belief.
Personally, I like these shows better than the EC shows in 09. I wasn't at any of them, unfortunately.
The Clapton shows while good for guest value and whatnot were great and all but 10-28 blows them out of the water. Both nights.
[Edited on 12/12/2014 by Forever_Duane]
Just to stay out of the fray about which guitarist sits on the right hand of Duane - I'm giving the medal of honor to Oteil and the rhythm section.
Egg Zak Lee 😛
BB - This a great thread. FD mentioned the Clapton shows and guests in general. I lean toward liking guests. I have been fortunate to see Bill Evans with the band on numerous occasions and many of my "best of" songs include his sweet sax. I always felt that the right guest on the right song could propel the band to a different level. Eric Clapton on Liz Reed, Bill Evans on Dreams, Randall Bramblett on That's What Love Will Make You Do have all made my "best of " playlist.
Lots of guest over the years have brought me joy. In March I was wowed by Trombone Shorty on "Dusk 'til Dawn". Johnny Winter always elevated my experience. The guests I've loved are numerous but I am very, very happy that my last two Allman Brothers shows were served up neat.
Lots of guest over the years have brought me joy. In March I was wowed by Trombone Shorty on "Dusk 'til Dawn". Johnny Winter always elevated my experience. The guests I've loved are numerous but I am very, very happy that my last two Allman Brothers shows were served up neat.
I love guests, but I think the first set of the 3/20/09 Clapton show is better than the second set.
I was at the last show, and maybe we all look at shows we saw in person with rose tinted glasses (although I went to 3 2009 Beacon shows and bought 3 IL's - none of which were from shows I attended). If the 3/26/09 show was a meat and potatoes show, then the last show was a 3 course meal with 2 desserts. Then again, I believe shows aren't always better than another, they are just different in an awesome way.
[Edited on 12/13/2014 by porkchopbob]
I'm not saying I don't enjoy guests but the band created magic for a week this October all by themselves and 10-22-10-28 are my top five this year and I have them all.
"Feel Like Breakin' Up Somebody's Home" from 10-27 is pure fire. Marc and Warren.......all I'm sayin'.
Well I certainly would agree that the word "epic" used to describe the October run would be an accurate description. And when you think about it, how great it is that for those lucky enough, we got a chance to participate in two Beacon runs in the bands last year. It obviously wasn't initially planned that way but for all the complaining done by some on this site it really turned out well. Now we just need to get TTB down at Wanee and the road really would go on forever.
Then again, I believe shows aren't always better than another, they are just different in an awesome way.
Nice.
I was at many of the 09 shows including the 1st Clapton show and still believe the Oct. 2014 shows are a notch above. Newer songs like Dusk Till Dawn and Spots of Time were played in such a way where The Brothers were still looking to break new ground. True Gravity was also given new life in this final run. Derek's soaring leads on everything that was played throughout the run was mind blowing . I have always been of the opinion that when Gregg was on , the band always rose to new level. The October Beacon run had 7 members on top of their game for 6 nights. Derek's MVP performance drove this incredible group of musicians to new heights.
Derek was playing out of his mind. He's had plenty of moments like that at different times since he joined the band, but the last run of shows he was just in a zone. Everything he did was just amazing. Warren brought his A game as well, but Derek was just beyond belief.
I was there for the show on the 22nd thanks to a miracle ticket from mikesolo.
Amazing experience and I'm forever grateful to him for the kindness.
"Will The Circle Be Unbroken" from 10-27 has reduced me to tears several times for example. It's just beautiful.
I'm listening to WTCBU from 28 October and am almost in tears, if for a very different reason.
Thank goodness Warren picked up the vocal before the song's pulse stopped entirely (pun intended)!
"Will The Circle Be Unbroken" from 10-27 has reduced me to tears several times for example. It's just beautiful.
I'm listening to WTCBU from 28 October and am almost in tears, if for a very different reason.
Thank goodness Warren picked up the vocal before the song's pulse stopped entirely (pun intended)!
The 27th was much shorter (2:30) and is done sans lyrics but it's one of my favorite 2:30 in everything I own when it comes to the ABB. Just very powerful.
