Having seen many Gregg and Friends shows, I knew what to expect as he does not change the setlist very much. Please don't get me wrong, that is not a knock on him; just calling a spade a spade. He stayed true to his past and played a very familiar setlist. It was very ABB heavy and to my dismay, no Queen of Hearts, Multi Colored Lady or These Days.However, he really delivered an A+ rendering of the ABB classics. Gregg was in fine voice; strong, clear and very animated. You could tell he was pretty stoked by the boisterous and appreciative crowd (more on that in a moment!). His band reminds me of Paul McCartney's backing band in the fact that they are very tight, playful and just nailed the reworking of the timeless ABB gems. The trio of horns works so well in this band and Gregg and team have really crafted the horn interplay quite nicely. Marc Quinones add so much to this band! His playing just juices up every song. I was very impressed by the other guy on drums ( Steve Potts). I would love to hear how he would handle a full force ABB rendering of some of the songs. My only knock on Gregg's band is Scott Sharrard (guitar). He is a fine player and certainly has the songs down pat. However, his playing just leaves me wanting more. Is it the gaping hole of no Warren or Derek? There is no doubt that at times I was left wanting that incredibly powerful interplay but that is not this bands footprint. I would love to see Gregg add Jack Pearson to this lineup. He would breathe some real life into this lineup.
In regards to the venue (Atlanta Symphony Hall), a big fat WOW! The acoustics were flat out incredible and really helped Gregg just shine (the opening act whose name escapes me was very good as well). As I said in my opening, I have seen many Gregg and Friend shows over the years but i have never seen a crowd so embrace the entire show with such gusto. You could tell that the majority of the fans were long time ABB/Gregg fans. This was not a drunk, stumbling New Years Eve crowd; these were folks taking in and digging a living legend. It certainly didn't hurt that the crowd was very female friendly and they were decked out in their New Years hippy best :).
"It's heavy; lay your burden down" WH
Please don;t take it the wrong way, but notice how you start off saying you knew just what to expect then say how different the show was, both the setlist and band.
From the last few shows I have seen, the GAB is morphing into what I see as Gregg's post ABB direction.
As you said, the basic GAB setlist is now much more ABB heavy, even including tunes like Hot 'Lanta and Black Hearted Woman (both done very nicely). Instead of just Jay Collins on sax, there is now full horn section that fits in very nicely and adds a lot to the performance.
It's a very different GAB that a few years ago.
I do feel the same way about Scott and for the same reasons you mentioned. There is some nice interplay between him and Jay, but nothing like the Derek/Warren combination. I see it as consistent with the direction Gregg is taking the music... lighter and more middle of the road, which makes the music attractive to a wider audience. Not unlike Derek and the TTB.
While Gregg has seemed lost at times in recent years with the ABB, he seems quite happy and comfortable with his present band.
good post Buzzy,yes Jack P would be awesome in his band.. Did they play a new Allman/Sharrard composition?
Good review. This band is definitely Gregg in his element. This is the direction he wants to pursue. As to the songs he didn't play, I'm guessing he'll mix them in here & there, as this band has played these tunes many times previously. This should allow for a bit of a shakeup on set list throughout a tour or leg of a tour.
Me - I like Scott's guitar playing, & Gregg has kept him in the band for a good number of years now. There are reasons for this. He must like Scott's playing, style, fit, and Scott (I believe) has been working on new material with Gregg. So there is a comfort factor. I get those who may be more swayed by Jack or a Warren, but that might be do to familiarity? Gregg has used several different guitar players over the the years in GAB or GA&F, and I defer to him in judgement.
This is a good good band. For those fortunate enough to see one of the dates, enjoy.
ABSNY, I can see your point as I meant to convey that I knew I would not hear some deep ABB/GAF cuts and the setlist would be very similar to past GAF shows. With that said, I was pleasantly surprised at how they reworked some songs. You nailed the biggies for me as I loved Black Hearted Woman and Hot Lanta. It was very evident that Gregg is VERY comfortable with this format and arrangements. He looked very content and stayed strong thru out the show. It warmed my heart to see him in such a good place (sounds corny but....). I really hope he does put out some new music and even adds a friend or too along the way. My wish list would be to add another tasty guitar player to the fold and bring on the one and only Jimmy Hall. He would fit perfectly into this line up!
"It's heavy; lay your burden down" WH
What songs did Gregg play last night? Do you have a setlist?
I like Gregg shows; but I only have been to them when they're local, and he played at good venues that were not casinos where tickets were not overpriced either.
I saw him do a NYE show years ago at the Keswick theater and that was an excellent show. I'd love to get a copy of it if anyone has it.
[Edited on 1/1/2015 by The_Newt]
I like Scott's playing. It's a subtle sound as it's a single guitar attack. Dickey & Duane's material is meant to be a 2+ guitar attack.
It's a more swampy jazzy sound when Gregg & Friends do ABB songs. I'd also love to see a setlist. If he left those numbers out, Did he add new tunes? Did he play Just Like A Woman or some other toss-ins?
Here is a slightly incomplete and way out of order setlist:
Statesboro Blues,I'm No Angel ,Come and Go Blues, Stormy Monday, Dreams, Whipping Post, Don't Keep Me Wonderin', Love Like Kerosene, Ain't Wastin' Time No More, Before the Bullets Fly, Melissa, Black Hearted Woman / Hot 'Lanta, Midnight Rider, One Way Out
Great show overall and though Gregg sounded flat in the opener (No Angel), he warmed up almost immediately and sounded very strong throughout the night. Somebody needs to tell him he is not a well man! Dreams, Hot 'Lanta and Stormy were magnificent. DKMW was about the only low point; just a cheesy arrangement featuring the other keyboardist. I had never heard Kerosene, but I liked it a lot.
I too would have preferred at least one or two more Laid Back songs instead of the too ABBish setlist. The show kind of finished weird. After the main set pushed past midnight w/ the countdown and a song, Gregg announced they were taking a short break, which was short, maybe 10 min, then just 3 songs and no encore.
The show was plenty long overall, so no complaints, but an odd way to finish.
thanks 
Me - I like Scott's guitar playing, & Gregg has kept him in the band for a good number of years now. There are reasons for this. He must like Scott's playing, style, fit, and Scott (I believe) has been working on new material with Gregg. So there is a comfort factor. I get those who may be more swayed by Jack or a Warren, but that might be do to familiarity? Gregg has used several different guitar players over the the years in GAB or GA&F, and I defer to him in judgement.
Add me to the Scott Sharrard fan club. I think he's VERY good. And I kinda don't get someone saying how very good the show was, then criticizing the guitar player. Scott is the only guitarist and while his role here is not to stand out much, guitar is very elemental in the sound. He could go off...........if Gregg chose to let him. I think slamming him is an insult to Gregg's taste.
Robslob, lighten up Francis :).
"It's heavy; lay your burden down" WH
I heard they played a new song??
I wish I could thank Gregg personally for giving all of us a PERFECT send off of 2014 and new start to 2015!! I loved the show from start to finish. He picked a great opening act, and to see Gregg up there giving it all away one more time just thrilled me to death!! He sounded great, the band was tight, the venue was amazing. I loved it when his wife brought him a glass and kissed him at midnight. I loved all the songs; he could've played all night and not gotten to all the ones we know and loved. I was just happy to be there. HAPPY NEW YEAR GREGG!!
I loved it when his wife brought him a glass and kissed him at midnight.
Um, pardon me, but I don't believe Gregg has a wife presently.
I echo buzzy about missing warren, derek and jack, there are so many guitarists that would add more to these tunes, imho.
that said, some of the tunes worked well with electric piano and I really liked auld lange syne>one way out, I guess every working musician knows ALS! I did see a setlist and "floating bridges"? was on it but I'm not familiar with that tune & can't confirm they actually played it. Gregg did do "just can't be satisfied" which I do like. some folks up where I was kept yelling for "soulshine" but that didn't happen--I told them to go see gov't mule at the sweetwater festival this spring and maybe they would have more luck there. at least this was a longer set than the one GA&F did at music midtown this fall & I always enjoy Mark's playing, like Chuck Leavell he makes anything he plays on sound better! good to see some of the regulars there in the crowd & a good way to start the new year.
Awesome show, band, venue & crowd. Regarding setlist-looks about right to me. I'm No Angel was the opener, Statesboro Blues #2. My first Kerosene as well-Smokin!
Brock-There was one more song in the setlist that may have been new?? Gregg stated something like:'here's another love song for you".....Gregg on Hammond B; sounded similar to a Ray Charles tune. I don't know what it was?
No These Days, MultiColored Lady, All of My Friends, Queen of Hearts, or I Found a Love. Hopefully later in tour he will rotate them in. Looking forward to GA Theater & Macon.
Forgot I can't Be satisfied & Auld Land Syne. Thx for your help.
How is Quinones in this band? I was happy to see that he will be with Gregg when I see him in Savannah.
great to see and hear mark in any context, he adds a lot to liven up all these tunes although I'm guessing his setup was cut back from an abb show...I guess there are enough folks who like gregg allman vocals with "laid back" arrangements like these who still buy tickets (it was an older crowd of couples, for sure), so it's probably irrelevant to compare this show to an ABB show, but that's what I find myself doing. two other comments--I wonder if Floyd Miles and Back to Daytona have been retired for good & there were lots of signs saying no audio and limited video recording allowed--that surprised me, but then again there probably isn't that much difference in the performances from one night to another...unless it's new year's eve or something--where were the balloons, anyway?
Robslob, lighten up Francis
Why don't you state your rules going in, then, when you make a post?:
"I have an opinion here but don't dare contradict my opinion because you're over the top if you do, because obviously mine is the only one that matters."
See previous comments about ligthtening up ;). No where in this thread did anyone criticize Scott (using your words), just folks sharing opinions and likes. Take a breath and re-read your posts before making them pubic :).
"It's heavy; lay your burden down" WH
First, this is the Gregg Allman Band. So any comparisons to the ABB are unfair. His band is not going to be the guitar heavy driven machine that they were. So dont judge Scott on that aspect. If you are wanting/expecting him to have his band play like them, it wont happen. Greggs solos stuff has never been like that . Scott is a fine player and they should just keep dong what they are doing.
“Comparison is the thief of joy.”
-Theodore Roosevelt
[Edited on 1/3/2015 by jszfunk]
[Edited on 1/3/2015 by jszfunk]
Everyone has a plan, till you get punched in the face,
Here's a Dreams partial:
First, this is the Gregg Allman Band. So any comparisons to the ABB are unfair. His band is not going to be the guitar heavy driven machine that they were. So dont judge Scott on that aspect. If you are wanting/expecting him to have his band play like them, it wont happen. Greggs solos stuff has never been like that . Scott is a fine player and they should just keep dong what they are doing.
Hmmm ... If you actually like Scott, then ... cool ... but ... Let's take a look at this horsesh*t statement-"His band is not going to be the guitar heavy driven machine that they were." Past members of GAF include Ricky Hirsch, "Dangerous Dan" Toler, Jack Pearson, Mark McGee, Buzz Feiten, Robin Ford. So Scott Sharrard isn't really in the same caliber of player that GAF has normally employed before either. Therefore, I find this version Gregg's band less than just about all of the others simply because the guitar slot is lacking. The music isn't being served. That of course is my opinion.
Hmmm ... If you actually like Scott, then ... cool ... but ... Let's take a look at this horsesh*t statement-"His band is not going to be the guitar heavy driven machine that they were." Past members of GAF include Ricky Hirsch, "Dangerous Dan" Toler, Jack Pearson, Mark McGee, Buzz Feiten, Robin Ford. So Scott Sharrard isn't really in the same caliber of player that GAF has normally employed before either. Therefore, I find this version Gregg's band less than just about all of the others simply because the guitar slot is lacking. The music isn't being served. That of course is my opinion.
You stated your opinion. I respect it, even though it differs with mine. However, I would NEVER tell you to "take a deep breath and re-read your posts before making them public". Now THAT is a "horsesh*t statement." No Charlesinator, it was not you who said that, it was the author of this thread.
[Edited on 1/3/2015 by robslob]
Was happy to see some HittinTheWeb folks I haven't seen in a while : ) Personally I thought it was a terrific set. Like some have said I too would have wanted to hear more Laid Back, especially Queen Of Hearts. And I too I thought how well Jack would fit into this band. But I loved the electric piano/clavinet and horn section. Given the fact you can't have everything, I enjoyed it !!
[Edited on 1/3/2015 by Peachstatedawg]
Robslob, your replys really don't mesh with what the actual words say in other peoples posts; thus the source of read before posting. In regards to my "Take a breath comment", note the smiley face at the end of my post :).
However, lighten up Francis still fits much better !
"It's heavy; lay your burden down" WH
I agree that Jack Pearson on guitar would be a great fit with Gregg's laid back versions of the ABB tunes ... and a guest appearance by Chuck Leavell on piano would go down quite nicely too ...
... that being said, if they would come to play in London again I would be more than happy with whoever was in the band ... 
... that being said, if they would come to play in London again I would be more than happy with whoever was in the band ...
I'll second that Colin, as I am sure most other UK based fans would agree.
However, lighten up Francis still fits much better !
Um, who's Francis? Is that from a movie or something? Inquiring minds want to know. Thanks!
