I'm 73 years old. First saw the ABB in January 1970. I'm not even sure what a troll is in the world of the internet.

As one who worships at the alter of the original lineup I must say that live version of Southbound I linked above is the hottest live version of Southbound I've I've ever heard. I doubt the original lineup or any lineup of the ABB could have played it hotter. It's like a rocket launch. Starts out just a touch slow but man are they just flat out burning by Chuck's solo. It is such a trill to hear a band smoke it at that level. Play it loud!

My hat is off to Gregg, Dickey, Chuck, Lamar, Jaimoe and Butch. You guys were flat smoking on this.

[Edited on 1/8/2020 by blackey]

Okay when Warren Haynes is singing Blue Sky and adding clear Dickey licks to some of his Blue Sky or Jessica solo, maybe he isn't "pretending" to be Dickey but I guarantee you he is thinking about Dickey. And Gregg when he sings Statesboro Blues ABB style and Derek thinks about Duane Allman every time he playes slide on Statesboro Blues. Everytime.

He definitely isn't pretending to be anyone; he's playing songs he's played hundreds of times. And this is not how good musicians make music. When these guys are playing, they're in the moment, listening to each other and reacting to what the others are playing and what they're feeling. If you're thinking consciously about something while playing, the thing that happens most is that you screw up. They don't need to think about these guys to play like them. They spent I don't know how many hours listening to them or playing with them. It's instinct. They sometimes talk about adding a particular person's flavor to what they're doing, but once you've practiced that, it's not something you have to stop and think about. They talk about this stuff all the time in interviews.

I doubt Gregg was pretending to be Taj Mahal or Blind Willie McTell when he sang Statesboro or Elmore James when he sang One Way Out.

But I also admire Blackey for his passion... I don't think there any many other fans as engaged in the Allman's as he is.

What is wrong with me?

I'm not a doctor, but somebody's doing a very nice thing for you and you're slagging on the band...

I don't think Blackey is" slagging" on the band, at least I am not perceiving his post that way. He is very
passionate about the original lineup and he has the right to his opinion. I read nothing disparaging in it.

Describing the players as "pretending" to be other musicians is pretty insulting, especially when you're talking about guys who filled these roles in this band for 10 or 20 years and who have always been very vocal about their love and respect for the band's entire history. Everybody here loves the original version of the band and 99% of everybody here thinks it's the best, but it's not a contest with any other lineup.

Is this 50th anniversary "Brother" driven, formulated by the last lineup or did the industry look at this as a opportunity and present it to them?

Who cares? If they didn't think it was right they wouldn't be doing it, and their comments say they think it's a meaningful tribute.

When you flash dollar signs in front of someone who knows what they think,decide or say? Ask the Robinson brothers.

[Edited on 1/8/2020 by jszfunk]

I am sure LiveNation threw a lot of money at the band to do this show. Previously, Derek repeatedly expressed a lot of reservations about any form of an Allman's reunion. But if I were in their shoes, I am sure the offer would be very hard to resist.

Don't think musicians are any different from the rest of us about doing what's "right" when someone throws a lot of money at them. And in many cases, their management makes these types of decisions for them.

Years ago, when Vinsanity and his rich uncle produced a DTB benefit show, it turned out the beneficiary was a parent organization in one of the richest counties in the country, which was raising money to install artificial grass in some of their playing fields. They did this to avoid state caps on school spending. The members of the DTB had no clue about this, they just showed up to play a gig.

An awful lot of rants/reactions to a show we have absolutely no control over.

Dickey/No Dickey? who's gonna sing what? Who deserves to be there or not? Shut up!

For those fortunate enough to go, please have a great time & let us all know afterwards what went down. Regardless of whomever is on stage, I think it is a safe bet that everyone from the original 6 are going to be honored in a righteous manner.

An awful lot of rants/reactions to a show we have absolutely no control over.

Dickey/No Dickey? who's gonna sing what? Who deserves to be there or not? Shut up!

For those fortunate enough to go, please have a great time & let us all know afterwards what went down. Regardless of whomever is on stage, I think it is a safe bet that everyone from the original 6 are going to be honored in a righteous manner.

Exactly. I'm not sure why fans here think they know better than the guys on stage. Go and enjoy it or don't.

Should be great. I have a conflict or otherwise would try to make it to NYC for it.

It would be nice if Dickey was included. Warren and Derek both have been in favor of it, I think.

either way, have a blast. I hope it's recorded.

2 years ago, with the 50th Anniversary looming, I prayed for something like this show to happen. I actually hoped for a short Beacon run - maybe 3 or 4 nights. Nothing, no word for 2 years. Then the Live Nation teases, and the speculation of a Blackbird event which would have been underwhelming to say the least (for me). Now this. MSG in THE City. Finally, it's really going to happen! I'm going to take off work and fly a long way and get gouged on a ticket to be there. The boys are going to bring it hard on 3/10. I think it's going to be a very emotional and magical night.

I like the name The Brothers. As far as I'm concerned, they could call themselves the Allman Brothers Band. I've got no hang-ups about that kind of stuff. The most recent lineup of the ABB embodied the spirit and style of the original founders. They have been nothing but reverent. They have held themselves to the highest standards from all my experiences with them. The founders created an innovative, one-of-a-kind fusion band sound that has endured for many decades despite who was sitting in what chair. What luck to have Derek step in when Jack had to step away. What luck to have Warren come home to be the defacto bandleader. Forever grateful.

I don't recall who once drew the analogy to the Count Basie Orchestra, but boy that really nailed it. Count's been gone for over 30 years, the players have obviously changed many times since the 30's when he put the original band together, but they are still out there today as the Count Basie Orchestra and they are just excellent. They've got the sound, style, and swing. It's the Basie Way, as they call it. And they honor the man by still calling themselves "his" orchestra long after he's gone. That's the way I see it.

Is it March yet?! I can barely sit still I am so excited!

1989-2014
Us older,long time fans benefitted and loved these
added years-an unexpected and long encore of sorts.
Newer fans had a chance to live the ALLMAN BROTHERS BAND!
Without Warren and Derek,throughout most of those years,all the fans
who loved those encores would likely not have had an ABB.
We trusted those years and the music to Warren and Derek.
Can’t go wrong by trusting them to do the best music now.
No,without Gregg,it’s not the Allman Brothers.
But it’s pretty darn great musicians out there to do the music in the most competent,respectful and righteous ways.
They’ve earned that right.

I edited out my Debbie Downer/Negative Nancy thoughts. Grab a smile however you can.

[Edited on 1/9/2020 by Fretsman]

Okay when Warren Haynes is singing Blue Sky and adding clear Dickey licks to some of his Blue Sky or Jessica solo, maybe he isn't "pretending" to be Dickey but I guarantee you he is thinking about Dickey. And Gregg when he sings Statesboro Blues ABB style and Derek thinks about Duane Allman every time he playes slide on Statesboro Blues. Everytime.

So you are capable of guaranteeing what someone is thinking? Is it just what Warren and Derek are thinking that you can guarantee or can you guarantee what other people are thinking as well? Because if you can teach me this skill I would like to learn it. Would probably cut down on a lot of arguments with my wife. lol.

Goodness, you are entertaining. I'll give you that. What do you think the sales might be of a copy of this thread?

Heh Heh...

[Edited on 1/8/2020 by Lee]

Of course Warren thinks about Dickey when he sings and plays Blue Sky in the Allman Brothers Band. Warren is singing instead of the person in The Allman Brothers who sang it on the record, wrote the song and played lead guitar on the second solo. After Dickey wasn't in the band everytime I heard Warten play Dickey's solos on Blue Sky and Jessica, Warren would tip his hat to Dickey by adding a few Dickey licks to his solo to make it clear he is thinking about Dickey. Likewise when Derek or Warren open Statesboro Blues using the Allman Brothers arrangement, how it sounds on Fillmore East, Derek or Warren or when it was Jack Pearson, HAVE to be thinking about Duane originating those familiar slide licks on the opening of Statesboro Blues. They know they are recreating what Duane Allman originally did just like Harvey Beergut singing Heartbreak Hotel in a bar with a Karaoke machine will be thinking about Elvis Presley.

I don't know if Gregg thought about Blind Willie McTell everytime he sang Statesboro Blues because the ABB had their own arrangement. He may have thought about Taj Mahal.

But when you are in The Rolling Stones and you are singing Honky Tonk Women because Mick Jagger can't make the gig or is no longer in the band, you are going to think about Mick.

That is why Butch wanted the band to stop playing Dickey's songs. He was pissed so badly at Dickey he didnt want to think about Dickey and Butch would the moment they began playing Jessica.

Hope they play Southbound as good as this.

This is the hottest live version of Southbound I've heard. It SMOKES!!!

Hope they play Southbound as good as this.

This is the hottest live version of Southbound I've heard. It SMOKES!!!

I agree!
Dickey's solo after Chucks is amazing

[Edited on 1/9/2020 by masbama]

Skydog32103. Yes when you are performing the parts of songs created by someone else in the same band, that artist is in the back of your mind. And when Derek and Warren add some licks that are dead Dickey or Duane licks, licks Derek and Warren didn't play when they were playing next to Dickey, they are not only thinking about Dickey, they want you to think about Dickey too. When you hear the Allman Brothers without Dickey play Blue Sky or Jessica, don't you think about Dickey?

I've been listening to Mountain Jam for 50 years and during the melody I think about Donavon. Maybe just a fleeting second I think about Donavon singing the melody I'm hearing. I heard Warren tease Norwegian Wood a few times. Believe the last was a Mule Show, and I thought about the Beatles and I bet Warren did too. How could he possibly tease that song and somewhere in his mind he is thinking... Beatles?

[Edited on 1/9/2020 by blackey]

Man, when did this site get so .....whatever the hell yall are talking about...
I hope those of you going to this concert of great musicians on March 10th in NYC are as excited as I am. Being it's midtown and not up near 74th, we're still hoping to catch up with some of the good folks from all the years of the past. And to curveball this wacky thread, I curiously wait to hear where everyone ends up on the night before (the 9th) and after the show
We're flying in from Nashville on the 9th it looks like, see yall then.

We are talking Allman Brothers and kind of deep cuts.

Some here apparently are only exposed to just the last 5 to 10 years of the ABB and one album, Hitting The Note. I go back to January 1970 and the first album I bought was Idlewild South. Then Fillmore East, then the first album, then Eat A Peach and on and on. Bought them all.

Maybe some here are actually more Derek and Warren playing together fans than Allman Brothers fans and the band before 2002 is like a different band to you and it's just a coincidence the name is the same.

All POVs are clearly known by now, why not pivot things toward music
GREAT Southbound alright - it, Jessica, HFalls never did overly hit me live after this era, Chuck’s piano was such a big part of it

I won’t be there so take it w/a grain of salt
.....but hopefully they’ll touch on each era - a quick COIMyKitchen>Old Friend acoustic set for instance - mayb Warren could improv his Nobody Knows solo into a jam along the way, it’s my favorite ABB studio song ever - I thought Oteil sang 7 Turns really well, maybe he could Just Ain’t Easy as an ode to that era - a fine mention of Mr. Allen Woody would be so good.....of course the possibilities are endless

You know there will be an appreciable nod along the way to the O-6 - heck the band always had their images up there in the background during NOLTRunWith at the Beacon

It’s all about the love for The Allman Brothers Band

[Edited on 1/9/2020 by Stephen]

.....and the bottom line is that Derek Trucks and Warren Haynes love the Allman Brothers music so much that they learned it to a depth that no one on this website ever did. They got recognized by Gregg Allman and Dickey Betts and Butch Trucks and Jaimoe as guitarists who should be in the Allman Brothers.

Thus, they are the right guys to lead a tribute to the Allman Brothers. Obviously.

The clear fact that they know that they are not THE Allman Brothers is broadcasted by the clear fact that they are not billing themselves as The Allman Brothers. People who can read English can see this.

We are left with the fact that an evening of tribute to the music of the Allman Brothers is being led by the exact right people who should lead an evening of tribute to the music of the Allman Brothers.

.....and the bottom line is that Derek Trucks and Warren Haynes love the Allman Brothers music so much that they learned it to a depth that no one on this website ever did. They got recognized by Gregg Allman and Dickey Betts and Butch Trucks and Jaimoe as guitarists who should be in the Allman Brothers.

Thus, they are the right guys to lead a tribute to the Allman Brothers. Obviously.

The clear fact that they know that they are not THE Allman Brothers is broadcasted by the clear fact that they are not billing themselves as The Allman Brothers. People who can read English can see this.

We are left with the fact that an evening of tribute to the music of the Allman Brothers is being led by the exact right people who should lead an evening of tribute to the music of the Allman Brothers.

Well stated Jim. As someone else mentioned The Dead did pretty much the same thing name-wise after Jerry's passing, no?

If I can afford it I will go. And regarding the prices, I don't think they are all that bad. We have to consider that this is in New York and there are a lot of musicians that have to get paid, right? And I would assume their travel and accommodations need to be covered as well. That can't be cheap.

The thing about the prices that does get me though are the fees. I looked up a few tickets and one of them had fees of almost $60! For an Eticket. My God I live in Chicago and could see two or three shows for the "convenience" charges alone.

Oh well. Still might try to swing it.

[Edited on 1/9/2020 by Lee]

.....and the bottom line is that Derek Trucks and Warren Haynes love the Allman Brothers music so much that they learned it to a depth that no one on this website ever did. They got recognized by Gregg Allman and Dickey Betts and Butch Trucks and Jaimoe as guitarists who should be in the Allman Brothers.

Thus, they are the right guys to lead a tribute to the Allman Brothers. Obviously.

The clear fact that they know that they are not THE Allman Brothers is broadcasted by the clear fact that they are not billing themselves as The Allman Brothers. People who can read English can see this.

We are left with the fact that an evening of tribute to the music of the Allman Brothers is being led by the exact right people who should lead an evening of tribute to the music of the Allman Brothers.

Well stated Jim. As someone else mentioned The Dead did pretty much the same thing name-wise after Jerry's passing, no?

If I can afford it I will go. And regarding the prices, I don't think they are all that bad. We have to consider that this is in New York and there are a lot of musicians that have to get paid, right? And I would assume their travel and accommodations need to be covered as well. That can't be cheap.

The thing about the prices that does get me though are the fees. I looked up a few tickets and one of them had fees of almost $60! For an Eticket. My God I live in Chicago and could see two or three shows for the "convenience" charges alone.

Oh well. Still might try to swing it.

[Edited on 1/9/2020 by Lee]

Hopefully you can make it Lee. There are cheap flight prices to NYC from Chicago. If fact, I am sitting at LaGuardia right now waiting for my flight to Chicago to catch Buddy Guy and Kingfish at Buddy Guy’s Legends the next couple of nights.

Regarding this debate about who is an Allman Brother and who is not, it is much ado about nothing. I think the original band was probably the best version but I was a little too young to have seen them. My first show was 1979 at the Capitol, which I just viewed on YouTube the other day when I was at the gym. Pretty much saw every tour when they performed in NYC since then.

Warren and Derek were key members to me as was Chuck Levall. I am excited about the tribute and will attempt to upgrade my seat as the show approaches, So Lee if you make it and are looking for a cheap ticket, drop me a line.

Skydog32103. Yes when you are performing the parts of songs created by someone else in the same band, that artist is in the back of your mind.

I've played a lot of this music in bands over the years, and if you're thinking at all, you're not going to play well. The greats clear their minds and let the music flow.

[Edited on 1/9/2020 by porkchopbob]

What is really krazy is that brother Dickey has said the Haynes /Woody lineup was the best since the "Fillmore" days, and that Derek plays his best slide when he plays slide like Duane. Go figure.

But that's just that guys opinion....

Hope everyone who attends the show has a blast.

Skydog32103. Yes when you are performing the parts of songs created by someone else in the same band, that artist is in the back of your mind.

I've played a lot of this music in bands over the years, and if you're thinking at all, you're not going to play well. The greats clear their minds and let the music flow.

[Edited on 1/9/2020 by porkchopbob]

I have no clue what anyone is thinking when they play guitar.
To base what I believe are their thoughts based on my thoughts is absurd.
Just because I think a certain way doesn’t guarantee that someone else is thinking the same way.
I tend to just focus on what I’m doing when I play and when I get into it and it’s working(rarely) I just let it flow-I’m too absorbed to be thinking anything.
To suggest that Warren and Derek are thinking of....anything that we can guess...is nuts. Blackey,you seem nice enough but,How the heck do you know what they are thinking? Mind meld? Do you read minds?
Nutty.
Just stop this craziness and enjoy the music.
And no,I am not new to the Allmans-got on the bus in ‘71-but nonetheless I’m grateful to Warren and Derek and all they’ve done to keep the music alive.

The MSG presale seems to be moving right along, FYI

Skydog32103. Yes when you are performing the parts of songs created by someone else in the same band, that artist is in the back of your mind.

I've played a lot of this music in bands over the years, and if you're thinking at all, you're not going to play well. The greats clear their minds and let the music flow.

I used to think this, too, but there are so many interviews where these musicians - and pretty much every musician ever - has explained this. I might think about Duane or Butch or Derek when I'm listening to these songs, but that's not how it works when you're playing them onstage. When you're onstage, you're listening to the people you're playing with and that's pretty much it. That's the only thing that works.

Some here apparently are only exposed to just the last 5 to 10 years of the ABB and one album, Hitting The Note.

I doubt that's true of one single person here. If you're an Allman Brothers fan and you're on this site - especially now, with the band over for years - chances are 99.99% or more that you've heard things from all eras of the band, especially the Duane era. That's almost everyone's favorite. Everyone agrees you're a big fan and you're welcome to your own opinions, but this is getting sillier by the minute.

I just want to say how disappointed I am with the band for not offering fan presales and not allocating any floor seats to the presales they do have (with the exception of the front row and platinum packages). I only want 1 seat damnit.

The MSG presale seems to be moving right along, FYI

Surprised and disappointed how little / few tickets were made available today for this round of pre sales. Starting to think my over priced purchases of Tuesday were a good thing ......

Whoops, I posted my first reply in the wrong thread(it has been awhile since I have been here) Any way I will be there and will have a GREAT time as I have had every time I have seen the ABB in every incarnation since 1971. The original lineup was so special because they were a fusion band of jazz, blues, country, swing et all with rock instruments. The first time I saw them was before LATFE had come out. There was a Confederate flag hung in front of the B3 and then this muscular man with a huge Afro came out and sat on the drum kit behind it. I was only 17 but I thought to myself " this is going to be different" and OMG they brought the house down.
So just be thankful that we can hear it live one more time. And if you see the old guy with his 2001 twin towers shirt on say hello.

Skydog32103. Yes when you are performing the parts of songs created by someone else in the same band, that artist is in the back of your mind.

I've played a lot of this music in bands over the years, and if you're thinking at all, you're not going to play well. The greats clear their minds and let the music flow.

I used to think this, too, but there are so many interviews where these musicians - and pretty much every musician ever - has explained this. I might think about Duane or Butch or Derek when I'm listening to these songs, but that's not how it works when you're playing them onstage. When you're onstage, you're listening to the people you're playing with and that's pretty much it. That's the only thing that works.

Some here apparently are only exposed to just the last 5 to 10 years of the ABB and one album, Hitting The Note.

I doubt that's true of one single person here. If you're an Allman Brothers fan and you're on this site - especially now, with the band over for years - chances are 99.99% or more that you've heard things from all eras of the band, especially the Duane era. That's almost everyone's favorite. Everyone agrees you're a big fan and you're welcome to your own opinions, but this is getting sillier by the minute.

Both my 2 oldest brothers saw Duane era multiple times. Neither of them feel the way that poster does and my oldest brother absolutely loves the Warren Derek lineup as much as any era. This fantasy about one guy thinking he speaks for everyone who saw the originals is just that, a fantasy.

When the 1989 to 1997 lineup played Soulshine I just know Gregg and Dickey were aware they were playing a Warren Haynes song. Warren was in the back of their mind.

But I get what many are saying. We should be happy the band is playing one more show.

I imagine the guys will try hard to bring their A games to this.

But we also need to remember this is not really the Allman Brothers Band. They are not even calling it The Allman Brothers. Probably because Duane and now Gregg too is gone. Just as The Dead didn't want to use the official name of their band after Jerry died.

It's going to be very noticeable not hearing Gregg sing the songs he always sung. If I were them I would go heavy on instrumental songs. Open with a 30 minute Mountain Jam then sequel into Statesboro and let Warren sing that then Blue Sky with Warren or Chuck singing and move to a long Elizabeth Reed. By then we would be way over an hour in, maybe two, and the guys on the stage will have all of us in the zone because they can PLAY this music we love REAL GOOD. The singing may be what is distracting from the vibe. When Warren sings Same Thing and Hoochie Coochie it WILL sound right and probably Soulshine. Chuck can sing Ramblin Man. Otiel sings Seven Turns and Marc sings Gregg's lead on that and maybe Duane Trucks sings Dimples then we have a 3 hour show and everyone is way happy and twirling and what they do to get to the 4 hour mark will be icing on the cake.

[Edited on 1/9/2020 by blackey]

[Edited on 1/9/2020 by blackey]