With stopping points in such landmark bands as The Allman Brothers and Dead & Company, and cult ensembles like Col. Bruce Hampton and the Aquarium Rescue Unit and Tedeschi Trucks Band, Oteil Burbridge has had the platforms to showcase his highly innovative style as a groove god, chordal master, fearless improvisor, and straight-to-the-heart communicator on 6-string bass. Not to mention his gifts as a composer, arranger, vocalist, bandleader, and solo artist. Bass Magazine's Chris Jisi sat down with Oteil at the rehearsal for The Brothers, the Allman Brothers sold-out, two-night reunion at Madison Square Garden to discuss his career and playing style, past, present, and future.
Once Butch Trucks posted here and said in an interview around 2006 or so that Otiel technically was the best musician ever in the ABB including himself.
I imagine that may be true. Butch should know being a fine musician himself during his lifetime.
With all due respect to Otiel and his ability and knowledge, for that classic Allman Brothers Band sound and their best songs ( and 90 percent of them are 1969 to 1973 ) I like Berry Oakley the best.
Berry is even on Ramblin' Man and Waisted Words on Brothers and Sisters. Lamar Williams is on the rest.
Jaimoe wanted Lamar Williams in the ABB after Oakley died but Gregg and Dickey had a few players to try out. Lamar played last with the band and after a few songs Jaimoe said Butch spoke up and said " Enough of the auditions, let's start rehearsing".
Jaimoe said Gregg and Dickey didn't say anything and they began rehearsing and that was the nicest thing Butch Trucks ever did for him. Butch nailed down the gig for Lamar.
That was in late 1972 not long after Berry Oakley died and they hired Chuck Leavell to be the 6th member.
I was recently reading about the ups and downs and changes in the Eagles over the years including deciding to never play together again to some years later getting back together.
I guess Senator Alan Cranston played a key role in getting Don Felder kicked out of the Eagles. Leave it up to a politician:)
No the Senator didn't know he was the reason Glen Fry and Felder almost traded blows on stage in front of the audience.
Joe Walsh said when you have that happening on stage in front of your fans, you have a band which is in serious trouble!!!;