I have no idea what the logic behind this release was. Dickey wanted it? if so, why? was it to be his last gift to his fans? I really don't get it

I have no idea what the logic behind this release was. Dickey wanted it? if so, why? was it to be his last gift to his fans? I really don't get it

If I had to guess, maybe some money and exposure for his band mates.

No Dickey said he left retirement after Gregg died because people came to him offering the best money to play he had received in a good while. Then he was approached with good money to do this release.

Now he may had some of his Great Southern mates in mind who hadn't had a good paying gig as far as I know since Dickey retired in 2014. Dickey of course had a light stroke then fell hitting his head requiring brain surgery. So Dickey is retired again. And it may stay that way. Dickey said recently when asked about the Allman Betts Band that he may stay retired this time because he believes he just doesn't put on as good a show as he did some years ago.

That was odd to say just ahead of this release. But Dickey is right. He doesn't and wasn't when he retired in 2014 IMO.

I had to shut it off... sorry, Dickey. Just couldn't bear any more.

That was hard to listen to for many reasons 🙁

Uh..wow....Not sure what to say....

Turn it off,don't watch it.He wanted to and did it,end of story.None of us have a dog in the race.Been wanting to see Betts and talk a spell for quite some time since his stroke's and surgery.So when in Sarasota last week i went by,and glad i did.We sat and jawwed for maybe an hour.Told me how since the strokes,and how they happened/where etc,how his right arm and hand tingle a lot.Kinda like the feelin when ya wake up after you've been sleepin on your side/arm.He's still sharp as a tack mentally though!Was a very good visit.And i thank my FATHER in heaven i had the chance to do so.

[Edited on 7/3/2019 by LUKE]

Darn right Luke....

Tough to watch and like a lot of people here, I have to wonder why this was released....

I was at the Beacon show. I won't watch this release. It was good to give tribute to Dickey in person, is the best I can muster as a positive. What made me upset a little at the time wasn't that Dickey came out to play obviously badly unrehearsed and unfocused. What made me upset is that probably he was talked into, prodded, motivated by money offer, told he was great by shysters, stroked by people with personal agendas, etc etc. And he is a person who appears to have alcohol issues. So scheduling a Dickey show at the illustrious Beacon without hearing a rehearsed focused Dickey is just out of this world money grab stuff. There are such users of people out there. I was shocked his son was a part of it in retrospect, a buy in of sorts.

So THIS release is probably rights he signed off to on when shows were scheduled. Done by sharks out to milk the last couple hundred bucks they can. Weird. Sorry on blunt. It is nonsense and can't believe Dickey really wants this.

What made me upset is that probably he was talked into, prodded, motivated by money offer, told he was great by shysters, stroked by people with personal agendas, etc etc.

This is a lot of conjecture. Do you really know who Dickey surrounds himself with? I'd be careful of making presumptions about his son, Duane appears very protective of his father.

I think everyone is taking this a little too seriously. Dickey felt like getting back on stage, back on the road. His return to Macon with Jaimoe, the Beacon, and appearance at The Peach were all nice moments even if they weren't musically tight. Fans had been asking for it since he retired in 2014. The shows weren't legendary, but fans got one more ride. Doesn't change anything, no one remembers Joe Namath getting tossed around in a Rams jersey. I'm surprised they went to the trouble of releasing an album from this run, but if it's a pay day for Mike Kach, Pedro, et al, it can't be all bad.

Here is the case of an aged musical hero on his final ride into the sunset. His voice is weaker, his playing a little sloppy, but I enjoyed it. It isn't Mr. Betts in his hey day, but it IS Mr. Betts "doing the best he can" and I'm totally fine with that.

In today's world this isn't a big money maker, It's just a piece of a man who gave a lifetime to his music and to his fans.

There are people who I've loved and admired my whole life who I've shared a parallel universe with sharing rooms and fields sporadically. I wish I could see Tom Seaver pitch another inning or two while I gave him a standing ovation walking off even if he gave up a ton of runs while doing it. To see the man on the mound and share a moment is what I'd focus on. This was Dickey on that mound, I was there at the St. George and know what I saw, what moment in time it is for both of us, and I loved it. I will be getting this the day it's out. For those who don't appreciate it, don't get it. As far as myself I can see the Forrest through the trees.

God Bless Forrest Richard Betts.

As far as myself I can see the Forrest through the trees.

God Bless Forrest Richard Betts.

In today's world this isn't a big money maker, It's just a piece of a man who gave a lifetime to his music and to his fans.

Exactly, it's not like (live) albums are as expensive to produce or as lucrative as they once were. It's there for anyone who wants it and shouldn't bother those who don't.

I'm just thrilled that Dickey is better and still doing what he loves. I've been following Brothers since 69 ….I ain't perfect all the time either....lol

It does have to do with money to a degree. Dickey DID say when he was getting calls to respond to Gregg Allman's death, he soon began offered through his manager to come out of retirement and play some shows as one of two surviving originial Allman Brothers members for the best money he had been offered in the several last years of Great Southern.

Dickey is a multimillionaire 40 times over. It is a fact that Dickey made more money than any of the members of the band. Last stats I saw when Gregg died was Dickey 40 million, Gregg 20 million, Warren 15 million, Jaimoe 2 million and Butch 0. So Dickey doesn't need to money. Apparently it was maybe his ego? Getting a good paying tour for the Great Southern band? To pay tribute to Gregg because Dickey wanted to play some Gregg songs?

Whatever the reason, Dickey wasn't ready for this tour and I doubt he can ever play again at the level we want to see.. Probably a combination of his age, past hard living life style and current medical experience. Dickey's timing and focus, singing, guitar playing and energy is off and not up to the playing standard one would expect from a major artist who played such a critical part of the sound and success of a famous band. I didn't enjoy seeing the last show I saw from B B King. He had to sit and his singing, playing and energy were diminished too. It was a trill to see such an icon playing past 80 but it was also sad.

I don't want to play a live DVD of B B King in his last years. I have a video of Dickey playing Ramblin' Man with the ABB in 1999 in Las Vegas when Derek first joined the band which is absolutely excellent. I'll watch that not this. Also if you want to hear an excellent version of Ramblin' Man live..play the version on Wipe the Windows, Dollar Gas. It's on YouTube. Not only does Dickey absolutely knock it out of the park singing and playing with a LONG solo at the end, Gregg, Chuck, Lamar, Jaimoe and Butch are flat smoking. This version is 5 stars plus. This album also has an incredible live version of Southbound. I would put the 1973 Chuck/Lamar version up against any ABB lineup except the 1970-71 originial band and win.

TY Blackey, I do know the quote you refer to about Dickey explaining taking the gig(s) for $$$ offer. Porchopbob probably didn't read that. Conjecture my tail. Luke the defender also applies. Taking away the brotherhood aspect, it was a hollow rip off attempt. Dickey DID NOT convey love for the crowd or the history. He was indifferent at best. The music was atrocious.

I could tell a story but I will only partially. Shared a Beacon elevator after the show with an ex ABB affiliate. They were backstage at the show. They were so, so upset they couldn't contain. And it was due to what I won't elaborate on, as I do not know validity personally.

Luke, Betts "one last ride" was great, but charging high NYC Beacon prices for Orchestra for an unrehearsed mishmash of garble? Ain't my brotherhood. I love Dickey, but this mess was a grand mistake. And who will pull this gem out of their library to watch?

Porkchop, your comments are insulting. Taking too seriously? A couple grand into a NYC trip is worth an honest take on it. I effin earned that my friend. Brotherhood is good and bad. If it is just "stroking", heck with that stuff.

Porkchop, your comments are insulting. Taking too seriously? A couple grand into a NYC trip is worth an honest take on it.

I know some people who really enjoyed some of the shows for what it was, clams and all. We're talking about a live album, not your expense report for you NYC trip. Next time get tickets to the St George instead of the Beacon, it's cheaper. So yeah, unless you or blackey have some legit information and not just elevator gossip or reading between the lines from the same interviews we've all read, don't take it so seriously and personally. Even Dickey agreed it wasn't the show he used to put on and he won't likely return to the road, so don't buy the album.

I'm really digging the new Allman Betts Band album and the show I saw recently was really good. That band is playing really well and clearly have gelled and are having fun.

I may buy this DVD to support Dickey but I actually doubt Dickey was unrehearsed for last years tour and the Beacon. It was just simply the best Dickey could do. The last show over on Staton Island was the best of the tour for Dickey. Dickey was bringing it a little at that show. I'm sure Dickey and the band were disappointed and surprised Dickey just couldn't get it together. The shows were booked so they had to do them. Apparently Dickey's manager and the people ready to pay big money to book these shows thought Dickey could still leave a trail of smoke on the stage. Apparently Dickey even thought he could do better. He said in a mid tour interview he was like Tiger Woods after several years of no golf. He said he was just trying to get his singing and playing together where he could score par. Apparently the people who dangled good money to get Dickey out of retirement because Gregg died thought Dickey could still play like he was golfing in the Masters not trying just to make par.

I'll buy this to support Dickey Betts who's guitar playing and style and originial songs are so part of my life's experience and happy times. Becoming a fan in early 1970 of the Allman Brothers was the biggest thing that happened to me musically and all these years later Dickey Betts is still a huge part of what happened to me musically and here in 2019 I still play the ABB with Dickey in the lineup more than any other music.

Dickey had slipped some the last few years Great Southern was together. I think Dickey thought he could eventually bounce back close to Allman Brothers playing but he just couldn't do it. Age, hard living life style and perhaps medical things have caught up with him. Dickey's legacy is secure. Dickey Betts is huge to the ABB legacy. When you think about Jessica, Blue Sky, Liz Reed etc, Dickey may have been the band's best song writer. Certainly as good as Gregg and better than Warren to me. And his guitar playing on many of their albums is unique and Dickey has his own style and he played things on ABB albums that were pure magic and so uplifting. Dickey was as good as Duane, Warren and Derek just different. Listen to Dickey's solo on One Way Out on Eat A Peach. The tone, energy and attack. Nobody who has ever been in the ABB plays like that. Jimmy Herring said it's one of his all time favorite electric guitar solos. That its killer.

Dickey Betts is huge to the ABB legacy. When you think about Jessica, Blue Sky, Liz Reed etc, Dickey may have been the band's best song writer

Dickey was the backbone of the ABB. If he had vanished from the band early on the story would have ended right there.

Dickey Betts is huge to the ABB legacy. When you think about Jessica, Blue Sky, Liz Reed etc, Dickey may have been the band's best song writer

Dickey was the backbone of the ABB. If he had vanished from the band early on the story would have ended right there.

Well Said brer rabbit....

Dickey Betts is huge to the ABB legacy. When you think about Jessica, Blue Sky, Liz Reed etc, Dickey may have been the band's best song writer

Dickey was the backbone of the ABB. If he had vanished from the band early on the story would have ended right there.

i had the math posted on here at some point but if i remember after duane died until betts was no longer in the band in 2000 he wrote/co-wrote almost 80% of the songs

“ don't want to play a live DVD of B B King in his last years. I have a video of Dickey playing Ramblin' Man with the ABB in 1999 in Las Vegas when Derek first joined the band which is absolutely excellent. I'll watch that not this. Also if you want to hear an excellent version of Ramblin' Man live..play the version on Wipe the Windows, Dollar Gas. It's on YouTube. Not only does Dickey absolutely knock it out of the park singing and playing with a LONG solo at the end, Gregg, Chuck, Lamar, Jaimoe and Butch are flat smoking. This version is 5 stars plus. This album also has an incredible live version of Southbound. I would put the 1973 Chuck/Lamar version up against any ABB lineup except the 1970-71 originial band.”

I’m with you. Dickey’s solo takes it to where he’s never been. Arguably the most important Brother.

We love Dickey.
Happy 5th!!
Griff!

I've been a Dickey fan since I fell in love the ABB back in the early 90s. I was very vocal back in 2000 about how upset I was about the split... that said, I saw Dickey back in 2006/7 in Charlotte and about 30 seconds into the encore (Ramblin' Man) Dickey stopped and made the band start over.

It was beyond strange and I knew then that the magic was gone.

I hate seeing my music heroes go on stage way past their prime. I read the stories of B.B. King dealing with dementia on stage. Not a way to be remembered. As much as I love the Dead, I won't spend $100/ticket to see them play at such a slower beat. Go on YouTube and see for yourself. You'll have to speed up the video to 1.25 for the tunes to sound like you're not trying to go to sleep.

---

I thought Dickey might be in financial trouble, but if he really has $40M+, why in the hell would he want to do that? Unless this is all he knows and at that age, it's more of a routine/comfort thing.

Hi Chris. Yes Dickey is worth 40 million. Somehow Dickey made more money off the ABB than any TWO other members you could mention combined including Gregg.

I think the promoters and his manager saying the people want you back out there and go play some shows for Gregg and the money offered all made him feel good and he said he was bored and thought his career was over. When he quit in 2014 Dickey wasn't getting much action on the road anymore. But you are right about his playing. His age caught up with him sooner than B. B. King because of alcohol. But Gregg also was slipping and of course he was sick. Butch Trucks intimated in 2015 Gregg was still having drug problems but later indicated it was prescription drug abuse and pot. Butch also said Dickey was an alcoholic and drug addict and Gregg talking about missing Dickey and wanting to play with Dickey again wouldn't amount to anything at this stage in time.

One of the things that really burned Butch was a 1991 greatest hits CD that sold over 2 million copies. The ABB got nothing because it was all Capricorn songs. But Butch said Dickey and Gregg made millions because of all the writing credits they had on the damn thing and Butch said he got NOTHING. He complained he wrote the drum part of Liz Reed and Berry Oakley the bass intro for Whipping Post and everybody in the band actually wrote those songs because in the beginning all Dickey and Gregg had was some cords, melody line and some words but it needed to be shaped and completed.

Butch was posting regularly here then and someone posted "Did you talk to Duane about it" and Butch said he did but Duane said whoever came up with the originial idea was the song writer. Butch said he didn't want to rock the boat so he said no more while Duane was alive but he (Butch) contributed ideas for several songs and got nothing. Butch said Whipping post was a slow ballad when Gregg showed it to the band and he and Berry Oakey reworked that song to the point it wasn't what Gregg came up with. Now Gregg has said he didn't really like how they changed up his song.

Hi Chris. Yes Dickey is worth 40 million. Somehow Dickey made more money off the ABB than any TWO other members you could mention combined including Gregg.

I think the promoters and his manager saying the people want you back out there and go play some shows for Gregg and the money offered all made him feel good and he said he was bored and thought his career was over. When he quit in 2014 Dickey wasn't getting much action on the road anymore. But you are right about his playing. His age caught up with him sooner than B. B. King because of alcohol. But Gregg also was slipping and of course he was sick. Butch Trucks intimated in 2015 Gregg was still having drug problems but later indicated it was prescription drug abuse and pot. Butch also said Dickey was an alcoholic and drug addict and Gregg talking about missing Dickey and wanting to play with Dickey again wouldn't amount to anything at this stage in time.

One of the things that really burned Butch was a 1991 greatest hits CD that sold over 2 million copies. The ABB got nothing because it was all Capricorn songs. But Butch said Dickey and Gregg made millions because of all the writing credits they had on the damn thing and Butch said he got NOTHING. He complained he wrote the drum part of Liz Reed and Berry Oakley the bass intro for Whipping Post and everybody in the band actually wrote those songs because in the beginning all Dickey and Gregg had was some cords, melody line and some words but it needed to be shaped and completed.

Butch was posting regularly here then and someone posted "Did you talk to Duane about it" and Butch said he did but Duane said whoever came up with the originial idea was the song writer. Butch said he didn't want to rock the boat so he said no more while Duane was alive but he (Butch) contributed ideas for several songs and got nothing. Butch said Whipping post was a slow ballad when Gregg showed it to the band and he and Berry Oakey reworked that song to the point it wasn't what Gregg came up with. Now Gregg has said he didn't really like how they changed up his song.

"somehow" dickey made more? certainly writing 75% of the bands hits and radio staples would be the reason why. ramblin man, seven turns, jessica, revival, blue sky, crazy love. gregg has whipping post, dreams and midnight rider and what else?

That is a fact, Dickey could pen a tune and I doubt he'd allow it tweaked beyond what he wrote.
I'm not sure of the exact timeline of retirement, but he was touring in late 2014, Here's a clip from NYC in August.

Dickey's brother Joel was in bad shape and virtually on his deathbed. Dickey wasn't happy with his care so he brought him into his home, paid 8K weekly for his care, and made Joel's last days of his life as peaceful and comfortable as could be. Joel passed in March of 2015. In August of 2015 when I went down for the White Buffalo benefit for Mike Kach of Great Southern Dickey was still in mourning. Dickey deserves to ride out well.

gregg has whipping post, dreams and midnight rider and what else?

Every nontraditional or old blues song not written by Dickey. Gregg was the main songwriter for the for the first 3 records. Gregg was the ONLY ABB songwriter on the first record, Dickey kicked in Revival and IMOER on Idlewild South. Blue Sky and Les Brers on EAP

Every Hungry Woman
Black Hearted Woman
Don't Keep Me Wonderin
Leave My Blues At Home
Ain't Wastin Time No More
Standback
Melissa

[Edited on 7/5/2019 by BrerRabbit]

gregg has whipping post, dreams and midnight rider and what else?

Every nontraditional or old blues song not written by Dickey. Gregg was the main songwriter for the for the first 3 records. Gregg was the ONLY ABB songwriter on the first record, Dickey kicked in Revival and IMOER on Idlewild South. Blue Sky and Les Brers on EAP

Every Hungry Woman
Black Hearted Woman
Don't Keep Me Wonderin
Leave My Blues At Home
Ain't Wastin Time No More
Standback
Melissa

[Edited on 7/5/2019 by BrerRabbit]

the what else was talking about hits or radio staples. other than "melissa" i have never heard a single one of those tunes on the radio. thats why betts is worth more than greg and the rest of the band