I want to start out by saying that I absolutely love Dickey ! His guitar playing is what got me into the Allman Brothers !
That being said, I haven't seen him in about 8 years or so and that's because the 6 or so times before that I did see him weren't good shows. Was it booze, drugs, diminishing skills, or a combination ? I've seen the video of him playing with the TTB and to put it bluntly, he doesn't have the chops anymore to play like I'm sure he'd want to ! My past 12 - 15 years of Dickey performances would have me passing on this.
Long live the music !
If he isn't sober i will pass.
If he is truly dedicated to putting out the very best music he can, I am on board.
I am with joyful_noise on this, 100%. And if you've read the recent Rolling Stone Dickey interview (Issue 1301, 11-30-17), he is still drinking. The first line of the RS piece starts off, "Leaning forward on a couch in his home on the west coast of Florida, two cans of Budweiser in front of him......."
And later, "It's time to head to Betts' favorite local bar, Mad Moe's."
Until he's sober, I wouldn't rely on Dickey to walk out there and tear it up. That said, the last time I saw him, probably 6 or 7 years ago in San Francisco, he was pretty damn good. But I've heard too many pitiful tales and seen some pretty bad video in the last 10 years also.
I think the screwin' around should just stop. Someone with cahuna's should just simply say that anyone that goes to see Dickey Betts is just a flippin' fool. You are dumb. Throwing money out. Wasting time. Totally stupid to do it. Not observant and smart like some. Of low ethics!
These are not my thoughts. Helping the between the lines apparent vagueness. Bird for Clarity.
I have seen the latest rendition of Great Southern multiple times and love them. They have remained relatively together for the last 8 years. They swapped out James Vernando for Kenny Crowley a couple years back on 2nd drum alongside Frankie Lombardi, but the core has been steady. I saw Andy Aledort's first show (I think) with the band at Mexicali Live in Teaneck, NJ. I'm an Andy fan (I have about 10 of his How To DVD's)I remember him conversing often onstage with Duane Betts that night. Mike Kach has the toughest job singing Gregg's vocals and is an outstanding keyboard player in his own right. Pedro Arevalo brings it heavy on bass. Solid thumping and few bring it like Berry. He also sings the occasional Berry tunes, it's rare but nice if you're lucky Dickeys decide to squeak it in. The band has brought it professionally every night. They with Dickey of course have actually maintained more of the earthy ABB natural sound. Their criticism is unwarranted.
DB & GS IMOER 2014
I personally would love to see Mr. Betts with Great Southern or in any form that he would so choose. For a man in his 70's, He's still a stallion and better than a great percentage of todays guitarists who are in their prime. For most of the players in their prime have never written anything near the historical status that Mr. Betts has graced us with. That includes ALL guitarists that have played his songs ansd haven't. Hands down, uncontested fact. Dickey opens for no one unless it's a festival and at a time of his choosing. He's been the wealthiest of all brothers said to be in the 50 Million dollar man range. He doesn't need the money and for the last 10 years has done it out of love for the music and for the joy of the crowd. I'm appreciative. If he was to lose either one we'd never see our national treasure perform again.
I would be the joy in the crowd, I just hope he still has the love for the music.
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[Edited on 12/12/2017 by Fretsman]
I'd love to see it, and here's my pitch - Dickey with Gov't Mule + Duane Betts and Quinones. Reassemble most of the '87-'88 Dickey Betts Band - but assume he'll probably want 2 drummers and assume Duane will likely go out with him. Mule opens each night, then the expanded band set with Dickey giving you as much as he can and Duane with the Mule to fall back on.
At this point in their careers, Dickey should be opening for Mule.
You beat me to it Ron. Unless it was something out of respect, there's no way Mule should open for Dickey unless they did a two night thing where one plays first and the other night second. Mule can sell a lot more tickets than Dickey.
Everything in Moderation. Including Moderation.
How many 'fans' are going to be thrilled if the shows are ____?
No way does the man have a tour in him.
My take on it.... I was thrilled when I heard he was on stage with TTB a few years ago and then I kind of cringed watching it, I loved seeing him playing again but he seemed really rusty.... and I hoped that's all it was.
I hope if he does some shows that he's up to it... I'd love nothing more if he does and is!
I'd love to see it, and here's my pitch - Dickey with Gov't Mule + Duane Betts and Quinones. Reassemble most of the '87-'88 Dickey Betts Band - but assume he'll probably want 2 drummers and assume Duane will likely go out with him. Mule opens each night, then the expanded band set with Dickey giving you as much as he can and Duane with the Mule to fall back on.
At this point in their careers, Dickey should be opening for Mule.
You beat me to it Ron. Unless it was something out of respect, there's no way Mule should open for Dickey unless they did a two night thing where one plays first and the other night second. Mule can sell a lot more tickets than Dickey.
Obviously this is a hypothetical - but it's most likely a farewell tour for a legend. Of course the Mule are the vastly superior act and have been for at least 20 years, but this would be a final bow for one of the all-time greats, akin to when BB King would go on last at Clapton's Crossroads Festival or something. If Dickey comes out of retirement for what will most likely one last series of shows - he's not going to be the opener - regardless of who he goes out with or how well they play.
[Edited on 12/10/2017 by slothrop8]
I'd love to see it, and here's my pitch - Dickey with Gov't Mule + Duane Betts and Quinones. Reassemble most of the '87-'88 Dickey Betts Band - but assume he'll probably want 2 drummers and assume Duane will likely go out with him. Mule opens each night, then the expanded band set with Dickey giving you as much as he can and Duane with the Mule to fall back on.
At this point in their careers, Dickey should be opening for Mule.
You beat me to it Ron. Unless it was something out of respect, there's no way Mule should open for Dickey unless they did a two night thing where one plays first and the other night second. Mule can sell a lot more tickets than Dickey.
Obviously this is a hypothetical - but it's most likely a farewell tour for a legend. Of course the Mule are the vastly superior act and have been for at least 20 years, but this would be a final bow for one of the all-time greats, akin to when BB King would go on last at Clapton's Crossroads Festival or something. If Dickey comes out of retirement for what will most likely one last series of shows - he's not going to be the opener - regardless of who he goes out with or how well they play.
[Edited on 12/10/2017 by slothrop8]
I don't see Dickey playing with Warren or gov't mule, since despite what Warren says in interviews he and Dickey really do not like each other or get along, and it has been this way for decades.
I also do not think that Dickey would play with Jaimoe but you never know what will happen.
[Edited on 12/12/2017 by The_Newt]
I'll be waiting with bells on at the Viking for Dickie to join Andy Aledort and friends for an unannounced visit. Maybe even make the trip into the Beacon if that's in the mix for a tour stop. The Viking would be epic.
Be safe.
“Ramblin’ Man,” “Jessica” and “Blue Sky” singer, songwriter and guitar great has spent past three years in retirement at his Sarasota County home.
SARASOTA COUNTY — The Allman Brothers Band that Dickey Betts propelled to pop stardom with his song “Ramblin’ Man” played its final shows in October of 2014. Soon after, the singer-guitarist also responsible for writing the classics “Jessica,” “Blue Sky” and “In Memory of Elizabeth Reed” decided to retire from his own, separate touring career following a hometown performance at Robarts Arena.
Three years later, on Tuesday, his 74th birthday, Betts announced he’s returning to the road. Described by his longtime manager David Spero “as a birthday present to himself” the rock icon has decided “to go out and play a select group of dates.” An email blast has been sent to concert promoters to see what options are available.
“Everywhere I go fans keep saying they want me to get out and play again,” Betts said from his Sarasota County home. “I think the time is right.”
Raised in Manatee County and a resident of Sarasota County in recent years, Betts split with the Allman Brothers Band in 2000 after a ’90s comeback that found the group releasing several acclaimed new studio albums, winning a Grammy for a live performance of “Jessica,” and being inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.
Betts would spend the next 14 years mostly touring as Dickey Betts & Great Southern with a first-rate roster of musicians including Betts’ son, Duane Betts, sharing lead guitar duties with him. During that period, Betts only performed his own originals or the blues songs he helped arrange during his years with the Allman Brothers Band.
Before Gregg Allman died May 27, he and Betts rekindled their friendship that dates back to when the two men were among the six founding members of the Allman Brothers Band.
“I’m so glad I was able to have a couple good talks with him before he passed,” Betts said in a statement posted the day Allman died. “In fact I was about to call him to check and see how he was when I got the call. It’s a very sad thing. I, along with the entire Great Southern family, pass along my deepest sympathies to Gregg’s family, friends, and fans.”
The 2018 concert dates will feature Betts peppering his setlists with songs written by Allman, whose credits include “Midnight Rider,” “Melissa” and “Whipping Post.” The 23-minute live version of “Whipping Post” from the Allman Brothers Band’s masterful, breakthrough album “At Fillmore East” famously features the dual lead guitar playing of Betts and Duane Allman.
“I think the fans deserve to hear a few of Gregg’s song as well, so I’m pulling out some classics,” Betts said.
Gregg’s older sibling, Duane Allman died in a motorcycle crash in 1971 and then bassist Berry Oakley met the same tragic fate about a year later. Drummer Butch Trucks died earlier this year.
Betts and drummer Jai Johanny “Jaimoe” Johanson are the only surviving members of the original Allman Brothers Band, which pioneered the Southern rock movement with an inspired blend of rock and blues, informed by country and jazz.
“We really gave this a lot of thought as to how and what the show will be,” Spero said. “Even I can’t wait to see it.”
The Dickey Betts Band that will hit the road in 2018 will consist of Dickey and son Duane sharing lead guitar duties.
“Dickey is talking to some of the guys he has played with,” Spero said. “We should know in a couple of weeks who will comprise the band.”
I don't really want to get into this Mule/TTB debate vis-a-vis Dickey's new band. But if Dickey does go out with another band that is a larger draw than Dickey's band, they could use the Jimmy Herring/John McLaughlin tour as a template of how to feature both bands separately and together. Dickey plays a set. The 'bigger' band plays a set. Then Dickey (and his band) comes out and plays with the 'bigger' band and they play a full set together. That might also be a good way to showcase Dickey on some of Gregg's songs.
Just thinking aloud....
