If anyone has a copy of this show I need to hear it. I would gladly trade phish, grateful dead or other shows that I have. email me at rms3 at wustl dot edu.

Great review – you captured it perfectly.

Last time I saw Trey was with the ABB. He came out center stage between Warren and Derek. It quicly became apparent he couldn’t keep up & deliver the goods. A few months later, Trey was busted.

What a joy to see him and Page McConnell back onstage. First Page came out and was introduced, but from the back of the orchestra I could not tell who had sat down next to Greg. Then I scan right and see Trey putting on his guitar. I knew who was present. I didn’t expect to hear Southbound because the brothers closed a show with it recently. It is a great song for passing off solos and picked the crowd up for some dancing, too.

(The new Beacon is tougher for dancing. The seats seem tighter, they are not piping the music into the halls & stairwells, and the ushers are serious about clear aisles.)

The second set I know You Rider opener was a surprise, and Warren did a great job orchestrating the line up. As his role with Dead attests, plus the Black Jerry tee, Warren knows this music. Oteil even dropped a few bombs near the end, but I like it best when the ABB plays ABB music.

So when they started up In Memory of ELizabeth Reed I was stoked. It is classic ABB psychedelic music – ebbing and flowing and cresting. During this song, the group onstage really gelled. Page played some great keyboards. He is a melodic player and reminds me of Hornsby, (who challenged Garcia to play from his core in later years.) Warren , Derek, and Trey each took solos, and Oteil got a little break from the endless 12 note scale pattern. During Trey’s solo, he was patient and built it up to something special that even Warren had to acknowledge. Page and Trey could learn a thing or two from the ABB, who have benn doing this for forty years. Phish could too – if Trey keeps his ***** together.

Then bam into Dreams > Jessica > Drums / Bass ( I love the way Derek stays out there with Oteill to back him up) back into Jessica. Then I “Woke Up this Morning had the STATESBORO BLUES” the whol crowd was singing.

What show! They rock. I’ll be back soon, ya’ll. Peace

The Allman Brothers Band at The Beacon, March 12, 2009

Posted: Mar 12, 2009 – from GRITZ
I heard from a few people that they thought Monday’s show was amazing but that Tuesday’s was weak. I disagree. I thought both were great. That being said, I honestly feel that tonight’s show was the best so far in the run, and I’ll tell you why, but first, our “Allman Fashion Update.”

Gregg started out with his freak flag flying, hair down, ready to rock old school hippie style. Warren was dressed in his Johnny Cash best, long sleeved black, and the youthful Derek Trucks sported a way cool white Junior Wells T. Okay, that’s as far as my fashion reporting goes.

After a brief delay, the show kicked off at 8:15 with a power-drenched “Trouble No More,” which was followed by an equally cookin’ “Leave My Blues at Home.” Brother Gregg aced both songs, both on B-3 and (especially) vocal chops. Derek and Warren were doing the call and response thing and both were playing to beat the band. O’Teil was downright dancin,’ the vibe was so sweet, and Butch, Mark and Jaimoe were like a freight train runnin’ with a full head of steam.

Warren kicked off a great version of the old Howlin’ Wolf classic “Who’s Been Talkin’?” The Brothers gave it a real Latin, Santana, “Black Magic Woman” kind of feel, and Derek Trucks could do no wrong on his SG. Amazing stuff.

Another stellar jam ensued during “Black Hearted Woman.” Once again, love that light show. Much cheaper (not to mention easier on the body) than LSD.

“Can’t Lose What You Never Had” was next, and it was good, but it seemed to bring the excitement down a bit. (And please spare me the comments about Greg missing a cue or forgetting a lyric here and there. Just try remembering all the music, lyrics, cues, and then we’ll talk.)

Any lull was quickly brought back up to speed when Warren introduced the great Chicago blues hero, Buddy Guy. And off they went on “The Sky is Cryin.” Warren was singing, Buddy was grinning, and all three guitar aces were playing their hearts out. Buddy stepped up to sing the last verse, and the audience went nuts. (Again.) Buddy turns to Derek and says “Alright now! Derek, I got to hear you!” With that, the young Trucks leaned in and just wailed. Buddy smiled real big and just shook his head. The man got the blues! He was having a blast. So was I.

“You Don’t Love Me” was next, with a three-guitar-attack from three of the best. At the end, Buddy brought smiles all around with teases of “Mary Had a Little Lamb” and “Shave and a Hair Cut.” Leave it to Buddy. He’s always more fun than the average guitarist.

Warren introduced Phish alumni Trey Anastasio and Page McConnell, who joined The Brothers and Buddy on a smokin “Southbound.” Jaimoe’s drum tech Jamie sat in on Jaimoe’s kit. Amazing playing all around, excellent guitar solo from Trey and keyboard run from Page.

After the break, the band returned with Trey and Page once again to pull out a true Dead vibe with “I Know You Rider.” Right on the heals of that surprise came another. “In Memory of Elizabeth Reed.” Now as much as I identify this one with brother Dickey Betts,tonight’s rendition was nothing less than stupendous. Trey pulled out a few Betts-like licks and the song ebbed and flowed like a mystic river. Of course, all good things must come to an end. Trey and Page left the stage.

Next came a rousing “Dreams I’ll Never See,” followed by an absolutely sparkling “Jessica,” complete with a very nice bass solo from O’Teil and “drums” from Butch, Jaimoe and Mark. After about twenty or more minutes, the song came to a symphonic end with Butch Trucks pounding the timpani.

The boys came back for an encore and ripped up “Statesborro Blues” while films and photos of old blues master flashed in the background. Gregg and Warren had a bit of impromptu fun toward the end of the song, teasing “The Blues is Alright.” Just like that the show was over. Another one for the books. It was over at 11:35, and I was ready for more. I guess I’ll just have to chill for about 22 or so hours, huh?

Keep it Real. Keep it Southern.
Buffalo

PS: I want to remind everyone that March is Allman Brothers Month here at GRITZ, so check back daily for all sorts of Peachy things. We will also feature reviews and set lists of every Beacon show the day after the show. Just as a reminder, you may view these shows from the comfort of your own computer, or computer wired into the TV and stereo, by subscribing to Moogis, the awesome new service created by Butch Trucks. You can watch crystal clear live performances of all shows as they happen, and then go back and watch them again and again. Buffalo says, check it out.

SET LIST THURSDAY, MARCH 12, 2009
Trouble No More
Leave My Blues at Home
Who’s Been Talkin’?
Black Hearted Woman
Can’t Lose What You Never Had
The Sky is Cryin’ (w/ Buddy Guy)
You Don’t Love Me (w/ Buddy Guy)
Southbound (w/ Buddy Guy, Trey Anastasio)

SET TWO
I Know You Rider (w/ Trey, Page)
In Memory of Elizabeth Reed (w/ Trey, Page)
Dreams I’ll Never See
Jessica > Bass >Drums >Jessica

ENCORE
Statesborro Blues

Be Sure to Visit Six Degrees of Swampland: The Allman Brothers Band for further reading.

Unfortunately I can’t make the show 🙁 my doctors said its best I don’t go due to the tumor in my brain. But thankfully Butch Trucks is bringing the Beacon Run to me, via www.moogis.com So far the shows have been incredible! Can’t wait to see them all, over and over!

Here we go again! I can’t wait to make the trip from Tucson AZ to the Beacon again, as I do every year. This should be a good run, being the 40th anniversary and since Gregg had health issues last year. When I saw them Aug 30, 2008 at Red Rocks, they were on fire. See you all March 12th! I hope this will be the 4 hour show.