Guest Book

First, let me say for a group of people that quite regularly represent the face of a band's fans here on this Guestbook, fans of a band that has always symbolized acceptance, you guys often serve as a very bad example. While I felt that RockFestDisappointee's comments were harsh, the guy is entitled to post his opinion without being beheaded. And, yes, I practice what I preach. I worked at the Fest Thursday night to get a free pass for Friday (RockFestDisappointee, it was Friday, not Saturday, as you posted). While working, I couldn't help but share my excitement for the ABB playing the next night to those around me. However, many said that they were more excited about other bands such as Judas Priest. My response? "OK, I hope you enjoy your band as much I'm going to enjoy mine." RockFestDisappointee, as I stated back in January when the ABB was booked for RockFest, I thought the band was a very bad fit for the festival. I'm not sure what you were expecting, but the current incarnation of the ABB is a blues-jazz band, or 'progressive blues' as Gregg would say. They incorporate the modal jazz approach of Miles Davis and John Coltrane with the driving blues of Muddy Waters, Willie Dixon and Elmore James. The result is a mix of slower, deep and uptempo, driving numbers. Both types, though, are almost always supplemented by one or more instrumental segments. The delight for many of us is when the members are able to join together and 'solo as one' to create a forceful blend of thumping rythym and piercing guitars. Hot 'Lanta and Rockin' Horse were probably the best examples of that from show you attended. Most of the southern-rock 'anthem' signatures tunes, like Ramblin' Man and Jessica, have been dropped from the band's repertoire. Perhaps, that's what you were expecting. Certainly, the reviewer in the Eau Claire Leader-Telegram (below) was expecting that. RockFestDisappointee, please check out my review below. You'll find some of the reasons I thought that the show wasn't well-received. And, yes, I admit I have fervent bias for this band, but I believe I make some valid points regardless. If you're interested in hearing the band playing more to their capabilities, I have many shows to offer from all eras of their history that I'd be willing to share with you. The night after Rockfest, over in Appleton, the band delivered a much better show. I should have that one soon. Shoot me a message if you'd like to take me up on my offer. Ron Bruder Chippewa Falls, WI PS - if Butch didn't care for the 'solo' reference a while back, what do you think he'll make of the toilet seat comment???? ============== Local News 7/18/2004 11:04:28 AM Allman Brothers fans left wanting more Drawn-out solos strike sour note Special to the Leader-Telegram CADOTT - Members of the Allman Brothers Band were on their own terms Friday night at Rock Fest. They didn't move around much on stage. They didn't play Ramblin' Man, Jessica, or Melissa. They soloed long and often, stretching songs out as long as they felt like playing them. In fact, it was possible for a fan to take a trip to the bathroom, the concession stand, the campground and easily make it back before the song was over. With Rock and Roll Hall of Fame credentials and 35 years under their belt, Greg Allman and his band have earned the right to do things their own way. Fans took the performance in a variety of ways. Many stood in awe of the great musicianship, nodding their heads slowly. Others did a Woodstock-type hippie dance, one which requires all of the body's limbs to move in different directions (this dance needs a 5- to 10-foot radius to avoid hitting other fans). Those not 'in the groove' grew impatient with the slow pace and long, unfamiliar songs and picked up their lawn chairs and left. During a drum instrumental that lasted more than 10 minutes, one frustrated fan yelled, "Anyone can bang on a toilet seat. ...Play some music!" The crowd was quite sparse for the second half of the set, but that made more room for the dancers. With most of the activity on stage being instrumentation, it would have been nice to see more close-ups of the band on the jumbo screens. Instead, there was an endless series of ever-changing psychedelic blobs and blurbs, apparently intended to enhance the "mental" experience of select concertgoers. Much like Counting Crows on Thursday night, the Allman Brothers Band lost a large portion of the crowd while thrilling those who remained. ==================== Rockfest 7-16-04 Cadott, WI Regarding the crowd, I'll abide by the rule I'm teaching my boys now that if you don't have anything nice to say, don't say anything at all. Let's just say that the crowd did not serve to uplift the band. Our boys, however, did what they could to keep things rolling. The seating setup was, I believe, the source of problem. They have about 25 rows, from side to side, that make up a 'VIP' section. Apparently, the corporate types that hold many of those seats were not too interested in the band or the 11 o'clock start time, or both, as the section was about 75% empty. The band, as a result, had to look to the start of the GA section and beyond for support, clearly difficult. Myself, I showed up about 10, just as, ahem, Huey Lewis and the News were finishing up. As much of the crowd was clearing to go party for an hour at their RVs and tents, I grabbed a spot left-center at the front of GA. As luck would have it, the only taper in the place strolled right towards me looking for a spot to set up. I knew he would be cool since he had the same DTB shirt on as I did!! After getting hassled by security for his rig, we told them to talk to Kirk. Not sure who exactly they spoke with in the crew, but someone gave him the nod. Thank you, whoever you were. After tuning for a bit, they broke out the tunes @ 11:05. Here's the rundown: Statesboro Blues You Don't Love Me Don't Keep Me Wondering Hot 'Lanta Midnight Rider No One To Run With Rockin' Horse Ain't Wastin' Time No More Every Hungry Woman Across the River Instrumental Illness (w/Les Bres tease)> Drums> Instrumental Illness Encore: Revival ..and the sweet sounds of Little Martha signaled the end at 12:43. In one sense, I think they tried to tailor the setlist to keep the predominantly 80's 'hair band'-oriented crowd interested. On the other hand, they stuck to their guns. They started to loose some folks around Every Hungry Woman, which had a scorching and now familiar call and response b/t Warren and Derek. And since much of the crowd wouldn't know good blues if it bit them in the a**, they couldn't appreciate River either. Oh well. Illness was, well, Illness. Even for some of us fanatics, we had to develop a taste for it. Needless to say, much of the crowd didn't 'get' it. The near 15 minute drum section didn't sit well either. Even with the decent sound system and my liking for the band and many drum sections, it kinda lost me too. After a short crowd call, they came back on for the jovial Revival, which evoked a good response from the crowd around me. Highlights for me were YDLM, Hot 'Lanta, Horse and River. I wasn't expecting 'the' setlist or show, given the event. I had that mindset going in, and Pete at the merch table agreed that since it was 'Fest', the show wouldn't have the variation and jamming found elsewhere. I still enjoyed it, and can say with certainty that their set was strides above any other act that has or will play there this weekend. I actually worked there last night and heard some of Smash Mouth and Counting Crows, and, good lord, they were horrid, especially Smash Mouth. Bottom line, thank goodness for the Allman Brothers! See you in Appleton, Ron