Guest Book

From jambands.com: Big House A-Hopping In 1969, Linda Oakley, eager to move out of the small-apartment she shared with her husband Berry, rented a turn of the century tudor house located at 2321 Vineville Avenue in Macon, GA. Inviting several members of the Allman’s extended family to move in, including Gregg and Duane, the Oakleys created a fraternal living environment which, in turn, helped cement the Brothers’ familial-feel. Dubbed The Big House, the three-story home served as the Allman Brothers Band’s communal stomping ground for much of the early 1970s. 20-years later, Kirk and Kirsten West purchased The Big House and have spent the past 12 years refashioning the tudor as a three-dimensional shrine. And, last night, the Big House Foundation made strides in turning the Brothers’ former estate into a proper museum, hosting a guest-laden benefit concert at the Allman’s unofficial New York home, the Beacon Theater. In addition to performances by Allman-offshoots Jaimoe’s Jassss Band, Oteil and the Peacemakers, Derek Trucks Band and Gov’t Mule, the Allman Brothers offered an abbreviated two-hour show, which stretched from midnight until nearly 2 AM. A quick setlist scan reveals any number of Allman Brothers anthems: “Revival,” “Ain’t Wasting time No More,” “Melissa,” “Dreams,” “Jessica,” “Statesboro Blues,” and “One Way Out.” Nodding to the evening’s overriding theme—-family--former Allman Brothers keyboardist Chuck Leavell appeared on “Stormy Monday” and “Jessica,” a number he originally helped color on Brothers and Sisters . Later in the evening another Allmans-alumnus, Johnny Neel joined for a set closing take on “One Way Out.” A grand gesture, Oteil Burbridge offered his bass to Berry Oakley Jr., son of the late-Allman’s founder, on “Statesboro Blues” and “One Way Out.” Trey Anastasio also made his first appearance with the Allman Brothers Band, adding guitar to an encore version of “In Memory of Elizabeth Reed.” A piece of fun trivia from Warren Haynes: Shortly after Gov’t Mule’s inception, Allen Woody, Matt Abts and Haynes took a trip to The Big House to tighten their early repertoire. During their visit, Haynes stayed in Duane Allman’s room, while Woody occupied Oakley’s former living quarters. Forging another connection to the Allman Brothers past, Haynes also invited Leavell onstage for a version of “Soulshine” during Gov’t Mule’s opening set last night. A tradition since 1994, the Allman Brothers Band’s has individualized each of their multi-night Beacon Theater runs by sparring with special guests. Over the past ten-shows, the Allman Brothers jammed with Ravi Coltrane, Susan Tedeschi, Rob Barracco, Matt Abts, Kofi Burbridge, Little Milton, Page McConnell, Yonrico Scott and Ron Holloway, among others.