Guest Book

By WADE TATANGELO The Bradenton Herald HEADLINE: Gregg Allman delivers at blues fest Gregg Allman was all smiles as he stood in the narrow hallway of his tour bus greeting old pals and a couple of journalists after the show Saturday. The former Manatee County resident had just delivered a rousing 90-minute set in front of a crowd that included friends and family at the 16th Annual Sarasota Blues Festival. His eight-man band and the pacing of the performance recalled the soul revues he witnessed as a boy growing up in Daytona during the early 1960s. In keeping with that tradition, Gregg's mentor from Daytona, Floyd Miles, sang lead vocals for two up-tempo numbers that sent hips shaking across the sprawling field behind Ed Smith Stadium in Sarasota. Like an Otis Redding or Jackie Wilson performance, Allman's set was equal parts poignant and celebratory, with not a dull moment in between. Gregg's triumphant return to the blues fest capped the daylong event that also featured a crowd-pleasing performance by his son, Devon Allman, and his band Honeytribe. "Oh, yeah, that was great, huh?" Gregg said of having his 31-year-old son join him on stage for a show-stopping rendition of "Midnight Rider," which included a beautifully morose trumpet solo by multi-instrumentalist and Sarasota resident Neil Larson. Perhaps the most touching moment of the evening was witnessing Gregg and Devon trade smiles and engage in a big hug as the crowd roared in approval. Gregg Allman was in great voice throughout the show. He opened with a soulful rendition of his comeback smash "I'm No Angel," which was a delight to hear unincumbered by the thwacking sound of its original 1980s production. Shortly thereafter, we were blown away by a plaintive cover of Bob Dylan's "Just Like a Woman" that dripped with conviction. For the next number, Allman was reunited with Sarasota resident and part-time Allman Brother Thom Doucette for a blistering run-through of "Don't Keep Wonderin' " that recalled the original "Idlewild South" version that the two men recorded more than three decades ago. About midway through the show, Allman emerged from behind his Hammond B-3 and strapped on an electric guitar for an inspired cover of the rave-up "Turn on Your Love Light." With his acoustic guitar in hand, Allman brought the noisy crowd to a whisper when he revisited his 1973 masterstroke "Laid Back" and performed "Multi-Colored Lady." We were also treated to a striking version of "Melissa" that was enriched by a stirring saxophone solo by Jay Collins. On the funkified version of "Whipping Post" and the encore "Statesboro Blues," guitarist Jack Pearson mesmerized attendees with his emotive slide-guitar work that paid homage to the late Duane Allman. Wade Tatangelo, features writer/music critic, can be reached at 745-7051 or wtatangelo@ HeraldToday.com. His blog, "In Tune with Wade," can be found at http://blogs.bradenton.com.