Guest Book

Thanks for that magnificent post Jeff! I can't wait for Birmingham and Atlanta!

Thanks Jeff. Gregg was using a cane? Anyone know what happened?

Anyone with plans to see either the Brothers in Hot ‘Lanta or Phil and the Brothers in Carolina or Alabama is in for a real treat. Both bands are off the charts and red hot. I had the good fortune of seeing the Merriweather and Virginia Beach shows so far this fall, with a pair of Carolina shows on deck. My previous employers’ ambitions to move operations to the other hemisphere leaves me with new opportunities in how I spend my time until I figure out what I want to be when I grow up. Seeing 6 ABB shows in this leg of the tour is a great recipe for feeding a very hungry soul. I’ll miss the ‘bama shows, to stop back home and take care of a few things and resume some semblance of adulthood, but I’ll be heading back to the playground with my Buffalo traveling companions to extend the recess period in the good ‘ol peach state. I also had the good fortune of catching Canandaigua and Red Rocks a bit earlier this summer, so I’m blessed with a healthy diet of ABB soul food that will hopefully sustain me until the 2009 Beacon festivities in celebration of 40 years of magic. Canandaigua was a good show, albeit a tad shaky in spots. Red Rocks was a solid show, in the grandeur of that beautiful space. Merriweather startled me a bit with it’s strength and power. Wow! The band came out of the gate HARD and fast, tearing into “Can’t Lose What You Never Had” with a vengeance. I mean, every one of the boys was stone cold serious and bringin’ it. They seemed to be on a mission, because they didn’t let up all night. It was like beginning to cross a street in lackadaisical carelessness, then catching something out of the corner of your eye, looking up and seeing a freightliner comin atcha full bore and going “Holy $hit, I better get the F*** outta the way!” These guys not only put the pedal to the metal, they pushed it right through the damn floor! I kid you not. It was that intense. Gregg’s voice is STRONG. He was singing with such tenacity and fervor that any reports of his demise are greatly exaggerated. I don’t work for the band or any organization connected with the band, I’m just a little ‘ol fan from western New York state. I don’t have to be political and paint a rosy picture to keep the perceptions positive for the masses. I’m telling you straight up……Gregg’s voice is strong. The man was tearing it up like wrestle-mania on steroids. The rest of the band, the whole band, were hittin’ it. It sounded as though they’ve been out for months and honed it down to a T. They were tight and crisp. I heard that the band always plays hard at Merriweather, and that being my first experience at that venue, makes me a believer. The place itself seems a bit worn and tattered and a bit smaller in scale than similar venues, but from my vantage point the sight lines were good and the sound was superb. Maybe the clearest ABB outdoor show I’ve seen. Phil’s band was equally impressive. I’m not as familiar with all of the material, but his setlists have been phenomenal and he has such a great ensemble too. It’s such warm, happy music that you just can’t help but smile as you lay witness to what seems like a real down home, organic feel, of a family putting on their finest for all to enjoy. It’s like a musical Prairie Home Companion that makes you feel warm and buzzy, like a few glasses of very good wine. I may just have found religion at Phil’s Merriweather set. Sugaree as the closer was such a classy, feel good way to conclude his set. Remember Steve Martin’s classic comedy album, “Let’s get Small?” The part where he’s playing the banjo and says something to the effect of, “It’s such a happy sound. You just can’t feel sad playing the banjo.” That’s how I feel about Phil’s music, and the Dead in general. It’s such a happy sound….how could you possibly feel anything but happiness? It lulled me into a mellow submissive state that gave me no inkling of the fury of the ABB that I was about to witness. Virginia Beach did not have the intensity of Merriweather, but it did not lack in quality. It was unusual to see my boys in the opening slot, and one I typically don’t care for, but knowing Phil was bringing a feast of musical goodness after the Brothers, made me think it would be alright. And it was. The crowd was ridiculously sparse as the boys walked on stage near 6PM. Gregg somewhat hobbled out using a cane and favoring his one leg, but he had a big ‘ol southern smile as he jokingly began to point to one audience member after another, as if he were counting those in attendance. He seemed bemused at the light dinner hour gathering. The reserved seats did eventually fill in as the evening progressed. The lawn seemed to be rather empty though, compared to Merriweather. The band played a very solid set, very different from the previous night, but supremely enjoyable. With a list of concert calls to make, they had a nice song selection that made it easy to decide who to call for each song, knowing the tastes of some of the recipients. Afro Blue was a personal favorite of mine, which featured Phil’s key board man, Steve ???, on Gregg’s rig. The whole bad was is great spirits, and smiles were ever present of all their faces throughout the performance. At the conclusion of their set, I felt satisfied like you do just after a good meal where you’re feeling just right when you push away from the table. Perhaps I would not have felt the same way if I didn’t know I had 4 more shows to look forward to this year. There have not been many guests, so far, apart from Phil’s guy on Afro Blue in Virginia, and Ron Holloway at Merriweather. Phil’s VA Beach set again was first rate entertainment. This bunch of friends have a wonderful chemistry and they are every bit as energetic and beautifully cohesive as the Brothers. I forget exactly which song from early in Phil’s set it was, but Jackie Green teased “Jessica.” I was grinning ear to ear, at that point. It’s so common for the Brothers, or the Mule, or Derek to tease, others’ songs, but I’ve never heard anyone tease the Brothers. How very cool was that?, I thought as I stood there in embedded bliss. To me this particular pairing of bands is brilliant. It’s a perfect marriage of musical styles that on one hand are very similar, but on the other, are diverse enough to keep things interesting. It’s a complementary blend of well selected seasonings. And if you record the show, or buy the instant live, you can take home a little doggie bag, as well. Save your appetites folks. There platefuls of soul feedin’ sustenance to please your palates. I’ll see some of you in the Carolina’s and a few more with Georgia on my mind, and under my feet. That gathering, it seems, will be the pseudo Beacon experience, in a social sense, since it seems so many are planning on going. And as much as I love Phil, you just can’t beat “An Evening with the Allman Brother’s Band!” My fABBulous southern tour continues….. Peach out y’all. See you on the road.

Walker, they've been putting a Dazed and Confused teaser in the middle of Mountain Jam for a while now. Some folks like it, some folks don't. Personally, if they put Dueling Banjos in the middle of Mountain Jam, I'd probably like it.

Allman Brothers To Receive Billboard Legend Of Live Award http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/hr/content_display/news/e3i5c2f95d44c555973fa8f87a07724961f

Thanks for the concert calls from Jeff's fABBulous adventure. Heard Stand Back through the static just after 7 this evening. Jeff:whip:, enjoy your peachy adventure and we'll see you in Atlanta! Jeanne- We'll be thinking of you this weekend. Our love to Team Eileen! :walk:

Can't believe I'm getting psyched up again for some more shows. This time it's (Oak) Mountain to (Orange) Beach to Peach. Just one more day at the commerce bank and then we're off to 'Bama, with a pit stop at Talladega first. Looking forward to seeing some peacheads we saw at Red Rocks, new folks and wish some of the Red Rocks crew (Smiling Jack & everyone else) were joining us also. First real vacation for me for a year, it's also our anniversay on the 8th and what a better way to celebrate than good old southern hospitality, good music & friends. This is therapy for me, it's what makes life worth living. In my industry and these times we're living in, I can be unemployed soon. But that can all be remedied by just two notes coming out of an SG. Mountain to Beach to Peach 😀

Go Phillies bring on the Dodgers!!!

How about another Desdemona with Chuck on keys?? He kills when he sits in on that tune...