Guest Book

I posted the set list earlier, and promised more details later. Well, here they are . . . The central question is, what is good, what is excellent, and what is phenomenal? A whole auditorium of people will watch the same show and have different opinions. From what I hear of the first night (Tue.), this would have been a good year to try to make both nights. Alas, I'm happy with what I got. I'd rate last nights show as follows - setlist, good. Performance, excellent, and the guitar interplay between Derek and Warren, phenomenal. This isn't really a review, just some random notes, in case you haven't noticed. For you ladies (or guys, hey, to each his own) who think that Gregg is a sexy hunk, if you had been at last night's show and were sitting on Gregg's side of the stage, you would have been treated to a bit of eye candy when Gregg changed his shirt midway through the 2nd or 3rd tune. But, enough of my aberrant fantasies . . . in a few recent reviews I've seen, there has been mention of how "Derek blew Warren Away." Well, if you remembered to bring your stopwatch with you last night, and clocked all of the solos, Derek may very well have come out ahead, but that's speaking of quantity. In between my last ABB concert (last summer at the Chicago Theater) and this one, I've been to my first Mule show, and my first DTB show. So I've now seen both of them when they "work alone." My collection of live shows for each act has also grown considerably. For me, the strength of the current incarnation of the ABB rests squarely on the relationship between Warren and Derek. To put it simply, it's arrived. In 2001, it was on the way, in 2002 you could catch glimpses on the horizon, it would stop by for a visit, etc., but in 2003, it's here in full force. Being two excellent guitarists in their own rights, they have always shined when it's "their turn" to take a solo . . . but for my ears, it's the interplay between the two, not what they do when they under the spotlight (although that of course is excellent). Maybe it will be amusing to some, but the best analogy I can think of is two lovers, who have been together for a while, and know each other intimately. I know I'm rambling here, but I'll try to bring it on home with some of my favorite guitar moments from last night . . . Rocking Horse, for instance . . . Warren takes the first solo . . . rips it to shreds . . . then Derek steps up, and plays the first half straight (no slide). At one point Derek is sliding triads around . . . creating lead runs with chords . . . and a peek over at Gregg shows him staring at Derek with his head cocked, and his mouth hanging open just a bit. Magic. Hoochie Coochie man began with a nice long slide dual between Warren and Derek, with I think three turns each, every one longer then the one before it . . . by the time the main riff of the tune broke free, the crowd was practically orgasmic (Warren's first turn featured some distinctly "Trucksian" moves, I thought that was very cool). A couple of tunes earlier, I'm pretty sure it was the end of "Woman Across the River," we saw something similar with straight playing, but where the slide dual was like a diving competition, the call and response (or question and answer) of "Woman" was more like a boxing match. Quick jabs . . . two measures apiece, trading back and forth . . . it was like perfect . . . one of my favorite examples of battling leads is the middle section of Mean Town Blues, from Johnny Winter And, Live. This blew the shit out that, hands down. Which leads me to my final point. Derek is an awesome slide player, I doubt that there's anyone left who will dispute that, but that guy is growing in his straight playing by leaps and bounds. Just the two segments I've mentioned already, the first half of his Rocking Horse solo, and the give and take with Warren later on were enough to floor me. He was playing fast . . . damn fast . . . all over the fret board . . . that was a hell of a performance. I'm going to get this show for sure (and Tuesday's, too) as soon as possible. I've simply got to hear that stuff again. Here's a question for folks more knowledgeable than me - In the footage of the old blues guys on the screen, who was the guy with the pointy beard and jacked-up teeth . . . Sonny Boy Williamson (I or II?) is my guess, but I'd like to know for sure. Also the heavy set guy with the very dark skin . . . I'd like to know who he was, too . . . I think most of the others I knew.

Is anyone else completely ready to rock Friday? I'm still hoping for my first dreams and whippin posts. Is anyone meetin up in the lot or anything because my friend and I will certainly be in the mood to party it up. Hope to meet a few of y'all there. Well until then, good luck tryin to sleep tonight.... -Will

Gregg didn't miss that Beacon Show. He did give way to Paige from Phish at the end of the show. As he was to drunk and was hurtin from the motorcycle accident. I was at that one. I remember it starting at least an hour late, maybe even later, as the rumor was Gregg was being chased down Broadway after he took off before the show. Anyway I have a tape of this one and Gregg sounds awful. Paige joins the band for the last few songs and lit the place up. Warren sang Whippin Post to finish it, after a great Dickey Southbound I believe. God those were the days !!! Great loge seat on the right that evening.

I posted earlier that 8 ABB shows in 2003 would probably have to do - looks like that is the case.... Good news!!! Mrs. Benjamin is due with child number 4 in March! But that also means a difficult time for Mrs. B., up until about 16-18 weeks, so I'm going to (happily) stay home instead of trotting off to Atlanta, Charlotte and Raleigh. What does that mean to other folks? ...Potentially some great seats for cheap.... I have available a few tickets: Atlanta - Section 103 Row B seat 2 Section 101 Row A seat 1 (those are second and first row seats) $50 a piece Charlotte - Section 2 Row 1 seat 37 (that's also first row - $30) Raleigh - Section 3 Row H seat 5 (that's close up Oteil's side - $30) This is less than Ticketmaster - I really just don't want them to go to waste. Sorry about the post here - lots of folks never go to the Forum. I'll be away until Sunday - if anyone contacts me about any of these tickets, I'll be in touch on Sunday. Later!

replaced by Frankie Toler for awhile: http://www.allmanbrothersband.com/modules.php?op=modload&name=userpage&file=content&page_id=32

I thought Jai sat out one of the Arista records and tours.

Sorry I missed everyone who came to Chicago for the shows. I started a new job in April and have to work real hours these days(for 20 yrs I got off @ 2pm)....Also, I thought the shows were An Evening With so on Tuesday I sat and saw all of KDTU's set. Wednesday I had family matters to attend to and I walked in the Theatre right behind Brofan @ 8:30..........my apologies to all. Damn, Layton I wanted a taste of dem cookies you brought. Brofan tells me you are quite the "baker"..........what an incredible band the ABB is........but we all know that already.........EAPFP

thanks for the reminder! sweetie got us tix for 9/2 and i'm just a bit psyched... save the paramecium! 😎

Also thanks to the John Brothers (sounds like a band name) for adding cheer to an otherwise magical evening last night-I see you boys made it home in one piece I assume. Guess you didn't get popped by the same cop that pulled me over just north of Indy last Sept. on my down to see Dickey with you guys. He got me going 88 and it had a signifcant (not in a good way) effect on my insurance rates. Considering what I COULD have gotten a ticket for, I was grateful for that.