Guest Book

I also have some great Beacon memories from this past weekend! A very big thanks to the Hospitality Suitees and the Left Coast contingent for the parties. Incredible hosts and hostesses! Between the two get-togethers, I was able to meet (or meet again) TerriB, Jody, Jacqui, Linnie, Libby, Sari, Leah Marie, Chuck, Scotty, Brent, Dino, newyorkpeachead (Dave), Karen & Lyn (Big6PH), Buppalo1 (a true southern gentleman with an incredible memory!), Corny and wife Marsha, gpm, Del Davis from Norway, Benjamin, Lana & Shey, enigmajean, aiq, Pam, Gail, Sang, Lamdog, Brofan, Jeanne, Mitch, EddieP, Big Mike, Stormy, Ron e, Easy Michael, Johnny from the Fish Camp, Buka, Hophead, Donna Hopkins, Great Scott, Carol, and the "mother hen from the listserve". Saw but wasn't able to talk with Barb & Greg Potter and Tim, and other folks whose names I didn't catch or can't remember. Folks, that was just at the two pre-show parties. All incredibly nice people. Also saw and spoke with Marley and Emily, and Kirby and Lisa at the shows. What I'll always remember is the smiles on everyone's faces. I enjoyed both shows (Friday and Saturday), but Friday's show with the Same Thing, Dreams, and Layla really did it for me. Also enjoyed Oteil's show at BB King's Friday and of course Derek's show on Saturday night (which I stayed to the end at almost 3 am, hah!). I echo the comments from Great Scott, EddieP, and Brent, among others on the weekend and the shows. Thanks again to the hosts of the two pre-show parties and Lana and Rowland, and of course the ABB and crew. To steal a quote from TerriB: "I had fun."

I'm looking to sell 2 tix for Saturday night - Loge, Row G, seats 43 and 45. Face value plus TM charges (totals $160 for the pair). If you overnight a postal money order to me I'll pay the cost to overnight the tix back to you that same day. Send me an email if interested (dbryan999@yahoo.com) and I'll shoot you my work mailing address. Worst case, if you can get the money order to me by Thursday I can get the tix to you by Friday. Peace, DB

TerriB, Jodygirl and everyone else going tonight have a blast represent us well on the DVD!!!

Its wonderful to read the posts of all the happy Beaconeers from this weekend. It was very special. We all shared some time together that we will not forget. Of course the one thing I might forget is some names, (to go with the faces), even if I knew them on Saturday night. Funny how the years can do that to a man!! I asked Rowland about the pcture I posted, and he says it is taking extra time (due to having alternate servers up), to get anything to show on the site. I hope to have lots of pictures uploaded this week, and then we just have wait for Rowland to do his magic. Offer stands for anyone who wants a picture disc to e-mail me with your address. Mitch

:birthday: nlitnrogue!:)

Mistercharlie, Layla conveys the same emotions as the record. Warren screams Eric's pleas of anguish, then the song breaks into the coda. Derek's guitar conveys the same almost hopeless sadness as did Duane's. The only thing missing was the seagull's cry at the end. Moved me to tears.

Hey All...I went to 2 shows, but missed Layla...did it sound like Derek & The Dominos?...Was there the piano at the end? anyone have a sound clip? thanks!

Great weekend in NYC. They ARE the Allman Brothers Band. Wowzer and then some. They haven't sounded this good since the summer of '96 and I assume they will springboard higher from here oved the next few months. So... how many folks that hang here in the GB, are not on the listserv, and were at the Gin Mill preshow on Saturday? Just trying to guage if it's important to post about it here next year. Thanks in advance to those who did come. Lotsa good folks were there for the Sat night prep and a good time was had by all attendees. "The Same Thing" on Saturday was unconscious. I have to believe it was an example of a band finding a zone that Duane would have been proud of...... it was an ethereal experience. Interesting comments from Mystic. When I first heard that the ABB was going to do Heart of Stone, I was not sure if I would like it. I have to say that while I can take it or leave it live, believe it or not, I love the studio cut. It works and it fits with the HTN sound. Is this the greatest cd since EAP? Not sure yet. But it's excellent. Overproduced? I have never heard anyone say that Warren overproduced anything. DE1 & DE2 were more produced than earlier Mule releases, but overproduced? They never struck me that way. That said, I'm a big Woody fan and do miss the trio format....but Warren and Matt do have a serious sound going with the new Mule. Should this band be called the Allman Brothers Band. Yes! It was Duane's band with his vision and direction. When he left, the name stayed. The band is playing with his spirit, especially now. They are experimenting and having fun doing it. Differing opinions are important. I respect them all. Bottom line, it's all good. No matter how you slice it, the music is golden. Peace. Gary

#2 in my post below requires registration to view (albeit free registration), so here it is for sake of convenience: Allman Brothers end recording hiatus with solid effort By Tom Wells Rock legends The Allman Brothers Band released their first studio album in more than nine years entitled Hittin' the Note. During the long gap in between albums, the band has toured constantly and has had to replace several members. Many avid Allman Brothers listeners would not expect such a strong showing after the band's long break from the studio, but the Brothers don't disappoint, releasing a strong album to help revive interest in the aging band. Although a listener hoping for a return to the quality of Eat a Peach, Beginnings, or Live at the Fillmore East will be disappointed, the band still connects lengthy jams with soulful lyrics that have the ability to give a person the chills. After 30 years, the voice of Gregg Allman is as good ever. Relatively new guitarist Derek Trucks, who has been with the band since 1999, continues the tradition of great guitarists, coming close to filling the shoes left by original guitarist Duane Allman. In addition, Warren Haynes of Southern Rock jamband Gov't Mule retains his spot as the second guitarist. Haynes has been part of the band since their 1989 reunion tour. Haynes, along with Allman, has become one of the main songwriters in the band, despite having another full-time job with Gov't Mule. His heavy voice also complements Allman's on many of the albums best songs. Hittin' the Note seems to take a more retrospective approach than other Allman Brothers albums. This comes as no surprise though after the 30-plus years that the band has been together and the many hardships it has faced. Duane Allman, brother of Gregg and the band namesake, died in 1971 in a motorcycle accident only two years after the band's first studio release. The very next year another band member, Berry Oakley, the original bassist, died in a motorcycle accident as well. In 1976, the band went its separate ways until the 1980s when they began to release albums and play together again. They also had to deal with the saga of Dickey Betts, who was asked to leave the band in 2000. Betts was responsible for such hits as "Revival" and "Ramblin' Man" and was crucial loss to the band. The album may not have the same feel as the classic Allman Brothers Band albums of the early '70s, but the band still leaves listeners feeling satisfied with its southern inflections. The album begins with the well-written "Firing Line" that has the potential to be another Allman Brothers' classic with the same southern feel found in the band's older material. The third song on the album, "Desdamona," is another one of the Allman Brothers' timeless songs about love that forces the listener to reminisce about "Melissa" and "Jessica." One of the finest examples of The Allman Brothers' skill is the deeply reflective "Old Before My Time," with such telling lyrics as "Chasing a dream around the world has got me feeling down, but it used to make me high / Looking for answers, searching for truth in an ocean of lies." Throughout the album a variety of songs display the band's talents. The album leaves the listener with a sense of what the band has been through in its years together. While Hittin' the Note is not nearly as good as some of The Allman Brothers Band's timeless classics, it is still a good pickup for fans of the band and those interested in hearing the band's first album in nine years.

Saw Lamdog and Stormy at breakfast on Sunday morning...they seemed none the worse for wear -- at least to the untrained (and somewhat bleary) eye. 😀