Who among us doesn't need a taste of some good ol' southern rock?
And who could use it more than the city folk in the heart of Manhattan?
NYC's gem of an arena, Madison Square Garden was treated this week with two memorable nights of Allman Brothers classics served up by the remaining members of the bands and their closest associates during two sold out shows, each with unique sets.
The lineup featured original drummer 80-year-old Jaimoe, the dual guitar attack of Warren Haynes and Derek Trucks, bassist Oteil Burbridge, percussionist Marc Quiñones, keyboardist Reese Wynans, and special guest Chuck Leavell. Additional support came from drummers Joe Russo and Isaac Eady.
If these names sound familiar to you, it's because all of them have played for some of your favorite jam bands:
Oteil (Dead & Company), Eady (Tedeschi Trucks Band), Haynes (Gov’t Mule, The Dead), Jaimoe (Sea Level), Leavell (Rolling Stones' Musical Director, Sea Level), Quiñones (Tito Puente, Gregg Allman Band), Russo (Joe Russo’s Almost Dead, Furthur), Trucks (Derek Trucks Band, Tedeschi Trucks Band), and Wynans (Stevie Ray Vaughan and Double Trouble, Joe Bonamassa).
So yes, the music was in capable hands Tuesday (4/15) and Wednesday (4/16) as The Brothers grooved through the deep catalogue of Allman Brothers hits and blues classics.
Each night they played two intense sets and finished it off with a scorching 15+ minute long rendition of "Whipping Post."
An excellent example of how tight and masterful the Brothers were on opening night was the nearly 16-minute long jam of "In Memory of Elizabeth Reed."
About eight minutes in, after the searing and familiar guitar solos creeps in a mighty answer by Wynans on his B-3 organ. All while three percussionists are providing all the flavor an backbeat, while, miraculously, never stepping on each other.
Elizabeth Reed was a mysterious Latina woman Allman Brothers guitarist Dickey Betts (who died exactly one year ago today) knew and was inspired to write the instrumental about. There is a headstone bearing her name at the Macon, Georgia, graveyard the band would write songs in. Naturally.
That cemetery is also the final resting spot of Allman Brothers founding members, Duane and Gregg Allman, bassist Berry Oakley, and drummer Butch Trucks.
Speaking fondly of the dead: long time fans of the Allmans know that the group was loved by Jimmy Carter - and vice versa. Carter was from Plains, Georgia; while the Allmans really got rolling in nearby Macon.
Unlike many, Carter was not afraid to express his fondness of the scruffy, long haired band and to return the favor, the group held a benefit concert for his presidential campaign. A year after he made it into the White House, he invited the group to DC for his Inaugural as a thank you.
When President Carter died a few months ago, the ABB's Twitter account sent out a beautiful tweet about the passing and included the iconic Wally McNamee photo of the leader sporting the group's Win Lose or Draw shirt.
Carter often praised the band for helping him reach the highest office in the land.
“Everyone knew the Allman Brothers," Carter said. "When they endorsed me, all the young people said, ‘Well, if the Allman Brothers like him, we can vote for him.’”
Fans who attended both of the Madison Square Garden gigs this week were in for a special treat.
There were just six repeated songs among the first night's 19-tune set and the following night's 21-track set. But when they played a song from the previous night, they altered them enough to make them new again.
This double dose of down-home blues infused rock was last heard at MSG five years ago for one night only to celebrate the 50th anniversary of the Allmans.
Currently there are no plans for the group to take this on the road, but if any band should be motivated stick together for a little tour this year to celebrate Jimmy Carter's 100th birthday, it's The Brothers.
Tedechi Trucks & Gov't Mule will be on a co-headlining tour beginning this September in Toronto. Get your tickets on the Gov't Mule website.
