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Beacon Wrap Up: Guest Artists Remember The Allman Brothers Band 2009 Beacon Run

The 40th Anniversary Celebration of The Allman Brothers Band continues, but sadly, their phenomenal 20th year Beacon run has come to an end. (Of course, those who subscribe to Moogis can relive the entire run on demand.) It was a spectacle like none I have ever witnessed. Watching every show and writing my reviews each night, I had so many moments of sheer musical joy, it would be hard to name a favorite. Still, I did my best in counting down the 40 Greatest Moments from the 2009 Beacon run, posted here.

There were amazing blues moments with guests like Taj Mahal, Buddy Guy, Floyd Miles, Johnny Winter and Susan Tedeschi. There were amazing soulful moments from folks like King Curtis’ King Pins and countless jazz stylings from Ron Holloway, Lenny White, and many others. Oh, and then there were the back to back nights featuring Eric Clapton.

But for me, this year’s run will always stand as a tribute to the Legends of Southern Rock. See, to me, even the Clapton shows harkend back to Southern Rock. Layla and Other Love Songs by Derek and the Dominos has always been a Southern Rock album in my book. Duane Allman dominated that record. Both nights were filled with recreations of songs from that album. I was blown away.

And then there was the night Gregg Allman sang a sweet rendition of Lynyrd Skynyrd’s “Free Bird.” Pretty amazing. And what about Billy Gibbons bringing some ZZ Top to the Brothers show? Awesome.

Bonnie Bramlett was amazing as always, and her duet with Gregg on “Oncoming Traffic” is certainly a “wow” moment. Same can be said for her duets with daughter Bekka Bramlett on two Delaney & Bonnie and Friends tunes.
 
One of my personal favorite moments came when Jimmy Hall joined Kid Rock with Paul Riddle of Marshall Tucker fame on drums to play “Can’t You See.” Riddle recalls his two nights at the Beacon with the Allmans.

“Butch told me about it, way back,” says Paul. “And I almost couldn’t think about it. It was almost too emotional to think about. He was talking about playing some Tucker songs - but, just the whole thing is amazing. They have been playing together for 40 years, and I have known Butch and Jaimoe for over 30. It’s hard to believe. (Laughs) We’ve got so much history, me and them.

But, to be a part of it was one of the most humbling, exciting things that I have ever been a part of. This tops everything. As far as awards or anything, this has to be at the top. To be a part of the 40th anniversary, and all the players that came, and all the people that just revere and love them, it’s so special.

The band sounds better than ever. Butchie and I have talked about it and it’s hard  to compare - you can’t  compare the original band with the band now, but, they sound as good or  better than ever. It’s so great to me that their music is still as good as ever. Gregg’s singing great, everybody’s healthy, everybody’s happy. Derek is one of the best guitar players on the planet. Warren’s always been one of my favorites, and Oteil -goodness, we could just go on and on. Butch and Jaimoe are playing better than ever, and Mark is one of the best percussionists in the world, literally.

Anytime i get to play with them is always special, but to play “Can’t You See” with them was over the top. I think everybody in the place was crying and laughing and singing all at the same time. It was emotional. Everybody in the place was standing and singing, and Derek was playing that slide, and Warren was hitting those Toy licks. I almost fell off my drum stool. It was overwhelming.

Seeing Jimmy hall again was great/ We actually shared a dressing room, so we got to catch up and talk. I’ve always said, hand Jimmy Hall a microphone and a spotlight, and he can capture any audience, no matter what size. He’s just star quality.

I had looked forward to meeting Kid Rock. I had wanted to send him a note thanking him for all the kind words he had said about us over the years. So I finally got to thank him in person. He was great. He was a nut. (Laughs) He was real nice to me and a lot of fun. He was the same way. He was humbled by the whole thing. I was glad he was there. He was really nice.

And what can I say about Chuck Leavell? Is he not the greatest? Playing “Jessica” with him was too much. But the whole thing was just a joyous and wonderful celebration.”

Speaking of Jimmy Hall, the Southern Rock was alive and well as Jimmy pulled out a pair of Wet Willie tunes, delivering “Grits Ain’t Groceries” and “Keep On Smilin” to a rousing round of applause. Jimmy shares his thoughts.

“The spirit of Duane was floating around every where,” says Hall. “I was sharing a dressing room with Paul Riddle. I walked in and the first thing I saw was a wad of chewing gum somebody had left stuck there. It made me think of when Duane said one time,”Look over there. Jimmy Hall left his gum parked on the table again.” (Laughs) And later on my wife had some gum she was trying to get rid of, so it was all making me remember Duane.

Mark Quiñones and I were talking, and his brother was there, and I noticed he was wearing workout clothes. I asked him if he was going to wear that for the show. He said, “Man, this ain’t no fashion show. I’ve got to be comfortable.” That reminded me so much of Duane, saying that to Gregg “the peacock” - “Man, this ain’t no fashion show.” (Laughs).

I was sad Gary (Rossington) couldn’t be there. I heard that Ean was real sick. But they were there in spirit.

My shirt reminded me of something Duane might have worn. We found it in a shop in Manhattan. My wife and her sisters love to shop. They picked out my clothes when I toured with Jeff Beck in Europe. When we saw it, I put it on and it fit like a glove.

I was glad to see Ivan Neville, and Devon Allman and Berry Oakley, Jr. What a chip off the old block. They made me think about the whole extended family.”

Mike Proctor (Jimmy’s manager) was there, and my wife, my two sisters-in-law and my middle son Alex. I told somebody the experience was a cross between riding in a Cadillac and being in a rocket. I was just trying to fit in.”

And then there was the Cowboy night. Sure, Sheryl Crow was there that night as well, but for me, it was all about Cowboy - Tommy Talton and Scott Boyer. Hearing the boys play their songs again with Gregg and the rest of the ABB was a treat. Tommy Talton comments on the event.

“It was a joy and an honor to join the ABB in celebration of their 40 years of musical journeys.

The band is sounding as fine as ever and to see the smiles (while remembering sadder times) on their faces makes me proud and happy.

The ABB is like some huge ship sailing across an ocean of time, staying on a steady course through calm and troubled waters alike. It appears to sail on perpetual energy, but we all know, there are seven soulful individuals continually at work in the engine room keeping all the moving parts well oiled.

I was proud to be invited to the engine room, thanks guys, here's to you.”

Scott Boyer told us that he had a wonderful time as well.

“The thing that struck me the most was the night of the show a guy tuned my guitar and handed it to me.The next night I unloaded my own P.A. and guitar amp,set it up myself and tuned my own guitar. Ah,  to be an Allman Brother every night. Also what a thrill it was to see Galladriel. (Duane’s daughter)”

And then there were all of the wonderful memories recalled by The Allman Brothers Band themselves, great songs like “Jessica,” played one night with Chuck Leavell and Paul Riddle, and “In Memory of Elizabeth Reed” with Eric Clapton. And what about the “all Allman” night where they recreated their first two albums, in order, live. Wow.

Sure, there were awesome performances by Bob and Phil from the Dead, Robert Randolph, the gus from Phish and Widespread Panic, and so much more, but to me, it was a solid and wonderful tribute to the Southern Rock era - to the LEgends of Southern Rock.

Keep it Real. Keep it Southern.
Buffalo

For further Allman Brothers Band interviews and articles please visit:

Six Degrees of Swampland: The Allman Brothers Band

 Please also visit our 2009 Beacon Page to see reviews of every show

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