The Allman Brothers continued to stoke the party with more guests and surprises at last night’s show at the Beacon Theater. Launching right away into a fiery rendition of “Statesboro Blues,” the band conjured up memories of At Fillmore East as they chugged headlong into “Don’t Keep Me Wonderin’” and “Hot ‘Lanta.” Warren Haynes then took the vocals for a bluesy performance of Howlin’ Wolf’s “Who’s Been Talking,” followed by “Come and Go Blues.” Gregg then delivered one of his most soulful vocals on the 2009 Beacon debut of “Desdemona,” from 2003’s Hittin’ the Note album.
Next up was the evening’s first guest. Fittingly, after launching into “So Many Roads, So Many Trains,” guitar great John Hammond delivered a fiery version of “Shake for Me,” with Derek Trucks’ licks echoing the feel and essence of what Duane had played on Hammond’s original recording of the song. Hammond stayed on to close out the first set with a heartfelt reading of “Crying for My Baby.”
The second set kicked off with longtime Brothers pal Bonnie Bramlett dueting with Gregg on a joyous performance of “Oncoming Traffic.” Bramlett’s daughter, Bekker, then joined the festivities to sing with her mother on the Delaney and Bonnie tune “Comin’ Home,” followed by a slide-infested performance of the D&B, Dave Mason-penned classic “Only You Know and I know.” Bekker then gave way to a returning John Hammond, who held forth (with Bonnie remaining) with the Robert Johnson standard “Come On In My Kitchen.”
Next up was Susan Tedeschi, with Bruce Katz manning keyboards, who joined the Bramletts and the Brothers for a rip-the-roof-off performance of the Band’s “The Weight.” Next, shorn of guests, the Brothers kept the energy alive with a jam-fueled version of “Nobody Left to Run With,” before Haynes (accompanied only by Trucks on slide) gave a reverential reading of “Preachin’ Blues.”
Sending the festivities off on a high note, the Brothers capped the evening with a loose-limbed performance of “Jessica,” replete with a bass solo. There could hardly have been a more fitting encore.
We'll post some video and photos as soon as we get them. In the meantime, check out our coverage from previous nights: Mar. 9, Mar. 10, Mar. 12, Mar. 13, Mar. 14.
Mar. 16, 2009
Set 1: “Statesboro Blues,” “Don't Keep Me Wonderin',” “Hot 'Lanta,” “Who's Been Talking,” “Come and Go Blues,” “Desdemona,” “So Many Roads” w/John Hammond (guitar & vocals), “Shake For Me” w/John Hammond, guitar & vocals), “Cryin' For My Baby” w/John Hammond, guitar & vocals)
Set 2: “Oncoming Traffic” (Duet - Gregg vocals & piano, Bonnie Bramlett, vocals), “Comin' Home” w/Bonnie & Bekka Bramlett, vocals, “Only You Know And I Know” w/Bonnie & Bekka Bramlett, vocals, “Come On In My Kitchen” w/John Hammond, guitar & vocals; Bonnie Bramlett, vocals, “The Weight” w/Bonnie & Bekka Bramlett, vocals, Susan Tedeschi, vocals; Bruce Katz, piano, “No One To Run With,” Preachin' Blues
Encore: “Jessica”