Months of speculation and innuendo finally culminated last night when Eric Clapton joined the Allman Brothers Band onstage at New York’s Beacon Theater to help celebrate the band’s 40th anniversary and honor the legacy its founding member – and former Clapton bandmate – Duane Allman.
After a somewhat serious first set that saw the band – sans any guests for the first time during this Beacon run – deliver tight, spectacular versions of arguably its most classic songs, including “Statesboro Blues,” “Revival,” “Don’t Keep Me Wonderin” and first-set closer “Whipping Post,” band patriarch Gregg Allman introduced the legendary Slowhand midway through the second set, and immediately launched into the famed “Key To The Highway,” the relentless blues jam featuring dueling guitars by Clapton and Duane Allman from the Derek and the Dominos album, Layla and Other Assorted Love Songs.
From there, Clapton settled into a comfortable groove between ABB guitarists Warren Haynes and Derek Trucks, each taking turns with fingerpicking and slide solos that pushed each of the six songs to another level. Expectedly, the lucky attendees were treated to an incomparable display of guitar virtuosity, showering the Clapton and the band with an enthusiastic roar that lasted the entire set.
The Allman classic “Dreams” ensured Clapton found his comfort zone, and the Brothers’ captivating musical domain (see video below), before continuing on with four more selections from the Derek and the Dominos catalog, including “Why Does Love Got To Be So Sad,” the Jimi Hendrix masterpiece, “Little Wing,” (see video below) which Clapton and Duane covered for the album, and the soulful “Anyday,” which was sung by guest – and Derek Trucks’ wife – Susan Tedeschi.
The highlight of the evening’s performance, however, was its finale. After a brief rest, and with the Beacon crowd in sheer delirium, Clapton and the Brothers returned and launched into the Dominos’ most defining song, “Layla” (see video below). With Trucks queuing up Duane’s leads and melding them into Clapton’s own melodies and lead lines, the song swelled to a climactic peak before releasing itself into its infamous piano coda, and it’s even more famous rhythm guitar melodies. When it’s all said and done, last night’s version of “Layla” could end up ranking as one of the best live moments in the history of the Allman Brothers Band. And that alone says a lot.
The Brothers take the Beacon stage again tonight for night No. 9 of its 2009 run, and once again Clapton is scheduled to perform. And if last night’s show was any indication, tonight’s performance promises to be just as special.
Gibson.com is giving you all the details of every night of this year's Beacon run by the Allman Brothers Band. Click on the corresponding date below for set lists, photos and videos of each night so far, and keep checking back for all the latest news on who's showing up to help the band celebrate its 40th anniversary, and the legacy of founder Duane Allman.
Mar. 9, Mar. 10, Mar. 12, Mar. 13, Mar. 14, Mar. 16, Mar. 17.
Mar. 19, 2009
Set 1: “Little Martha,” “Statesboro Blues,” “Noodlin’ Boogie” Intro > “Done Somebody Wrong,” “Revival,” “Woman Across The River,” “Don’t Keep Me Wonderin’,” “Whipping Post.”
Set 2: “Oncoming Traffic” (Gregg solo on piano), “Come And Go Blues,” “Good Morning Little School Girl” (w/ Danny Louis, piano), “Key To The Highway” (w/ Eric Clapton, guitar & vocals), “Dreams” (w/ Eric Clapton, guitar), “Why Does Love Got To Be So Sad” (w/ Eric Clapton, guitar & vocals), “Little Wing” (w/ Eric Clapton, guitar & vocals), “Anyday” (w/ Eric Clapton, Susan Tedeschi, vocals).
Encore: “Layla” (w/ Eric Clapton, guitar & vocals, Danny Louis, piano).
"Layla" Allman Brothers Band with Eric Clapton
"Little Wing" Allman Brothers Band with Eric Clapton
"Dreams" Allman Brothers Band with Eric Clapton