Allman Brothers Band stage mesmerizing show at MGM Grand at Foxwoods, Mashantucket, Conn.
MASHANTUCKET, CONN. – Fresh from a successful liver transplant in June, Gregg Allman is back where he belongs, powering the Allman Brothers Band's extraordinarily consistent brand of masterful Southern Rock.
More than four decades into their career, The Allman Brothers Band still sound inspired and their two hour and 15 minute performance before a near capacity crowd at the MGM Grand Theater at Foxwoods Tuesday was frequently mesmerizing.
Due to the eerily similar motorcycle accident deaths of founding members Duane Allman in 1971 and Berry Oakley in 1972, many thought the Allmans would never survive as a group. But through perseverance, some occasional dust ups and at least one long hiatus, they’re still loving life on the road.
The last major personnel change occurred in 2000 when original guitarist Dickey Betts left the band. While it was a significant loss, the Allman Brothers today boast two sensational guitarists in Warren Haynes and Derek Trucks. The group is rounded out by original drummers Jaimoe and Butch Trucks (Derek’s uncle), as well as bassist Oteil Burbridge and percussionist Marc Quinones.
No two nights with the Allman Brothers Band are ever the same, and the group reached back to its first album to start the show with the twin-guitar powered instrumental “Don’t Want You No More,” before a growling Allman, sitting behind his vintage Hammond organ, turned in a powerful, deep blues take of “It’s Not My Cross to Bear.”
The heavily tattooed singer looked thinner than he has in recent years but he also looked healthy and his singing came across as effortless despite the grittiness of the material.
Early set standouts included “Leave My Blues at Home,” and a very tight “Done Somebody Wrong,” the latter which featured a roaring slide guitar solo courtesy of Derek Trucks, who continues to emerge as one of era’s preeminent guitar masters. Haynes was consistently solid throughout the night, but Trucks’ fretboard fury and slide guitar virtuosity proved spellbinding.
Allman and Haynes traded off vocal verses in the groove-filled “Soulshine,” which even showcased some harmonies, a rare element in ABB’s sound. Haynes took some of the weight off of Allman throughout the night, notably when the guitarist sang a strong cover of Howlin Wolf’s “Who’s Been Talkin’” and later delivered a tasty version of Van Morrison’s “Into the Mystic.”
Still, there were plenty of moments for Allman fans to savor, including a lengthy and dynamic “Revival” from the band’s second album. Another highlight occurred when the veteran blues rocker stepped out from behind the keyboards and strapped on an acoustic guitar for the country blues of “I Can’t Be Satisfied,” one of the songs that will appear on his upcoming solo album “Low Country Blues,” which is due out in January.
While they didn’t play some of their mega-classics like “Whipping Post” or “In Memory of Elizabeth Reed” this night, they did deliver one extraordinarily long selection with a 37-minute version of “Mountain Jam,” the instrumental found on their 1972 “Eat a Peach” album. Built around a melody borrowed from Donovan’s hit “There is a Mountain,” the version played at the MGM had highs and lows, and even briefly broke into a bit of Haynes singing “Smokestack Lightning,” before a long six-string bass solo courtesy of Burbridge, who later took over the drums while Butch Trucks shifted to timpani for a thundering four-piece percussion blast. Eventually, the others returned to the stage, and somehow the music made its way back to the twin-guitar melody of “Mountain Jam,” drawing a raucous ovation from the crowd.
The Allman Brothers Band returned to encore with another “Eat a Peach” gem in “One Way Out,” settling into a nice groove while finishing the show on the upbeat.
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