Allman Brothers Band Wanee Festival 6/5/09  E-mail this product to a friend Tweet

For the first of two shows at the Wanee Festival, the ABB laid down a classic setlist and made a statement that this weekend was going to be something special!

From the first note of "Hot'Lanta" it was clear the band came to play, and this is one of the tightest, fiercest versions in recent memory. Guitarist Grant Green Jr. added some jazzy licks to "Who's Been Talking," adding another dimension to this blues standard. The crowd erupted in surprise and delight when the band launched into a mid-set "Whipping Post" that took no prisoners, with Derek and Warren pushing their solos to the edge of the envelope and Gregg howling the vocals like his life depended on it. This song is usually reserved for an encore, rarely as an opener, almost never in the middle of a set, and the element of surprise added extra excitement to this fantastic jam.

Anyone who was wondering how the band could top that encore-worthy performance was quickly silenced by an exceptional "Desdemona" with Jay Collins on sax, followed by a funky "The Same Thing" with Ron Holloway on sax.  Derek took the lead on a great version of "Dreams" that featured some of his most beautiful playing, and the blockbuster version of "Jessica" that closed the set was nothing less than a work of art.

Roosevelt Collier of the Lee Boys adds some pedal steel firepower to an energetic encore version of "One Way Out." Day One of Wanee was a keeper!

Disc One

1. Hot ‘Lanta  (5:15)
2. Statesboro Blues  (5:31)
3. Don’t Keep Me Wonderin’  (4:09)
4. Stage Noise (1:07)
5. Midnight Rider  (3:15)
6. Who’s Been Talking  (12:04) *
7. No One To Run With (10:59)
8. Whipping Post  (14:25)

Disc Two

1. Stage Noise  (1:46)
2. Desdemona  (11:33) #
3. The Same Thing  (12:33) @
4. Dreams  (10:48)

Disc Three

1. Jessica  (10:13)
2. JaMaBuBu  (12:49)
3. Jessica - reprise  (5:16)
4. Crowd Noise (3:27)

Encore:  5. One Way Out  (10:31) %

Marc Quinones did not play tonight.  Count M'Butu played from DKMW till the end of the set.

* with Grant Green Jr., guitar
# with Jay Collins, Sax
@ with Ron Holloway, Sax
% with Ted Pewitt, bass, Roosevelt Collier, lap steel guitar