Allman Brothers Band Beacon Theatre 3-15-14  E-mail this product to a friend Tweet

Operation Go-Out-With-a-Bang continued tonight. The first set was jam-packed with songs from the classic canon, opening out of the gate with "Don't Want You/Not My Cross," "You Don't Love Me," "Statesboro," and "Hot 'Lanta," all tight and compact, all prominently featuring the vocalist/organ player, all delivered in rat-a-tat fashion. If you want to hear these classics delivered taut and lean, with a minimum of extended exploration, this was your night.
 
"Spots of Time" featured some serious percolation underneath, as each guitarist took turns telling the song's story, Derek lilting, Warren fiery, with Oteil anchoring the beat. "Don't Keep Me Wondering" has been a high water mark each night it's been played.  But perhaps the highlight of the set was the nasty-- and I mean nasty-- snaky "Smokestack Lightning," featuring Warren using a megaphone for one "Can't you hear me cry." This one was all sinewy grind, rated X just for the thoughts it put in your head.

The second set was high energy from the opening notes of "Rain" to the closing notes of the "Whipping Post" encore. Derek painted the sky with wistful lines on the back end of "High Cost," then Warren took it back down to nasty town on "Worried Down With the Blues," a molten steel highlight. Then "Dreams," with Warren taking the solo; whereas Derek's read on opening night was all dreamy and ethereal, Warren's attack tonight had you leaning forward, eyes wide open.

Of course the action on "Why Does Love Got to Be So Sad?" began after they'd run through the song, with Derek and Warren's sad but joyful fluttering lines reminiscent of two nights in 2009 in thus same room and a certain British guest who happens to have written the song. "WDLGTBSS" segued into a proper drum solo, then right into a climactic "Jessica," with Derek doing the happy dance. A big, dark ominous "Whipping Post" closed the show to no one's surprise; see if you catch Warren's "My Favorite Things" tease.

"See y'all Tuesday," exhorted Gregg as they took their bows.  We'll be there.

Disc 1
1. Don’t Want You No More (4:23)
2. It’s Not My Cross To Bear (5:07)
3. You Don’t Love Me (6:29)
4. Statesboro Blues (4:36)
5. Hot ‘Lanta (5:36)
6. Spots of Time (10:22)
7. Don’t Keep Me Wonderin’ (4:26)
8. Old Before My Time (5:35)
9. Smokestack Lightning (with James van der Bogert, drums) (8:08)
10. Midnight Rider (with James van der Bogert, drums) (3:18)
11. No One To Run With (6:46)

Disc 2
1. Rain (5:40)
2. The High Cost of Low Living (9:24)
3. Worried Down With The Blues (8:06)
4. Dreams (11:13)

Disc 3
1. Why Does Love Got To Be So Sad (with Duane Trucks, drums) (7:00)
2. JaMaBuBu (5:07)
3. Jessica (12:26)
ENCORE
4. Whipping Post (12:24)