After a whirlwind two weeks, we are back at Hittin' the Note headquarters, but our hearts are still at Mountain Jam and Wanee! These two great "family" festivals were an overwhelming display of music, love and friendship, and we thank you for coming by our tent and visiting with us. It's a cool vibe to share in this family of brothers and sisters and it was great hanging with everyone.
The Mountain Jam show was the first-ever ABB performance at the festival, but since Warren Haynes has been hosting the event for years, it felt like a homecoming and the band was red hot! What could be a better opener than "Mountain Jam" at the festival of the same name? The "Mountain Jam Reprise" that closed the set features some of Derek's best playing. These versions of "Dreams" and "Elizabeth Reed" are second to none, with amazing bass work from Oteil on both, and this "Revival" has some unusual jams and interesting grooves.
As for Wanee, no other festival is more beloved by the ABB community, and this year's festival showed why. Even with the occasional torrential rain, the spirit of the crowd never lagged, and the music was nothing less than spectacular. Friday's show featured "Whipping Post" in the middle of the set, an unusual placement, and this energetic rendition stands up proudly to any other version. Jay Collins and Ron Holloway added some saxophone flavor to "Desdemona" and "The Same Thing" respectively, and the set finished strong with "Dreams" and a magnificent "Jessica."
Saturday's show opened with the rocking 1-2 punch of "Don't Want You No More>It's Not My Cross to Bear" and never looked back! Guitarist Doyle Bramhall added bluesy soul to "The Sky Is Crying," an appropriate choice given the rainy weather, which saw Derek cut loose on one of his finest solos of the weekend. Other highlights included an emotional "Come and Go Blues" with Gregg singing from his soul, a smokin' hot "Elizabeth Reed," and the "You Don't Love Me" encore with Scott Murawski and Junior Mack on guitar.
Both of these shows are now available for pre-order from Hittin' the Note with delivery expected within 4 weeks or so. On a related topic, we have started shipping out the West Coast ABB May shows, starting with the concerts at the Fox in Oakland. We should receive the remainder of the West Coast run next week and will be shipping them out right away
Please click here for a list of all 2009 ABB Live shows that are available for order.
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Attention European readers! The incomparable Susan Tedeschi, the First Lady of blues guitar, will be doing an extensive tour of the continent in July. This is the first time Susan has been to Europe for a full solo run, and you can be sure this four time Grammy Nominee will deliver!
You can expect Susan to highlight material from her recent CD Back to the River, her first-ever disc of all original material. This album represents a significant step forward for Susan as an artist, and even if you have heard the studio versions, like all great songs they grow into something more special in the live setting.
Besides Susan's gritty vocals and stinging guitar licks, European fans will have the treat of hearing her new touring band. Bassist Ted Pecchio and drummer Tyler Greenwell, both formerly of the Codetalkers, are dynamic players who bring a great deal to the table. These shows should be some of the best music to hit Europe this year! Click here for a full list of tour dates, and enjoy the shows!
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Another great chance to get together here in the US and hear live music, right where it all began for the ABB, is the annual Georgia Allman Brothers Band Associations (GABBA) gathering in Macon, GA at the Capitol Theatre, this coming weekend!
GABBAFEST 2009 SCHEDULE:
FRIDAY, JUNE 19th
4:00 - Registration for GABBA members & anyone wanting weekend or Saturday passes
begins at the Cox Capitol Theatre.
5:00 - Doors at the Cox open for GABBA members & weekend pass holders
6:00 - Doors at the Cox open for the general public
7:00 - Please Call Home screening, followed by a question and answer session
9:30 - The Lefty Collins Band with special guests Pete Vancura and J. P. Vancura
SATURDAY, JUNE 20th
11:00 - 1:30 Big House Tours, presentation of guitar to Wanee Raffle winner
1:00 - 5:00 Grant's Lounge - September Hase & Member's Jam
5:00 - 6:00 Dinner break
6:00 - Doors at the Cox open for GABBA members & weekend pass holders
7:00 - Doors at the Cox open for the general public
8:00 - Dianne Durrett, followed by GABBY presentation, live auction, announcement of
winners of silent auctions and announcement of Rose Hill Tree memorial tree to
be planted in the fall, followed by Wet Wille.
For more info please go to: www.GABBA.ORG.
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One of the most popular CDs we have carried at Hittin' the Note was the Sevenmoore CD, featuring former members of the Marshall Tucker Band. Many of the same players have reformed into Jackson Crossing, and we are delighted to announce that their new CD Saints and Sinners is now available!
This seasoned group always brings a great deal of taste and maturity to the table, and the material on the new CD is full of the rootsy Southern flavor that made Sevenmoore such a big hit with our readers. Perhaps HTN's Tom Clarke put it best when he wrote these words...
"There's undeniable excellence in Jackson Crossing's blend of country, rock, blues, and R&B. The songs by these five gents and one sweet lady are at times enveloped in hazy folk, dashed with Western swing and touched by old church spirituals. They're always born of the heart and bursting with artistic passion. Some can rock your troubles to dust, while others will pull hard at the heartstrings. Every single one is naturally steeped in a deep, unmistakable Southern soulfulness."
Sound like something you need to hear? Believe us when we say this is the kind of music HTN loves to bring to your attention. So, check 'em out - click here to listen to song samples and to order your very own copy today!
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Ralph Roddenbery is a gifted singer/songwriter and a fine guitarist, but that only covers a small part of his considerable and unique talent. Ralph also is a storyteller, a shaman, a modern-day bard of sorts who can turn any show into an intimate campfire circle. The line between audience and performer is obliterated, and the next thing you know, the whole room is having an intensely transformative experience together.
Here in Atlanta, Ralph has been a sort of local hero for many years, but with the release of the excellent new album For So Long, it's time for us to finally share him with the rest of the world. A well-kept secret can only be kept for so long, if you will pardon the pun. This lively CD illustrates why he is a local favorite in the Southeast, even as it demonstrates why Ralph is deserving of a wider audience.
If you want to see Ralph weave his tapestry of story and song in person, he will be on the road a lot this summer. Click here for a full list of upcoming Roddenbery summer shows, and make sure to catch him when he comes to your town!
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One of the highlights of this year's Wanee festival was the performance of Jaimoe's Jasssz Band at the Mushroom stage. This Hall of Fame drummer has assembled an outstanding band of players including Dave Stoltz on bass, Junior Mack on guitar and vocals and Jay Collins on sax. This band combines elements of Jazz, Blues, Rock-n-Roll, and R&B into a unique blend that captures the spirit and stirs the soul. Their repertoire ranges from new interpretations of classic tunes, as well as original songs that are classics in the making. For those of you in the Northeast - don't miss a chance to hear this compelling assembly of players at the Majestic Theatre in West Springfield, MA on Saturday, June 20th at 8:00 PM. For more info please click here.
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For those of you in Atlanta, GA not going to GABBA be sure to check out the Yonrico Scott Band playing at the 5 Spot in Little 5 Points at 8:30 on Friday, June 19th. Joining Yonrico will be Kofi Burbridge on keys and vocals, Scotty Anderson, an incredible Texas swing guitar player, Sam Skelton on sax and members of Deep Blue Sun. As a special treat for those coming to the show, Yonrico will be giving away one of his pieces of art to a member of the audience! For more info please go to www.fivespot-atl.com.
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Join us at www.hittinthenote.com as we celebrate the 40th anniversary of the
Allman Brothers Band all year long!
The Staff at Hittin' the Note magazine and merchandise! |
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