09/28/08 - Concert Review - The Allman Brothers Band

Tutelage Led By Vinny "Bond" Marini Sunday, September 28, 2008


Brilliant...tight...in a groove...fun...all of these describe the Allman Brothers on stage at Bluesville at the Horseshoe Casino in Tunica on Saturday evening.

The show was a bit short for an Allman concert clocking in at just over 2 hours, but every second was filled with music new and old.


The band today consists of Greg Allman - vocals & keyboards; Butch Trucks - drums & percussion; Jaimoe - drums; Warren Haynes - guitar; Derek Trucks - guitar; Marc Quiñones - percussion; and Oteil Burbridge - bass. The first three are original members of the band.

Nancy and I arrived at our hotel around 2:00pm after finding out that Charlene would not be joining us due to her father having had a bad day on Friday in rehab.

When we got to our room we had some lunch (delicious left-over pork loin on rolls, parmesean reggiano cheese, summer sausage and crackers) with a few cocktails.

We headed over to Bluesville and sniffed around for people looking for tickets. There were others with extra tickets and we almost had two sales which, for various reasons did not come through.

Finally about 10 minutes before showtime, we went in and found our seats. They were not where I thought (I hate the seating charts in most venues)...but in a room that holds about 2,000 people, there are no bad seats. We did go up to the side of the area where general admission was set up (the same area our seats were in for B.B. King) and watched the show from closer for a while.

In the future, if we can not get ducats for seats up front, Nancy and I have decided, we would sit in the balcony along the sides. The seats are unobstructed and closer to the stage.

The band hit the stage right on time and, as I said above, were in incredible shape. Playing as well as I have heard with this lineup. It is interesting to watch Warren and Derek, as they hardly ever look at each other as is the case with many two-guitar bands. Yet, they are so totally in-sync as to what they are doing and are going to do, trading lead and slide guitar parts over and over throughout each song.

The show contained "Walk On Gildered Splinters", "Elizabeth Reed", "You Don't Love Me", "Soulshine" and "One Way Out" to name a few.

One of the cool things the Brothers are doing now is putting all their music on their own label and get distribution through a third party. Also, every concert is recorded from the soundboard and you can order online at their website or even order it at the show. I will be getting the CD in about a week or so, and will share some of it when I do.

I even found they have the Stony Brook University show I saw back in 1971 in the archives and I want to look for some of the other shows I have seen. I think this is a great way to share you live shows with your fans. The CD run about $25.00.

At Saturday's show, Greg sounded great. His voice was strong and his keyboard playing some of the strongest I can remember. The trio of drummers; Jaimoe, Butch and Marc were really pounding out the beat last night. When I first read that the Brothers were adding a percussionist in Marc Quiñones I was not sure why as Butch and Jaimoe have always been such strong drummers, but Quiñones adds runs on the congas and timpani that seem natural in even the older numbers where there were none.

Warren and Derek dueled all night long. Searing guitar solos have always been the hallmark of the Allman Brothers and for a while were lost in the 80's when Dickie Betts dueled with keyboards and lesser skilled guitar players. Even when Warren joined in the 90's and before Dickie left the band, the intensity that forms on the stage with Warren and Derek was missing. This is reminiscent of the old Duane/Dickie days.

Everyone who I spoke with or overheard as we were leaving was on fire about the show. As I was taking pictures one guy came over and said "Man, I bet you are getting some great shots, can you email them to me" and handed me a business card. I will be getting them out to him, but you get to see them first...

For the show, the shirt came out again (the only time I seem to wear it now). It was made for me in 1973 by a woman I knew in college. As I have recounted in the past, the day she gave it to me I was offered $150.00 for it.

I did receive comments on Saturday from some people.(all photos enlarge with a click)

And next to it is a closeup of the 'french-knots' used for the peach...it has held up incredibly well...and finally, tickets all set to go...



Shots from the show...


The slide that was up before the concert began - The band with light-show behind them - Warren & Derek


Greg - Warren - Derek - Oteil, Marc & Butch (Jaimoe was impossible to get from my angle)

Nancy got a t-shirt. This is actually from the 2006 tour, but was the one she liked the best...and I added a new shirt to my collection.


On Sunday we lounged around until about noon and then headed over to Harrah's to donate some money to their coffers and to have a great brunch at the Paula Dean buffet.

Then it was time to head home and that is always sad.

I am working on the Tuneage Tutelage for the Allman Brothers and believe part one will be tomorrow. It might end up being Wednesday. There is jsut so much info...I have figured out how I am planning on presenting it over a few days to not inundate y'all...some will be driven away fro the week, but it is time to share the story of this band that will be celebrating FORTY YEARS of playing together next year.

Incredible!