The legendary Allman Brothers Band originally reunited for a 20th anniversary tour in the late '80s, intending it to be their grand farewell, and here we are 25 years later and the band are still going strong. Sadly, with the recent decision of both Warren Haynes & Derek Trucks to leave the band at the end of 2014, this long run for the band is officially coming to an end. In this period since the band reunited back in the late '80s, they have consistently played extensive runs at New York City's Beacon Theatre, practically each and every year starting in the early '90s. With the release of Seven Turns and Shades of Two Worlds in 1990 and 1991, the ABB not only had all their classics, but two new albums worth of material to play to rabid fans. This live set, recorded from two shows at the Beacon on March 10 & 11, 1992, sees the band really hitting their stride (and I can attest to that, as I was there one night during this run) with the line-up of Gregg Allman (Hammond organ, piano, lead vocals, acoustic guitar), Dickie Betts (lead & rhythm guitar, slide, acoustic guitar, lead vocals), Jaimoe (drums), Butch Trucks (drums), Warren Haynes (lead & rhythm guitar, slide, acoustic guitar, backing vocals), Allen Woody (bass, backing vocals), March Quinones (percussion), and Thom Doucette (harmonica).
Disc One kicks off with the staple "Statesboro Blues", just like the classic Fillmore album that broke the band back in the early '70s, with Haynes taking over the lead slide guitar lines that were once performed by the late Duane Allman. "You Don't Love Me" is another old classic, given royal treatment here, which rolls right into the FM radio hit "End of the Line", a host of then newer tracks played by the band. The familiar Betts song "Blue Sky" sees the guitar legend & Haynes trading off some soulful licks, and the duo get mean on the nasty hard rocker "Nobody Knows", a real lead guitar workout for both players. This segues into the grinding blues of "Low Down Dirty Mean", another hot newer song, before the band settles down into an acoustic set with the hit single "Seven Turns", the old standby "Midnight Rider" and "Come On In My Kitchen".
Over on the second CD, the band pulls out the epics, with extended romps on "Jessica", "In Memory of Elizabeth Reed", "Revival", "Dreams" and "Whipping Post", along with a stunning "Get On With Your Life" (blues at its best) and wild "Hoochie Coochie Man" with Haynes laying down some kick ass slide guitar. Gregg's vocals throughout the set are outstanding, all the more remarkable considering he was battling some severe alcohol problems right around this time. Woody's bass is furious (sadly, he passed away in 2000), the guitar team of Betts & Haynes outstanding, and the old veterans Jaimoe, Trucks, and new guy Quinones do a fine job of manning the grooves.
This 2 CD live set includes an info packed timeline on the bands history, as well as plenty of live photos from the shows. Sure, the band have released so many live albums over the years, but as someone who has a lot of them, I can safely say that this is one of the better ones. It's also available on DVD as well, so whichever format you like the best there's an option for you. Should you not get a chance to catch them on this last Beacon run or one of the outdoor festival shows they are playing this summer, take this little trip back in time to 1992 to when their historic '2nd career' really took off.
Track Listing
CD 1
1) Statesboro Blues
2) You Don't Love Me
3) End of the Line
4) Blue Sky
5) Nobody Knows
6) Low Down Dirty Mean
7) Seven Turns
8) Midnight Rider
9) Come On In My Kitchen
CD 2
1) Guitar Intro/Hoochie Coochie Man
2) Jessica
3) Get On With Your Life
4) In Memory of Elizabeth Reed
5) Revival
6) Dreams
7) Whipping Post
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