HYBRIDS
Gregg Allman Live: Back to Macon (Rounder)
On January 14,
2014, Gregg All- man and his brand brought a little bit of magic
to the iconic 1,000 seat venue in Macon called The Grand Opera House. It was certainly not Gregg’s first gig at the Grand, a jewel in the heart of downtown Macon since 1884- he had performed their many times over the past forty-plus years, both solo and as a member of The Allman Brothers Band. But this evening was a homecoming of sorts, and the sold-out audience hung on his every word, and every note. Rounder Records has released a two-CD,
one DVD package to chronicle the event, and it is a true winner. Gregg and his band mixed it up with old and new tunes from his sol ca- reer and well as Allman Brothers classics. The arrangements are different, with stand out sax and horn sections, starting with thew iconic “Statesborro Blues,” and including “One Way Out,” withe Gregg’s son Devon All- man on guitar. Of course “I’m No Angel” sounds great as well as the Warren Haynes penned “Just Before The Bullets Fly.” Gregg told me once in an interview that
“Queen of Hearts” was the favorite of the songs he has written, and it is played here with all the passion of the original recording. “Ain’t Wastin’ Time No More” and “Hot ‘Lanta” are in the set, as is the super-soulful “Brightest Smile in Tow,” which Allman intro- duces as being recorded by only two people,
himself and Ray Charles. Disc two kicks off with another ABB classic,
“Don’t Keep Me Wonderin,” and features ex- cellent performances of “Melissa” and “Mid- night Rider.” I honestly love the variant version of “Whipping Post” Gregg recorded on Searching for Simplicity, and he and the band pull it off here, complete with the awe- some percussion of drummers Steve Potts and ABB’s Marc Quinones. The DVD features the concert along with
some enlightening interview segments, and as a bonus we get “Stormy Monday,” and are treated to a band conversation while enjoying soul food at The H&H Restaurant, home of the legend herself, Mama Louise Hudson. The liner notes by John Lynsky, editor of Hittin’ the Note Magazine, as an added treat, making Back to Macon an essential for any serious ABB fan. Gregg’s voice is in top form, and with his performing what is essentially his greatest hits, how could it be any less than great?
-Michael Buffalo Smith
Lynyrd Skynyrd One More for The Fans (L0ud & Proud Records) Honestly, I
didn’t know what to expect from an “all-star” tribute
to one of the greatest bands of all time, Lynyrd Skynyrd. I had heard that a few of my all-time favorite artists were on the bill -
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