Back in 2005, hot on the heels of their recent new studio release Hittin' the Note, the Allman Brothers Band took to the road for some extensive touring as they always seemed to do, playing at an assortment of festival, amphitheater, casino, and theater appearances, and with a day off on July 18th, the band reconvened for a show in Erie, Pennsylvania as they got set for the final five shows on this run of the tour. The line-up of Gregg Allman on vocals and keyboards, drummers Jaimoe and Butch Trucks, Warren Haynes and Derek Trucks on guitars, Oteil Burbridge on bass and percussionist Marc Quinones, all had been playing together now for a number of years, and proved to be one of the hottest configurations in the bands history. It was to be 'An Evening with the Allman Brothers Band' so no opening act, just the 'Brothers' in an extended performance, two sets chock full of old favorites, new numbers, and some spirited covers.
As the band recorded all their shows from the soundboard, this set sounds spectacular, and full of many highlights. Starting off with a 12-minute "Mountain Jam", something usually saved for later on during the evening, was a bold move, but it works, the rumbling drums and swirling guitars completely magnificent, and they revisit it later on in the set for those who are worrying that 12-minutes just isn't enough "Mountain Jam". Old favorites "Dreams", "Don't Keep Me Wondering", "Trouble No More", "Statesboro Blues", "Midnight Rider", "Melissa", and a glorious "Jessica" are all here (only "Whipping Post" is missing from the 'mandatory' songs) along with newer gems such as "The High Cost of Low Living", the rocking "Firing Line", and a batch of excellent covers. "Good Morning Little Schoolgirl" is sizzling, both Warren & Derek firing off some wild blues rock solos, and Derek's wife Susan Tedeschi joins the band on vocals & guitar for "Don't Think Twice, It's All Right". There's even a fun cover of The Band's "The Night They Drove Old Dixie Down", Gregg & Warren doing a fine job with the emotional vocals on this melodic classic.
With no shortage of live albums released from Peach Records in recent years, here's another one that you'll want to add to your collection. It's a killer set list, and a fantastic performance from a much missed band.
Track Listing
Disc 1
Mountain Jam
Statesboro Blues
Firing Line
Good Morning Little School Girl
Midnight Rider
The High Cost of Low Loving
Trouble No More
Mountain Jam (Reprise)
Melissa
The Night They Drove Old Dixie Down
Don’t Keep Me Wonderin’
Disc 2
Into the Mystic
Dreams
Leave My Blues At Home
Jabuma
Leave My Blues At Home (Reprise)
Don’t Think Twice, It’s All Right (featuring Susan Tedeschi)
Jessica
One Way Out