SYLVAIN SYLVAIN once a member of the notorious NEW YORK DOLLS had a song “14th Street” recorded with his post-Dolls band THE CRIMINALS. If memory serves me that very tune was played by THE DOLLS during their last breaths of fame, along with the Gamble/Huff song “There’s Gonna Be A Showdown” which has a reference to 14th Street, maybe not our’s but maybe, yes. Fourteenth Street runs across the borough from the East Side to the West Side and is considered the demarcation point separating lower Manhattan from mid-town Manhattan. This may not mean much to some but at one point most “hipsters” would never considering having any thing to do with things happening much further north of 14th.
The area around 14th is a trip, a history lesson unto itself. I’ll start with the make up of the area: all streets north of 14th are in traditional “grid” formation, avenues running north/south, streets east/west while south of 14th, well, not so much. “Fourteenth” borders in some form or fashion the East Village, The West Village, Chelsea, Alphabet City, Gramercy and is a major hub for subways and PATH trains.
Over the years I had many opportunities to enjoy the outdoor markets, hawkers, vendors, bars, restaurants and venues surrounding 14th Street, many times being over served by the bar staff. One of my all time favorite haunts was the original ENRICO and PAGLIERE’S at 64 West 11th Street off of Sixth Avenue, with its wrought iron basement entrance connecting three beautiful brownstones.Compared to 14th, 11th was quiet and pristine, a residential area. By the time I attended “EandP’s” it was part of a Longchamp’s chain but I had to go after being told every night at about 11 PM by John ZACHERLE on WNEW-FM it was thee place for “good Italian food with all your can drink wine and beer”. What more does a young man need? All you can drink, I’m in. For those who care there is a sad story about the longtime hostess Mrs. Josephine Pagliere who died at age 95. Check it out at NYT:2/7/76.
GLANCY’S, a corner pub on 14th, across from the Academy of Music/Palladium was another haunt that over served the under served masses. I learned early on “in a crowded bar, tip the bar keep immediately with a nice chunk of change” and you will never need to search for him or him for you. GLANCY’S was one such place. The EMERALD INN around the corner was usually not so crowded but was frequented by the “men in blue” while off duty, many times while still in uniform.
There was TAD’S STEAK HOUSE, a cheap, cafeteria style (red trays) eating hall. Did I say cheap? Mushrooms and onions are additional charges, and dessert is yummy green jello. This was a wondrous spot where you stood in line while your steak is being either lightly touched to the huge flames in front of you or being burned beyond recognition, your choice. Not a place to impress a date.
LUCHOW’S German Restaurant was at 110 East 14th. It was the place to go if you had a date you wanted to impress. This is not the place to go if you were heading to see THE ALLMAN BROTHERS BAND with a few guys. LUCHOW’S food was incredible. For the ALLMAN BROTHERS crowd, have some fun over at HORN and HARDART where you are entertained by watching stoned out hippies trying to get food/drink out of the vending machines.
For pre-show/post show fun there was JULIAN’S POOL HALL’s staircase entrance to the left of the ACADEMY/PALLADIUM. Bring plenty of expendable cash to lose to all the hustlers awaiting fresh meat or to hawk some heavy drugs.
UNION SQUARE has a long distinguished history but to us it was the standard meeting place, the place to gather, to meet up, to have a smoke before dinner and a show. Most subways and a PATH train stopped at the Union Square station so its locale was of great importance Contrary to popular belief, even though UNION SQUARE was the site of the first LABOR DAY PARADE (1882), UNION SQUARE was not named for its ties to union activity but rather it was named as the “union of Bloomingdale Road (now Broadway) and Eastern Post Road (now extinct)”. Surrounding THE SQUARE was S. KLEIN’S DEPARTMENT STORE, to the north was ANDY WARHOL’S “The Factory” (The Decker Building) which later relocated to 860 Broadway at Union.
IRVING (Washington Irving) PLAZA was around the corner, and directly across from Union Square on Park Avenue South was MAX’S KANSAS CITY where I would religiously stop by for a few cocktails and regularly for some entertainment, either in the bar watching the weirdos or upstairs at the showcase to see my beloved HEARTBREAKERS.
Lastly, there was the ACADEMY OF MUSIC, later THE PALLADIUM. We saw many bands there. It wasn’t FILLMORE EAST but it would do for major bands coming into town for a few years.
THERE’S GONNA BE A SHOWDOWN (Gamble/Huff)
Say man, they tell me you think you’re pretty good
Don’t you know you’re in my neighborhood
They tell me you’re pretty fast on your feet
You best be at the dance hall down on 14th street, you hear
“May you always be courageous, stand upright and be strong. May you stay forever young.”- Bob Dylan, ‘Forever Young’
Today, January 24, 2022 I feel I am still that 16 years old snot nosed kid but now I come with 54 years of additional experiences.When my Mom was still with us I would send her flowers every year on my birth date. Some years the package was delivered to her at work, which was tough for her to explain to co-workers, flowers with the word “Thanks” nothing else written on the card.Then, there was Dad whom I learned a lot from. Pop who would say, when we needed to have “that” long discussion for any indiscretions I might have provoked, “excuses and promises don’t make it for me, Michael” so I got used to working hard to deliver on things I promised. Since that time my hair has changed color, my face has added a few wrinkles, and my bones ache most mornings when I arise but hell, I’m ready for anything the day throws at me. Well, not sky diving as I am still afraid of heights and while I’m at it I’m not particularly fond of the deep water either. I never back down, never give up and am stubborn as a mule. I am loyal to a fault. If you need someone to hold your drink while you want to do something stupid, I’m your guy. And, YES, I am a snob when it comes to “your taste” in music. I still play “A Love Supreme” as often as possible, shook Albert King’s huge hand, had Duane Allman bum a Marlboro Red off of me March of 71, and sang on Todd Rundgren’s “Sons Of 1984”. I’ve had three careers(38 years) all in one school district (custodian, teacher/coach, administrator), am happily married (49 years this anniversary) to a girl I met in first grade, we have two wonderful boys (men), and are proud grandparents. I have a fabulous extended family and miss my brother every day. So, THANK YOU for all the kind words and warm wishes for my 70th completed trip around the sun. And to the cast of knuckleheads, vagabonds, cronies, and sidekicks who joined me on some of my past escapades, We did have fun, didn’t we? With more to come, hopefully.
Most importantly, today, my birth date, THANK YOU, Mom and Dad. Look down and smile, I’m still your knucklehead.
IN THE BLINK OF AN EYE: 1977,DECEMBER 30: THE PATTI SMITH GROUP with RICHARD HELL and THE VOID OIDS/THE ERASERS at the newly re-named “CBGB’s Theatre” on Second Avenue, the old Anderson Theatre. My brother and I, with a growing angry crowd, spent a very cold night outside waiting to get in. I had my usual pack of Marlboro Reds and we shared a bottle or two of wine. After an unusual delay the doors finally opened to find the theatre had limited if any heat, poor(no )plumbing and limited services, none. The usher led us to a nasty looking broken seat but it was close to the stage on the right. WE, my brother and I were primed and ready to go. The ERASERS a band we saw a few times at CBGB’s and MAX’s opened and did not disappoint. Funny note: you could see frost coming from the singers mouth, it was so cold in this freaking dirt hole. Then RICHARD HELL and The V.O’s hit the stage with “Blank Generation”. This is going great, but I’m still freezing. Then the PATTI SMITH GROUP ripped it up opening with The Velvet’s “We’Re Gonna Have A Real Good Time Together”, “Ask The Angels’,”Kimberly”(my bro’s fav), “We Three”. “Till Victory”, we are rocking now, this place is nuts. Then, a Ronette’s cover, “Be My Baby”,”Pumping My Heart”,Patti slows the pace with “Ghost Dance” and I’m getting so excited knowing this is going to be a blast as we get closer to the end except for all the NYPD officers and NYFD uniforms suddenly walking about the place. Patti addresses the crowd talking about a new song she recorded and then she introduces BRUCE SPRINGSTEEN who joins the band to perform “Because The Night”. This is followed by “25th Floor” and then the crowd, we, collectively sing HAPPY BIRTHDAY to our host, Patti Smith. But something is amiss as the NYPD and NYFD are now on the stage, not joining in the chorus. As we conclude the birthday song the NYFD closed the place down by announcing the numerous fire code violations. Patti, the diplomat, beseeched the courtesy of one more song, really two “Radio Ethiopia’ and “RnR N” if everyone promised to leave in an orderly fashion, which we did, slowly. She invited everyone to meet her over to CBGB’s to continue the party which was a mob scene so we headed home as my brother had a doctor’s appointment the next day.
December 31: We, my brother, his date, my wife, and I had tickets for NEW YEAR’s EVE at My Father’s Place in Roslyn featuring ROBERT GORDON. Earlier in the day my brother had a procedure in North Shore Hospital. At about 6pm he called me to tell me he had cancer and had to stay for testing.In the blink of an eye…everything changes…
JETHRO TULL: “My God…or How I developed a dislike for a great band…”
“This Was” JETHRO TULL: released (US)February 1969 Even with it’s unusual cover photo and liner notes so hard to visually decipher, I loved Jethro Tull’s first lp “This Was”. The music was incredible. Blues,folk, jazz, and rock all thrown together in a mix which made my 17 year old ears perk right up. The calendar had just turned to 1969(February) and this album was a fine addition to my ever expanding collection. I remember going to TSS which had a great record department to purchase “This Was” and “Fleetwood Mac” (Peter Green’s Fleetwood Mac). From that afternoon, both pieces of vinyl found heavy rotation on the turntable in my upstairs bedroom.
So, here we are going into Spring of 69 and a new “favorite” guitarist joins my ever expanding list, MICK ABRAHAMS. Excitement filled the air in my tiny room every time that LP was played. CLIVE BUNKER on the kit, GLENN CORNICK on the bass, the flute and vocals of Ian (and Mick vocals) that album was a joy to listen to. Alas, my neighbor saw JETHRO TULL at STONY BROOK UNIVERSITY and again at FILLMORE EAST with JEFF BECK (July 69) and broke the news to me that MICK ABRAHAMS was out and a new guitarist was in, MARTIN BARRE. Geez, I was disappointed but my neighbor (3 years older than I) whom I considered to have had impeccable taste in the music told me the new guy was good.
“Stand Up” JETHRO TULL: released September 1969STAND UP is released in September 69, the second JETHRO TULL album, the first with MARTIN BARRE. It’s a bit different and I found listening to it quite enjoyable, but it wasn’t “This Was”.
NOVEMBER 1969: At one of the notorious weekend parties at a friend’s house, with TIME WAS being played in the background someone suggests we, the group, get tickets to see JETHRO TULL. I threw in my 11 bucks for two seats.
December, 1970 FILLMORE EAST:FAT MATTRESS up first, a band which was basically Noel Redding the ex-bassist for Hendrix’s Experience now playing lead guitar and fronting the group.They were terrible. (The band disbanded a few weeks later, with Noel walking out during the American tour) .GRAND FUNK RAILROAD was loud, very loud, fast and did I mention loud. There was a hair flowing lead guitarist running about on the stage. Geez, these schmoes got an encore and then another encore…WHAT? The Fillmore East crowd begging for multiple encores? Grand What? It was unusual even with my limited concert experience to see a support band called back more than once. Then, JETHRO TULL hits the stage with NOTHING IS EASY, a great opening tune. “Bouree”, “A New Day Yesterday, “My Sunday Feeling”, “Fat Man”, “Dharma For One” , “For A Thousand Mothers” along with a tune or two to which I was unfamiliar. Overall, a nice set by a band I was willing to see again.
April 70 Jethro Tull’s third album “Benefit” is released and I add it to my collection but overall was not too impressed with it.
May 1970: On a train with a large group of 12 friends we are off to the FILLMORE EAST late show featuring JETHRO TULL, supported by JOHN SEBASTIAN and CLOUDS, a strange mix of artists for his May 22 bill. CLOUDS a power trio from Scotland who shared management with Jethro Tull landed the opening slot and proceeded to assault our ears with their loud music, if that’s what it could be called. They were followed by JOHN SEBASTIAN, complete in his stoned out Woodstock tie dye outfit playing acoustic guitar, and harmonica. From a power trio to a stoned acoustic singer, we were mesmerized. Now, throw in JETHRO TULL as the closer. JETHRO TULL was now a five piece outfit, adding John Evans on piano, and the band was playing tunes from the recently released BENEFIT album along with the traditional STAND UP songs and a new one with a long diatribe introduction by IAN ANDERSON, “My God”. I pined for the THIS WAS era tunes and the only one they played this night was DHARMA FOR ONE(15 plus minutes) which is the drum solo.”Nothing Is Easy”,”My God”,”To Cry You A Song”, “With You There To Help Me”, “Sossity…”,”Reason For Waiting”, “Dharma For One”, “We Used To Know”, and “For A Thousand Mothers”.
JULY 17, 1970: RANDALL’S ISLAND FESTIVAL: Tull played the identical set as of the FILLMORE EAST show a few weeks ago.
August 3, 1970: WOLLMAN SKATING RINK in Central Park, JETHRO TULL is supported by HAYSTACKS BALBOA a band playing their very first major venue gig, and it showed. JETHRO TULL open up with “To Cry You A Song” followed by the almost identical introduction to “My God” as Anderson did in May. Ian Anderson tried to entertain the crowd with dialogs between some songs but I found this nonsense to show him as a weird dude and getting weirder by the moment. That night I lost all momentum to follow this band any further. ”With You There To Help Me”, “A Song For Jeffrey”,”Sossity, You’re A Woman” (loved it), the obligatory “Dharma For One” (about 15 minutes) and the traditional closer, “For A Thousand Mothers”.
April 29, 1971; JETHRO TULL @ New Paltz It was Spring Break and TULL was one of the major acts performing in the gym. The sound was muffled, the nonsense between tunes unbearable, and it was hotter than hell in the hall.
May 5,1971: JETHRO TULL at FILLMORE EAST, from a cancelled show last month.Yuck.
May 71 AQUALUNG released and Tull goes to MSG, I did purchase the lp, gave it a few spins and traded it away. Didn’t even consider buying a ticket for The Garden show.
May 72 THICK AS A BRICK: Nope/done
2020: Ian Anderson is still going and I only have the first two Tull records in my collection but did add an incredible THIS WAS (live) recorded by MICK ABRAHAMS THIS WAS BAND. Also, filed away are the two BLODWIN PIG records.
TICKETS TORN IN HALF: “A CELEBRATION: 50 YEARS OF THE ALLMAN BROTHERS BAND” as performed by THE BROTHERS, March 10,2020 @ Madison Square Garden,NYC
A Golden Anniversary is a great way for couples to celebrate a half century of loving companionship. But, golden anniversary record releases are a different story, compounding that a “50 Year Celebration” of a band’s music might be difficult to pull off. The Stones, sure, they are still somewhat relevant, Herman’s Hermits, not so much. Yet when it was announced that THE BROTHERS, surviving members of the various incarnations of the ALLMAN BROTHERS BAND sans DICKEY BETTS would be performing at MADISON SQUARE GARDEN aka THE WORLD’S MOST FAMOUS ARENA, I was in for the “celebration” from the get-go. This ALLMAN BROTHERS obsession for me goes back 49 years and 47 shows ago to March 13,1971 when my college radio station partner and I got tickets from Columbia Records to see JOHNNY WINTER AND. Well, the review for WINTER went out the door the minute I heard the twin guitar approach with dual drummers of the ALLMAN BROTHERS BAND. The vocalist was amazing. The late show even better than the early show.Magical. Hence, that night’s performances became an integral part of one of the greatest live recordings LIVE AT FILLMORE EAST. So many years later,March 10, 2020,with a group of different players but somehow the music performed this night touched me almost as much as it did in ’71. The pre-show discussions overheard though out the sold out house included “Why just THE BROTHERS? Who owns “the name” ALLMAN’s?”, “What will they play?”, “Who will sing vocals?”, “Where’s Dickey?’”,“Who will sing Blue Sky” and of course , “Will we catch this Corona thing?” Remembering a snippet from an old BUTCH TRUCK interview of yesteryear, Butch stated that he envisioned a time when the music of THE ALLMAN BROTHERS would tour ala the DUKE ELLINGTON ORCHESTRA without any original members.Hmmmm.So here it is.
The lights dim precisely at a very professional 7:30 pm with a slight moment or two to plug in, tune up and hit the opener of THE ALLMAN BROTHERS BAND debut album, the SPENCER DAVIS tune “Don’t Want You No More” which tonight just like on the album morphed into “It’s Not My Cross To Bear” complete with a portrait of Gregg on the screen AND his lead vocals looped in with guitarist/vocalist WARREN HAYNES. The applause at the end of the selection(s) was deafening, but not as loud as the whoops and yells when we heard Warren say, “ 1,2,3” the intro to the BLIND WILLIE MCTELL song “Statesboro Blues”,a signature tune for the original band. DICKEY BETT’S penned tune “Revival” from the second lp was next, followed by “Trouble No More”, “Don’t Keep Me Wondering”, “Black Hearted Woman”, “Dreams”(fav of mine), and a smoking “Hot ‘lanta”. CHUCK LEAVELL, a member of the post-Duane ensemble was introduced for “Come and Go Blues”,”Soulshine”,” Stand Back”, and ultimately “Jessica” complete with his amazing piano solo closed out the first set. With that said, my buddies commented that if the evening was over at this point the ticket price of over $200.00 was well worth it.
For set two the core of founding member Jaimoe(drums), Derek Trucks(guitar), Warren Haynes, Marc Quinones (longest tenured member on various percussion),Oteil Burbridge (bass), former member Chuck Leavell, once again shared the stage with WIDESPREAD PANIC’s drummer, brother of Derek, DUANE TRUCKS and keyboardist REESE WYNANS, a former member of STEVIE RAY VAUGHN’s band. The audience knew that at some point we would hear the familiar riff from the improvisation of a DONAVAN melody renamed “Mountain Jam” but never expected it to start the second set. This 20 minute exchange set the tone for the next few selections as each musician was given a chance to step out into the spotlight.DEREK TRUCKS utilized DUANE ALLMAN’s legendary 1957 LES PAUL GOLD TOP, the same guitar which was used during the recording of the first two ALLMAN lps as well as during the LAYLA sessions, the guitar which recently sold for $1.25 million, one of the top five most expensive guitars ever sold (according to Stringjoy). To further answer the question posed about DICKEY BETTS’ absence, CHUCK LEAVELL sang the next tune, “Blue Sky” (complete with a Franklin’s Tower tease) as did most of the 20,000 plus folks in attendance.Warren Haynes provided the vocals and guitar solo for a smoking hot version of a latter day ABB song ,“Desdemonia”. Chuck Leavell’s piano introduction to “Ain’t Wasting Time No More” was met with cheers becoming an almost mandatory sing and dance along. It was party time in The Garden. Phones were out recording the event, beers were being raised toasting our great fortune. Smiles abounded. Chuck took his leave after this number. As long as everyone was standing, “Every Hungry Woman” kept the crowd enthusiasm going. Warren strapped on an acoustic guitar,and with that the opening chords of “Melissa” changed the mood immediately. Derek’s beautiful electric exchange help calm the mood even further. The crowd was listening to each word, each note. This somber song made me reflect on how GREGG ALLMAN’s vocals will be forever missed but Warren was doing a yeoman’s job tonight. The applause for “Melissa” seemed to last forever.Gregg was smiling down on us. A deep breath was taken by the band, a slight interchange, a few tuning notes and soon we were deep “In Memory of Elizabeth Reed”, followed by the Bo Diddley beat of “No One To Run With” and concluding with “One Way Out”. The band returned to the stage with a short word or two from JAIMOE and as most in the crowd were yelling for “Whipping Post’ as the encore, the band with Chuck Leavell hit the notes for “Midnight Rider”.Beautifully done. Then, Oteil stepped forward and his thundering bass led us through “Whipping Post” complete with a “Les Brers In A minor” thrown in for good measure.The band meet at mid-stage, took a few bows, a few photos and the house light rose. #48 in the books.
TICKETS TORN IN HALF:July 12,1969:BLIND FAITH/DELANEY,BONNIE and FRIENDS/FREE @ Madison Square Garden, NYC.
But as they sang on ever popular TV show LAUGH IN “what’s the news across the nation”, well, Warren Burger becomes CHIEF JUSTICE of THE SUPREME COURT and two weeks later he votes with the majority in ROE v WADE, establishing a woman’s right to an abortion. In late June I read an article about the STONEWALL RIOTS, a confrontation between gay rights activists and the NYPD outside the gay bar STONEWALL INN located in Greenwich Village. Sexuality, or the way folks thought about sexuality was changing right in front of our eyes, Women’s Rights, Gay Rights.
JULY 12,1969 BLIND FAITH
For some strange reason in the late sixties record companies coined the phrase SUPER GROUP, as in CREAM the first and then BLIND FAITH the most notable. TIME magazine even wrote about the “supergroup” as a “potent but short-lived rock phenomenon” which was an “amalgam formed by the talented malcontents of other bands.” The article acknowledged that groups such as Cream and Blind Faith “played enormous arenas and made megabucks, and sometimes megamusic”.Harsh words but somewhat true especially in the case of BLIND FAITH, JULY 12,1969 at MADISON SQUARE GARDEN.
To put BLIND FAITH in context, the week they performed at THE GARDEN, the song “IN THE YEAR 2525” by Zager and Evans was a Number 1 hit across the nation. Lord help us. So for what in today’s economic standards would be a meager $6.50 but was costly in ‘69 I ventured out to see the American debut of BLIND FAITH the “newest” SUPER GROUP featuring Eric Clapton (guitar/vocals) and Ginger Baker(drums) from the aforementioned “supergroup” CREAM, Ric Grech (bass and violin) from FAMILY and Steve Winwood(vocals, guitar,keyboards) from TRAFFIC, on a bill with FREE, and DELANEY,BONNIE and FRIENDS. All to be showcased on a revolving stage set in the middle of the cavernous arena; which in hindsight, having the stage located where it was… was not a good idea.
A few of my thoughts on the performance are a bit cloudy, musically that is, especially the BLIND FAITH portion of the show as their first lp was still days away from hitting the shops and most of their live material that night was unfamiliar to the attending audience, especially me. It was believed that their musicianship when blended together should have perked up our ears, as these members were already “musical legends”. In hindsight one could say that these guys as a band hit the road a bit too early. Add to that, the sound system used that evening was atrocious.
The English group FREE kicked off their American career with an enthusiast set to which the audience responded in kind, some even positive. Most of their tunes were unfamiliar to this crowd as would be BLIND FAITH’s set.
This night was my second shot at seeing DB and F in only a month’s time. Again the sound system hindered their funky proselytizing but from where I sat they worked and wooed the crowd to its feet.They were a band on the rise.
Blind Faith on the other hand was dead in the water from the opening tune.They appeared underrehearsed, seemingly uncomfortable with each other on stage and then there was the poor sound system to deal with. About 18,000 people awaiting to hear songs they were unfamiliar with didn’t add anything positive to the mix. It was truly a “blind faith” on our part for showing up as only one song had been released by this “super group”. Being familiar with Traffic and Cream I was anticipating a blend of both from this outfit and Blind Faith did their Cream/Traffic thing as expected until tensions in the crowd grew and the show was ended by the NYPD. Ginger Baker the drummer, left his throne, walked to the edge of the stage where he hit a security guard (NYPD) who allegedly “manhandled” a girl. Show or the musical portion of the show anyway was over, now the dramatics began as the security team attempted to get the “supergroup” through the crowd surrounding the circular stage in the center of Madison Square Garden. From what I remember the NYPD who were slighted by Mr. Baker did little to control the crowd hindering the security attempt to exit the band.
Despite all this drama and a poor sound equipment, overall, this show was a great concert experience for my young concert days. Yes, sometimes the crowd IS the show as it was tonight and yes, sometimes the undercard (Free and DB&F) is better than the head liner.
The BLIND FAITH set list is from a bootleg which has circulated for some time:
Had To Cry Today
Can’t Find My Way Home
Sleeping In The Ground
Well All Right
In The Presence Of The Lord
Sea Of Joy
Do What You Like
Means To An End
Blind Faith: Madison Square Garden, July 14, 1969 Review
Blind Faith Group Sings
New York Times, July 14th 1969
By Mike Jahn
Blind Faith, the British rock group succeeding Cream, which became very popular in the last few years, played an impressive opening Saturday at Madison Square Garden.
Blind Faith presents Eric Clapton on guitar, Ginger Baker on drums, Steve Winwood, guitar and keyboards, and Rick Grech, bass and electric violin.
The group packed the Garden in its first United States appearance. As usual, the Garden sound system was bad, and the breaks between songs were punctuated by indignant shouts to that effect. Considering the acoustics and the size of the house, Blind Faith did rather well.
Mr. Clapton and Mr. Baker play loosely structured, emotional music. Mr. Winwood leans toward tightly structured but soulful rock. Putting together such intensely individual artists as those three men is a risky business. Blind Faith emerges as more versatile and precise than either cream or the rival British group Traffic, but unfortunately not as exciting as either.
Mr. Winwood’s vocals were taut and effective as usual. Mr. Baker contributed an explosive, imaginative drum solo that was the emotional high point of the night.
Also on the program were Delaney & Bonnie and Friends, an exciting soul-and-gospel group from Los Angeles.
Murray The K’s Music In The 5th Dimension | RKO 58 St Theater (28 shows over nine days and nights) featuring:
Mitch Ryder & Detroit Wheels, Wilson Pickett, The Who, Hardly-Worthit Players, Cream, Blues Magoos, The Blues Project, Smokey Robinson & the Miracles, Jim & Jean, Mandala, The Chicago Loop, Phil Ochs, Simon & Garfunkel, The Young Rascals
(udiscovermusic.com)When both The Who and Cream made their live debut in America, it could hardly have been any less auspicious. It happened for both of them on 25 March 1967 at the RKO Keith Theater on 58th and 3rd Ave in New York City. The shows were redolent of the old 1940s variety shows with a bill packed with artists that actually began at 10 o’clock in the morning and ran all day with a movie thrown in for good measure. All the artists on the bill played five shows a day and it was grueling; the whole thing was promoted by New York’s legendary DJ, Murray the K.
The Who and Cream, or The Cream as they were billed, were well down the bill. Headlining were Mitch Ryder and the Detroit Wheels, Wilson Pickett, with Buddy Miles was on drums, The Hardly Worthit Players, The Mandala, the Chicago Loop, Simon & Garfunkel, Jim & Jean, Phil Ochs, The Young Rascals and The Blues Project, Al Kooper’s band.
TICKETS TORN IN HALF: March Madness with THE ALLMAN BROTHERS FAMILY and FRIENDS
A complete book could be written about my musical fascination with one band that became my obsession, THE ALLMAN BROTHERS BAND. It started in March of 71 when I saw them live for the very first time. I was speechless. They were that good and then some. Over the years I have been to hundreds of concerts seeing various bands of all genres, 50 plus shows (to date) have been ALLMAN BROTHERS BAND related. Not just the ABB per-say but ABB extended family and friends. I have numbered the show (I’m sure I missed one or several) and with the help of my handwritten notes, SETLIST.COM, some newspaper clipping I saved, and my trusty mayonnaise jar(s) filled with “tickets torn in half” I offer the following.
(Shows #1 and # 2)March 13,1971
My intro to the Allman Brothers was having their first album, sitting in the “A” pile of my record collection. I listened to it maybe twice by this time.Then, my college radio buddy was paying back a favor whereby I gave up my first row ticket for a Leon Russell show at The Capitol so that he could take a girl. He felt he owed me something in return so he invited me to join him to see Johnny Winter at Fillmore East. Our show was the 11:30 set. Dinner was planned for 7PM. By 8:45PM “my buddy” was a no show, and I was freezing just standing around in the cold waiting. Magically, some guy walks up to me handing me a free ticket for the 8PM show. Not knowing whether my buddy would ever show up I thanked the guy for the freebie, finished my cigarette and entered the sacred hall. ELVIN BISHOP was already “Partying Til The Cows Come Home” as I found my upper balcony seat. At the short intermission I grabbed a cup of coffee and a cigarette in the lobby then I sat down to hear the introduction that changed everything: “THE ALLMAN BROTHERS BAND”. In moments my eyes were wide, and a smile from ear to ear appeared across my face. Never before had I seen or heard anything like this band. Yes, I saw Fleetwood Mac with two guitarists exchanging leads, two drummers in THE DEAD, a bass player who had a bottom sound, yet here was a Hammond B-3 player who when he sang was angelic, Ray Charles like. After their set the crowd was roaring for “MORE, MORE”. One long encore, and it was over. After an equipment change the crowd was still buzzing about The ALLMANS. JOHNNY WINTER AND (THE McCOYS) took the stage but all I could think about was THE ALLMAN BROTHERS BAND.
The early show crowd was let out and I could still hear the raves outside about The Allman Brothers. Forget Johnny Winter, as I was excited at a chance to see The Allman Brothers Band again that night.I met my buddy with the ticket and told him of the band’s sound and the amazing guitar workings. After grabbing something to eat we headed back to the hall at about midnight. Elvin Bishop was tearing it up, had the crowd in his favor when we were met with the houselights rising and being instructed that we needed to evacuate the hall in a peaceful manner. Seems a bomb threat had been called in. As it was freezing outside we were promised we would be let back in as soon as it was possible. It seemed like an eternity outside but finally, back in, freezing, the house light dim and “Ladies and gentleman, Johnny Winter And”…. what? What about The Allmans??? I thought, geez. Johnny did a short 35 minute set, and as he exited the stage manager stated “The Allman BROTHERS BAND” would be up next. Thank goodness.
When The Allmans hit the stage an announcement was made that the band would be recording live. They played for hours, hours, yet it was not nearly long enough for me. The sun was rising as we headed for the door. It was an amazing set, as can be witnessed on the album, LIVE AT FILLMORE EAST. Note: a few guys I know went to the next night (Sunday) gig at Suffolk Community College.
(3) APRIL 27,1971:THE ALLMAN BROTHERS BAND @ THE ACTION HOUSE, (aka Rock Pile) Island Park,NY A week night no less but to see the Allman Brothers Band at THE ACTION HOUSE, a small club would be a joy. A very late night, indeed, but worth it and not too crowded.(5 bucks)
(4) MAY 2,1971: ALLMAN BROTHERS @ Hofstra University. It was a Sunday night performance so school on Monday morn would be a drag and (Accounting 2 and Business Law) finals are beginning NOW.
(5) June 25,1971: THE FILLMORE EAST closes with the longest and best set (to date) given by the ALLMAN BROTHERS BAND/ J. Geils Band and Albert King
END OF AN ERA:
The Fillmore East was closing it’s doors for good on Sunday, June 27, audience by invitation only. I felt I needed to be there on Saturday, June 26 for the late show. A few weeks prior to this date, I was speaking with a young lady who worked the box office. Somehow, we two had become friendly over the last few months. She got me a ticket for Saturday, in the middle section of the front balcony. Cool.
JUNE 25: ALLMAN BROTHERS BAND, J. GEILS BAND, and ALBERT KING at Fillmore East, called “the ALLMAN BROTHERS show to end all shows”. In the hall after midnight, we saw the most incredible set by Albert King, followed by The J. Geils Band. Then, The ALLMAN BROTHERS took the stage, introduced so eloquently by Bill Graham, and the band played what is rumored to be their finest set ever. The sun was up, 7AM, as we headed toward the subway on Second Avenue.
July 7, 1971: The release of AT FILLMORE EAST
(6) July 21,1971: ALLMAN BROTHERS BAND/ COWBOY @ shows at Central Park were an experience. In the park the sun was shining brightly as the ABB hits the stage and they finished hours later in the calm of an early evening. Duane was in his element. I took photos galore. With two shows that night,we had the early one. STATESBORO TROUBLE NO MORE DON’T KEEP ME WONDERING DONE SOMEBODY WRONG ONE WAY OUT MIDNIGHT RIDER IN MEMORY OF ELIZ REED YOU DON’T LOVE ME REVIVAL
(7)August 15,1971: ALLMAN BROTHERS BAND show moved to Academy Of Music from Manhattan Center. This was a Sunday night spectacular with Dr. John opening. The ABB were becoming HUGE at this very moment due to the release of the FILLMORE EAST album. It was amazing to see this band and the effect their music had on the crowd. It was like a brotherhood.
Statesboro
Trouble No More
Don’t Keep Me Wondering
Done Somebody Wrong
One Way Out
In Memory of Eliz Reed
Blue Sky (debut for me)
Midnight Rider
Hot ‘Lanta
Soul Serenade ( In Memory of King Curtis)
You Don’t Love Me
Revival
A few nights later (August 26th,1971) WPLJ-FM did a live from the A&R Recording Studio radio broadcast of the ALLMAN BROTHERS BAND. I taped it.
STATESBORO
TROUBLE NO MORE
DON’T KEEP ME WONDERIN
DONE SOMEBODY WRONG
ONE WAY OUT
IN MEMORY OF ELIZ REED
STORMY MONDAY
YOU DON’T LOVE ME
(SOUL SERANADE INTERLUDE)
YOU DON’T LOVE ME
HOT ‘LANTA
BAND INTROS
I wore my tape out listening to it over and over again, and again. It was so great.
OCTOBER 1971:Suddenly very wealthy and very successful some of the band and crew took a break to rehab from a heroin addiction. Duane, Berry, and roadies Robert Payne and Red Dog Campbell checked into LINWOOD-BRYANT HOSPITAL.
OCTOBER 29, 1971: DUANE ALLMAN DIES in a motorcycle accident. The album EAT A PEACH is incomplete.
FEBRUARY 12, 1972: EAT A PEACH is released and becomes an instant success.
(8) July 13, 1972: The ALLMAN BROTHERS BAND @ Gaelic Park, BRONX, NY /Captain Beyond opened. This was a strange show DUANE was gone and you could feel the loss in the music.I had to meander through the crowd having gotten there late due to the horrendous traffic in the Bronx and when I finally got entrance I couldn’t find my group of friends. Show ended early due to local curfew, in The Bronx?
STATESBORO
DONE SOMEBODY WRONG
AIN’T WASTING TIME NO MORE (debut for me)
ONE WAY OUT
STORMY MONDAY
YOU DON’T LOVE ME
WHIPPING POST
MOUNTAIN JAM (W/ GARCIA and WEIR)
Strange on this night listening to Gregg cry out during AIN’T WASTING TIME (first time I heard it) as it pertains to death, not only of the author GREGG ALLMAN’S brother’s death (Duane) but also about soldiers returning from VIETNAM.
NOVEMBER 11, 1972 The Death of Berry Oakley. On November 11th, Berry Oakley was taking a ride on his ’67 Triumph motorcycle along with friend Kim Payne, when he crashed into a bus on Inverness Avenue, only three blocks from Duane Allman’s fatal crash site a year earlier.
(9) May 1, 1973: ALLMAN BROTHERS BAND/ MARSHALL TUCKER BAND @ Nassau Coliseum I had to go, I was curious. The ABB opened with “Wasted Words”.Duane’s gone and so is Berry. Lamar Williams (bass) and Chuck Levell (piano)join the ranks,these are RAMBLIN’ MAN days as DICKEY BETTS takes over. The addition of Chuck is a stroke of genius. He mesmerizes the crowd. Years later I bought the cd recorded this very evening.
WASTED WORDS
DONE SOMEBODY WRONG
STATESBORO
ONE WAY OUT
STORMY MONDAY
MIDNIGHT RIDER
JESSICA
COME AND GO BLUES
RAMBLIN MAN
IN MEMORY OF ELIZ REED
TROUBLE NO MORE
YOU DON’T LOVE ME
LES BRES IN A MINOR
WHIPPING POST
MOUNTAIN JAM
(10) July 21, 1973 ALLMAN BROTHERS BAND @ MSG The ABB even after the death of Duane and Berry were becoming a huge attraction on the circuit. This two night stand at MSG followed two sell outs with the Grateful Dead at RFK stadium , 80,000 seats each night.
WASTED WORDS
DONE SOMEBODY WRONG
SOUTHBOUND- (CHUCK LEVELL IS AMAZING)
STORMY MONDAY
IN MEMORY OF ELIZ REED
COME AND GO BLUES
TROUBLE NO MORE
RAMBLIN’ MAN
STATESBORO
ONE WAY OUT
YOU DON’T LOVE ME
LES BRES IN A MINOR
WHIPPING POST
MOUNTAIN JAM
(11)July 14,1974 ALLMAN BROTHERS BAND/ GRINDERSWITCH @ Nassau COLISEUM- In my opinion not really a good time musically for the ABB but they are huge and the crowd roars acknowledging each song which was a total misrepresentation of what was being played up on the stage. The music to me was disjointed to say the least. I was heart-broken. (except for Chuck during JESSICA). My note: It will be awhile before I see them again, if I ever do.
WASTED WORDS
DONE SOMEBODY WRONG
ONE WAY OUT
STORMY MONDAY
MIDNIGHT RIDER
IN MEMORY OF ELIZ REED
STATESBORO
BLUE SKY
COME AND GO BLUES
TROUBLE NO MORE
JESSICA
YOU DON’T LOVE ME
LES BRES IN A MINOR
RAMBLIN’ MAN
WHIPPING POST
1989: DREAMS: The Box Set is released.
(12) March 18, 1992: THE ALLMAN BROTHERS BAND @ BEACON THEATRE . Its has been quite some time (18 years) since I witnessed an ABB show. Not due to something with me but rather them as a band. They broke up a few times due to drugs, ego, etc, etc,and at some point I lost interest in their shenanigans, but I still loved their music. I was offered a ticket to celebrate my 40th birthday from one of my former students who thought it would be a blast to take me and 8 others to see this monster of a band I raved about for years. So with a free ticket, a seat in the upper balcony left side of stage, safely placed in my pocket the question is: why not venture out the night AFTER St. Patrick’s Day to see if the band (and me) still got it. Jaimoe, Dickey, Gregg, Butch are the heart of the band and now they added Marc Quinones (percussionist), Warren Haynes on guitar and Woody Allen on bass. The house lights dim a few minutes after 8PM and with “1,2,3”…Statesboro Blues is played with THOM DOUCETTE on harp. From my seat in the balcony I was immediately thrown back 21 years in time to FILLMORE EAST, March of 71, with a true twin guitar approach, Gregg in good vocal form and 3 drummers pounding out the beat. WOW.And they offer a few acoustic numbers making their set mesmerizing. Got home about 3AM and went to work a few hours later. I will be back.Note:This night was the very first time I heard the ABB play “Dreams”.
(13) Aug 9, 1995: THE ALLMAN BROTHERS BAND@Jones Beach. They opened with Statesboro, and later Chris Robinson from BLACK CROWES joins in for SOUTHBOUND. Funny, I waited a few tours from the 92 show before I jumped back in, I was afraid of being disappointed. Tonight was the same line up as my last viewing (92) but the outdoor thing loses me a bit.
STATESBORO
MIDNIGHT RIDER
YOU DON’T LOVE ME
BLUE SKY
AIN’T WASTING TIME NO MORE
THE SAME THING
DREAMS
SOUTHBOUND
END OF THE LINE
BACK WHERE IT ALL BEGINS
HOOTCHIE COOCHIE MAN
NO ONE TO RUN WITH ANYMORE
IN MEMORY OF ELIZ REED
ONE WAY OUT
RAMBLIN MAN
1996 THE ABB SELL OUT 13 BEACON THEATRE shows.
(14) March 9,1996: THE ALLMAN BROTHERS BAND@The Beacon. The 7th show of the 13 night run and according to the press Gregg has been erratic in his performance. The first few night he bowed out for a few songs and even missed the entire second set one night. Tonight he was strong in voice and on stage for the entire show. It was pretty good.This line up is great as Warren and Woody do command some attention. And we heard some new tunes.
YOU DON’T LOVE ME
GOOD CLEAN FUN
RAMBLIN’ MAN
WORRIED DOWN WITH THE BLUES
TOMBSTONE EYES
MIDNIGHT RIDER
STAND BACK
END OF THE LINE
CHANGE MY WAY OF LIVING
IN MEMORY OF ELIZ REED
DON’T WANT YOU NO MORE
ITS NOT MY CROSS TO BEAR
AIN’T WASTING TIME NO MORE
HOOTCHIE COOCHIE MAN
BLUE SKY
I KNOW I OUGHTA LEAVE
BACK WHERE IT ALL BEGINS
ONE WAY OUT
WHIPPING POST
(15)July 21, 1996 THE ALLMAN BROTHERS BAND/ GOD STREET WINE @ Jones Beach. They open w/ Statesboro and for me it’s always STATESBORO that grabs me. Sitting at the top of the expanded amphitheater with a guy I finally convinced to attend a show with me, we are seated amongst college kids, drunk guys who conned their drunk girls to go topless. And it rained.
STATESBORO
MIDNIGHT RIDER
BLUE SKY
YOU DON’T LOVE ME
WHAT’S DONE IS DONE
WORRIED DOWN WITH THE BLUES
CHANGE MY WAS OF LIVING
IN MEMORY OF ELIZ REED DREAMS
HOOTCHIE COOCHIE MAN
BACK WHERE IT ALL BEGINS
NO ONE TO RUN WITH
ONE WAY OUT
6.
1997: THE ALLMAN BROTHERS BAND SELL OUT A DOZEN SHOWS FOR THE MONTH OF MARCH @ THE BEACON
(16) March 16,1997:THE ALLMAN BROTHERS BAND@ Beacon-A SUNDAY NIGHT-THE FIFTH SHOW OF 12 NIGHTS and they open with HOT ‘LANTA. James Montgomery joins ONE WAY OUT, Duane Betts. Warren and Woody still there and smokin’.
HOT ‘LANTA
STATESBORO (DICKEY ON SLIDE)
SAILIN’ CROSS THE DEVIL’S SEA
MIDNIGHT RIDER
BLUE SKY
BLACK HEARTED WOMAN
WHAT’S DONE IS DONE
WORRIED DOWN WITH THE BLUES
IN MEMORY OF ELIZ REED
THE SAME THING
DREAMS
BACK WHERE IT ALL BEGINS
SOULSHINE(debut for me-amazing)
CHANGE MY WAY OF LIVING
NO ONE TO RUN WITH
HIGH FALLS
ONE WAY OUT w/ James Montgomery, Duane Betts
1998: THE ALLMAN BROTHERS SELL OUT 15 SHOWS @ THE BEACON. This round odf shows the band has a different line up as WARREN HAYNES and WOODY ALLEN are out concentrating on GOV’T MULE while also avoiding the craziness known as DICKEY BETTS.
(17)March 7, 1998: THE ALLMAN BROTHERS@ THE BEACON The 4th of 15 dates:Jack Pearson (guitar) and Oteil Burbridge(bass) join Gregg,Dickie, Butch,Jaimoe and Marc. An Acoustic set is a nice change of pace.Note:Gregg appears to be in “la-la land”.
DON’T KEEP ME WONDERING
AIN’T WASTING TIME NO MORE
CHANGE MY WAY OF LIVING DIMPLES
STORMY MONDAY
GOOD CLEAN FUN
HIGH FALLS
(ACOUSTIC SET)
PONY BOY
EVERYDAY
MIDNIGHT BLUES
COME ON IN MY KITCHEN (OUTSTANDING VERSION)
MELISSA
MIDNIGHT RIDER
(ELECTRIC)
NOBODY KNOWS
IN MEMORY OF ELIZ REED
encore
NO ONE TO RUN WITH
(18) Oct 31,1998: GREGG ALLMAN @ Westbury Halloween night and what better way to have some fun then see THE GREGG ALLMAN BAND perform. I must say it was quite different from THE ALLMAN BROTHERS BAND, yet still tasty.
1999: THE ALLMAN BROTHERS BAND sell out 18 shows at THE BEACON.
(Taken from a clipping I saved) “Through that second set, the trademark twin-guitar attack of Betts and new guy Jack Pearson (who replaced Warren Haynes last year) soared as they first would cut heads trying to outdo each other, and then ultimately would play in well-rehearsed, parallel harmonies”.
Note:At the end of this run JACK PEARSON leaves the band.
(19)March 6,1999: THE ALLMAN BROTHERS BAND@ Beacon, these run of shows in March are now known as THE RITE OF SPRING/ MARCH MADNESS and of the 18 sold out shows I have two sets of tickets, one set for MARCH 6 (orchestra left side) and another for the second night MARCH 19, front row center.And a new buddy joins in my madness for the first night.
March 6,1999 has an Amazing opening; the two tunes which open the debut album, the SPENCER DAVIS tune “Don’t Want You No More” and the band runs straight into “It’s Not My Cross To Bear”. WOW.
DON’T WANT YOU NO MORE
IT’S NOT MY CROSS TO BEAR
STAND BACK
GOOD TIMES (DON’T FADE AWAY)
PLEASE CALL HOME
I’M NOT CRYING
ONE WAY OUT
BLACK HEARTED WOMAN
J.J.’S ALLEY
SEVEN TURNS (ACOUSTIC)
MELISSA (ACOUSTIC)
SAILING’ CROSS THE DEVIL’S SEA
BLUE SKY
LEAVE MY BLUES AT HOME
STORMY MONDAY
LES BRES IN A MINOR
REVIVAL
SOUTHBOUND
WHIPPING POST
(20)March 19,1999: THE ALLMAN BROTHERS BAND@ Beacon : My second show of this run (first row center) and I couldn’t find ANYONE available to go. Then finally at a St. Paddy’s Day get together I offered the ticket (free) to a friend, and after speaking to his wife he finally agreed. To this day he states it was the “best show” he ever attended. I must admit it was pretty good.Note: Similar setlist from the other night.
DON’T WANT YOU NO MORE
IT’S NOT MY CROSS TO BEAR
DON’T KEEP ME WONDERING
GOOD TIMES (DON’T FADE)
PLEASE CALL HOME
I’M NOT CRYING
STATESBORO
SOUTHBOUND
J.J.’S ALLEY
SEVEN TURNS (acoustic)
MELISSA(acoustic)
SAILIN’ ACROSS THE DEVIL’S SEA
BLUE SKY
LEAVE MY BLUES AT HOME
LES BRES IN A MINOR
REVIVAL
RAMBLIN’ MAN
WHIPPING POST
(21) March 10: 2000: THE ALLMAN BROTHERS BAND@ Beacon This year is DICKEY BETTS’ last run. Last year
Jack Pearson left the band due to “tinnitus” and blamed Dickey being way too loud, Jack preferred the acoustic sets which in years past were amazing. A new kid DEREK TRUCKS is in on guitar and he is a show unto himself. Dickey is fired a few months later.THE RITE OF SPRING/ MARCH MADNESS continues with 13 sold out dates and all recorded for the collection PEAKIN’ AT THE BEACON.These tapes when played back found DICKEY to be out of tune, lost in songs, and WAY TOO LOUD. These recordings sealed his fate. My mother was in the hospital in a coma since mid February. I had my tickets and was going to pass on this year until Pop told me, take a night off from visiting the hospital, go to the show, a Friday night and my first time in the loge seats. Mom died 5 days later.
EVERY HUNGRY WOMAN
STAND BACK
SEVEN TURNS
DREAMS **** (yeah)
GOOD CLEAN FUN
BACK WHERE IT ALL BEGINS
DON’T WANT YOU NO MORE
IT’S NOT MY CROSS TO BEAR
AIN’T WASTING TIME
BLUE SKY
RAVE ON
FEEL SO BAD
IN MEMORY OF ELIZ REED
NOBODY KNOWS
NO ONE TO RUN WITH
(22) March 24,2001: THE ALLMAN BROTHERS BAND @ Beacon – Nine sold out shows. WARREN HAYNES (guitar and vocals) is slowly taking command with Derek Trucks as the set list changes every night and special guests are added. Chuck Leavell (guest) does an amazing JESSICA.My crew is now a quartet and we are seated in the second row loge. Wonderful seats and a fabulous setlist.
BLACK HEARTED WOMAN
STAND BACK
HOOCHIE COOCHIE MAN
FEEL SO BAD / w Larry McCray,Ronnie Burrage
ROCKING HORSE
ALL NIGHT TRAIN(w/ Chuck Leavell)
DESDEMONA (oh my, this was so good)w/ Chuck
JESSICA w/ Chuck (the best ever)
DON’T KEEP ME WONDERING
SOULSHINE(Warren shines)
WHO TO BELIEVE
WORRIED DOWN WITH THE BLUES
DREAMS
THE SAME THING w/ John Popper,Jeff Potts
HIGH FALLS w/ Chuck
encore
SOUTHBOUND w/ Leavell, Popper,McCray, John Manning
(23) July 3, 2001: DICKEY BETTS BAND @ BB KINGS About 8 of us decide to go see what Mr. BETTS is up to. He is playing two shows at the much smaller than the BEACON, B.B. KING’s club on 42nd Street. Nice dinner at Conally’s, a short walk to BB’s. An after a few drinks at the club, DICKEY BETTS takes the stage. “ Sad” is all I wrote in my notebook.
TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 11,2001: Our world changes.
(24)Nov 24, 2001: Derek Trucks Band @ IMAC, Huntington, NY This was one cool band, and a great night was had by the usual crew of 4.
(25) March 23,2002: 9 sold out shows THE ALLMAN BROTHERS BAND@ Beacon. We 4 headed over to the WHITE HORSE TAVERN for our pre-show dinner. So sad as we stood in the middle of Hudson Street staring at the downtown skyline and NOT seeing the TWIN TOWERS. We hugged, a group hug, shed a tear or two. Dinner and a quick cab ride uptown.
MIDNIGHT RIDER
TROUBLE NO MORE
LEAVE MY BLUES AT HOME
WOMAN ACROSS THE RIVER
HEART OF STONE ( a highlight)
GOOD CLEAN FUN
OLD BEFORE MY TIME
ROCKING HORSE
SOUTHBOUND (W/ Bobby Allende for Jaimoe)
STAND BACK
COME AND GO BLUES
HOOCHIE COOCHIE MAN
FIRING LINE
JUST BEFORE THE BULLETS FLY
INSTRUMENTAL (untitled)
DESDEMONA
WHIPPING POST
MOUNTAIN JAM
(26) MAY 9, 2002: Dickey Betts GREAT SOUTHERN @ Mulcahy’s One might ask, Why would you go to see Dickey again if he was so bad last outing? The answer is simple: We got 10 complementary passes and it was local bar. Dinner at the WANTAGH INN, a short walk to the bar (it is a pretty large room but not as big as BB King’s) and DICKEY’S band wasn’t half bad, and Dickey was in good voice, too.Not too bad.
(27) Aug 13, 2002: THE ALLMAN BROTHERS BAND@ Jones Beach. Dinner at Wantagh Inn, tailgating at The Beach.
AIN’T WASTING TIME
STATESBORO
BLACK HEARTED WOMAN
WORRIED DOWN WITH THE BLUES
COME AND GO BLUES
WHO TO BELIEVE
DONE SOMEBODY WRONG
WOMAN ACROSS THE RIVER
DREAMS
FIRING LINE
THE SAME THING W/ Danny Louis (Gov’t Mule) on keys
DON’T KEEP ME WONDERING
ROCKING HORSE
YOU DON’T LOVE ME
NO ONE TO RUN WITH
INSTRUMENTAL
WHIPPING POST
1.
(28) Oct 31, 2002: GREGG ALLMAN BAND @ Westbury our second time seeing GA on Halloween. Geez, The man can sing. And his band is pretty funky. Jay Collins on sax.
(29) March 22, 2003: THE ALLMAN BROTHERS BAND@ Beacon-Unprecedented, the ABB sell out 13 shows. March Madness continues as we get the same 4 seats we had last year, in the second row loge. We have the 8th show of the run.
STATESBORO
BLACK HEARTED WOMAN
ALL NIGHT TRAIN
BANKS OF THE DEEP END (Rob Barraco(piano) Thom Doucette (harp)
YOU DON’T LOVE ME
PLEASE CALL HOME (horn section)
MAYDELL
ROCKING HORSE
THE HIGH COST OF LOW LIVING
I’VE BEEN LOVING YOU TOO LONG (amazing Warren) w/horns
END OF THE LINE
MELISSA
COME AND GO BLUES
THE SAME THING w/ horns
TROUBLE NO MORE
CHANGE IS GONNA COME w/ horns
IN MEMORY OF ELIZ REED
ONE WAY OUT w/ Thom, Seth Trucks (drums),Richard Bolger (trumpet) Jay Collins (sax), Christopher Karlic (baritone sax).
(30) March 20, 2004: THE ALLMAN BROTHERS BAND@ Beacon The third night of 9 sold out shows. Same seats as last year.
DON’T WANT YOU NO MORE
IT’S NOT MY CROSS TO BEAR
EVERY HUNGRY WOMAN
THE NIGHT THEY DROVE OLD DIXIE DOWN
GOOD MORNING LITTLE SCHOOLGIRL w/ Thom
WASTED WORDS w/ Thom
STATESBORO w/ Thom
ROCKING HORSE
NO ONE LEFT TO RUN WITH
KEY TO THE HIGHWAY w/ Thom
AIN’T WASTING TIME NO MORE
BLACK HEARTED WOMAN
THE SAME THING
NEED YOUR LOVE SO BAD
CAN’T LOSE WHAT YOU NEVER HAD
DON’T THINK TWICE (Susan Tedeschi- guitar/vocals)
DREAMS
IN MEMORY OF ELIZ REED
ONE WAY OUT w/ Thom
(31) Aug 24, 2004: THE ALLMAN BROTHERS BAND@ Jones Beach, Wantagh aka THE NO FUN ZONE. This is a Tuesday night gig. We have 12 seats and a tailgate party pre show. THIS WAS AN AMAZING SHOW for many reasons, the first being the opening number, Dr. John’s “Walk On Guilded Splinters” and the encore “Layla”, both are first listens for me in an ABB concert setting. Derek did reprise his role as slide expert similar to when he played with Clapton so needless to say he nailed this one, as did Warren on guitar, and both GREGG and Warren on vocals was a treat. Even though we don’t like the Beach scene this was a great night with friends and family enjoying the ABB under the stars.
I WALK ON GILDED SPLINTERS
EVERY HUNGRY WOMAN
TROUBLE NO MORE
AIN’T WASTING TIME NO MORE
WOMAN ACROSS THE RIVER
YOU DON’T LOVE ME
MIDNIGHT RIDER
STAND BACK
DREAMS TO REMEMBER
WHO TO BELIEVE
STATESBORO
MELISSA
BLACK HEARTED WOMAN
MOUNTAIN JAM
AFRO BLUE
MOUNTAIN JAM-REPRISE
WHIPPING POST
LAYLA
1.
(32)March 12, 2005: THE ALLMAN BROTHERS BAND@ Beacon The third night of 10 sold out shows and overall another amazing night. Warren is in complete control of the set list and invited guests. And the acoustic set is back featuring Derek and Warren (guitar duo), Gregg on a grand piano, and special added attraction-HUBERT SUMLIN. Wow.
REVIVAL
LEAVE MY BLUES AT HOMW
DONE SOMEBODY WRONG
HOT ‘LANTA
JUST AIN’T EASY
END OF THE LINE
FORTY-FOUR BLUES (Hubert Sumlin)
SMOKESTACK LIGHTNING (Hubert Sumlin)
INSTRUMENTAL ILLNESS
acoustic set
ONCOMING TRAFFIC- Gregg solo on grand piano
PLEASE CALL HOME _Gregg solo on grand piano
THESE DAYS- Gregg and Warren guitars
DEATH LETTER -Derek and Warren guitars
electric set
SOULSHINE
DREAMS w/ Jay Collins (sax)
ROCKING HORSE
NO ONE TO RUN WITH
ONE WAY OUT
(33) March 11, 2006:THE ALLMAN BROTHERS BAND@ Beacon The third show of a 14 night run of sold out performances, and ours was a goodie. Glenn joined us full time in our foursome and we have the same seats as in years past, second row in the loge. Glenn is a huge Skynard fan so one surprise guest made his night.Tonight was “The 35th Anniversary of the Live at Fillmore East Performances”.We also had PETER FRAMPTON as a guest guitarist in set 2 and the legendary ROY HAYNES on the skins.Too cool.Note: Over the many years and numerous ABB shows I saw ROY HAYNES with the BROTHERS 3 times.
DON’T WANT YOU NO MORE
IT’S NOT MY CROSS TO BEAR
EVERY HUNGRY WOMAN
WHO’S BEEN TALKING
MIDNIGHT RIDER ( Devon Allman-guitar)
GOOD CLEAN FUN
INSTRUMENTAL ILLNESS
I WALK ON GUILDED SPLINTERS
SIMPLE MAN (w/ Gary Rossington)
BORN UNDER A BAD SIGN (w/ Peter Frampton)
LES BRES IN A MINOR
MELISSA
KEY TO THE HIGHWAY
AFRO BLUE (w/ Roy Haynes(drums), Wil Calhoun(Living Colour-drums),Jay Collins (sax))
DREAMS
ONE WAY OUT
SOUTHBOUND( w/ Frampton, Collins,Calhoun)
(34)Dec 31, 2006: GREGG ALLMAN & FRIENDS @ Westbury Music Fair, Westbury, New York It’s NEW YEARS EVE and 3 couples have seats to see GREGG in a semi-round arena. Nice room, good seats, good friends, and great music. The horn section knocks me out and Gregg was in good voice. Highlight was THESE DAYS and MELISSA.
(35) March 24,2007:THE ALLMAN BROTHERS BAND@ Beacon The 4th night of a nine sold out show run. Same seats as always, lucky us.But the noise in the crowd was Gregg was erratic and appears ill, again. Oh boy, this could get ugly fast. Warren to the rescue.
STATESBORO
REVIVAL
LEAVE MY BLUES AT HOME
ROCKING HORSE
SOULSHINE W/ Ron Holloway- sax
THE HIGH COST OF LOW LIVING
ONE WAY OUT
COME ON IN MY KITCHEN-W/ Luther Dickinson-guitar
DREAMS w/ Ron Holloway
IN MEMORY OF ELIZ REED- Oteil and Derek- bass duo, Kofi Burbridge-flute, Ron Holloway- sax
MOUNTAIN JAM
DAZED AND CONFUSED(yes, that song_-Warren amazing)
MOUNTAIN JAM -reprise
WHIPPING POST
(36) May19,2007: DICKEY BETTS/ GREAT SOUTHERN @ Westhampton Beach, NY- Why oh why did we go and paid a pretty penny for the right to see a legend in a sharp decline. Its been 7 years since DICKEY BETTS was fired from the ALLMAN BROTHERS BAND and tonight I was so glad he hasn’t reappeared with them. He was drunk with slurred speech, could hardly stand, forgot words and stood idly by as his son took over when Dickey lost the lead on numerous songs. This was an embarrassment beyond belief. Now I know why they fired his fucking arrogant ass.
2008: The year of NO ALLMAN BROTHERS SHOWS at the Beacon. Gregg was ill and the band postponed their annual fest at The Beacon.
(37)March 21, 2009:THE ALLMAN BROTHERS BAND@ Beacon
Its been two years and we were eagerly awaiting the announcement that the ABB would return to the stage of the Beacon. That announcement came the first week of January and as always I prepared for the resale, hoping for the same tickets, the same seats, as in years past.Bingo, this year the band scheduled 15 shows at the legendary venue and all 15 sold out immediately as this year marked the 50th anniversary of the birth of the band. The first few shows had many guests: BUDDY GUY, LOS LOBOS, JOHNNY WINTER, TAJ MAHAL, LEVON HELM, TREY ANASTASIO, BRUCE WILLIS (?), BOZ SCAGGS, STANLEY CLARKE, and SHERYL CROW. The special guest for Thursday and Friday nights performances (we had Saturday) was none other than ERIC CLAPTON, so it was anticipated that he / or someone of his stature would reappear for Saturday night. But alas, it was not to happen. Our guest(s) was the horn section from The ASBURY DUKES with BRUCE HORNSBY and SUSAN TEDESCHI. Overall, it was a blast but not a true ABB performance. Gregg was up front for the first few songs and disappeared for quite some time.
LITTLE MARTHA(tease)/ INSTRUMENTAL
ONE WAY OUT
STATESBORO
BLACK HEARTED WOMAN
THE SAME THING (w/Jukes)
SOULSHINE (w/ Jukes)
LITTLE BY LITTLE (w/Jukes, Southside Johnny-harp,Susan Tedeschi-guitar/vocals, James van de Bogert-drums
DON’T THINK TWICE- Tedeschi- guitar/vocals
LOST LOVER BLUES- Tedeschi-guitar/vocals
STAND BACK-w/ Jukes/Tedeschi
GRANDMA’S HANDS (a Bill Withers tune) w/Hornsby-piano, Jukes, Tedeschi-vocals
IN MEMORY OF ELIZ REED W/ Hornsby-keys
THE NIGHT THEY DROVE OLD DIXIE DOWN w/Jukes, Hornsby
JESSICA w/Hornsby
SOUTHBOUND
with The Asbury Jukes Horns; Bruce Hornsby, keyboards; Susan Tedeschi, guitar & vocals
(38) March 13, 2010:THE ALLMAN BROTHERS BAND@ UNITED PALACE,NYC
WTF. The Dolan’s, owners of THE BEACON (and other places) scheduled the ABB each year boxing out most of the month for rehearsals and gigs. I guess after last year they were not to sure of the status of the band so the master of scheduling rented out the space for the entire month to CIRQUE DE SOLEIL. The ABB found solace in the UNITED PALACE, a theatre/church(huge) on 175th Street in WASHINGTON HEIGHTS, as we say in NY, “way the fuck up there”. Not really sure what was taking place, we entered the pool for the sale of tickets hoping for the best. Eight shows over two weeks was the announcement. We got the third show, the first Saturday in the run. Seats way up top.
DONE SOMEBODY WRONG
AIN’T WASTIN’ TIME NO MORE
STAND BACK
HOOCHIE COOCHIE MAN
HEART OF STONE (UNBELIEVABLY GOOD)
NEW INSTRUMENTAL
GOOD MORNING LITTLE SCHOOLGIRL
WHIPPING POST
LITTLE MARTHA>
BLUE SKY>
LITTLE MARTHA
DREAMS
NO ONE TO RUN WITH
THE SKY IS CRYING
IN MEMORY OF ELIZ REED (W/ BRUCE KATZ)
ONE WAY OUT
(39) August 3,2010: GOV’T MULE@ House of Blues, Myrtle Beach,SC
It was pretty late but I finally convinced the bride to go to the show.We got there as JACKIE GREENE was finishing up. She agreed to stay for one set of MULE,even knowing that GM can play for hours. We stayed for two sets and all the encores. They were that good.
(40) March 12,2011:THE ALLMAN BROTHERS BAND back where they belong@ Beacon 13 sold out shows with a host of special guests each night. Tonight we had DAVID HIDALGO joining the band.AND Tonight was the 40th ANNIVERSARY of the recording of AT FILLMORE EAST. So what better way to enjoy the night by the band playing the entire album in sequential order for the first set.
STATESBORO
DONE SOMEBODY WRONG
STORMY MONDAY
YOU DON’T LOVE ME
HOT ‘LANTA
IN MEMORY OF ELIZ REED
WHIPPING POST
MOUNTAIN JAM
TROUBLE NO MORE
THE SKY IS CRYING
DON’T KEEP ME WONDERING(W/HILDALGO)
GOOD MORNING LITTLE SCHOOL GIRL (W/ HILDAGO)
EVERY HUNGRY WOMAN
MOUNTAIN JAM (REPRISE)
NO ONE TO RUN WITH
(41) March 10, 2012:THE ALLMAN BROTHERS BAND@ Beacon with 10 sold out shows. Ours was the second night and featured an acoustic set then RANDY BRECKER joined the band. It was delightful.(Note: Last show of this run was without Gregg Allman)
STATESBORO
COME AND GO BLUES
DOWN ALONG THE COVE
STAND BACK
SAILIN’ CROSS THE DEVIL’S SEA
BLING WILLIE MCTELL
BAG END
ONE WAY OUT-w/AJ Ghent lap steel
Second Set
(Acoustic)OLD FRIEND-(WARREN/DEREK ONLY)
DARK END OF THE STREET (Gregg, Oteil, Warren, Derek,Marc)
DONE SOMEBODY WRONG-Gregg,Warren, Oteil,Marc,Derek)
(Electric)
REVIVAL
HOT ‘LANTA>
ALL ALONG THE WATCHTOWER>
HOT ‘LANTA w/ Randy Brecker-trumpet
DREAMS w/ Randy Brecker(amazing)
MOUNTAIN JAM W/ BRECKER & James van der Bogert-drums
SOUTHBOUND W/ Brecker,Duane Trucks-drums, AJ Ghent
(42) September 22, 2012: TEDESCHI TRUCKS BAND @ Beacon This is my first time enjoying the husband wife collaboration known as TEDESCHI TRUCKS BAND and what better place to see them then a loge seat at THE BEACON. I saw Susan with her solo outfit a few years back when she opened for BUDDY GUY. I also saw the DEREK TRUCKS BAND a few times and of course as part of the ALLMAN BROTHERS BAND .
LOVE HAS SOMETHING TO SAY
ISN’T IT A PITY (Geo Harrison tune)
EVERYBODY’S TALKIN (Fred Neil cover)
I KNOW (Trucks Band cover)
THE SKY IS CRYING (Elmore James)
THE NIGHT THEY DROVE OLD DIXIE DOWN (The Band)
MAHJOUN( Derek Trucks cover) w/ Marc Quinones
MIDNIGHT IN HARLEM
ROLLIN’ AND TUMBLIN’ (Hambone Willie Newbern cover)
SHELTER
ANYDAY/BLUE SKY(Derek&Dominos/Allman Bros)
THAT DID IT (Bobby Blue Bland)
OLD TIME LOVIN’ (Al Green cover wband intros)
UP TIGHT (Stevie Wonder)-truly spectacular
BOUND FOR GLORY
ANGEL FROM MONTGOMERY(John Prine)
SIMPLE THINGS
GET WHAT YOU DESERVE(Derek Trucks cover)
GIVE IT UP OR LET ME GO (Bonnie Raitt) w/Eric Krasno
(43)March 9, 2013:THE ALLMAN BROTHERS BAND@ Beacon Sold out 11 shows, ours was #6 in the run and were at our usual seats in the loge.
DONE SOMEBODY WRONG
MIDNIGHT RIDER
END OF THE LINE
WORRIED DOWN WITH THE BLUES
AIN’T WASTING TIME NO MORE
DUSK TILL DAWN (Bill Evans-sax)
JESSICA
STATESBORO(Davis Stoltz-bass)
YOU DON’T LOVE ME
ROCKING HORSE
BLACK HEARTED WOMAN
STAND BACK
IN MEMORY OF ELIZ REED>
DRUMS>
IN MEMORY OF ELIZ REED
SOUTHBOUND(w/Vaylor Trucks-guitar, John Ray-bass)
In January as THE BEACON run is announced, with it came the notification that DEREK TRUCKS and WARREN HAYNES will be leaving the band at years end.
Following the announcement three weeks ago that two key members of the Allman Brothers Band — guitarists Warren Haynes and Derek Trucks — would be leaving the group at the end of the year, frontman Gregg Allman has more bad news for the group’s loyal fans: It will stop touring altogether at the end of 2014.
In a new interview with Relix, Allman stated that he’s ready to move on. “This is it — this is the end of it,” he said. “Forty-five years is enough, and I want to do something else anyway. Everyone has their own real good perspective bands.”
(44)March 14, 2014:THE ALLMAN BROTHERS BAND@ Beacon- Something is amiss as we keep wondering, “Is this really the last year? The last time?” We sensed the end is near and knew the announcement. However, the boys sell out 10 night, ours is the fifth show and a Friday night which is unusual as we traditionally get tickets for Saturday. But here we are in the loge again, just down to three of us, but we took Glenn’s ashes with us. (NOTE: Gregg Allman misses the last two shows in this run).
DONE SOMEBODY WRONG
COME AND GO BLUES
WASTED WORDS
DUSK TILL DAWN
I WALK ON GILDED SPLINTERS (amazing)
GAMBLER’S ROLL
TRUE GRAVITY
HOOCHIE COOCHIE MAN
AIN’T WASTING TIME NO MORE
MELISSA
BLUE SKY w/James vander Bogert-drums
BLACK HEARTED WOMAN
SEVEN TURNS
ROCKING HORSE
GET ON WITH YOUR LIFE
IN MEMORY OF ELIZ REED
ONE WAY OUT w/Duane Trucks-drums
Six OCTOBER shows-THE FINAL RUN- were announced for The BEACON. My desire was to obtain one ticket for the very last night. Prices for a regular ticket for the first five nights was extremely high and the last show was mortgage size, ridiculous. Unfortunately, it was not meant to be as the shows sold out in a matter of minutes and I was for once “out in the cold”.
From ROLLING STONE:
The only note of sentiment during the Allman Brothers Band‘s October 28th concert at New York’s Beacon Theatre – their last at that venue and anywhere else, at least for the foreseeable future – came after more than four hours of music: three sets and an inevitable encore, “Whipping Post.” The seven members of the group – the surviving trio of founders, singer-organist Gregg Allman and drummers Butch Trucks and Jaimoe; the long-serving guitar team of Warren Haynes and Derek Trucks; and often overlooked veterans Oteil Burbridge on bass and percussionist Marc Quinones – lined up onstage and took a bow: a first at any Allmans-Beacon show I’d ever attended.
(Con’t)
That work, it seems, will stay undone. During the intermissions, a curious message appeared on the large video screen behind the band: “The road indeed goes on forever. So stay calm, eat a peach and carry on . . .” The individual members of the Allmans will certainly continue to play in some form and combinations. There may even be reunions. As for the guitarists, Derek’s R&B juggernaut with his wife Susan Tedeschi, the Tedeschi Trucks Band, recently played a transcendant Beacon run in September, and Haynes’ group Gov’t Mule will make their traditional holiday stop at that stage on December 30th and 31st. I went to the former; I don’t want to miss the latter.
(con’t)
But it will take more than a peach to get me through next March. It was never spring, I always said, until I saw the Allmans peakin’ at the Beacon. Tonight was a generous, continually thrilling farewell. It will make the leaving that much harder to bear. (My sentiments exactly)
(45) December 30, 2014: Gov’t Mule @ Beacon I already miss the ABB and The night before New Year’s Eve in Manhattan is not a great idea but I had to see Gov’t Mule at The Beacon-loge seats of course and I was rewarded with a great show. I was with one of my ABB buddies who informed me on the way home that next year I was on my own for MULE in December.We got home after 3 AM. Okay, you win.
WORLD BOSS
WHISPER IN YOUR SOUL
STOOP SO LOW
FORSAKEN SAVIOR
STRATUS(Billy Cobham cover)-amazing
THE JOKER/GET UP STAND UP(Steve Miler/Bob Marley)
BIRD ON THE WIRE(Leonard Cohen)w/Better Half Singers
THE LETTER (BoxTops)w/Better Half Singers
DONE GOT WISE
BROKE DOWN IN BRAZOS
TRIBUTARY JAM
MR.BIG (Free cover) w/ Simon Kirke-drums (unbelievable)
THE HUNTER >(Albert King/Free-cover)w/ Simon Kirke
GOOD MORNING LITTLE SCHOOLGIRL >w/Simon Kirke
THE HUNTER (Reprise) w/ Simon Kirke
GAME FACE>BIRDLAND>MOUNTAIN JAM
THORAZINE SHUFFLE
FUNNY LITTLE TRAGEDY>MESSAGE IN THE BOTTLE>
FUNNY LITTLE TRAGEDY(Reprise)
HOT LEGS- (Rod Stewart cover)w/ Carmine Appice-drums
STAY WITH ME(Faces cover) w/Carmine Appice-drums
(46)October 3, 2015: Tedeschi Trucks Band@ Beacon I missed the run of TTB for the last two years. I needed to go for this one. And here I am in the lower balcony first row, not a bad seat with my bride for her first TTB show, which she loved. Tonight’s bill is two sets, no opening act.
ALL THAT I NEED
MADE UP MIND
IT’S SO HEAVY
GET WHAT YOU DESERVE (Trucks Band cover)
MAHJOUN (Trucks Band cover)
COMIN’ HOME (Delaney/Bonnie cover)- great idea
SOMETHING (Beatles cover)
IDLE WIND
THE LETTER (Box Tops cover)
KEEP YOUR LAMPS TRIMMED AND BURNING
LAUGH ABOUT IT
ANYHOW
LET’S GO GET STONED (The Coasters cover)
STICKS AND STONES (Titus Turner cover)
BIRD ON A WIRE (Leonard Cohen cover)
CRYING OVER YOU
THE SKY IS CRYING (Elmore James cover)
FIRE AND RAIN (James Taylor cover)
Instrumental Jam
THE STORM
I WANT MORE
MIDNIGHT IN HARLEM
I GOT A FEELING (Beatles cover)
WITH A LITTLE HELP FROM MY FRIENDS (Beatles cover)
(47)Oct 7 2015: WARREN HAYNES – Ashes and Dust Tour/w/ JUSTIN TOWNES EARLE@ The Space, Westbury, NY Strange set up in a small venue. We took the very last row in the seated area, near a beer only bar. Not too bad. Warren is playing with a few guys from CHESSBOXER and a drummer JEFF SIPE.
Guitarist Warren Haynes returned to the stage with his Ashes & Dust Band featuring members of ChessBoxer and drummer Jeff Sipe last night at the Granada Theatre in Dallas, Texas. The Winter Tour opener featured a mix of material from Warren’s Ashes & Dust LP as well as choice covers and other favorites from Haynes’ solo repertoire.
Warren Haynes and the Ashes & Dust Band kicked off the show with a double dose of Ashes & Dust in the form of “Beat Down The Dust” and “Is It Me Or You.” The evening’s first cover was a take on Neil Young’s “Revolution Blues” which was followed by Warren’s ode to Jerry Garcia, “Patchwork Quilt.” It was then time for a trio of covers as “Instrumental Illness” from Haynes’ time in The Allman Brothers Band led into Little Feat’s “Skin It Back” and the Allmans’ “Blue Sky.” After a run of originals the ensemble ended the main set with one more Allman Brothers classic – “Jessica.” Warren and the band said farewell with a “Two Of A Kind Blues” encore.
SPOTS OF TIME
REVOLUTION BLUES (Neil Young)/JERUSALEM RIDGE
PATCHWORK QUILT (Phil Lesh and Friends cover)
BLUE SKY (Allman cover)>
INSTRUMENTAL ILLNESS (Allman cover)
LAY OF THE SUNFLOWER (Gov’t Mule)
BLUE MAIDEN’S TALE
COMPANY MAN
DUSK TILL DAWN (Allman cover)
HATTIESBURG HUSTLE>
DRUMS.>
HATTIESBURG HUSTLE (REPRISE)
STRANDED IN SELF PITY/HOTTENTOT
IS IT ME OR YOU
SKIN IT BACK (Little Feat cover)
JESSICA (Allman cover)
I BEEN TO GEORGIA ON A FAST TRAIN (Billy Joe Shaver cover) w/ Justin Townes Earle
(48)DECEMBER 30,2015: Gov’t Mule @BEACON Took a buddy of mine and he was amazed at the performance. So was I.
BLIND MAN IN THE DARK
MR.MAN
ANY OPEN WINDOW
FAR AWAY
ROCKIN’ HORSE>THELONIUS BECK
BEAUTIFULLY BROKEN
DOLPHINEUS
PAINTED SILVER LIGHT/HERE COMES THE SUN-tease
SOULSHINE/VOODOO CHILD
UNRING THE BELL/LES BRES IN A MINOR
ENDLESS PARADE
BAD LITTLE DOGGIE
I’LL BE THE ONE/BLUE SKY
SUGAREE w/Jack Pearson,Jimmy Vivino,Steve Kimock
I SHALL BE RELEASED w/ Kimock,Pierson and Chuck Leavell
DREAMS w/ Leavell,Pierson, Vivino
(49) Sept 9 2016: GOV’T MULE/ZZ TOP @ Jones Beach Probably the shortest set ever and a bit disappointed and then ZZ TOP did an uninspired set of hits. Nah, on ZZ TOP.
BAD LITTLE DOGGIE
STEPPING’ LIGHTLY
MR. HIGH AND MIGHTY
INSIDE OUTSIDE WOMAN BLUES #3
BANKS OF THE DEEP END
KIND OF BIRD (Allmans cover)
THORAZINE SHUFFLE
(50) October 8, 2016: TEDESCHI TRUCKS BAND @ Beacon The buzz was that Warren was there the night before. Oh my. Tonight No Warren but I had my bride with me again. She really likes this band.
ANYDAY (Derek Dominoes cover)
LAUGH ABOUT IT
IT’S SO HEAVY
DON’T KNOW WHAT IT MEANS
LEAVING TRUNK (Sleepy John Estes cover)
VOLUNTEERED SLAVERY (Rahsaan Roland Kirk cover)
I PITY THE FOOL (Bobby Blue Bland cover)
I WANT MORE
LES BRES IN A MINOR (Allmans cover)
IDLE WIND
CALLING OUT TO YOU
JUST AS STRANGE
WAH WAH (Geo Harrison cover)
LET ME GET BY
I GOT A FEELIN (Beatles cover)
ELENOR RIGBY (Beatles cover)
CRYING OVER YOU
HONEST I DO (Jimmy Reed cover) w/ Doyle Bramlett II
I WISH I KNEW HOW IT WOULD BE TO BE FREE (Billy Taylor cover)
SING A SIMPLE SONG (Sly/Family Stone cover) w/ Doyle Bramlett II
I WANT TO TAKE YOU HIGHER (Sly cover) w/ Bramlett
ANYHOW
WITH A LITTLE HELP FROM MY FRIENDS
(51)October 14,2017: TEDESCHI TRUCKS BAND @ Beacon w/ my Beacon buddy and his bride
KEEP ON GROWING (Derek/Dominos cover)
MADE UP MIND
UNTIL YOU REMEMBER
SAILING ON (Toots/Maytals cover)
PART OF ME
MIDNIGHT IN HARLEM
DON’T KNOW WHAT IT MEANS
HOW BLUE CAN YOU GET (3 Blazers cover)
THE STORM
DON’T LET ME SLIDE
DO I LOOK WORRIED
CHEVROLET (Lonnie Young Jr cover)
ISN’T IT A PITY (Geo Harrison cover)
THE LETTER (BoxTops cover)
I WANT MORE
I WISH I KNEW HOW IT WOULD FEEL TO BE FREE (Billy Taylor cover) amazing
DELTA LADY (Leon Russell cover) w/Trey Anastasio
MOUNTAIN JAM (Allmans cover) w/ Anastasio
A SONG FOR YOU (Leon Russell cover)
BOUND FOR GLORY
(52) TEDESCHI TRUCKS BAND (4th time) at BEACON October 5, 2018 with my bride and another couple we get the same exact seats as the previous year. When the band opens with a Jimmy Cliff tune, one which I love…oh my…
SITTING IN LIMBO (Jimmy Cliff tune)
DO I LOOK WORRIED
PART OF ME
IT’S SO HEAVY
ANYHOW
HIGH & MIGHTY
LEAVING TRUNK (John Estes tune)
VOLUNTEERED SLAVERY ( Rashaan Roland Kirk tune)
IDLE WIND
TELL THE TRUTH (Derek/Dominos)
DON’T DRIFT AWAY
LET ME GET BY
SWEET AND LOW
DON’T MISS ME (Derek Trucks Band cover)
MADE UP MIND
I PITY THE FOOL(Bobby Blue Bland tune) amazing Susan
BLUE SKY (Allmans cover) w/ Jimmy Herring
IN MEMORY OF ELIZ REED w/ Jimmy Herring
GOING,GOING,GONE (amazing Dylan tune) w/Doyle Bramlett II
GET WHAT YOU DESERVE (Derek Trucks cover) w/ Doyle Bramlett II
ON THE TURNTABLE:The Zombies-“Odessey and Oracle” 1968
North Vietnam and the Viet Cong troops launched the TET OFFENSIVE on The Lunar New Year, late January striking villages and towns throughout South Vietnam. The My Lai Massacre occurred March 16 but was not news until later that autumn, somehow it never made the news when it occurred but when it hit the news…
One morning, April 4, 1968 I was awaken to the news that Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr , the Nobel Prize winner, was killed. Then, Robert Kennedy was assassinated. LBJ signs the Civil Rights Act of 1968, USSR invades Czechoslovakia, and LBJ ends the “Rollin Thunder” bombing of North Vietnam. He also announces he will “not seek” another term for President. The BLACK POWER salute is seen during the Summer Olympics in Mexico, viewed throughout America and the world in “living color”.Students overtake Columbia University, Apollo 8 orbits the moon, and The Beatles release THE BEATLES aka as the White Album.
Strange how sometimes it takes months, maybe years before someone appreciates a good/great piece of music. That is the case with THE ZOMBIES “Odessey and Oracle”, complete with the misspelling of the word “odyssey” in the title and printed as such on the cover.
THE ZOMBIES, one of the original band of the BRITISH INVASION was a short lived group in The States, 1964-68 and basically a non-entity in their homeland. Their first American release(October 64) was “She’s Not There” b/w “You Make Me Feel So Good”, a 45 on PARROT RECORDS. It took a run (November 7-#22, November 14-#9, November 21-#5, November28-#4,December 5-#4, December 12-#2) to the top of the charts (#2) in BILLBOARD being bested by BOBBY VINTON’S “Mr. Lonely”. Also during the tune’s nine week run in the TOP TWENTY were the #1 hits “Do Wah Diddy”,”Baby Love”, Leader of The Pack”,Lorne Greene’s “Ringo”, “Come See About Me”,and “I Feel Fine”.
The ZOMBIES,like many other British hit makers, were sent to the States to promote their hit single. They appeared at the 1964 MURRAY THE K CHRISTMAS Shows at the Brooklyn Fox Theatre along with CHUCK JACKSON,BEN E.KING,THE DRIFTER,THE SHIRELLES, DICK AND DEE DEE, THE VIBRATIONS,DIONNE WARWICK,THE NASHVILLE TEENS AND THE HULLABALOOS. To THE ZOMBIES this was an amazing experience later chronicled on their 2015 “STILL GOT THE HUNGER” album in a song entitled “New York” which describes their welcome by others, particularly PATTI LABELE and all those wondrous nights of performing seven shows a day.
JANUARY 12, 1965, The Zombies appeared on the very first episode of NBC’s “Hullabaloo” where they performed “She’s Not There” and introduced the follow-up, “Tell Her No” (b/w “Leave Me Be” Parrot Records). Funny how I remember the aftermath of that show, trying to recreate the drum part for our next band rehearsal.
Two US hits and The Zombies basically disappear.Sure they had numerous releases but never hit the charts again whether it was at home in England or in the States. As a matter of fact “Tell He No” did not chart in the UK. FUN FACT:The word “No” is mentioned a total of 63 times in the lyrics of the song,count ‘em.
February of 1968 I hear a song on “CKLW- The Big 8” by a band called PEOPLE, the name of the song is “I Love You”. Released by Capitol Records I find it and buy it. It is not until months later that I discovered that that very single was written (Chris White) and recorded previously by The Zombies. To the utter dismay of the Zombies, this recording by PEOPLE climbs the American/Canadian charts. To make matters worse it was originally the b-side of PEOPLE’s single “Somebody Tell Me My Name. Some dj liked the b-side so he played it and…
Late 1967 the unsuccessful ZOMBIES,dropped by DECCA RECORDS, seek and receive a new contract with CBSRecords and are working on a self produced “second” album. They settle in EMI ABBEY ROAD STUDIOS, using the same 4 track machine THE BEATLES employed a few months before on “Sgt. Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band.” Some internal friction and disharmony causes huge rifts in the band and after finishing the album (December 1967) they disband. A few tunes released as singles bomb and CBS is reluctant to release the finished “Odessey and Oracle” until AL KOOPER, working for the label, convinced the bosses for a release in April 1968 under the DATE RECORDS subsidiary label. And just like the singles,it bombed.
Summer of 1968 at a record store on Wall Street, NYC, I see the poster for “O and O” with the phrase “THE ZOMBIES” printed boldly on it. I bought it then and there. When it first came out, to me, it was a delight, to others it was a bizarre strange record.”Care of Cell 44”, “A Rose for Emily”,”Beechwood Park”, “This Will Be Our Year” are all gems but that final track “Time Of The Season” was phenomenal.
March of 69, fifteen months after THE ZOMBIES break-up, one full year after their album bombs at home and abroad, the single release of “Time of the Season” soars up the American/Canadian charts, #1 in CASHBOX, #2 BILLBOARD “forcing” COLUMBIA RECORDS to re-release the album (under the Columbia Records label this time) however using a faulty cropped cover.(record collectors love this shit, we do).
Congratulations go to THE ZOMBIES for their induction into the Rock N Roll HALL OF FAME 2019.God knows they of all deserve some recognition. They are still performing, and as I wrote a few reviews of their performances “they are no oldies act”. Enjoy.
TICKETS TORN IN HALF: February 18,1972- Billy Joel with Beefheart
What a strange year 1971 was with the MANSON trial and conviction, Lt. CALLEY found guilty and THE TROUBLES in IRELAND even more intense that before with THE BRITISH adding internment without trial to captured IRA members. Television had a new hit with ALL IN THE FAMILY while the MARLBORO MAN and cigarette ads in general were banned. The Allman Brothers record the LIVE album and a few months later help close out FILLMORE EAST for good. The STONES relocate to France to avoid taxes, while George Harrison is bringing attention to BANGLADESH when it declared its independence from Pakistan.
Just when I thought that 71 was as crazy as it could get along come BLOODY SUNDAY in Northern Ireland, Israeli athletes murdered in the summer Olympics, NIXON is re-elected in a landslide over George McGovern, and someone comes up with the idea which later becomes known as WATERGATE, all while AMERICAN PIE is played endlessly on the radio.
With FILLMORE EAST closed most mid range (those avoiding or not as popular to play at MSG) entertained the Rock N Roll crowds at the ACADEMY of MUSIC on 14th Street or at THE CAPITOL in Port Chester, NY.
On February 18, 1972 ,a Saturday night when it snowed like crazy but I drove my trusty VW to NYC to see the J. Geils Band/Capt. Beefheart/Billy Joel @ Academy of Music, the Late show. I took a friend of mine who to this day states, “BEEFHEART stole the show”. The J.GEILS BAND was the rising stars at this moment. The opening act, Billy Joel, did an imitation of one, JOE COCKER, as well as bad mouthing his own current album “Cold Spring Harbor”, stating it was mixed at “Mickey Mouse speed” or something to the effect. In 1972 Billy Joel was virtually a newcomer to the NY stages.Granted we had seen him many times as the organist of the Long Island band THE HASSELS, as well as he being a member of the ill fated ATTILA, a two piece heavy metal-ish organ drum outfit, which was horrible.Tonight at The Academy was different. According to my journal which I usually wrote in after a show, BILLY JOEL played piano, did a song or two from “CSH”, another song about playing piano in a bar in Los Angeles, a song about getting high, and finished with THE STONES “Honky Tonk Woman”. My BEEFHEART notes were far more extensive so I guess one can determine which band I was there to see.
Anyway, back to the good ole days…I liked the HASSLES as a local live band (66-67@ Hullabaloo) and I especially enjoyed their HAMMOND B-3 (Rascals like)sound. So when opportunity knocked while in the record department of TSS I grabbed their first album on UNITED ARTISTS RECORDS, along with their 45 RPM cover of SAM and DAVE’s “You Got Me Hummin” which is labeled incorrectly as “You’ve Got Me Hummin” (jive ass white suburban kids). The album includes “Every Step I Take (Every Move I Make)” a tune written by Billy Joel ( with a great drum part which I practiced routinely)and the band’s cover of TRAFFIC’s “Coloured Rain”, a so-so rendition Also, this being the fifteen minutes of fame for another Long Island phenomena VANILLA FUDGE, The HASSLES did “A Taste of Honey” ala The FUDGE but worse, as a matter of fact it is laugh out loud funny bad.
Their second LP “Hour Of The Wolf” was released in January of 69 but I passed on it as did most of the record buying public.The band subsequently breaks up and Billy Joel has a short career as the duo ATTILA with Jon Small, drummer from The Hassles. They regularly played the “family” owned ACTION HOUSE which is another story unto itself. Billy then disappears to Los Angeles as a lounge singer, Bill Martin, before returning in 1971 with “Cold Spring Harbor” his first solo endeavor on Family Production Records.
While this collection of tunes was making little or no noise on the charts, BILLY JOEL starts to hit the clubs where his live act gains the notice of Columbia records which after intense negotiations buys out his previous contract. Billy Joel prepares to record “Piano Man”, his major breakout. November 9, 1973 it is released.
So my story is: from February 18, 1972 until November 18, 1973 I saw Billy Joel only once and that being the opening act for J.Geils Band/Captain Beefheart. To present, since the release of “Piano Man” he has a shitload of album releases, singles on the charts,multiple marriages and divorces, made millions of dollars,and has a “residency” at Madison Square Garden which sells out the minute a new date is announced, and he is a local guy to boot…yet I only saw him once.And most of my friends love to see him…regularly.
PS: I still have “Cold Spring Harbor” and the only other album is “Piano Man”.I sold the single at a nice profit.
intuneandintime 