Sunday, 14 March 2010
Allman Brothers Band United Palace Theatre New York 13 March 2010
Note: due to time differences, the times below are Eastern Australian Standard (not Daylight Saving) time.
9:56 It's obvious that you can never take things for granted, but how easily we forget that, more than likely, Fate is lurking around the corner slipping the lead into the boxing glove..
Having watched yesterday’s show and been stunned by the delivery (particularly after the webcast feed on opening night). I was on the phone last night contacting friends and acquaintances around town suggesting they should drop by to catch the next show in the run.
So, having spent a couple of hours in the garden this morning I wandered in to glance at the email before starting on brunch to find an Important Message From Butch Trucks.
Uh-oh, what've we got here?
Severe weather warning for New York, that's what. With the worst of it expected around the scheduled start time. Not the optimal circumstances for a webcast, obviously.
So, right when I'd anticipated cutting the commentary back to a time, a song title and the odd random comment, we might have a bit more typing than previously anticipated.
At least one of the likely guests here at the Little House of Concrete has been known to take a drink (or three), and it would be churlish to force them to imbibe on their own.
In any case, with brunch out of the way, the table cleared and the regular Sunday morning programming on TV, there's nothing to do but sit down and wait.
11:03 Here we go again. Logged in. Different perspective on screen this time.
11:05 Momentary sound drop out.
11:07 Taj Mahal Checkin' On My Baby over the PA.
11:11 Jaimoe warming up on screen.
11:15 Temporary freeze in visuals, though maybe it's just Jaimoe pausing to gather strength for the ordeal ahead.
11:17 Switch to the 'shroom backdrop. Pace the floor waiting for allegedly-arriving visitors.
11:20 Audience noise starts to kick in.
11:22 Jimi Hendrix Purple Haze. Takes you back...
11:23 Mounting audience noise as Hendrix fades. ABB logo on the backdrop. Regulation setting up noises. Percussion taps and rattles. B3 blast, piano, snatches of guitar.
11"25 Drum rolls. NYC skyline.
11:26 And we're off. Nice slide licks that resolve themselves into... Is it Statesboro? Could be. First night version went missing in the dropouts, so how can you tell? Nope. Done Somebody Wrong.
11:31 Warren's cooking with gas tonight. Hell, everybody's cooking with gas tonight.
11:33 Ain't Wasting Time No More. Once again, a great solo from Derek. More restrained one from Warren that builds slowly but relentlessly.
11:42 Stand Back. Derek on fire, but don't put that man out. People who haven't arrived don't know what they're missing.
11:49 How we doin' out there? Back to the Beacon next year? Good to know that someone's thinking about next year already.
11:50 Hoochie Coochie Man with a slinky Muddy Waters-style intro I don't recall hearing before rather than the rolling and tumbling surge from the days of the original line up. From there it's back into familiar territory without going all the way back. Nice stuff.
11:59 This next one's an old song. Very old song.
12:00 Heart Of Stone
12:04 Instrumental Illness? Thought for a moment it might be Les Brers. Familiar car pulling into the driveway at the back of the house. Better go and do the right thing...
12:12 It's wonderful to have visitors, but it'd be better if they arrived at the front door rather at the tradesman's entrance right as Derek's solo takes off. Never mind, at least someone has actually arrived.
Hi, Sue...
Subsequent investigations reveal that the instrumental was, in fact a new number provisionally titled Bag End. Tolkein reference? In the ABB? Will wonders ever cease?
12:15 Slinky intro to Schoolgirl.
12:21 I think this Derek solo is one of the greatest things I've ever heard.
12:26 Whipping Post. And so is his solo here. Pause to reflect if I could put together a list of the greatest things I've heard over the years it'd probably run into the thousands.
12:41 Intermission. Brook Eden Water's Edge Pinot Noir. Very classy easy drinking wine from a variety I don't usually like. Works well in this environment.
1:08 After a spot of Howlin' Wolf footage the ABB logo is back with Elvin Bishop's Juke Joint Jump on the PA>
1"13 Back live. An electric Little Martha
1:16 Is that an instrumental Ramblin' Man? If it isn't it sounds awful familiar. Ah, Blue Sky, that’s it. Been a while since I’ve heard that..
1:21 > Little Martha. Nice.
1:22 Dreams. All Warren on the solo.
1:33 No One Left To Run With. Theoretically this would be the first repeat performance of the run, but actually the First Night Dropout Factor means I missed hearing it first time around.
1:45 Aha. A guest. Bruce Katz on piano. The Sky Is Crying. Actually, we're getting the odd rain squall here too.
1:59 Liz Reed....
2:12 > Oteil > Drums
2:18 Oteil takes over Butch's kit.
2:27 Thanks so much. Encore break.
2:30 One Way Out. Terrific.
2:35. A little Statesboro Blues, perhaps fellas? Hard luck. Little Martha. Not that I should be complaining.
Stellar show once again. Moogis delivers. Thanks Butch and all concerned. Tomorrow's day off will be a welcome break since the past three days have left me a little drained. Glad the threatened weather interruption didn't affect the feed, but it was good to know the possibility existed.
Based on the back to the Beacon comment above, I mention to Sue and 'Er Indoors that I might sign up again next year. In the words of Home on the Range, seldom is heard a discouraging word.
Oh, and the actual set list...
First Set:
Done Somebody Wrong
Ain't Wasting Time No More
Stand Back
Hoochie Coochie Man
Heart Of Stone
New Instrumental “Bag End”
Good Morning Little School Girl
Whipping Post
Second Set:
Little Martha/Blue Sky/Little Martha
Dreams
No One Left To Run With
The Sky Is Crying (with Bruce Katz, piano)
In Memory Of Elizabeth Reed (with Bruce Katz, piano)
Encore:
One Way Out (with Bruce Katz, piano)
