NASHVILLE |FROM: TODD BRODGINSKI/LIBBY HENRY
‘MARCH MADNESS’ BEGINS AS
LEGENDARY GROUP CELEBRATES 126 CONSECUTIVE
SOLD-OUT SHOWS AT NYC’S BEACON THEATER;
OPENING NIGHT INCLUDED FIVE NEW SONGS, 14 LONG TIME
FAVORITES, AS WELL AS A THREE-SONG ACOUSTIC SET;
TWO SHOWS TO BE FILMED FOR DVD RELEASE
The ALLMAN BROTHERS BAND kicked off their annual “March Madness” string of shows last night to a sold-out crowd at the Beacon Theater in New York City. This stretch of 13 marathon performances marks the group’s 126th consecutive sold-out shows at the Beacon since the tradition began in 1989. A full-length US tour will begin in June (dates TBA).
The group performed songs from their new album Hittin’ The Note (Peach/Sanctuary) which hits stores Tuesday, March 18 on a wave of early critical acclaim. It’s the first new release in nine years from the ALLMAN BROTHERS BAND (GREGG ALLMAN, vocals, Hammond B-3 organ; BUTCH TRUCKS drums & tympani; JAIMOE, drums; WARREN HAYNES, vocals, lead & slide guitar; MARC QUINONES, congas & percussion; OTEIL BURBRIDGE bass; DEREK TRUCKS, lead & slide guitar) and features the first single “Firing Line.” GREGG describes Hittin’ the Note as “the best album we’ve made since Eat a Peach.”
In a review of Hittin’ the Note, Parke Puterbaugh of Rolling Stone (4/3/03) said, “Returning guitarist Warren Haynes–the best axman to pass through the band since Duane Allman–plays with a steely, tensile power, while youngblood Derek Trucks (drummer Butch Trucks’ nephew) counterpoints with mellower, more even-keeled lines…The other pieces are in place as well: Gregg Allman’s gruff, soulful vocals and cool Hammond organ, Oteil Burbridge’s melodic, groove-laden bass work, and the rhythmic sizzle of three percussionists. The freewheeling ‘Instrumental Illness’ lets the guitarists riff, climb and, well, hit the note for another dozen minutes.” The Philadelphia Daily News’ (3/7/03) Jon Takiff gave the record an “A,” saying, “Restoring these blues-tinged country rockers to prominence in the jam band world, the set comes alive with sturdy songs like ‘Desdemona’ and ‘Maydell,’ signature chiming guitar lines (with returning friend Warren Haynes helping out) and super-stretched reveries. Nothing surpasses the 12-minute ‘Instrumental Illness.’”
As always, great songs from throughout their career will be featured on the ever-changing set lists, but special attention will be paid to performing material from the new album, as well as a few choice surprises and special guests. For those not able to make it to The Beacon will have to the opportunity to experience the “Madness” on the Allmans’ first-ever full-length DVD concert, slated to be released later this year.
The Beacon shows are March 13, 14, 15, 17, 18, 20, 21, 22, 25, 26, 28, 29, 30. Early festival dates include the Bonnaroo Festival (June 14 in Manchester, TN), the Muskegon Summer Celebration (July 3 in Muskegon, MI), The We Fest (July 5 in Detroit Lakes, MN), the Common Ground Music Festival (July 8 in Lansing, MI) and Gathering of the Vibes (July 12 in Mariaville, NY).
The full set list for Thursday, March 13:
“Wasted Words”
“Statesboro Blues”
“Ain’t Wastin’ Time No More”
* “Woman Across The River”
“Midnight Rider”
* “The High Cost of Low Living”
“Every Hungry Woman”
“Patchwork Quilt” (live debut)
“Desdemona”
“Trouble No More”
BREAK
”Come On In My Kitchen” (acoustic)
“Melissa” (acoustic)
* “Old Friend” (acoustic, live debut)
* “Old Before My Time”
“Dreams”
“Black Hearted Woman”
* “Instrumental Illness”
“One Way Out”
Encore: “Southbound” (with Danny Lewis; Keyboards)
An asterisk denotes a new song.
