NASHVILLE |THE ALLMAN BROTHERS BAND
KICK OFF 2005 WITH CRITICALLY HAILED RUN
AT NYC’S BEACON THEATRE;
INITIAL SUMMER DATES ANNOUNCED
“How great to see a band, 36 years into its life, still stoked by a sense of discovery.”
THE ALLMAN BROTHERS BAND kicked off 2005 last week with a blistering string of sold-out shows at their annual New York City residency at the Beacon Theatre. Every spring since 1989, the venerable Rock & Roll Hall of Fame members–GREGG ALLMAN (vocals and keyboards), BUTCH TRUCKS (drums and tympani), JAIMOE (drums), WARREN HAYNES (vocals, lead and slide guitar), DEREK TRUCKS (slide and lead guitar), OTEIL BURBRIDGE (bass) and MARC QUINONES (congas and percussion)–have made New York their home, selling out over 150 shows in the process. Nearly 30,000 fans will have packed the Beacon over the 10 performances–treated with set lists that changed every night–plus numerous special guests throughout the run including Little Milton, Hubert Sumlin, Susan Tedeschi, the Asbury Jukes Horns, Ravi Coltrane (son of John), Marc Ford (the Black Crowes) and Rob Barraco (Bob Weir).
The ALLMAN BROTHERS BAND are set to conclude the Beacon run with an all-star concert this Tuesday, March 22 that benefiting the “Big House,” the group’s Macon, GA museum. That marathon concert will include performances by the ALLMAN BROTHERS BAND and many of their members’ other projects, including GOV’T MULE (Warren Haynes), the DEREK TRUCKS BAND, OTEIL & THE PEACEMAKERS and JAIMOE’S JASSSS BAND. Meanwhile, keyboardist CHUCK LEAVELL (Rolling Stones, Allman Brothers Band) has also been added to the line-up for the 3/21 and 3/22 shows.
In other news, the ALLMAN BROTHERS BAND are confirming tour dates for 2005, including a Friday, May 6 show at the Greek Theatre in Los Angeles as well as seven shows with Lynyrd Skynyrd beginning May 8 in San Diego. A full summer schedule is expected soon, with dates planned throughout May, July, August and September.
Here’s a sampling of what the critics had to say about the first night at the Beacon Theatre:
“Last night’s opening performance not only demonstrated why fans keep coming back, it showed how the band members can stand to play some of the same songs for decades…As any follower of the group knows, they’re astute improvisers who owe as much to the quickly shifting intricacies of jazz as the stridently reliable backbeats of rock…this season’s salvo found the group full of wonder. How great to see a band, 36 years into its life, still stoked by a sense of discovery.”
“Allman managed a smile as he rocked his organ and let his warm voice fill the room. The Allmans’ rock-R&B-jazz fusion became raves of a glorious church revival, while sobering ballads sported wailing leads from the guitarists…With extended jams, drum solos and jaw-dropping guitar solos, the band is a cavalcade of technical proficiency and house-party excitement.”
“As far as intensity and communication go, there was no sleep in the eyes, no tight muscles and no need for a power nap, even as the show neared the three-hour mark. They are a remarkably healthy unit, a blueprint for modern blues-rock bands.”
“Nowhere can you satisfy your appetite for rugged, eclectic musical genius better than at an Allman Brothers show…Oh yeah. That Gregg Allman fellow still has the mojo, too. When the band kicked off with ‘Sailin’ Cross The Devil’s Sea,” Allman let his careworn voice loose…Trucks’ uncle, Butch, was one of the anchors of the triple-threat percussion attack. He and drummer Jaimoe all but breath in unison. Percussionist Marc Quinones is like the glove to the Jaimoe-Trucks hand. It’s impossible to imagine this band without this trio of heavy hitters. The Allmans didn’t clean out the cupboard. After all, there are eight more shows to go. By the time they played ‘Southbound’ for the encore, they had greased the skillet, lit the fire and cooked.”
Confirmed tour dates are below. For more information, log onto www.allmanbrothersband.com.
Date City Venue
Tue 3/22 New York, NY Beacon Theatre (Big House Benefit)
Fri 4/15 Live Oak, FL Wanee Festival
Fri 5/6 Los Angeles, CA Greek Theatre
Sat 5/7 Santa Barbara, CA Santa Barbara Bowl
With LYNYRD SKYNYRD
Sun 5/8 San Diego, CA Bayside Embarcadero
Tue 5/10 Albuquerque, NM Sandia Casino
Thu 5/12 Pelham, AL Verizon Wireless Music Centre
Sat 5/14 Huntsville, AL Von Braun Center
Thu 5/19 Tupelo, MS Bancorp South Center
Fri 5/20 Savannah, GA Savannah Civic Center
Misc.
Fri 6/10 Manchester, TN Bonnaroo Music Festival
