Allmans!

That time of year again - The Allman Brothers are back in NYC.  Not the Beacon, this time around (for the 1st time in 21 years) the band is playing the United Palace Theater on 175th street in Washington Heights.  It's an excellent venue, very similar to the Beacon.  It was built as a Lowes movie theater, it's now used as a church (the Rev. Ike is based here).  I've seen the Allmans about 30 times and it's always a little more energetic and intense in NYC than other places like the outdoor sheds in the summer.  The Allmans sounded excellent last night, with no rust whatsoever.  The first 3 songs were taken from their first 2 albums...they opened with "Don't Keep Me Wondering" (never heard them open with this) and went into "Hot 'Lanta" and "Statesboro Blues" right after.  They did a few songs I've never heard them do live - the Little Milton warhorse "That's What Love Will Make You Do" (first time they've played it) and a Bobby Bland song "Ain't No Love In The Heart of the City", both were great.  They also broke out "Kind of Bird", a good instrumental off the mediocre "Shades of Two Worlds" disc, a song they haven't played live since 1992.  Without a doubt these guys are the best live band around, they bring it every night.  I had amazing seats (3rd row center, thanks Brad) and seeing Warren Haynes and Derek Trucks live is one of the all-time great musical experiences.  I can't think of another band (ever) that has 2 world-class lead guitarists....every time I see them I'm amazed.  They play the old songs and the new (not new, exactly...they haven't released a cd of new material in 8 years) with equal intensity, and the solos are incredible.  Gregg Allman played and sounded great, and Oteil and the drummers (Jaimoe, Butch Trucks and Marc Quinones) were in sync as always.  I didn't get an Elizabeth Reed or Dreams, but the setlist was great.  Yet another smokin' night in the city from the Allmans. At the bottom is a clip from their appearance on The Jimmy Fallon show last week. 

Set list - 3/11/10  United Palace Theater, NYC
1st set
Don't Keep Me Wonderin
Hot 'Lanta
Statesboro Blues
That's What Love Will Make You Do
No One Left To Run With
Desdemona
Every Hungry Woman
And It Stoned Me
Kind Of Bird

2nd set
Melissa
Ain't No Love In the Heart Of The City
Come & Go Blues
Rockin' Horse
Black Hearted Woman
bass > drums
Jessica

encore
Preachin' Blues
One Way Out