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Allman Brothers Band
tourdates
official website
artist information
Track List:
1. Don't Want You No More
2. It's Not My Cross To Bear
3. Ain't Wastin' Time No More
4. Every Hungry Woman
5. Please Call Home
6. Stand Back
7. Black Hearted Woman
8. Leave My Blues At Home
9. Seven Turns
10. High Falls
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Allman Brothers Band - Peakin' at the Beacon
(Sony)
Each Spring, thousands of Allman Brothers Band fans embark upon a pilgrimage to New York City's Beacon Theatre to participate in an incredible one-month-stand of rock 'n' roll residency. Peakin' at the Beacon is a live collection of ten ripe and rare tracks performed within those hallowed walls during the most recent gatherings, March 9-25, 2000. The result is powerfully dense and moving, harkening back to the sultry southern-rock and blues of the band's early years and calling upon familiar notions of despair, while providing a few fresh twists.
In an effort to continually fascinate its audience, the Allman Brothers Band brilliantly joins the torn pieces of a celebrated and tragic past with the redemptive soul of present performances. Fans of the Allmans' recent tours will appreciate the sizzling introduction of "Don't Want You No More" leading into "It's Not My Cross To Bear," two tunes that bring ABB full-circle as a unit. With visions of Duane dancing in our heads, the Allman Brothers Band showcases young gun Derek Trucks. Nephew of percussionist Butch Trucks, and recognized blues-guitar virtuoso, Derek made his Allmans debut when he was only 12! Trucks resurrects a bold and seasoned catalog of styles, similar to Duane's fusion of slide, classic R&B, early rock, and jazz. This fresh sound creates a harmonious contrast with the lazy, melodic leads perfected by Dickey Betts—as displayed on Peakin' at the Beacon's opening track. On "Cross," Trucks' heavy slide and deep, daring chords resound within the abyss of Gregg Allman's reality-laden voice.
"Ain't Wastin' Time No More" provides a blistering two-guitar attack from Betts and Trucks that places ABB in its natural arena. "Every Hungry Woman," a live rarity, is a percussionist playground, drenched in the tones of Gregg's Hammond B-3 organ. "Please Call Home" is an endearing blues ballad, written and beautifully performed by Gregg. Still, no man captures the essence of these tragi-passion ballads as magically as Dickey Betts—"Seven Turns" exhibits Betts' gentle and tortured spirit through his lyrics and inspired guitar work. Unfortunately, for Betts' tormented psyche, the Allmans ended a bittersweet relationship with their guitarist following this particular tour.
Back within the Beacon's sweaty confines, fans become short of breath when ABB tears into the blues. "Black Hearted Woman" teems with harbored frustrations; Gregg's throaty rendition is severe. Veteran and spirited youngster launch into dueling guitar solos, while a thundering backbeat hammers the sky. "High Falls" completes Peakin' at the Beacon in distinct Allman Brothers Band fashion—extended on-stage jamming; the raw power of three percussionists and one undaunted bass player; resurfacing vocals of dissolution and redemption; the renaissance of bold blues guitar; and the putrid aftertaste of broken bonds—like a rotting peach.
by Matt Herrick
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