Allman Brothers Band - Macon City Auditorium 2/11/72
Rezension
Eine Show aus der oft übersehenen Quintett-Phase, knapp 3 Monate nach dem Tod von Brother Duane. Die Band entschloss sich weiter zu machen und spielte am 11. Februar 1972 die 23. Show ohne das Gitarren-Genie, die erste in ihrer Heimatstadt Macon. Es galt eine Lücke zu füllen, die nicht zu füllen war. Dickey Betts übernahm Duaneþs Slideparts, Greggþs Hammond spielte eine größere Rolle im Gesamtsound und Bassist Berry Oakley, der sowie wie ein Gitarrist spielte, lief zu großer Form auf. Jeder gab 50% mehr als vorher, die Trauer wirkte wie Treibstoff und diese Doppel-CD ist ein wichtiges Dokument dieser Findungs-Phase. Kommt auf dem Allman eigenen Archivlabel und ist somit von der Band abgesegnet, jetzt als 2013er Offiziell-Veröffentlichung zum etwas freundlicheren Preis.
Review
In the 35 year existence of the Allman Brothers Band, the 11-month period of time from November 1971, to the fall of 1972 - often referred to as the "Five-Man Band" era - is an extremely important, emotionally charged, and yet often overlooked chapter of ABB history. On October 29, 1971, the band lost its founder, spiritual leader, and guiding force when guitarist Duane Allman was killed in a motorcycle crash in Macon, Georgia. Words cannot describe the magnitude of devastation that hit the group, but the notion that the band might call it quits was quickly discounted - Duane would have wanted them to play on, so play on they did. Replacing Duane with another guitarist, however, was not an option, so the Allman Brothers decided to move forward as a quintet. They finished recording the studio album that they were working on at the time of Duaneþs passing - subsequently entitled Eat a Peach - and produced three classic track
Tracklisting
ûûAinþt Wastinþ Time No More,ûû ûûMelissa,ûû and ûûLes Brers in A Minor.ûû < |
>The remaining members - Gregg Allman on vocals and keyboards, Dickey Betts on guitar, Berry Oakley on bass, and drummers Butch Trucks and Jaimoe - hit the stage less than a month after Duaneþs death, and the music that literally burned with passion served as the best possible form of grieving. At the same time, their style of music was forced to change - missing were the dual harmony lines of Duane and Dickey, as well as Duaneþs slide guitar mastery. As a result, responsibilities shifted within the group. Aside from now being the only guitarist in a traditional two-guitar line-up, Dickey also took on the unenviable task of playing Duaneþs slide parts on some of the bandþs signature tunes, a challenge he more than met - Dickey displayed a versatility that few knew he possessed. Gregg stepped up his Hammond B-3 playing, and his vocals were more important than ever. It was Berry Oakley, however, who underwent the largest transformation. Berry had always played bass like a third guitarist, but with Duane gone, Oakleyþs playing became monstrous - his thundering lines filled all sorts of voids in the music with an emotion and splendor that was part evil, part magic. < |
>This two-CD package is taken from a show at the Macon Auditorium on February 11, 1972. It was the bandþs 23rd show without Duane, and the first in their hometown since his loss. Playing two sets that day, the band put on a five-star performance - the music sounded comfortable, natural, and powerful.< |
>After Gregg dedicated the show to ûûBrother Duane,ûû the Allmans launched into ûûStatesboro Bluesûû with Dickeyþs country-flavored slide and Berryþs prowling bass setting the tone, which carried over into a lean ûûDone Somebody Wrong.ûû Gregg then announced a new song, ûûAinþt Wastinþ Time No More,ûû which was Eat a Peach poignant. A cooking ûûOne Way Outûû has Gregg on piano duplicating Duaneþs slide riff, and then comes a version of ûûMidnight Riderûû with Dickey and Berry combining forces to make up for Duaneþs absence. The 21-minute ûûYou Donþt Love Meûû absolutely belongs to Dickey Betts, who delivers a majestic, soaring run that encapsulates the utmost brilliance of his skills. Gregg shines on a sultry ûûStormy Monday,ûû which gives way to ûûHoochie Coochie Man,ûû where Oakleyþs whimsical vocals are in stark contrast to his precise bass playing, and ûûHot þLantaûû shows that the ABB could still swing like a jazz band.< |
>Disc Two kicks off with ûûLes Brers in A Minor,ûû and Berryþs bass surges like a tide as Dickey blisters the fretboard, with Butch and Jaimoe underneath, pushing everyone along. ûûTrouble No Moreûû - sans slide- segues into Berryþs renowned opening to ûûWhipping Post,ûû which showcases a compelling solo by Dickey that climaxes with a maddening crescendo. It was the perfect closer to a day when the Allman Brothers truly were hittinþ the note for the folks in Macon. < |
>By the late summer of 1972, the group found itself going through an unplanned but fulfilling transition. During this time, a series of informal jams with the Allman Brothers and a hot young keyboardist named Chuck Leavell took place, and the musical dialogue spoke volumes. The solution to filling out the bandþs sound became clear - instead of adding another guitarist, they would bring in Chuckþs piano as a second lead instrument, and in October 1972, they entered Capricorn Studios to begin work on their next record. After 92 shows, the ûûFive-Man Bandûû segment of the Allman Brothers ended on November 2, 1972, when the new line-up played its first gig at Hofstra University, which was taped for ABCþs late-night program, In Concert. < |
>Just as the band seemed to be righting itself and heading in a new direction, tragedy struck again. On November 11, 1972, Berry Oakley was killed when his motorcycle collided with a city bus in Macon, only three blocks from the site of Duaneþs fatal crash. Despite the incomprehensible loss of another Brother, the ABB gamely moved on, adding Lamar Williams on bass and finishing the album Brothers and Sisters, which was dedicated to Berry.< |
>Enjoy this special slice of Allman Brothersþ history - just crank up that bass and let þer boom, þcause thatþs what B.O. woulda wanted.< |
>John Lynskey |
Hittinþ the Note Magazine |
noch mehr von Allman Brothers Band