Search - Allman Brothers Band :: Instant Live: Verizon Wireless Ampitheatre 8/9/03

Hear the Second Classic ABB Line-Up in all its Glory

J. Chasin | NYC, NY | 09/15/2005

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Guitarist Derek Trucks told me that the current Allman Brothers line-up really began to coalesce into something special late in the summer of '02. Which puts this release a year into special territory. 2003 was the first year the band began releasing shows via Clear Channel's Instant Live series, and each year has seen some stone cold gems (check out 9-25-04 if you can find it.)



This show, crisply recorded with the lush precision and separation of a soundboard feed but with the immediacy and bootleggy feeling of an audience source, is rock solid all the way through. Derek Trucks is hard left, Warren Haynes is hard right, and you can pick out and appreciate the magic each of them weaves into this holistic tapestry.



"Desdemona," off their latest studio release Hitting the Note, is already a modern classic, and highlights disc 1. The chords underlying the instrumental middle section are evocative of "My Favorite Things," which Coltrane made his own, and the band's jamming on this tune-- especially Derek Trucks-- gets right at that link. Haynes belts out a lowdown gritty "Good Morning Little Schoolgirl" on cd 2; he is clearly the best living interpreter of Howlin' Wolf. Listen for the yin/yang of the Haynes bite and the Trucks soar, anchored by the insanely funky Oteil Burbridge on bass and the only 3-man drum section you'll ever need.



But realistically, you want this for the third disc, comprised of two tracks. The first is a thundering, rarified, majestic take on "Mountain Jam," an instrumental from the band's early days that sounds fresh and vibrant here. Listen to their playful teases at "Birdland" in the middle of the improvisational section; thrill to the way they move seamlessly into, and out of, tow minutes or so of "Afro-Blue" just before the return to theme near the end. It is a spectacular exhibition of bluesy jammy derring do by a band at its peak. Then, the band encores with "Layla," tearing into it with enough ferocity to occupy the song legitimately, not just as homage. Band founder Duane Allman was on the original, of course, making rock history in the process, so this cover harkens back to Duane (and to producer Tom Dowd, who worked with thew Allmans and on the Layla album). Here, Haynes spits out the verse, Gregg Allman gracefully executes the familiar piano coda, and when Trucks swoops and soars above it all, the reference to Duane is anything but subtle.



A great live document from a great live band. If you think you might want this, trust me, you do."

A really great show then the encore

K. Cooper | Phila. area | 02/15/2006

(5 out of 5 stars)

"There are many Allman Brothers Instant Live sets available. Peacheads should buy the sets that are special and this one certainly is.

Discs one and two contain Allmans classics old and new such as Melissa. Patchwork Quilt, You Don't Love Me, etc. Disc 3 opens with the evening's closer -a 39 minute Mountain Jam with a little Les Brers thrown in there to spice things up. Then they play a rarely played treat- Layla. Of course, Duane Allman was a big part of the original Derek and the Dominoes version so the Allmans are revisiting a part of the band's history here. Duane never did a live Layla but Clapton had been doing them for years. This is the best live Layla. you'll ever hear from anyone. One note: The Cd says "Don't keep me Wondering is on disc one- it's not but "Trouble No More" is.

A very special concert."

Stunning

Kevman | White Plains, NY USA | 10/10/2005

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Great sound quality. But the playing is amazing. Is it possible this is the best the Allmans have ever sounded. Some of my music friends say they think it is possible, especially after hearing this. And this is the hottest Layla I have heard, and I didn't think that would be possible. Wow!!!!!!"