Gregg Allman Live: Back To Macon, GA [2 CD]

Gregg's solo work has always been cathartic for him. As the lead singer and face of one of the greatest guitar bands in rock history, he often wished he could indulge in the Southern Soul and R&B that wouldn't fit the Allmans' repertoire. He explored this as far back as 1973's "Laid javascript:void(0)Back", where he covered the Fontella Bass/Bobby McClure duet "Don't Mess Up A Good Thing". Since that time he has cut quite a few sides in the classic R&B vein, but '"Back To Macon" is his strongest to date.

The Allman Brothers' history has been well chronicled over the years so when Gregg returned to the city with his own band in 2014 expectations were high, and those in attendance witnessed some musical magic. Gregg's current band includes guitarist Scott Sharrard, a fine band leader himself who shares musical director duties with saxophonist Jay Collins. The chemistry between these two make for a compelling and very different musical pairing. When the group kicks off with "Statesboro Blues", Sharrard's muscular slide makes one think of Allman Brothers, but Collins takes a blistering tenor solo while sax man Art Edmaiston and trumpeter Dennis Marion provide classic horn based R&B backing. Latin Percussionist Mark Quinones, a twenty three year veteran of the Allmans supports legendary drummer Steve Potts; they get to stretch out on "Hot 'Lanta" and "One Way Out".

Every song on this set list is arranged very differently from the studio versions. I was pleasantly surprised at Sharrard's solo on "I'm No Angel". Gregg's guitarists have usually played Dan Toler's famous lead break note for note in concert, including Toler himself. This is fine, of course, but you have to admire the courage and improvisational skill to pull it off. "Queen Of Hearts" has always been a personal favorite of Gregg's, mainly because it is such a complex yet nimble jazz composition that impressed his musical brethren early in his career. On the original track from "Laid Back", David "Fathead" Newman of the Ray Charles band played an uptempo solo in an odd time signature. Collins does the song justice, as does bassist Ron Johnson and Ben Stivers on piano supplementing Gregg's B-3.

"I Found A Love" is famous for Wilson Pickett's rendition, but Gregg's band seems to follow rhe 1962 arrangement by the Falcons (Pickett was on lead at the time). Gregg gives one of his best vocal performances ever, Sharrard and Quinones share back-up vocals while the horns add that sweet R&B groove. This number is a definite highlight.

"Melissa" features Gregg's son Devon, guitarist for Honeytribe and key member of Royal Southern Brotherhood. Rather than employ the expected twin guitar leads, each player would take a solo while the other would offer soft rhythm support. Devon doesn't really emulate Uncle Duane or Dickie Betts. If any one player is his main muse, I would say Clapton but really, he has found his own voice. He picks out clean, tasteful two string leads to complement Sharrard's nod to Betts. Flute on "Melissa"? You bet, and it works. When the song concludes, Gregg points to Devon and says "My boy" with obvious pride.

The arrangement for "Midnight Rider" is unlike anything Gregg has played before in ANY configuration. He has totally redone the intro from any recorded version, picking it out beautifully himself. The horns are again featured, along with some soft electric piano by Stivers. Marion's muted trumpet breathes new life into this old favorite. Suddenly, the mood changes with a crash when Sharrard kicks the band into his own "Love Like Kerosene". This is the rockingest song in the set, and Sharrard gets to play some kick-ass leads supported by Gregg's driving rhythm guitar. Devon returns for a spirited "One Way Out" while Sharrard slips on the slide. The drummers are in the spotlight for an extended jam that closes out the show.

The DVD extras include two tracks not included on the CDs-"Stormy Monday" and "Floating Bridge". As much as I liked "Floating Bridge" from 2011's "Low Country Blues", I found this version to be a bit more spirited. The feature "The Gregg Allman Band At The H&H" shows the band in the famed Macon restaurant, swapping stories about life in Gregg's band while enjoying the fare from "Mama Louise"' Hudson's eatery ("Best greens ever" one band member enthuses).

Gregg has proven that although the Allman Brothers may have stopped touring, he has no intention of slowing down. As he says at the show's conclusion, "Sure was fun. We'll have to do it again sometime". Don't wait too long, Gregg.

If you like the Allman Brothers and Gregg Allman, you must get this set. The new horn arrangements present great renditions of classic songs. If he would included "Revival", it would have made my day. Excellent recording both audio and video wise. Gregg is in great form, Scott Sherrard is an excellent guitarist. and the band is fantastic! Scott's "Love Like Kerosene" is a perfect song for Gregg's voice. As Gregg said, "...(they) were smokin' that night!

If you dig the Allman Brithers or Gregg Allman at all...just buy this. I was just at the Bug House in Macon. I just sawGregg last summer with this band. They are better than the Allman Brother's without Dickie. Really amazing! Just buy it.

Excellent release from Gregg Allman. Being an Allman Bros. fan, i've always enjoyed Gregg's solo work and this current band he has put together is just great. Such a refreshing take on these songs. I'll tell you right now, the two guitar solos in "Melissa" make this a must buy. Gregg's son, Devon takes the first solo followed by Scott Sharrard on the second. These solos have the power to destroy any kind of bad mood that you may be in, so uplifting and beautiful. Great Searching For Simplicity version of Whipping Post. The DVD is great, you get to see these songs played right in front of you, and the dvd has some nice bonus material. I highly recommend this to any fan of Gregg and/or the Allman Brothers. You can't go wrong with this in your collection.

Gregg Allman is my music hero! I have always liked what he has brought to the table his solo work is something he should be proud of. I saw Gregg way back in the 80's when he played the Del Mar fair near San Diego California. I knew then as I know now You just can't loose with any solo Gregg Allman album or DVD in your collection.

This new set is I believe some of if not the best Gregg & his solo band has done to date every song is amazing & done with care Gregg as come full circle on this cd & DVD. I really enjoyed seeing Gregg's son Devon playing on stage with his Dad. You need this collection for your collection...

Made me realize like Greg Allman that I have mellowed with age great songs done a little different..Keep Rockin..

It’s Gregg Allman… What else do you need to know? Gregg has earned his ranks in the history of rock and blues with the legendary Allman Brothers band but has also provided a righteous list of solo work that again separates the men from the boys, his solo work has the same heart and soul of the ABB without the lengthy jam sessions that are a little part of every ABB band cd. Great cd from a legendary singer songwriter; highly recommended! So gald to see Gregg made it through to the otherside and returned to health
Andy P
Dallas, GA

I saw this show live in Tampa, Florida. At that time the show was good, but it was fresh and unpolished. By the time they reached Macon the band was ready to get the audience involved and were sure of their performance. Mr. Allman is, as always, the true performer. Being a Brothers fan for years and having been riding with the true Midnight Rider ever since, I was not disappointed. I'm still hoping "My Cross to Bear" makes it to the screen.