Review by Shawn Perry
Few stages get as much talent on one evening as L.A.’s Greek Theatre did on the first of a two-night run featuring the Allman Brothers Band and the Doobie Brothers. You’d think with these two bands alone, any ticket holder would be getting more than his or her money’s worth. But then special guests start showing up, and the music evolves into a hodge-podge of corrosive, spontaneous jam-a-lots where anything can happen and…well, let’s just say those kinds of extras take the whole exercise of concert-going to a new level. We’re talking a once-in-a-lifetime event.
On paper, the match-up sounds perfect: two legendary “classic rock” institutions, staffed with top-notch great players (and plenty of drummers), united as “brothers” (although no “real” brothers exist in either group) with extraordinary followings. But that’s where the similarities end.
Of the two, the Doobie Brothers definitely have more “hits” — 16 Top 40 singles in the 70s and 80s, to be exact. They’ve also maintained a high standard of musicianship, which helps in spicing up their poppy repertoire in a live setting. This became obvious as the sun began to dip and hide behind the pine trees that encircle the Greek. The eight-man band trotted out hit after hit — “Rockin’ Down The Highway,” “Jesus Is Just Alright,” “Long Train Runnin’” — with no shortage of breadth or conviction. It must help to have a huge catalog like the Doobies to draw from.
Guitarists and founding members Patrick Simmons and Tom Johnston were both in great form, vocally and instrumentally. John McFee, who’s been the band’s third guitarist since 1979, beautifully bowed the violin on “Black Water.” Bassist Skylark (Yeah, that’s his one and only name) stepped up and belted out his best Michael McDonald vocal on “Takin’ It To The Streets.” Once the Doobies finished off with “China Grove” and “Listen To The Music” for the encore, it was evident the Allmans had their work cut out for them. I had little doubt they could deliver.
So at precisely 9:00, The Allman Brothers Band took the Greek Theatre stage, and proceeded to redefine the meaning of the word “jam.” Granted, there are still some naysayers out there who think the Allman Brothers should rehire Dickey Betts so they can roll “Ramblin’ Man” back into the setlist. But once guitarists Warren Haynes and Derek Truck dug their heels in, memories of Betts seemed to take a backseat.
Of course, one former group member whose legacy remains untarnished is Duane Allman. During the opening instrumental “Don’t Want You No More,” images of the band’s late founding lead guitarist were flashed on the venue’s screens, reminding everyone that he was (and maybe still is) the heart and soul of the Allman Brothers Band. From there, the seven-piece combo spiraled off into a million different directions.
The Allman Brothers Band, like the Grateful Dead and other “jam” bands, don’t play the same set every night. Consequently, that allows a lot of freedom and an extremely deep well of music to draw from. Whether pulling out “Statesboro Blues” or “Midnight Rider” from their songbook, or trying their hand at Stevie Ray Vaughn’s “The Sky Is Crying,” the Allmans unleashed a dizzying assault on the senses. Gregg Allman and his Hammond took up half the stage, but Haynes, Trucks and bassist Oteil Burbridge had all the room they needed to pull their strings and create a blazing convergence. Meanwhile, drummers Butch Trucks and Jaimoe, along with percussionist Marc Quinones, kept the tempo on pace and in the pocket.
Then, out of nowhere, a slew of guests came on. First on the scene was Bruce Willis, action film star and self-styled mouth harpist. Willis, like many of his Hollywood pals, has caught flak in recent years for playing music in public. Fortunately, in this setting, Willis knew his place. When he started drawing and blowing his harp on the Willie Cobb classic “You Don’t Love Me,” he dazzled the audience, as well as the musicians on stage.
After Heartbreakers keyboardist Benmont Tench scooted up beside Allman on the piano, anticipation started to rise for who might join the party next. Rumors had abounded all day, but when Tench’s band mates Tom Petty and Mike Campbell stepped up, all bets were off. Dipping into Bob Dylan’s “It Takes A Lot To Laugh It Takes A Train To Cry” and “Highway 61 Revisited,” Gregg Allman and Petty heartily exchanged verses while Haynes, Trucks and Campbell traded licks. Meanwhile, the entire audience was on their feet, thrilled to witness this historical alliance.
So how do you follow that up?
Well, if you’re the Allman Brothers Band and you’re celebrating your 40th anniversary, you unload the heavy artillery. In this case, a trip through the classic “Dreams,” a near-20-minute slice of “Whipping Post,” and an encore of the 1973 Dickey Betts composition “Southbound” did just the trick. Exiting the Greek, you could feel the enthusiasm from everyone, hearing comments like, “that was the greatest rock and roll show ever!” and “Oh my God!” There’s something to be said of an authentic gathering of fans that share in the cosmic possibilities and redemptive powers of the music.
