Fronting a band that included guitarist Warren Haynes, keyboardist Johnny Neel, bassist Marty Privette, and drummer Matt Abts, Allman Brothers Band guitarist, singer and songwriter Dickey Betts took New York City’s Lone Star Roadhouse by storm in a late 1980s concert that was syndicated across NYC’s WNEW radio station. The full concert comprises Live From The Lone Star Roadhouse: New York City 1988, which was originally released on vinyl for Record Store Day in 2018, is now available on CD for the first time.
Here we get some of his solo band works, plus Allman Brothers ditties and other surprises. From the swinging, Johnny Neel organ push of the Dicky Betts Band’s “Rock Bottom,” into the Allman Brothers’ “Blue Sky,” then a deep roiling “Far Cry,” it’s evident from the beginning of this 17-song set, this was one of those nights fans of great electric guitar playing love so much.
A slightly slower “In Memory Of Elizabeth Reed” is one of the highlights here, appearing halfway in the set. The clear-cut recognizable guitar line melody rendered by both Haynes and Betts sails above a thick swirly organ, rendering the classic a classic read this night. Rick Derringer is guest wailer on “Statesboro Blues,” “One Way Out,” and his own “Rock and Roll, Hoochie Koo.”
Derringer, Betts and company are then joined by Jack Bruce and Mick Taylor on a guitar round robin “Spoonful,” and “Southbound.” Bruce’s bass snapping solo on this last, slips in perfectly with all the rest of the guitar wailing. Seeing as Betts and Bruce are no longer with us, and Mick Taylor heard from all too infrequently, all these guys chipping in at the top of their game, make Live From The Lone Star Roadhouse: New York City 1988 extra special indeed.
~ Ralph Greco, Jr.
