News
Clapton & The Allman Brothers: Historic NYC Concerts To Be Released On CD
3 Apr 09
Celebrating their 40th Anniversary this year, the Allman Brothers Band brought out surprise guests almost every night of their annual Beacon Theatre run. Gregg Allman said that these shows were to be a tribute to his late brother and founding band member, Duane, who died in 1971 at age 24. The Allman Brothers were also celebrating their 20th Anniversary of performing shows at New York City’s Beacon Theatre.
On 19 and 20 March, Eric Clapton joined The Allman Brothers on stage. From all accounts of those who were lucky enough to attend, the music was magic. One fan who reported in to Where’s Eric! said, "Astonishing. I had anticipated Clapton playing humble sideman, but Eric’s presence pushed the band through the roof from the moment he took the stage. As a confessed Cream-era devotee, seeing EC play in that scenario / venue was like a dream. Trucks / Haynes were appropriately unrestrained and there was never a condescending sense of ‘staying out of Clapton’s way.’" Another wrote, "The virtuosity of EC, Derek Trucks and Warren Haynes seemed almost overwhelming at times and Otiel Burbridge, the Allman Brothers’ bassist, laid down amazingly tasty foundations for the three guitarists that were as solid as the Beacon Theatre itself."
Other guests over the 15 nights included Levon Helm, Taj Mahal, Boz Scaggs, Johnny Winter, Shery l Crow, Buddy Guy, Bonnie Bramlett, Bekka Bramlett, Susan Tedeschi, David Hidalgo (Los Lobos), John Hammond, and members of The Dead. There were 60 guests altogether!
All 15 shows are slated to be released on CD by Hittin’ The Note. There will be no DVD release. The concerts are available for single-purchase or in a deluxe box set. The box set is designed to look like the Beacon Theatre’s marquee and includes a bonus show – The Allman Brothers at Warren Haynes’ 2008 Christmas jam – and 40 photos taken at the Beacon Theatre this year.
The CDs are available exclusively from Hittin’ The Note and will not be sold in stores or from other online vendors. Hittin’ The Note is the official source for all Allman Brothers Merchandise. Orders can be placed online at www.hittinthenote.com or by calling 1-888-746-4616 (toll free U.S. only) or 1-770-640-1124 (international callers) Monday-Friday 10AM to 6PM EST.
This is the first time the band has made CDs available from their annual visits to New York, which date back to 1989 and include 188 consecutive sold-out shows at the Beacon. Each single show release will be 3 CDs. According to Hittin’ The Note, "The box set will be a limited edition, serial numbered, collectible package. The actual box is stylish and handmade, painted black, with the ABB logo lasered into the wood. Included in this Beacon Box are exclusive photographs of the 2009 Beacon run, including rehearsal shots you won’t see anywhere else, courtesy of the Tour Mystic, Kirk West. The Beacon Box is also the only place you can find the Allman Brothers Band’s performance from the 2008 Christmas Jam." Each Beacon concert was a 3 CD show, so the total number of CDs in this limited edition box is 45 plus the 2 disc Christmas Jam bonus set. Delivery of both the box set and single shows is expected in May, according to Hittin’ The Note.
CD TRACK LISTS FOR ABB SHOWS WITH GUEST ERIC CLAPTON:
Allman Brothers Band – 19 March 2009 – 3 CDs
Guests: Eric Clapton, Susan Tedeschi, Danny Louis
– Little Martha
– Statesboro Blues
– Done Somebody Wrong
– Revival
– Woman Across The River
– Don’t Keep Me Wonderin’
– Whipping Post
– Oncoming Traffic
– Come and Go Blues
– Good Morning Little School Girl (with Danny Louis)
– Key To The Highway (with Eric Clapton)
– Dreams (with Eric Clapton)
– Why Does Love Got To Be So Sad? (with Eric Clapton)
– Little Wing (with Eric Clapton)
– Anyday (with Eric Clapton and Susan Tedeschi)
– Layla (with Eric Clapton and Danny Louis)
Allman Brothers Band – 20 March 2009 – 3 CDs
Guests: Eric Clapton, Danny Louis
– Little Martha & Mountain Jam Part 1
– Trouble No More
– Midnight Rider
– 44 Blues (with Danny Louis)
– Wasted Words
– Gambler’s Roll
– Ain’t Wasting Time No More
– Mountain Jam Part 2
– Melissa
– Leave My Blues At Home
– No One To Run With
– Key To The Highway (with Eric Clapton)
– (Call It) Stormy Monday (with Eric Clapton)
– Dreams (with Eric Clapton)
– Why Does Love Got To Be So Sad? (with Eric Clapton)
– Little Wing (with Eric Clapton)
– In Memory Of Elizabeth Reed (with Eric Clapton)
– Layla (with Eric Clapton and Danny Louis)
Related Links:
Hittin’ The Web – Official Allman Brothers Band Site