The Allman Brothers Band: Live at Beacon Theatre

This is an amazing band. At this point in time, the ABB has finally gone thru the full circle. If you close your eyes, the slide guitar that Derek Trucks plays matches the style that Duanne had mastered so skillfully. Derek must have done his homework by analyzing Duanne's tracks. Warren Haynes shines as usual. In my opinion, Warren gives Gregg some competitive accomplished vocals to add to the ABB arsenal. Marc Quinones "ices the cake" as he improvizes on percussion as Jaimoe and Butch lay down the heartbeat of ABB that we've heard thru the decades and have come to expect and idolize.Oteil Burbridge drives the band in a way that I think has the flavor of Barry Oakley's melodic bass lines. As you might be able to tell, I've been an Allman Brothers fan since the beginning. Gregg and Duanne got their beginning success as the Allman Joys, starting out playing sock hops and bars in the Delmar Loop area of St. Louis. Gregg has shown his masterful vocal and keyboard abilities have not been lost, and stand the test of time with 50 years of performance under his belt. Yes, he was been performing publicly since the mid-sixties starting with the Allman Joys, metastasizing into the Hour Glass out on the west coast, and then called back to be the last piece of the "puzzle" that Duanne assembled with the Allman Brothers Band in 1968. Many others have copied the ingredients of ABB, but there is only one ABB. This edition of the ABB is all business that does justice to the late Barry Oakley's phrase of "Hitting the Note", a state of excellence that is only experienced at the top of the mountain!

Then you've got to buy this DVD. I grew up listening to the Fillmore album for years, and actually owned it initially in 8 track format (that shows my age). I've followed the Allman Brothers through the years and I've never felt that they returned to the magic they had after Duane tragically died. However after watching the DVD I have no doubt that the magic is back.I always cringe when people refer the Brothers as a "jam band" because most of the modern so called "jam bands" seem to mindlessly riff and wear out the same pentatonic scale in different keys. Duane Allman was a genius and I never thought I would hear a player that could match him in this format. With this lineup the band has returned to form with a skill and mastery of the blues that is phenominal.From the start it's clear that Derek Trucks and Warren Haynes are a spectacular pair of guitar players. Trucks seems to prefer slide and plays with a reckless abandon that stunned me. Haynes is a more traditional lead player but has an absolute mastery of the techniques and skills necessay to be a great player. The band weaves in and out of songs from their early albums in the 70's to material from their most recent CD "Hittin The Note". Quite frankly I think this band is even better than the original lineup.I would say I was slightly disappointed with the video, but I enjoyed the audio mix, especially the way they brought Greg's keyboard into the sound.These guys can play, and for an old fan like me this was an absolutely wonderful experience.

The first shipment of this product had to be sent back. The two DVDs were scratched. I don't know why anyone would package it the way they did. It was not Amazon's fault, but rather the manufacturer of the product. There was only one place in the case to secure two CDs on top of each other. When I received them they were rattling around in the case and were scratched up. I returned them. I did receive a new shipment with them actually packaged in a different case. Took awhile for this to happen, but Amazon came across.As for the concert itself, I was very pleased with it. The performance was very good and there was 21 songs on the first DVD. There was only one that drug on way too long for my preference, but they seemed to be getting into it. I think it was "Instrumental Illness". The second CD had some bonus tracks and interviews. I normally don't watch that kind of stuff, but it was a nice addition to the whole thing.All in all, I have been a fan of the Allman Brothers for many years and this was not a disappointment.

Wow,What an incredible DVD. I had the pleasure of seeing the band on their Brothers and Sisters tour in the early 70's and was blown away with their ability to create layers of music that simply flowed thru you. This DVD is in so many ways taking that music and adding the next level of greatness to it. I've, since the 70s seen the boys in the 90's (not to good, with them sounding more like a country band) and again two years ago where I was blown away. Since that show I've bought both Warren Haynes, Gov't Mule Live Mullrnium and Derek Trucks latest live album. To get more of the incredible guitar work into my system. As good as those two albums are they simply do not hold a candle to what these two do with the Allmans. I'm sure they would tell you the same if you asked them and honestly more or less do tell you this in the interviews after the concert.If you like the Allmans (not the Ramblin Man window) you will LOVE this DVD. I have a number of Music DVD's and this is by far the best. Keep it in perspective for yourself, as I still consider the Allmans Live at the Filmore the best Live Album of all time.

Who would have thought that after all these years and with so many personnel changes the Allman Brothers Band can still be a vital performance unit. Captured at this years stint at the New York Beacon Theatre the band are in quite astonishing form. I have kept in touch with the Allmans journey for a long time though both good and bad. I was happy to see the rebirth of the nineties but now, with Derek Trucks joining Warren Haynes as lead guitars and Oteil Burbridge added on bass, the long standing members are playing up a storm.Trucks is the most obvious new sound. The nephew of long time Allman drummer Butch Trucks, Derek provides a wonderful contrast to Warren Haynes fiery if, at times, overblown guitar playing. Derek Trucks brings a feeling for jazz and a careful structuring of his solos that provides an excellent dynamic variety to the sound. When the two guitars lock together after the individual solos its a real hallelujah moment.Oteil Burbridge, the new bass player is a funkier guy than previous Allman bassists. When the band takes off in the middle of a song the bass now rises with them. He pops and hammers as well as rolling out smooth runs and funky riffs. His solo is one of the few bass solos I could face more than once.On some numbers a tight, sassy horn section fills out the performance and slots in behind the soloing guitars.The DVD is great value at £11.99. Disk one is 2 hours 40 minutes of concert footage, well filmed by a large professional crew. They focus mainly on the individual players and capture some nice little moments. When the young Trucks pulls off a particularly fine guitar phrase in Stateboro' Blues the camera shows Warren Haynes laugh appreciatively with Greg Allman. The second Disk completes the concert with the encore and adds a considerable amount of backstage and interview footage. Suffice it to say I have spent most of my time on the glorious concert disk and have not really checked that out.All in all, Live at the Beacon Theatre is a great buy for Allman Brothers fans and a killer concert DVD for any lovers of traditional rock music.

I had this as a gift - and have listened to it considerably over the last few days. Admittedly I am an Allman Brothers fan, and have been since the early 70's.The DVD coincides with the latest and highly acclaimed studio album - Hittin' the Note, and many of the new tracks are included. Recent CD's have been predictable and combined with the acrimonious departure of Dickie Betts - many of us wondered - what was left ? ?What has happened is similar in many ways as what happened to Santana a few years back - the band has sat up and catapulted itself into the 21st. Century. As the dvd says - by fate a new combination - free of argument - with one focused goal - to play great music.The line up change has been their saviour.And this really is great music, and the dvd shows they play their absolute socks off. Derek Trucks is a truly exceptional and sophisticated guitarist. Marc Quinnones (percussion) & Oteil Burbridge (bass) proficiently complement the 2 original drummers - Butch Trucks & Jaimoe.Warren Haynes contribution is significant - not only a great guitarist - as producer of the new album, it is apparent that he is well organised, and a mainstay of the band. Gregg Allman is the figurehead as he deserves to be.The included documentary and interviews are a great insight into the history, new blood, and what is apparent - a true friendship between the new line up.Over 30 years ago - Filmore East was recorded and it ultimately became regarded as the 'live' classic it is.On listening for example to the live versions of 'Instrumental Illness' & 'Desdemona' - on this DVD. These tracks sound (to me) no less significant. They are absolutely superb. More sophisticated for the modern day - still free flowing, musically tight - and with that 'live magic' no other band can replicate.For those not sure - a 2.5 hour concert of great music - well produced - plus 90 mins of documentary - this dvd is fantastic value.Combined with their new album - this is the best gift I have had this year.

From the opening chords of Ain’t Wastin’ Time No More to whippin’ Post this dvd concert contents covers a music history of this unforgettable band.The songs will endure as does the memories over time. From the tragic beginnings to the personnel changes over the years they have still managed to produce excellent music. This CD is one for the faithful so put your feet up, open a beer or two and sit back and listen to real music.You will not be disappointed

If anybody wants to watch top class musicians, then this is it!! Fantastic DVD - great songs, great musicians, well filmed and great camera work. This is one of best DVDs yet. Needs a 6 star rating. We have 3 versions of the Whipping Post and I think that the best one is on the "Crossroads 2013" DVD although the one on this DVD is still very good. What a band. Allman, Trucks x 2, Haynes, Burbridge and the others are probably amongst the finest of their kind. Brilliant!!!!

some of the allman brothers songs are good but some are average. this dvd is ok but not that great.