Ok, The Allman Brothers Band

One of the things we planned to do was attend was the Allman Brothers concert at the Beacon Theater in NYC.  As most of you know the run at the Beacon is an annual event which started in 1989.  No serious fan would want to miss it.  This seems to be the last year for them and its finally my chance to go.

Our plan was to meet Lindsey at her work place and go to dinner from there.  Our cab became mired in traffic. The office visit became a no go. Her workmates will have to wait to meet joepecan.

Our dinner reservations are at The Smith, a restaurant near the Beacon.  We are meeting Tara, one of Lindsey's friends, for dinner and the concert.  While waiting Karen spots Katie Couric about 10 feet from us.  Like my friend Tommy says she "smelled better than a new haircut".   In a moment a black Escalade pulled up, her driver opened the door and off she goes.  Our only brush with greatness this trip.

Dinner was excellent, as expected.  The girls had filets and chops.  I went old school with a cheeseburger.  As a side note, discovering the world's best burger is a hobby.  This one gets very high marks. Impossible to top a Cove Burger.  You can always tell a good burger joint if they will cook it medium-rare, they did & it was good.

The Beacon is an old theater which seats 2,894.  Cozy, a great venue.  Check it out.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Beacon_Theatre_%28Manhattan%29 

The concert

 It was a great show with Derek Trucks and Warren Haynes doing yoemens work on guitar.  In my mind the band has always been a guitar band, the rest are just sidemen.  They brought the mail over & over.   It was a rockin good time.  Lindsey, Tara & Karen kept me busy answering who's who, what's what, and all the sordid history that goes with it. When I reminded Tara that Gregg was married to Cher she instantly began searching for pics.  She remembered they had a son, one that's really a son.  I told her she may still have a chance, he's on wife #6. 

Some say all the songs sound the same.  Why shouldn't they? Every band wants a unique sound that is instantly recognizable.  The Brothers do & I like it.

Butch Trucks was under the weather and absent.  Derek's brother Duane sat in on drums for most songs and did good work. Jaimoe was constantly fooling around with his kit and even left the stage for several songs.  I know he suffers from back pain.   Gregg seemed distant and had no interaction with the audience.  He and Warren shared vocal duties. 

Its all about the music and the music was good.

After intermission the band came out for the second set.  After the first song there seemed to be some confusion as to what was next.  They figured it out and soldiered on.  A roadie came out with new setlists and put them on the monitors.  Maybe someone was having some issues and they made a change?

The set list is here:  The date is March 11, 2014.

 http://www.allmanbrothersband.com/modules.php?op=modload&name=Calendar&file=showCalendarMonth&tapers=1&showsetlists=1

My only complaint, no Whipping Post.

It was a great show and a memorable evening.  When the girls were younger I would always have a ABB CD playing.  They constantly complained as children do. "They never sing"  was the common theme.  Lindsey says it was always the Allman Brothers or NPR, not much has changed.  

As always Karen was most gracious and understanding.  I am now doomed to attend a Queen, Boston or some other 80's band as retribution.  Pray that I am as accommodating as she was.

Lindsey's friend Tara was a charming young lady and has been a good friend to my daughter.  We were honored to meet her.

Stay tuned for more on our cab ride home and drive back South.

	A pic is here:   https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=10153937680090571&set=pb.541010570.-2207520000.1394916902.&type=3&theater