Allman Brothers Band/WSP - concert review

Now in their 40th year, this may be the ABB's strongest lineup. Founding member Butch Trucks' nephew Derek Trucks along with Warren Haynes handle dueling lead/slide guitar. Derek is my new favorite guitarist, with his cherry red Gibson SG, he is in the role of Duane Allman with Warren Haynes as Dickie Betts, sort of. They did not play Blue Sky, Jessica, or Ramblin' Man - but it was not that type of show. They can't do Jessica without Chuck Leavell or writer Dickie. They are grittier now, which the rugged crowd preferred. Gregg sounded soulful and I was very impressed with what they did play and how they played. Opening with Statesboro Blues, the video screens displayed a series of Duane pictures. The record shown is Layla and Other Assorted Love Songs. Duane played guitar on it and is listed as one of the Derek’s Dominos. In Clapton’s autobiography, while living in Miami, Eric goes to see the ABB and asks Duane to come to famed Criteria Studios to join in on the Layla sessions. I caught the last 2 songs Widespread Panic did and was impressed. Hard for me to describe WSP - but I am thrilled to have seen them and the ABB at Chicago's finest outdoor venue - Northerly Island (old Meigs Field) on a gorgeous late summer evening.

Steely Dan's Aja live concert review

August was fun – reading, learning, and posting about Woodstock. Not sure if other months will have themes. But, on to September! We saw Steely Dan last night at the first of their 4 shows, “in residence” at the Chicago Theater. Like others (Van Morrison, Roger Waters, Bruce), the Dan are playing entire classic albums live, track for track, in order. We picked Aja, one of my favorites. I will devote a post on that record another day. The band included a 4-piece horn section, Jon Harrington on lead guitar, awesome drummer Keith Carlock, back-up singers the Dan-ettes, and groovy bass player Freddie Washington. After powering though Aja “complete, more or less,” as Donald concluded, they rolled out a monster, 15-song set. They seemed a bit relieved to have gotten past the night’s centerpiece album and loosened up on the post-Aja songs, a few of which were slightly re-worked. We considered attending one of the other nights (Larry Carlton!) for Gaucho or The Royal Scam, but had such a great time, that would have gilded the lily. I own six Dan records on vinyl. Album photo above is their debut Can’t Buy a Thrill, off which they played Reelin’ and Dirty Work. Art-wise, it's their most stylish album cover.

The Road to Woodstock - our book review

We finished this book over the weekend. I read this entire book aloud in the car to my wife while she drove us to work and back. In all, in about 2 weeks time, on weekdays: one chapter in the morning and one on the way home. We loved it. By Woodstock’s creator and visionary, Michael Lang, he took us back in time to Woodstock. We were stunned to hear about the chance meetings he encountered (Eliot Tiber), the kismet, and the karma. He tells of the pre-Woodstock buildup, his Miami Pop festival the previous years, growing up in New York - and his ability to interact with many different types of people on the way to Bethel. Besides the fest itself and the stories of the acts who played, what comes across is Lang's belief that good always prevails, things will and so work out, and when in challenging situations - people, when left on their own, will help others. Preparing for this little "folk fest and craft fair," the site selection and logistics are excruciating and tense. Thank goodness for Max Yasgur. If you read one book about Woodstock - this should be it. The author was the guy who planned it, put it on, juggled everything, and shepparded the flock of supporters, volunteers, and financiers. We thank Michael for writing this book and we highly recommendation.