Allman Brothers Band at the Beacon Theatre, March 21st - Photos & Setlist

The Allman Brothers Band is nearing the end of this year's annual run of shows at the Beacon Theatre, and I was able to attend Wednesday night's concert. Below are some photos and a setlist (also available on the band's website).

I go almost every year, and while it's easy to take such an annual event for granted, I try not to; to enjoy each show on it's own, and as if it might be the last. As usual, the Allman Brothers displayed its usual high-quality musicianship. As a friend who attends the concerts with me said a few years back, an Allmans show is like a jazz concert; these are top-notch musicians who include a lot of improvisation in their shows.

Yankee great Bernie Williams (second from right) joined the band on stage Wednesday.

As usual, a number of guest stars joined the band on stage. In a uniquely New York touch, the night's first guest, in the very first song ("One Way Out"), was former Yankee outfielder Bernie Williams (who has recorded at least one album of guitar music). Also guesting with the Allmans on Wednesday night: singers Ruthie Foster and Susan Tedeschi; guitarist Roddy Lawrence; bluegrass banjo player Tony Trischka; and The Juke Horns (playing on multiple numbers).

The Allman Brothers Band on stage at the Beacon Wednesday.

Warren Haynes singing, accompanied by The Juke Horns.

Susan Tedeschi and Ruthie Foster singing with the Allman Brothers.

Gregg Allman singing.

The Allman Brothers Band has two more shows in this year's Beacon run, this Saturday and Sunday. The shows sold out long ago, but there are tickets on StubHub, and prices there often actually get lower as show time approaches and sellers get itchy to get rid of their tickets.

In other Allmans news, Gregg Allman is coming out with an autobiography, "My Cross to Bear,"in a couple of months. No doubt it will be interesting to read his takes on the band's early days, her perspectives on decades of life on the road, and his health scare with hepatitis C and a liver transplant.

Setlist from the Allman Brothers Band show at the Beacon, Wed., March 21st:
1. One Way Out (with Bernie Williams, guitar)
2. Midnight Rider
3. The High Cost Of Low Living
4. Bag End
5. River's Gonna Rise (with Ruthie Foster, vocals; Bernie Williams, guitar)
6. Blind Willie McTell (with The Juke Horns)
7. Stand Back (with The Juke Horns)
8. Soulshine (with The Juke Horns)
9. The Same Thing (with The Juke Horns)

Set II Acoustic
10. Katrina (Rocky Lawrence, guitar & vocals & Warren & Derek only)
11. Grinnin' In Your Face (Ruthie Foster & Warren, a capella)
12. Death Came A Knockin' (with Ruthie Foster, guitar & vocals, Susan Tedeschi, vocals)
13. These Days (Gregg & Warren only)

Electric
14. Blue Sky
15. The Weight (with Ruthie Foster & Susan Tedeschi, vocals; Juke Horns)
16. Les Brers In A Minor (with Tony Trischka, banjo; bass & banjo solo; drum solo)

Encore
17. Revival

Tickets for Allman Brothers Band Beacon Shows Go on Sale Fri. A.M.

Tickets for the Allman Brothers Band's annual run of spring shows at New York's Beacon Theatre go on sale tomorrow morning, Jan. 6th. The band announced the show dates on Dec. 31st.

The Allman Brothers Band at the Beacon last year. From left: Gregg Allman, Butch Trucks, Derek Trucks.

Ten shows have been announced: March 9th, 10th, 13th, 14th, 16th, 17th, 20th, 21st, 24th, and 25th. You can get Allman Brothers Beacon Theatre tickets here starting at 10 a.m. You'll notice that there are ample open dates; the band usually adds additional shows as tickets for the original dates get sold.

And the tickets will sell quickly, with many fans buying tickets for multiple shows. So if you want to get the best seats, I'd suggest having the Allman Brothers page on Ticketmaster loaded in your browser at 9:59 a.m.

The band usually has a special guest or two on stage with them for part of the show each night. And with this year marking the 40th anniversary of the group's landmark "Eat a Peach" album, I'm guessing they might have more guests or surprises than usual.

Free Album Streaming: New CDs from Cake, Gregg Allman, British Sea Power, Iron & Wine

There are some great new albums coming out that are being offered for free streaming, including "Low Country Blues" by Gregg Allman. On this new disc, Allman presents his take on some blues classics, a project that's right up his alley. He's touring to support this new album, but get your tickets while you can: his New York show has already sold out (I'm hope he adds at least one more date).

Here's are some of the new albums available now for free streaming:

NPR First Listen:
"Low Country Blues" by Gregg Allman (streaming until Jan. 18)
"Dye It Blonde" by Smith Westerns (until Jan. 18)
"Kiss Each Other Clean" by Iron & Wine - podcast download and streaming of live performance of the entire album, from WNYC

Spinner.com's Listening Party:
"Showroom of Compassion" by Cake
"Outside" by Tapes 'n Tapes
"Valhalla Dancehall" by British Sea Power

AOL Music Listening Party: 
"Californication Season 4 - Music From the Showtime Series" by various artists including Eagles of Death Metal, Better Than Ezra, Cracker, Warren Zevon, Soundtrack of Our Lives, and more

Allman Brothers Add 5 Final Beacon Shows; Tickets On Sale Saturday

The Allman Brothers Band (shown here at the United Palace Theater last year) return to the Beacon for 13 shows in March.

If you missed out on getting tickets to see the Allman Brothers Band during its March run at the Beacon Theatre, you've got a second chance: the group has added five more shows.

Allman Brothers tickets go on sale at 10 a.m. Saturday, Jan. 8th for these additional shows: March 21st, 22nd, 24th, 25th, and 26th. This brings the total number of the band's 2011 Beacon shows to 13. Tickets for all the Allman Brothers Beacon shows are available here; you may be able to still find some tickets for some of the previously announced dates as well.

As usual, you can expect some special guest to join the band onstage.

While the Allman Brothers haven't had a new album in some time, leader Gregg Allman is coming out with a new effort, "Low Country Blues," on Jan. 18th. His website has a number of "Low Country Blues" pre-sale offers, including vinyl and some offers that feature an immediate download of extra tracks.

Gregg Allman will appear on the David Letterman show on Jan. 14th, and he has a number of tour dates scheduled. In the New York area, he'll be in Kingston, New York on Jan. 8th; Red Bank, NJ on Jan. 11th; and NYC's Bowery Ballroom on Jan. 18th (that last one is sold out, but I wouldn't be surprised if another show is added). See all the Gregg Allman tour dates here.

Gregg Allman Undergoes Successful Liver Transplant

Left: Gregg Allman performing at New Orleans Jazz Fest in April. Photo: Flickr user Derek Bridges.

Rocker Gregg Allman, one of the founders of the Allman Brothers Band, has undergone a successful liver transplant, a statement on his website reported yesterday. The procedure took place at the Mayo Clinic in Jacksonville, Florida, the statement said.

Gregg Allman had suffered from hepatitis C for a few years and the Allman Brothers Band had to cancel a number of shows when Allman became ill, including its annual spring series of shows at New York's Beacon Theatre. I saw two of the band's shows this spring at the United Palace in New York, and Allman did his usual fine job of singing and playing.

The website statement says that Allman had been undergoing treatment for hepatitis C but that his liver had suffered chronic damage and that a transplant was needed.

So how is the legendary singer, songwriter, and performer doing with his new liver? “I feel pretty good, considering everything that’s happened,” Allman is quoted as saying.

Best wishes to Gregg and his family for a speed recovery. We look forward to seeing him on the road for many years to come.