Great expectations have been the ruin of many acts in the rock genre. Countless talent-laden supergroups have fallen well short of the mark set for them, usually resulting in very short tenures. To say the Allman Betts Band is laden with expectations would be a significant understatement. Three of the members are offspring of original members of Southern Rock megastars, Rock Hall of Famers the Allman Brothers Band. They’ve already played side by side with major talents in their respective careers. The bar is, no doubt, set high.
I went to see these guys in Walhalla, SC. Surprisingly, this former high school auditorium draws some huge musical names, often picking up acts with an open night between Atlanta and Charlotte or Asheville.
Click here for the story of how Sweet Home Alabama came to be.
The Allman Betts Band began in late 2017 when Devon Allman planned an evening at the legendary Fillmore to pay tribute to his late father, Gregg. The event would also serve as an introduction to his new band, The Devon Allman Project. One of the many performers in attendance for the star-studded concert was Duane Betts, son of Dickey. The two decided to tour together in 2018 and were a hit with audiences.
As the tour wound down, they then reached out to an old friend and fellow Allman Brothers heir, Berry Oakley, Jr. with an idea for a new group. Soon, the new band’s roster was filled out with other talented players, and a recording session was planned at Muscle Shoals Studios. Their first album, Down to the River, was cut live, completely free of digital editing. A tour soon followed, with the band being well-received everywhere they played.
This evening started with the American/folk duo The River Kittens warming up the crowd. Recently signed to Devon Allman’s Create Records, their originals, along with covers of Springsteen and Bill Monroe tunes, were very well received.
The headliners took the stage and jumped right into a tune from their latest album, Bless Your Heart. Sporting a three-guitar attack and two percussionists like Southern Rock greats before them, it’s clear they aren’t backing away from comparisons. Add in an older crowd that seems dominated by vintage Allman Brother concert tees, and it’s easy to tell what these folks are expecting.
The 12 minutes plus instrumental Savannah’s Dream showcased the broad base of talent these guys possess. With the band featuring the three Allman heirs, they paid their respects to their lineage. Still, they showed from the start that they are not in the shadows of anyone and have their own identity and style.
Next up was Magnolia Road, also from the album, with vocals shared between Betts and Allman. What comes next was a true crowd-pleaser, a cover of the ABB standard Southbound. With Allman, Betts, and Oakley sharing lead vocals, the audience went to their feet and stayed there. The Walhalla Performing Arts Center is on the small side, as venues go, but the crowd brought the volume to larger venue levels.
The two-hour-plus show included other ABB classics Jessica and Ain’t Wasting Time No More, and selections from both Allman Betts albums. It’s hard to escape the thought that these guys are just having a blast playing, and we, the audience, are just sitting in. The powerful pair of percussionists, R. Scott Bryan and John Lum reminded fans of the Jaimoe and Trucks days. Keyboardist John Ginty had ample opportunities to showcase his skills. The third guitarist, handling all of the slide duties, is L.A.’s Johnny Stachela. With no way to escape comparisons with Duane Allman, Warren Haynes, and others that have taken that role on stage with ABB, and he does himself proud.
Click here for a walk down Memory Lane with the Atlanta Rhythm Section.
Toward the end of the show, The River Kittens returned to the stage to add their harmonies to Carolina Song, behind Allmans powerful, gritty vocals and some tasty slide guitar work by Stachela. All through the show, Allman engages the crowd and shares gratitude for their support.
Oakley Jr is behind the keyboard and handling vocals for Doctor’s Daughter when the band returns for its first encore. Allman covers bass duties, and the song again showcases the excellent slide work of Stachela. The show closes with Allman’s powerful lead vocals on Pale Horse Rider, and the crowd showed appreciation with a standing ovation.
