Allman Brothers Band
By Mike O’Cull
The Allman Brothers Band makes sure “the one that got away” finally makes it into your headphones with the new release Warner Theatre, Erie, PA 7-19-05. It’s a live double album that comes out October 16th, 2020 via The Orchard that captures the band at the top of its form in a small venue filled to capacity. The Allman Brothers are, of course, one of rock music’s legendary live bands and have put out live sets almost since the band’s beginning. From the Fillmore East to the Beacon Theatre, the onstage power of the ABB has been well-documented. No one thought that the July 19, 2005 show in Erie would be anything but another innocuous gig at an obscure venue in a not-so-major market. As it happened, however, the Warner Theatre show turned out to be the greatest Allman Brothers’ show you’ve never heard and is proof positive that even the musicians, themselves, never knew when the magic was going to happen.
The Warner Theatre is an architectural treasure in the once-bustling port city of Erie, Pennsylvania. Commissioned by Warner Brothers Studios in 1929, the ornate Art Deco room opened in 1931, and became the entertainment hub of downtown Erie. The Warner was placed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1982. It was then converted into a performing arts center, and, with a seating capacity of 2,250, it made an ideal venue for rock acts like the ABB. The band pulled into town the day before the gig after a long, grinding run of shows and got some much-needed downtime at their chosen hotel. Everyone was rested and in a positive frame of mind. They also saw this night as the kickoff for the last five performances of the tour and were ready to play.
The lineup in 2005 was Gregg Allman on vocals and keyboards, drummers Jaimoe and Butch Trucks, Warren Haynes and Derek Trucks on guitars, Oteil Burbridge on bass and percussionist Marc Quinones. Some fans consider this to be the best version of the Brothers since the Duane days. When they began this no-opening-act two-set evening, it was clear from the first notes of the first song that something special was about to go down. The night started with a 12-minute version of “Mountain Jam” that carried the unhurried and artistic vibe that was to define the gig. Haynes and Trucks have the same interactive chemistry as Duane and Dickey did in the old days and they wield that might well from the get-go here.
“Statesboro Blues” follows and displays everything we’ve all loved about the Allmans since Day One. Ripping slide guitar, a huge shuffle groove, and Gregg’s impassioned vocals immediately blow the Warner’s roof off and give the 2000+ fans assembled exactly what they want. Warren Haynes takes the lead vocal spot for a sultry version of “Good Morning Little School Girl” but hands it right back to Gregg for the band’s eternal classic “Midnight Rider.” By this point, everyone involved knows that they’re throwing heat and that this show will be one for the record books. “Trouble No More” gets back to the blues in a big way. It’s an electric effort by the entire band and they’ve rarely played it any better. A reprise of “Mountain Jam” brings the first set to a full-circle close and a well-deserved intermission.
The second set opens with the always-gorgeous “Melissa,” which is an obvious audience favorite. Next up is a cover of The Band’s “The Night They Drove Old Dixie Down” that’s heartfelt and genuine. Other unexpected covers in the second set include Van Morrison’s “Into The Mystic” and Bob Dylan’s “Don’t Think Twice, It’s All Right” with Susan Tedeschi sitting in on vocals. The night’s two-fisted finale of “Jessica” and “One Way Out” finishes the demolition of the fans at the Warner and ensures that The Allman Brothers Band’s rep as one of the best live bands the USA has ever produced will never be tarnished. Allman fans know the songs in this concert well but never tire of hearing them. Shows like this are the reason why. Warner Theatre, Erie, PA 7-19-05 preserves a high-water mark in the life of the ABB that could have easily been relegated to obscurity. Now, we can all experience it for ourselves. You’re going to wish you’d been there.
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