Product Description:
Allman Brothers Band: Gregg Allman (vocals, acoustic guitar, piano, Hammond B-3 organ); Dickey Betts (vocals, acoustic guitar); Derek Trucks (guitar); Oteil Burbridge (bass); Jaimoe, Butch Trucks (drums, percussion); Marc Quinones (congas, percussion, background vocals).
Recorded live at The Beacon Theatre, New York, New York between March 9 & 25, 2000.
"High Falls" was nominated for the 2002 Grammy Award for Best Rock Instrumental Performance.
Amidst the enmity between Gregg Allman and Dickie Betts at the time of this recording, The Allman Brothers still managed to play a 13-night stand in March 2000 at New York's Beacon Theater. The resulting PEAKIN' AT THE BEACON is a 10-song sliver of the band's legendary in-concert prowess no worse the wear from whatever friction may have been going on behind the scenes. All the standard ABB hallmarks are heard throughout this set: the expansive guitar leads, thunderous rhythms, and chugging organ parts, all pierced by Gregg Allman's gruff but soulful vocals.
Diehards are served well by a set packed with songs predominantly dating back to the band's earliest efforts, including their 1969 self-titled debut and the 1970 follow-up IDLEWILD SOUTH. Casual fans may only recognize the epic slow blues original "It's Not My Cross To Bear," and the life-affirming EAT A PEACH cut "Ain't Wastin' Time No More." Otherwise, nuggets like "Stand Back" and "Please Call Home" abound. In keeping with the Allmans' marathon jamming abilities is the inclusion of a near half-hour version of "High Falls" from 1975's WIN, LOSE OR DRAW.
Entertainment Reviews:
Rolling Stone - 4/12/01, p.141
3 stars out of 5 - "...Presents the Allmans as a 'living' thing with a sturdy song bag - and shows why I'll back at the Beacon every year....They are the rock equivalent of the Coutn Basie and Duke Ellington organizations, revisiting classic material with fresh swing..."
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