The Allman Brothers are rolling into New York for their annual Beacon run. I'm not exactly sure when this tradition began; they played 11 shows there in March of 1992, and I believe that is the beginning of the spring tradition, although they had played there before, just not on an extended spring run. They missed, I believe, 1993, and moved the party uptown to Radio City in 1995 (which I count as part of the series.) So with the exception of missing '93 and relocating for '95, the band has been a rite of Spring at 75th and Broadway for 14 years now.

I've gone to at least a few shows every year; they have become quite special. The Allman Brothers cycle has them beginning the year with rehearsals for the Beacon run, at which they debut and test out modifications and additions to the setlist. Last year we were treated to Dr. John's "(I Walk On) Gilded Splinters," and the Band's "The Night They Drove Old Dixie Down." These songs stayed in the set the rest of the year, as did the classic "Afro-Blue," made famous but not composed by Coltane. In 2003, after not having played the tune since '74, they opened the first show of the run with "Wasted Words."

Since 2003, when the band essentially reached out and plucked me, inviting me to write features for their magazine and the liner notes for their DVD, I have caught almost every Beacon show. Last year, all 9; this year I am ticketed for all 10, including the benefit for the Big House, a cause to which you should make a donation. The benefit show, the last of the run, features drummer Jaimoe's band; Oteil Burbridge and the Peacemakers; the Derek Trucks Band; Warren Haynes's Gov't Mule; and the Alllmans. It will be one for the ages.

After the Beacon, the band plays a few odd shows, gearing up for the summer shed season, during which they hone and refine their chemistry; as great and epic as the Beacon gigs are, the band keeps getting tighter as the summer wears on. I am all giddy looking forward to tomorrow night's opener; for me the Beacon is like Spring Training, Opening Day, and the World Series all wrapped into one. For a lot of us, in fact.

I am looking forward to the great music-- to losing myself in it for 2 weeks. And of course for the friends-- Bill and John and the gang at Hittin' the Note, the magazine; Kirk, tour manager and my official Allman Brothers "handler." Manager Bert. The crew-- Earl, Slim, and so on (Slim is responsible for the outstanding sound in the house, and on the band's Instant Live shows sold at Clear Channel venues.) And the guys in the band, who are uniformly gentlemen, although Gregg Allman, the most famous one, is generally scarce, the result of the burden of 36 years of recognizable fame. But Derek, Warren, and Oteil are as approachable and nice as could be-- I'm drawn to guys who play stringed instruments-- and Butch Trucks and Jaimoe, the original drummers, are both funny and charming company. Marc Quinones, the percussionist, is also accessible and courteous. And of course I get to see my Allman Bothers buddies, who come from all over the country-- and the world-- to catfch Beacon feaver. I won't name any because I'll leave some out.

I remember one tableau that sticks in my head. I was watching the show from back stage; i think this was last year, and you watch from the wings. You are close, but it aint really the best vantage point, as the (great) mix is targeted to the house, not the wings. Anyway, Derek, Marc, Jaimoe, and Oteil were clustered around the drums before curtain rise, sharing some conversation and laughs. Haynes wandered over, presumably to see what was so funny, and joined in the fun. In that moment, you saw how easy these guys are with each other, how much they enjoy and respect one another. Legend has it the vibe wasn't always so "peachy" in the band. But it is now, and it shows in the music. For the next 2 weeks, if I may steal Kirk West's line, I'll be the kid who ran away and joined the circus.

Labels: The tunes