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The Long Beach Blues Fest was awesome even before the Allman Brothers Band started. I had never heard any of the musicians, yet was really stoked. There was some serious blues jamming. The first set was a jam with musicians constantly coming and going throughout. Charlie Musselwhite's harmonica genius, James Cotton and Rod Piazza were just a few. I did recognize a great cover of Willie Dixon's Hoochie Coochie Man. The next show was The Robert Cray Band, and they really rocked. Bluesy, with a Merl Saunders feel, and his band was really great. But I was excited for the Allman Brothers, who followed the RCB.
This was my first ABB show and damn was it great. I really didn't know what to expect especially due to the fact that I'd never heard Derek Trucks before and to the recent loss of Dickey Betts. But man, that kid rocks! I felt like I was listening to vintage Duane a la Eat a Peach or the Fillmore. And Jimmy Herring was a big surprise. A perfect partner for the musical prodigy of Derek Trucks. Gregg sounded great and their bassist Oteil Burbridge was really on.
And Derek's dad Butch, with Jaimoe and another percussionist added for an extremely powerful yet clean sound. I was in absolute awe, witnessing such a legendary performance by such a legendary band. They opened the show with Statesboro Blues, a perfect choice being that it was the Long Beach Blues Fest.
Songs that followed included an awesome Jessica, Stormy Monday, Stand Back and a few others. Then they started a little calpyso intro and everyone was thinking "No way!" Sure enough...Franklin's Tower! Truly amazing...there weren't many bodies not shakin' their bones. Then they started into none other than what was to be an incredible Mountain Jam. The drum solo was enough to make me sit down. Then they played Revival (you know it as 'Love is Everywhere'). After roaring applause they came back out and played Trouble No More and a whipping Whipping Post. After that Whipping Post, the crowd still wanted more. The MC teased the hell out of us by yelling..."You still want more?...Come back next year for the 22nd Long Beach Blues Festival." DAMN...Guess I'll have to.
-Sam Castellano
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