Listen To Official Recording Of Allman Brothers Band Syracuse 1972 Concert From Brief ‘5-Man Band’ Period

The Allman Brothers Band officially released the live album Manley Field House, Syracuse University, April 7, 1972 today on CD and digital. The 11-song set from Syracuse, New York documents ABB’s brief “Five-Man Band” period following the tragic death of guitarist Duane Allman in October 1971.

The lineup for The Allman Brothers Band at Syracuse’s Manley Field House consisted of keyboardist Gregg Allman, drummers Butch Trucks and Jaimoe, bassist Berry Oakley and guitarist Dickey Betts as the five-piece soldiered on following Duane Allman’s passing. A radio broadcast bootleg recording of the concert was widely circulated and now the stellar show is getting an official release.

The emotionally-charged concert contains songs most of the Syracuse audience would have been familiar with given the success of the band’s breakthrough live record, July 1971’s At Fillmore East including “Statesboro Blues,” “In Memory of Elizabeth Reed” and “Whipping Post” along with additional now-ABB classics “Midnight Rider” and “Ain’t Wastin’ Time No More,” the latter appearing on the band’s recently released album at the time, Eat A Peach. The set also boasts a unique “Syracuse Jam.”

Syracuse concert coordinator at the time, Jeff Chard, shared his memories of the show in the live album’s liner notes:

“This was the Five Man Band, as Brother Duane had passed just over five months prior. The quintet had pushed on, playing some 41 shows in 22 weeks. This night saw Gregg singing and playing his heart out, while Dickey Betts is doing phenomenal double duty on guitar, switching seamlessly between the necessary slide parts and his own soaring leads. But the real revelation of the night is that Berry is the glue, and the second lead player as well. His thunderous bass holds the quintet together – you’ll hear it, and we could see it that night. Then there is the way Butch Trucks and Jaimoe lock in on the drums, the way the whole unit responds, five playing as one.

“It was a memorable but brief time for the band. Six months later, keyboardist Chuck Leavell was added to the group, making the ABB six players strong again, only to lose Berry in another motorcycle accident on November 11, 1972. Shortly thereafter, Lamar Williams took over bass duties, and the Allman Brothers Band started a new musical chapter. But for that one year, with the five original men still standing – and especially on that magical April night in Syracuse – we surely felt the spirit. Best damn band we’re ever gonna hear indeed! We were all believers, and this CD is a testament to those words.”

Stream ABB’s Manley Field House, Syracuse University, April 7, 1972 below: