Re: Greg Allman, Low Country Blues
Last night's performance was yet another great gig in old London town. There was plenty for everyone with some new stuff from Low Country Blues, some old songs from Gregg's back catalogue and some nostalgia with quite a few ABB songs.
Gregg's current touring band is a 9 piece with a drummer, percussionist (long time partner, Floyd Miles), bass guitar, lead and slide guitar (Scott Sharrard - he's pretty good), keyboard, alto and tenor sax and flute (Jay Collins - this guy is very talented and a hot player), trumpet and sax from two UK session musicians and Gregg on Hammond and electric and acoustic guitars.
The set list is below but the crowd were mostly Gregg and ABB affocianados and there were plenty of calls for favourite songs. Cries of "Mountain Jaaaaam" and "play them all" raising a chuckle from the packed hall. 
Gregg, looking a little world weary (not surprising given his health problems that are still not resolved) and looking as if he has a little trouble moving around, was on great form musically and really enjoyed the banter with the crowd.
When Gregg played the Warren Haynes' song Just Before The Bullets Fly I half expected him to introduce Warren to the stage, but sadly I'll have to wait another couple of days to see him in London.
Here are a few pics from last night.
Wednesday Derek and Susan, Friday Gregg and next Tuesday Warren. Does it get any better than this for a die hard ABB and Mule fan? The icing on the cake was a "Gregg Allman" guitar pick he tossed into the audience after playing one of my faves, One Way Out.
Set list:
1. Don’t Keep Me Wondering
2. I’m No Angel
3. Tears, Tears, Tears
4. One Way Out
5. Just Another Rider
6. You Must Be Crazy (sung by Floyd (when the mike worked))
7. These Days (the Jackson Brown song from Laid Back)
8. I Can’t Be Satisfied (sounded a little different to the studio version with lots of bass and a strong groove – nice slide from Scott)
9. Dreams (featuring a long solo from Scott that included a duet with Jay on sax)
10. Just Before The Bullets Fly
11. Melissa (including some beautiful flute playing from Jay)
12. Back To Daytona (sung by Floyd and written by him about Gregg and Duane)
13. not sure about this one. Riding Tall? Anyway it featured another great sax solo from Jay.
14. Midnight Rider
15. Whipping Post
After what seemed like 10 minutes of clapping and yelling, Gregg came back in a clean black t-shirt to play an encore of:
1. Floating Bridge
2. Statesboro Blues
If you are seeing Gregg in Birmingham tonight, Edinburgh on the 6th or any of his other tour dates, you’re in for a real treat.
Phil
“The guy who has helped the blues industry the most is Joe Bonamassa and I would say he is more rock than some rock stuff, so to me blues is whatever you want it to be!”
Simon McBride in my interview with him in Blues Matters! Issue #56
Irish fans should note he's in Dublin on 4th July. 
