I went way, way uptown last Thursday, in the shadow of the GW Bridge, to United Palace to see an epic set by the Allman Brothers with Shore Fire friends Warren Haynes and Derek Trucks. Wow! For the first set, I sat side stage with a drummers’ eye view of Jaimoe’s amazing drumming and sat more or less upstage from Gregg’s keyboard world. The three percussionists really drive each song and let the guitarists ride about the groove. Gregg can really sing, too. The first set was loaded with blues, from the Taj Mahal-arrangement of the Blind Willie McTell song “Statesboro Blues” to a gospel-influenced take on Robert Johnson’s “Come On In My Kitchen.”

For the second set, I was in the audience and had a chance to witness the incredible interplay between Haynes and Trucks. These guys are two of the best guitarists alive and it’s amazing that all these musicians can lock in so tight. The encore rendition of “Whipping Post” was something to witness.

Here they are on Late Night w/ Jimmy Fallon doing “Black Hearted Woman.” How did they all fit on on that small Late Night stage?!

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I also took Warren to visit the kind folks at Rolling Stone, who taped two incredible solo acoustic performances, “Old Friend” (which he wrote for the Allman Bros.) and “Railroad Boy,” a highlight from the latest Gov’t Mule album. After seeing both Mule and the Allmans in a larger space, it was incredible to see him sing with the same intensity in a small room. I can attest to the fact that Haynes is also a really nice guy and I hope I get to spend more time with him.