9. Robert Randolph and Ali Jackson on That’s What Love Will Make You Do and One Way Out – March 15
Randolph blazed pedal steel solos in both songs, while Lincoln Center Jazz Orchestra drummer Ali Jackson propelled the groove on each. Any guest that pushes Derek and Warren should be applauded and neither guitarist wanted to be outdone by Randolph’s fiery solos.
8. David Hidalgo on Don’t Keep Me Wonderin’ and Good Morning Little Schoolgirl – March 12
While the highlight of the Allman Brothers Band’s March 12 show at the Beacon was clearly a spot-on performance of every track from At Fillmore East in honor of the 40th anniversary of that album’s recording, David Hidalgo’s guest spot in set two wasn’t too shabby. The Los Lobos axeman delivered two slow-burning solos that showed why he might be one of the most underrated guitarist around.
7. The Juke Horns, Rich Robinson and Steve Molitz on The Weight and One Way Out – March 22
The end of the first set on March 22 was a gang bang of sorts as guitarist Rich Robinson of The Black Crowes, keyboard wiz Steve Molitz of Particle and The Juke Horns all lent a hand on a soulful cover of The Weight and a One Way Out that featured one killer solo after another from the assembled musicians.
6. Donald Fagen on Down Along The Cove and Shakedown Street – March 17
[youtube]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ikhn1_wsOGc[/youtube]
St. Patrick’s Day at the Beacon found a cavalcade of guests onstage with the Allmans including Chad Smith of the Red Hot Chili Peppers, Brad Whitford of Aerosmith and Leo Nocentelli of The Meters. Also on hand was Donald Fagen of Steely Dan who led the band through killer covers of Bob Dylan’s Down Along The Cove and Shakedown Street by the Grateful Dead.
5. Brad Whitford, Leo Nocentelli and Lincoln Schleifer on Southbound – March 17
[youtube]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SF5CUhsXA5U[/youtube]
While the Allman Brothers Band played Southbound nearly every night of the 13-show Beacon run, no version came even close to the one thrown down on St. Patrick’s Day. Guitarists Brad Whitford and Leo Nocentelli each laid down completely different solos that showed off the legendary players’ signature styles.
4. Tommy Talton & Scott Boyer on Please Be With Me and All My Friends – March 19
[youtube]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=b-OEvZPe2Zo[/youtube]
Tommy Talton and Scott Boyer came out with the Brothers on March 19 and treated the crowd to two country-rock classics from Cowboy’s heyday. ABB drummer Butch Trucks was in a band with Boyer in the ’60s and you could see the happiness painted over ol’ Butchie’s face. Most of the Allmans’ Beacon run was about intense improvisation, but this guest spot was one of the rare tender moments found within the shows.
[youtube]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EXhIQnQp2w0[/youtube]
It seemed like every night a different guitar player sat in with the Allmans during the Beacon run, but none of ’em complemented the ensemble as much as John Scofield. With his biting tone, Sco made his first ABB guest spot count. Scofield’s work on Liz Reed kicked ass, yet his incendiary Mountain Jam solo was off the charts good.
2. Randy Brecker on Spanish Key, Desdemona and In Memory of Elizabeth Reed – March 21
[youtube]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=n5DQXV05FzQ[/youtube]
On the same note as the guitarists, many horn players sat in with the Allman Brothers Band during the Beacon run, yet none of ’em impressed as much as trumpet player Randy Brecker. The jazz artist came out at the start of the second set on March 21 and wasted no time tearing into Spanish Key. Desdemona showed a completely different, more tempered style from Brecker before he unloaded on In Memory of Elizabeth Reed.
1. Dr. John on Walk On Guilded Splinters, Let The Good Times Roll and Right Place Wrong Time (w. Susan Tedeschi & Nigel Hall) – March 26
[youtube]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dbHNzr76p0Q[/youtube]
The Allmans saved the best guests for last as they invited recent Rock and Roll Hall of Fame inductee Dr. John to lead them through three songs at the final show of the Beacon run. The doctor’s distinctive vocals on all three songs were spot on as were his instrumental skills. Bringing out Susan Tedeschi and Nigel Hall to provide the “woo’s” and back up Dr. John on Right Place Wrong Time helped push this guest spot to the top of this list.
7 Responses
What about Steve Earle coming out for Knocking on Heaven’s Door on 3/15 (amazing, and first time ever played by the Allmans)!?
Dr. John was definitely #1, I’ll grant you that. But Col. Bruce should have been way higher as the band obviously responded to his presence. Also, Hubert Sumlin deserves a mention for being an O.G. Meanwhile, the Brad Whitford sit-in was easily the lamest of the run. I would have put Bernie Williams ahead of him. Rich Robinson and Steve Molitz were useless as well.
RE: #5 Southbound. You say, “While the Allman Brothers Band played Southbound nearly every night of the 13-show Beacon run”
I’m confused how you consider 3 out of 13 nearly every night. I’m all for the subjective evaluation of the guest spots, but you need to get a simple fact like this correct!!
I’ll agree with you re: Dr. John and Right Place Wrong Time was all kinds of next level fun!
@abbboy I still overstated it, but they performed Southbound four times.
Not sure how Bill Evans does not make the list let alone not be at the top.
I was not blown away by Bill’s playing. He didn’t mesh well with the boys imho and was zigging while they were zagging. Made me cringe a few times. I may be in the minority but I’m okay with that.
Clapton? Garcia? Trey/Page? This list is garbage guys.