Review: Allman Brothers Band legacy lives on with Madison Square Garden 4-CD set by The Brothers

b434defd-f12d-4d13-9330-f194ce11a4c6-The_Brothers

Right before the nation went on lockdown due to the coronavirus, the bulk of the Allman Brothers Band lineup that toured together in the 2000s reunited for a 50th anniversary show at Madison Square Garden. 

Billed as a one-time concert event by The Brothers, the nearly three and a half-hour performance – now available on various formats – is a fine tribute to the Allman Brothers’ lasting legacy that features a most-welcome appearance by founding drummer Jaimoe, who initiated the event. (The other surviving original Allman Brothers member, Sarasota County resident Dickey Betts, took a pass just as he did for the band’s 45th anniversary shows).

The Brothers celebration of 50 Years of the music of The Allman Brothers Band, performed at Madison Square Garden in New York City for one night only March 10, 2020, has been issued physically (four CDs, three DVDs, two Blu-Rays) with the audio also available digitally.
 

No one will ever replace one-time Sarasota-Manatee resident Gregg Allman, who died in 2017, but credit guitarist Warren Haynes with giving inspired vocal performances throughout the evening, with the only other lead singing coming from special guest keyboardist Chuck Leavell on the Betts-penned “Blue Sky.”

Longtime Allman Brothers co-lead guitarist Derek Trucks, and his younger brother Duane Trucks, on drums in place of their late uncle Butch Trucks, round out the roster that also includes longtime Allman Brothers bassist Oteil Burbridge and percussionist/background vocalist Marc Quiñones, with keyboardist Reese Wynans.