Seattle’s Moore Theater played host last night to the Allman Betts Family Revival, a project helmed by Duane Betts and Devon Allman as an ongoing celebration of the music and spirit of the Allman Brothers. This was the 8th year that the Revival has toured but it was the first time it has come to Seattle.
Backed by a revolving band of talented, Allman’s affiliated musicians and joined by an impressive roster of guest artists, Allman and Betts treated the full house to two generous sets of ABB classics. The first set began, appropriately enough, with music from side one of the band’s eponymous 1969 debut, and it consisted primarily of music from what most fans consider the band’s salad days. The second set was, with a few notable exceptions, culled from the period between the band’s revival in 1990 thru its dissolution in 2014.
Guests included Jake Shamabukuro, Jimmy Hall, Cody Dickinson, Larry McCray, Robert Randolph, Lamar Williams Jr., Lindsay Lou, Jackie Greene, Alex Orbison, Sierra Green, and Grace Bowers. It’s hard for this longtime fan to select highlights, as the entire evening was a rousing and inspired affair, but if forced to do so I might site ex Wet Willie frontman Jimmy Hall’s takes on ‘Statesboro Blues’ and a torrid and thrilling ‘Whipping Post’ finale, Jake Shamabukuro’s energetic and crowd pleasing appearances in both sets, Jackie Greene’s gorgeous rendition of ‘Melissa’, and Larry McCray’s soulful vocal/guitar performance of ‘Soulshine’.
The guests invited to the Seattle stop on the Revival tour where well-chosen but without the excellent core band on hand to push them the evening would not have truly taken flight. It was apparent from the frequent grin on Devon Allman’s face that he enjoyed the performance and even the usually stoic Duane Betts couldn’t help but occasionally break into a smile. The audience stayed on their feet for the better part of both sets and rewarded the performers with long and loud applause throughout the evening. Here’s hoping that the Allmen Betts Band make a Seattle visit a regular occurrence on future Revival tours.
