Dickey Betts and Great Southern at BB King's, NYC

none ^ | 08/20/05 | me

[the invisib1e hand]

I saw this show last night. I can't remember when I've seen someone play so hard for so long. And take no shortcuts.

He had two drummers, a second guitar, bass, keyboard, and percussion/backup vocal. He didn't have to pay for two drummers, but he did. With his name, he could tour as a trio. Point being, again, no corners cut. Some tight originals indicate he's definitely not living in the past.

I had a friend who played next to him in St. Pete at a benefit a few years ago, so I was paying close attention to the interaction between Dickey and the second guitarist. They worked well as a team, and the second kid has some fabulous solos. I was in for a real treat later on when he introduced him...

Anyway, if you get a chance to see this show, you cannot be disappointed. They hit all the notes, nail all the changes, and threw in a few heartfelt surprises make even the high beer prices seem insignificant.

[lunarbicep]

I wish Betts would go back home to the ABB, where he belongs

[randog]

Dicky Betts is one of my favorite guitarists and he's coming to town in the next month. I think I'll check it out. Did he do any of his Allman Bros. material?

[the invisib1e hand]

I wish Betts would go back home to the ABB, where he belongs

maybe it's time to move on. whadoimean, maybe?!

it would be nice to see him do something with Derek Trucks.

What great musical legacy the Allman Brothers had. The Beatles of southern rock, or something...

[the invisib1e hand]

Did he do any of his Allman Bros. material?

He'll blow you away with what he did. I'm getting misty just thinking about "Blue Sky."

[Loud Mime]

When I saw Dicky with the Allman Brothers Band in Tempe back in 1972 they had two drummers.

It was outrageous, until a frisbee hit me on the back of the head. The prep band was some unknown named Boz Suggs, or Spaggs, or something.. ;)

[Tijeras_Slim]

Saw Dickie Betts and James Cotton play about 23 years ago and still remember the incredible jam at the end of the concert when they brought both bands out and played. One by one members left the stage until it was just Betts and Cotton. Un-friggin-believeable.

[the invisib1e hand]

Un-friggin-believeable. it's great when you walk away from a show saying that...

[Tijeras_Slim]

I remember it more than any other concert I've been to, almost a quarter century ago and I was pretty buzzed too!

[the invisib1e hand]

I had a couple of "unfrigginbelievable" moments last night. another concert that I still remember today was Pure Prairie League at Tierre Verde, Florida. Class act. But I digress...

[randog]

I was at Journey a few weeks ago, when they played at Lake Tahoe. Great show--they played all their hits, no filler, just one hit after another in chronological order.

Neil Schon played his rendition of The Star Spangled Banner, and everyone in the audience got up and stood through the entire piece. The Journey bass player (original guy; forget his name) stood behind Neil with his hand over his heart the whole time. It was a very moving performance.

[randog]

IIRC, The Allman Bros. kicked Dickey out. Something about his drinking habit...;^)

[scott says]

The other guys kicked Dicky Betts out because he was way out of control with D/A. I am friends and former tenant of a guy who grew up with the brothers and Butch Trucks...they were in numerous bands together in HS and still are in touch.No BS- My friend was sharing a house with Duane when he died in that terrible motorcycle accident. Every time the ABB comes out I can get backstage passes if I go with my friend...I've met the band and Dickey a couple of times....Last time I saw Butch Trucks was at my former house..hanging out swimming.
: )I hope Dickey has cleaned up his act, he is very talented and I enjoy his music.The other guys kicked him out because he wouldn't show up, and when he did he was in no condition to play. This is good news!

[the invisib1e hand]

Neil Schon played his rendition of The Star Spangled Banner, and everyone in the audience got up and stood through the entire piece. The Journey bass player (original guy; forget his name) stood behind Neil with his hand over his heart the whole time. It was a very moving performance.

that's sounds incredible. if the solo to "lights" was nailed, I probably wouldn't have dry eyes.

[the invisib1e hand]

I can't speak to all that...I only know what I saw. He's a master of his craft. The intro alone was worth it.

I saw Derek Trucks at Skippers Smokehouse when his guitar was taller than he was...amazing. But that's what I mean about the ABB legacy.

And, ironically, I'm not an ABB devotee, per se. I just dig great music.

[scott says]

I'm not a big fan either, though I do enjoy some of their music.My friend, Dave, grew up with the guys in Jacksonville...him and Butch have been best buds for over 50 years.He has a gold record for Gregs solo lp-Laid Back, and was Boz Scaggs bass player...and others you know. I'm curious now about Betts...I'm gonna call my friend and see what he knows.

[SoDak]

He played at our Jazz and Blues Festival last year and put on one heck of a show.

[since1868]

So hanging out with butch Trucks pretty cool.If it were not for Dicky I think the band would of folded when Duane was killed. What did you think( or perhaps you did not think anything) of Greg Allman?

[scott says]

hey bud---I'm not a huge ABB fan, I do like them though. I'm not BS about my friend Dave...I was fortunate to rent a room in his house when I moved to Marin 16 years ago.He grew up in Jacksonville with the brothers and Butch...he has lps released with them. When Boz Scaggs hit the scene, early 70's they recommended Dave to him for bass player.He honestly was Duanes close friend and they were renting a house in Georgia when he was killed.......I have met a bunch of "stars" going to shows with Dave---the Allmans, Steve Miller , David Lindley.....and thru a mutual friend ,Bob Dylan.
I have met Greg twice...both times he was a little spaced out-if you know what I mean.Dave and Butch are tight....the first time I met him was back in 89,right after the Tiannomen Square incident...it was backstage at a show here in NO.Cal...I was ranting to him and Dickey...Butch response was-"oh. you are one of those political guys"...so I pounded a couple of beers with Dickey and we goofed on each other, telling jokes and stuff.

[randog]

if the solo to "lights" was nailed, I probably wouldn't have dry eyes.

That was the great thing about the concent--they just played their hits, one after another, note-for-note as you heard them on the albums. No filler, no 3 minute medley-of-hits, just hit after hit in chronological order.

I'm not a big Journey fan (Mrs. randog is, which is why I sprung for the $90 tickets), but I walked away feeling like I got my money's worth.