by Eileen Dauphin, photos by Neil Miller ,The New York Extra/TheNYExtra.com copyright 2021
A huge Thank you once again to The Paramount 370 New York Ave., Huntington, NY 11743
(631) 673-7300 https://paramount.com
What started in December 2017 as a concert & gathering to honor Greg Allman, who had
passed earlier that year has become an annual ritual. In it’s 5th year and now a 19 date tour
across the United States.
Hosted by the Allman Betts band, led by Devon Allman and Duane Betts (son’s of original members
Greg Allman and Dickey Betts ). they met as kids when they joined their father’s on many tours,
and of course started playing at a young age surrounded by major influence. Officially formed in
2018 they play a mix of southern rock and blues and deliver it with a whole lot of soul. Their originals
are deep rooted in the Allman Brothers legacy and at the same time they are very much their own band.
The tour was on it’s 7th night when it took to the stage at The Paramount. The traveling core lineup are top notch musicians. Devon Allman (guitar, vocals) Duane Betts (guitar, vocals) Luther Dickinson (guitar..
Black Crowes & North Mississippi allstars) Cody Dickinson ( drums, North Mississippi allstars, Filmmaker)
Robert Randolph (pedal steel guitar) Eric Gales (guitarist extraordinaire !!) Lamar Williams Jr. (vocals like velvet) Joanne Shaw Taylor (guitar) Lilly Hiatt (guitar, vocals … John Hiatt’s daughter) Jimmy Hall (vocals,
saxophone, harmonica) Donavon Frankenreiter (guitar, vocals)
Guest performers depending on date & location are plenty and include Warren Haynes, Kenny Wayne Shepherd, Samantha Fish, Andy Aledort, Karl Denson and others that in some way are tied to the original Allman Brothers band or Greg’s solo projects.
Though very hard to chose, my favorites of the night were Eric Gales and Joanne Shaw Taylor. They rocked, They funked and had great chemistry with their bandmates. I thought their guitars needed a cigarette when they were done … Just Smoking !!!!
The show was such a wonderful balance of Greg and the Allman brothers legacy as well as strong originals inspired by their father’s masterpieces. It A great night of solid music and also a celebration of life lost and still to be lived …. Catch it if you can, Hopefully the road goes on forever and They’ll keep on riding ……
