Written by Bill Whiting
Gregg Allman appeared rested and ready to rock at Kettering, Ohio’s Fraze Pavilion on June 29. The Allman Brothers Band’s lead singer and keyboardist was full of energy as began his set with the one- two punch of “I’m No Angel” into a bruising take on the ABB barn burner, “Statesboro Blues.” Lead guitarist Scott Sharrard lit up the early evening with blazing, electric leads on “(Call It) Stormy Monday,” and saxophonist and flutist Jay Collins was a wonder to behold on the Jackson Browne cover of “These Days.” Allman was eager to spread the abundance of musical wealth around, and Floyd Miles walked to center stage to belt out a riveting version of “You Must Be Crazy.”
Allman had the packed house standing and clapping to the ABB classic, “Wasted Words.” Acoustic guitars were strapped on, and Allman’s mournful voice was all that was needed to translate the yearning inherent inside the gentle chords of “Melissa.” Floyd Miles got the Fraze crowd up and dancing again on the raucous anthem, “Back to Daytona.” Keyboardist Bruce Mattson contributed to a buoyant, jamming run through of “Before the Bullets Fly” that had Allman grinning after each band member’s intuitive solo. Allman’s upbeat spirit permeated the Fraze facility, and standing ovations followed compelling, inventive re workings of The Allman Brothers Band’s most popular numbers, “Midnight Rider” and “Whipping Post.” After an extended call out from the Fraze faithful, Allman and his band chose to encore with a swinging charge on the ABB blues rock masterpiece, “One Way Out.” It was a fitting end to a vibrant and memorable Gregg Allman concert. One of the best of 2013.
Setlist: I’m No Angel, Statesboro Blues, (Call It) Stormy Monday, These Days, You Must Be Crazy, I Can’t Be Satisfied, Wasted Words, Melissa, Back to Daytona, Before the Bullets Fly, Midnight Rider, Whipping Post
Encore: One Way Out