Concert Review
The Allman Brothers Band
Special Guest: Steve Winwood
Darien Lake PAC
Darien Center, NY
Friday August 23, 2013
Review/Photos: Joseph Suto
A gorgeous Friday evening out at the Darien Lake Performing Arts Center was capped off with a double bill featuring The Allman Brothers Band and special guest Steve Winwood. It was a brilliant night for the two hall of fame acts who have received many accolades to justify their longevity in the world of music.
The Allmans had just finished playing two shows each in Scranton, PA and Chicago over the past week to warm up. This show marked the first of six in which Winwood will open for The Allmans during this short run of ten dates.
The Allman Brothers got things started with a blistering version of “Statesboro Blues”. The combination of guitarists Warren Haynes and Derek Trucks was amazing. It was good to hear singer Gregg Allman sound strong following all his recent health issues. The three drum attack of Butch Trucks, “Jaimoe” Johanson and Marc Quinones made the sound so much fuller. Bassist Oteil Burbridge rounded out the band who seemed to be enjoying the atmosphere despite a smaller than usual crowd for a Darien show.
The band played some covers as well as some of their own gems during the two hour plus show. Once the band ripped into “Midnight Rider” the show took an upswing that never really ended until the closing notes of the final song of the night “Southbound”.
In between we were treated to great renditions of “Melissa”, a sweltering “Revival” and the main set closer “One Way Out”. Fittingly, a very enjoyable “Blue Sky” was what the band returned to the stage with for the first song of the encore, following a slight delay.
Steve Winwood started the evening off with a strong set that received an amazing response from the crowd especially from an opener. The seventy minute set featured songs throughout Winwood’s long and storied career. He is known as one of the most influential artist’s of all time mainly due to his creativeness and innovation. He has been in The Spencer Davis Group, Traffic, Blind Faith and has enjoyed quite the successful solo career to boot. With a resume like that he could just sail off into the sunset but he loves to perform and lucky for everyone he still does and at the top of his game.
The pairing of these two artists was absolutely brilliant. The summer would not be complete without The Allman Brothers usual Darien outing. The great music, weather, and overall scene all combined to make a perfect ending to a beautiful summer day in the western New York region.
Set List
Allmans
Statesboro Blues
Don’t Keep Me Wonderin’
Midnight Rider
Hot ‘Lanta
Feel Like Breaking Up Somebodys Home
Desdemona
Trouble No More
Melissa
Dusk Til Dawn
Revival
In Memory Of Elizabeth Reed
Into The Mystic
One Way Out
Encore
Blue Sky
Southbound
Steve Winwood
Rainmaker
I’m a Man
Can’t Find My Way Home
Had to Cry Today
Low Spark of High Heeled Boys
Light Up or Leave Me Alone
Higher Love
Keep On Running
Dear Mr. Fantasy
Gimme Some Lovin’
