Shifting frequently between a Hammond B3 and guitar, the Southern rock legend brought his familiar voice and songs to Meijer Gardens to entertain a sold-out crowd on a stellar evening. (Review, photos)
The Road Goes on Forever: Gregg Allman brought his U.S. tour to Meijer Gardens on Wednesday night. (Photo/Anna Sink)
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Although Gregg Allman is swiftly approaching his 69th birthday, and spent a good portion of his sold-out show at Frederik Meijer Gardens & Sculpture Park on Wednesday seated behind a Hammond B3 organ, he still knows how to start a party.
An unusually rowdy crowd jammed incessantly to the sweet, psychedelic sounds churned out by Allman and his seven-piece band, which included a horn section, drums, auxiliary percussion, bass, electric guitar and keyboard. Allman juggled multiple instruments, playing each one with stammering proficiency.
Top-Drawer Band: Allman was accompanied by an ensemble that featured a horn section. (Photo/Anna Sink)
The one-hour-and-45-minute set included “Statesboro Blues,” which was laden with an indulgent slide guitar solo by Michigan native Scott Sharrard and wild honky-tonk piano instrumentals throughout.
Near the end of the night, the classic Allman Brothers track “Midnight Rider” held a swampy feel to start and a psychedelic vibe to end, employing a wandering, bluesy Fender Rhodes keyboard throughout, eventually fading out to a swirl of washed out horns and eruptive applause from the amphitheater.
For stragglers not already standing and grooving along to the music, the Allman Brothers’ “Whipping Post” did the trick to get the rest of the crowd on its feet.
Shoulder to shoulder, dancing and singing without regard, lively fans let out cries of hopeful applause, brimming with the anticipation that the band might reappear from backstage. When Allman led the charge back for an encore, pulling up the bench close to his organ, the audience ignited like wildfire.
Loving the Life He Lives: Gregg Allman at Meijer Gardens on Wednesday. (Photo/Brian Haik)
The group finished with “Southbound,” a rollicking Dickey Betts track that saw the audience at its craziest.
Aisles filled with revelers and a stray beach ball floated around the venue. The rich track, one ripe with ear-pleasing solos by all musicians, found each band member clearly enjoying the ride with Allman leaning back at the organ for the final song and letting his fingers dance around the keys, much to the crowd’s approval.
Allman finished the set calmly — in a reserved manner almost — but before exiting the stage, looked out to the crowd and remarked, “You guys are a nice audience. Let’s do this again sometime.”
THE SET LIST (via setlist.fm)
1. Come and Go Blues
2. Statesboro Blues
3. These Days
4. I Love the Life I Live, I Live the Life I Love
5. Hot ‘Lanta
6. Trouble No More
7. Stand Back
8. Melissa
9. Band Jam/Percussion Solo
10. I’m No Angel
11. Dreams
12. Midnight Rider
13. Whipping Post
ENCORE:
14. Southbound
EDITOR’S NOTE: Tears for Fears’ Roland Orzabal and Curt Smith have rescheduled their concert at Frederik Meijer Gardens & Sculpture Park. The concert originally scheduled for June 6 will now take place on Monday, Sept. 26. Tickets purchased for the June 6 concert at Meijer Gardens will be honored for the new date. Members may buy tickets for the rescheduled date during a members-only presale through midnight July 1. If tickets remain available after the presale, sales to the public will begin at 9 a.m. July 2. Details online here. The band originally postponed the June show and its U.S. tour due to a “family illness.” Next up at Meijer Gardens: Ben Folds with yMusic on July 10.
PHOTO GALLERY: Gregg Allman, Gabriel Kelley at Meijer Gardens
Photos by Anna Sink and Brian Haik
