Last night, to a sold out house at Fairfield Theatre Company’s Stage One, the Devon Allman Band killed it. Driving to the show last night, the radio played “Midnight Rider” and I would spend the rest of the evening wondering prophesy or omen?
Devon Allman, front man for the band that carries his name, performed with such brilliance, passion, and grace. From the opening moment, making his appearance on stage from the back of the audience to the end of the night graciously greeting all that came, this journeyman truly proved his mastery of the fine art of entertainment.
For those unfamiliar with Mr. Allman, he is the son of Gregg Allman. His legacy is present in his tireless touring, writing, and recording. Not well known is his support of several charities that he modestly lends his name to. His ability to manage the crowd’s expectations is brilliant. Covering both sides of the stage granting the adoring audience throughout the room his attention, you are left with the feeling that you are the only person he is playing for. While Allman led the music, there were many opportunities for his band mates to shine individually; the mark of a truly comfortable musician.
As there was not an opening act scheduled to start the evening, the band quickly got to work playing two different sets. The first set covered much of the new album, “Ragged and Dirty” but did not leave out music from “Turquoise” as well as from his previous work with the all star band Royal Southern Brotherhood. While the second set was to be an acoustic set, everyone was plugged in; the pace did slow initially with “Crossroads” for the second act but did quickly build.
Highlights of the evening included the bands homage to many greats that preceded the artists. A crowd favorite was “Favorite Man”, a classic from Eric Clapton and from Bob Marley, “No Woman, No Cry”. Allman encouraged the fans to sing the chorus of the Marley classic and then invited everyone to join the rest of the tour as they were singing so well! “Y’all sound so beautiful, thank you!” was his most sincere conclusion of appreciation of the crowds enthusiasm for the song just heard.
For the aficionados and purists, Devon Allman played three guitars throughout the night, but favored his Gibsons leaning most heavily on the Gibson Les Paul autographed by Les Paul himself with the inscription “Rock On!”.
Allman, true to the family legacy and respectful of the fans desires to hear a song or two from the Allman Brothers Band gave us “Crossroads” and the encore of “One Way Out”.
The Devon Allman Band proved that they are here to stay. There respect for family legacy and the crowds desires; this band can roll with any Southern Rockers or any Traditional Blues Rollers. As for the song “Midnight Rider”, prophesy or omen? Both, an omen of the great music I was about to hear and the prophesy of the hour that I would return home!
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Bruce Swan is a regularly scheduled radio programmer on WPKN and host of “Music My Mother Would Not Like”. His show can be heard on the 2nd, 4th, and 5th Friday of the month from 1 PM to 4 PM ET on 89.5 FM, Bridgeport, CT; streamed and archived atwpkn.org/archive. While leaning heavily on Folk Roots / Americana music, he would describe his tastes as “overall, eclectic”.
WPKN is an independent listener supported community radio station broadcasting freeform style of radio since 1963.