Allman Betts Band Share Their Southern Soul
The Allman Betts Band
w/Jackson Stokes
Thursday, February 11
The King Center, Melbourne, FL
“We’re at a show!” the masked man yelled across the room to his buddy.
The muffled yell is a mixture of disbelief and abject joy. Mild shock as well. The notable absence of live music, as well as live theater, 
sports, and every damn thing, during these most challenging of times, has proven to be trying for artists and fans alike. So when The Allman Betts Band announced a run of socially distanced shows, people carefully jumped at the chance to attend.
Opening act, guitar tech, and neighbor, Jackson Stokes opened the show with a brief set of hopeful soul and blues numbers. With a compelling voice and well crafted songs, Stokes was well received and is a performer who bears watching.
Formed in 2018, The Allman Betts Band have a weighty legacy to live up to. With two excellent releases, and endless live videos, would they live up to the anticipation?
Tonight, on stage, they exceeded all expectations. A formidable 7 piece band, light on their feet, easily shifted musical gears, slipping in and out of different styles, with each number. Opening with a rough and tumble rocker, “Airboats and Cocaine,” followed by the uptempo, country tinged “Shinin’.” Third song in, the band dives headlong into a stunning rendition of the strangest of Grateful Dead songs, “Shakedown Street.” Sung by drummer/percussionist, R. Scott Bryan, the band embraced it’s deep groove, and allowed soloists to stretch out. Now we were deep into this long overdue night of music, and it was wonderful to be able to get lost in it.
Duane Betts and Devon Allman, each tackled songs by their respective fathers. “Blue Sky,” and “Ain’t Wastin’ No More Time” were played
back to back. The solid, heartfelt renditions acknowledged their roots.
The chattering ride cymbals of double drummers John Lum and R. Scott Bryan propelled the epic instrumental, “Savannah’s Dream.” The Django Rheinhardt inspired “Jessica” was bandied out later and was the final direct nod to their fathers band.
Devon Allman introduced the closing number of the set with, “My dad used to tell me this was his brother Duane’s favorite song. This is ‘Dark End of the Street.’” The band eased into a graceful reading of the soul standard.
The audience could have listened all night, and the band seemed as if they could play all night. A great many things crossed my mind as I removed my mask in the brisk night air. This band could easily earn it’s keep playing on the strength of their musical legacy, but instead have accepted a challenge. They tip their hat to the past and forge on, writing their own classics. Honing and defining their own identity.
I was fortunate enough to have seen The Allman Brothers Band perform live somewhere between 11-13 times. I hope I’m fortunate enough to see The Allman Betts at least as many times.
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