Gray Areas Magazine

Four Reviews, Gray Areas Magazine, Issue 7 – Spring 1995 – Volume 4, No. 1

Allman Brothers Band 7/31/93 Stowe Mountain Performing Arts Center, Stowe, VT

For this date, the Allmans were the headlining act of the roving H.O.R.D.E. Festival. What sets this tape apart from other ABB shows of 1993 is that it is the first performance without Dickey Betts, who was arrested the night before. Backstage after the show we were told by band liaison Kirk West that Betts was hospitalized, stricken by a recurring stomach ailment linked to booze and nerves. The news the next day revealed the truth: he was arrested for drunken misconduct. Joined by Blues Traveler’s John Popper on harmonica and Aquarium Rescue Unit’s Jimmy Herring on guitar, the Allmans were phenomenal. Taped from the tenth row with a Sony D-6 and a Nak CM-300 mic, these tapes are as good as audience tapes get.

The show opened with “Statesboro Blues” and “Stormy Monday.” With each subsequent tour since 1989’s reunion, Gregg’s voice has gotten stronger, and he carried most of the load in Dickey’s absence. An early highlight included an inspired “Dreams” which had guest Herring engaging in some nice fretwork with ABB-regular Warren Haynes. During “Elizabeth Reed” the band really kicked it out. Gregg’s Hammond solo was extended, Jimmy Herring’s guitar work was jazzy, and Big John Popper completely redefined the song with an amazing harp solo reminiscent of jazz master Toots Thielemans.

This two-hour plus show ends with an abbreviated “Whipping Post.” There are many masters out there of this and all Allman shows as the band now allows recording. The entire H.O.R.D.E. line-up was also subject to many microphones.

Dave Brubeck 3/16/80 Hill Auditorium, Ann Arbor, MI

Since the jazz realm has contributed so much to the popular music covered in this magazine, it’s important to note one particularly pertinent legacy: the tradition of concert recording. This tape is a 2nd generation audience recorded by a then college student (Brubeck’s typical listener) with an unknown deck.

Brubeck is caught here less than a year after his landmark 1979 Newport appearance. Displaying the dexterity that has made him a perennial favorite, the material featured here is more rockin’ swing than bop or improv. Late in the tape, Brubeck and Co. are joined by an unnamed harmonica player for some hot licks. This tape is not widely circulated, but ask and you shall receive.

Annie Haslam Band 3/5/94 Towne Crier, Pawling, NY

Annie Haslam is the former vocalist for the prog-rock group Renaissance. Although never meeting the commercial success of Genesis or Yes, Renaissance made some great music and has a loyal following. Trade in their live tapes is very active.

This show is Annie’s first in a while as she spent 1993 battling an unspecified illness. Performing versions of Renaissance songs “Prologue,” “Carpet of the Sun,” “Mother Russia,” and “A Trip to the Fair,” the band showed their technical mastery. On Annie’s new material they perform tight pop songs without sounding like a karaoke machine.

Recorded on a small portable Aiwa deck, this first gen audience has a remarkably stable sound. No doubt the intimacy of the venue helped. Tapes of the bands next two performances, 3/12 and 3/18 from the same source exist. Similar sets, although the new songs improve with each gig.

Miles Davis 6/28/91 Fabrik, Hamburg, Germany

Make no mistake, this is not Vintage Miles. Recorded shortly before the trailblazing trumpeter’s death, Miles is just punching the timeclock here. My copy of this is a 3rd generation FM and the sound is flawless. I requested this one not quite knowing what to expect. Backed by an able band, the music Miles makes here is more in a pop vain than jazz. This can be said of most of his ’80’s output.

While the line-up is a mystery to me, the combo features some fine players. Especially noteworthy are the guitar and sax players. Davis himself only solos on occassion and has a flat tone throughout. The songs that he refrains from are actually the best. Not bad, not great, but worth a 90 minute tape.