The Brothers and My Friend Dan
Reflecting on life and loss at the latest revival
A lot can change in five years. A lot does change in five years. And it’d been five long years since The Brothers played their first and only show—to preserve The Allman Brothers Band legacy, yes, but more so to continue it. Madison Square Garden hosted that party three days before Covid shut the United States down on March 13, 2020. I wasn’t in the building for that history, nor was I lucky enough to attend the first night of the recent reconvening of the family at MSG. But like they say, third time’s the charm.
The church doors opened. We sang the words. Felt the blues. Immersed in jazz.
My friend Dan was a huge fan of TAB. Past tense, because Dan passed away of natural causes in September 2013 seven months shy of his 40th birthday—a rough reality, it’s no easier today. A few weeks into his tenure at the same company I still work for, we discovered that both of us lived in a nature-rich borough in North Jersey. We agreed on many forms of music. Like anyone who met Dan, and anyone is not an exaggeration, my wife and our two kids enjoyed his super positive energy and that sly sense of humor. A shared affinity for superheroes too, but when you cut to the core, Dan was a guitar player with loads of reverence and respect for Duane Allman.
How many songs would be repeated? That was the question on my mind and, I guess, other setlist junkies with tickets to Wednesday’s mass. Turned out that total was six, meaning 34 unique tracks were performed over the two-day run. “Come And Go Blues” and “Ain’t Wastin’ Time No More” went down the evening prior, but hearing “Revival” and “Southbound” was an even exchange. Starting the second half with “Melissa” represented the kind of setlist construction I appreciate. No surprise that the emphasis was on Allman Brothers Band originals from the ’70s, but a handful of covers and some quality “newer” material provided extra shape. For every song such as “Stand Back” that brought smiles, there were ample introspective numbers like “Les Brers In A Minor” to bring balance.
The Brothers are tight. Of course they are! given their sheer amount of talent, and they sounded as fresh as ever, like a peach during peak peach season. Everyone shines as an individual, yet their collaboration is pure team. Drums are where my heart is, and Joe Russo channeled Butch Trucks and proved to be an absolute ace in this configuration. Jaimoe, wearing a black t-shirt with SOUND IS GOD stamped on it, was in his zone on the other kit. Marc Quiñones texturized with countless pieces of percussion. Oteil Burbridge, meanwhile, beamed his usual light through happy expressions as well as rock steady and oftentimes exploratory basslines.
But this is a guitar band, even if Reese Wynans handled Greg Allman’s organ parts with class and special guest Chuck Leavell did Chuck Leavell things on the piano. I’d already sensed Dan’s presence before “No One To Run With” began, but the tribute video of lost brothers and friends caused the amplitude in the spirits to increase. Naturally. Dan was big on Warren Haynes and had seen him plenty, Gov’t Mule included…I also preferred him thanks to his namesake band’s performance at the Soulshine Benefit, along with multiple sit-ins at Widespread Panic gigs. But now, Derek Trucks and his prodigious skillset were shifting my opinion back to center. Then, as the tune concluded and “One Way Out” kicked in, I stood flatfooted wishing that Dan and I could have just one more conversation about music.
These Madison Square Garden shows doubled as the 55th anniversary celebration of The Allman Brothers, but that wasn’t the point. While every guy in the group has serious commitments, the action they’ve taken to honor the heritage of a classic American band is noble and important.
I knew Dan for 21 months. He and his girlfriend were at the Peach Music Festival in 2013, and I joined them on Saturday as Lotus, one of my favorite bands, had the midnight set following TAB’s headlining spot on the main stage. That was his final night of live music. A call from Dan’s dad three weeks later, and I was a pallbearer at the funeral a week after that. Dan Sr. and I run into each other at the grocery store or CVS once or twice a year, though last time was at the bagel shop. We do our best.
The Brothers, man. Hopefully see you again.
The Brothers 04/16/2025 Setlist
1: Don’t Want You No More (The Spencer Davis Group) > It’s Not My Cross To Bear, I Must Have Done Somebody Wrong (Eddie Kirkland), Revival, Every Hungry Woman, Dreams, I’m Your Hoochie Coochie Man (Willie Dixon), Soulshine*, Stand Back*, Desdemona*, Jessica*
2: Melissa, Don’t Keep Me Wonderin’, No One To Run With, One Way Out (Elmore James), Midnight Rider*, Good Morning School Girl (Sonny Boy Williamson)*, Blue Sky*, Les Brers In A Minor*, Southbound*
E: Whipping Post
*With Chuck Leavell on piano