Gregg Allman Coming to Newport Aug 10 – Talks to GoLocal
Ken Abrams, GoLocalProv Music Critic
Gregg Allman Coming to Newport Aug 10 – Talks to GoLocal
Gregg’s Band
Of course, most people know Allman as the husky throated leader of The Allman Brothers Band. But he's toured with his own band for years, and he's excited to bring them to Newport.
"It’s a smokin’ bunch, no doubt about that. I’m really happy with our sound, and our shows are just kick-ass, man," explained Allman.
GET THE LATEST BREAKING NEWS HERE -- SIGN UP FOR GOLOCAL FREE DAILY EBLASTIn an interview with GoLocal, Allman shared a little bit about his band, which includes veterans and some newcomers.
"We added a horn section a few months back, and man, do they make things jump! We’ve got a nice mixture of guys who have been with me for a while now - Scott Sharrard on guitar, Steve Potts on drums and Jay Collins on sax - and the new folks, who are Ron Johnson on bass and Peter Levin on keys, while Dennis Marion and Art Edmaiston have joined Jay in the horn section. We’ve also got Marc Quinones on percussion... on loan from the Allman Brothers."
The Jam Band Sound
Like many artists, Allman’s not a big fan of the industry practice of labelling bands by genre. In interviews, he's noted his disdain for the "Southern Rock" tag the Allman Brothers were given in the 1970s. In recent years though, many improvisational "Jam Bands" have cited the Brothers as a main influence.
Allman explains, "from the beginning, I’ve told people that the Allman Brothers are a band that jams; now the term “jam band” is everywhere, and there are plenty of groups that play in the same way we do, and I’m cool with that."
Blues to the Core
In addition to the usual Blues classics like “Statesboro Blues,” “Stormy Monday” and “One Way Out,” Allman’s recent shows have included a mix of his own tunes, as well as songs from the Allman Brothers Band. He describes how the two bands differ:
“Two completely different animals there, brother. The thing about my band is there is only one cook in the kitchen, you know what I mean? With the Allman Brothers, there’s a lot of ideas, and that can get complicated at times.”
A “New” Album
This week marks the release of a comprehensive 6 CD box set of the Allman Brothers classic album, Live at the Fillmore East. “That’s as good as we ever played,” noted Allman. Other memorable shows included “all those great venues … like the Boston Tea Party and the Warehouse in New Orleans. We were like the house band at the Warehouse, man! More recently, I’d say the Beacon run in 2009 was something special; every night was off the charts, and all the guests we had made it so much fun.”
Calling it Quits
As the Allman Brothers Band prepares to end their 45 year run, Gregg is genuinely proud of what they've accomplished. "I can honestly tell you that the last 15 years or so with the current line-up have been just smokin’, man. I think my brother would be pleased with what we’ve done."
In fact, Allman recalls his late brother Duane, one of the greatest guitarists of all time, as his most important musical influence.
“The biggest influence on my music came from my brother, and it had nothing to do with singing or playing. See, my brother truly believed in me before I did, and without him pushing me, I never would have made it.”
Opening Up
Greg Allman is appearing as part of the Newport Concert Series on Sunday August 10. And he’s not the only “Brother” in town - the opening act, Jaimoe’s Jasssz Band, is led by fellow Allman Brother, drummer, Jaimoe Johanson. Also, be sure to arrive early and catch local rocker Dean DePalma at 5PM on the Hear in RI Harbor Stage. Dean’s especially stoked to open for Allman, noting “It’s really an honor to open for Gregg Allman…a true legend.”
General Admission tickets start at only $19.50, reserved seats range $29.50 to $59.50. The Newport Yachting Center has emerged as the best seasonal venue around with a great line up of concerts, comedy, and festivals. If you haven’t been to a show in Newport yet this summer, this is one to check out.
Ken Abrams review Roots, Rock and Blues for GoLocalProv. He can be reached at [email protected].
Spring and Summer Music Festivals
Boston Calling Music Festival
May 23-25
City Hall Plaza
Boston, MA
Boston Calling Music Festival is a three-day, two-stage festival featuring some of the biggest and best acts in live music. The event will be one big party with easy access to both stages, food, services and more. All ages are welcome and children under 10 are free.
Lineup Features:
Jack Johnson
Modest Mouse
Edward Sharpe and the Magnetic Zeros
The Decembrists
Bastille
Death Cab for Cutie
Tegan & Sara
Brand New
The Neighborhood
Built to Spill
Magic Man
Maximo Park
Walk Off The Earth
The Districts
Warpaint
Kurt Vile and the Violators
Jenny Lewis
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Strange Creek Campout
May 23-26
Camp Kee-Wanee
Greenfield, MA
Presented by the Wormtown Trading Company, the Strange Creek Campout features live music, on-site camping, disc golf, yoga, a holistic village, and the Strangers Helping Strangers Food Drive.
Lineup Features:
Rusted Root
Max Creek (2 Shows)
Zach Deputy (2 Shows)
Donna the Buffalo
Ryan Montbleau
Turkuaz
Goosepimp
Yo Mama's Big Fat Booty Band
Fungus Amungus
Consider the Source
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Roots on the River
June 5-8
Bellows Falls, VT
Roots on the River is an annual roots music festival featuring 23 sets, 7 shows, 6 venues over 4 days.
Lineup Features:
James McMurtry
Curtis McMurtry
Mary Gauthier
Carolyn Wonderland
JD McPherson
Sean Rowe
Poor Old Shine
Heather Maloney Band
Caitlyn Canty
Hayley Reardon
The Meadows Brothers
Leominster Starburst Festival
June 14 (Rain Date June 15)
Various Locations
Leominster, MA
For a free music festival in Central Massachusetts, check out Leominster’s Starburst, hosted by the Leominster Cultural Council. Everyone in your family will enjoy this day of music and fun, topped off with a firework show in the evening.
Paulie's New Orleans Jazz & Blues Festival
June 20-22
Canal District
Worcester, MA
Now entering its seventh year, the mission of Paulie's New Orleans Jazz & Blues Festival is to provide quality New Orleans & Louisiana jazz, blues, country, funk & zydeco music & food within an urban setting.
Lineup Features:
Roomful of Blues
Honey Island Swamp Band
Marcia Ball
Little Freddie King
Mem Shannon & The Membership
Bobby Patlauf Band
Big Al Carson & The Blues Masters
Eric Lindell & The Sunliners
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New Bedford Folk Festival
July 5-6
New Bedford Whaling National Park
New Bedford, MA
The New Bedford Folk Festival brings together over 70 renowned and emerging folk performers and 90 juried arts and crafts vendors in New Bedford's authentic historic district during the first weekend in July.
Lineup Features:
Chris Smither
Christine Lavin with Don White
John Gorka
Poor Old Shine
Jonathan Edwards
RUNA
Vance Gilbert
Bill Harley
Green River Festival
July 12-13
Greenfield Community College
Greenfield, MA
The Green River Festival is a premier Pioneer Valley Music event that takes place every July. The event attracts national talent, the great local food and fine crafts, and even hot air balloons.
Lineup Features:
Puss'N'Boots Featuring Norah Jones
Trombone Shorty & Orleans Avenue
Hurray for the Riff Raff
Trampled by Turtles
Lucius
Dave Alvin & Phil Alvin & The Guilty Ones
The Lone Bellow
Ana Tijoux
James Hunter Six
The Iguanas
Poor Old Shine
Barnstar!
The Dirty Dozen Brass Band
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North Atlantic Blues Festival
July 12-13
Public Landing
Rockland, ME
The North Atlantic Blues Festival is an annual two-day blues music festival featuring national blues performers and considered one of the most prestigious on the East Coast.
Lineup Features:
Mr. Sipp
Joe Louis Walker
Jarkeus Singleton
Teeny Tucker
Joanna Connor
Victor Wainwright
Melvin Taylor
C.J. Chener
Jimmy Thackery
In Layman Terms
The Mannish Boys
The Golden State lone Star Review
Lowell Folk Festival
July 25-27
Various Locations
Lowell, MA
One of the largest free folk festivals in the country, the Lowell Folk Festival attracts thousands of people over three days. The event features traditional music, food, crafts and good vibes.
The Pine Leaf Boys – Cajun
Bud Hundenski & the Corsairs – Polka
James Kelly, Donna Long, & Sean Keane – Irish
Kevin Doyle – Irish Step Dance
Marquise Knox – Blues
Seichi Tanaka & the San Francisco Taiko Dojo – Taiko Dojo Drums
Nikki D & the Browns – Sacred Steel Gospel
Sonny Burgess & the Legendary Pacers – Rockabilly
Joe Mullins & the Radio Ramblers – Bluegrass
Samba Mapangala & Orchestre Virunga – East African Rumba
E.U. – Go Go
Hassan Hakmoun – Moroccan Gnawa
Seizmos Band – Greek
Thomas Maupin, Daniel Rothwell, & Overall Creek with Kory Posey – Appalchian Buck
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Gathering of the Vibes
July 31 - August 3
Seaside Park
Bridgeport, CT
Gathering of the Vibes is an annual music, arts and camping festival now in its 19th year. Vibes has grown into a four-day festival that has featured such world-class talent as Crosby, Stills and Nash; all original members of the Grateful Dead; the Allman Brothers Band; Jane's Addiction; James Brown; the Black Crowes; Buddy Guy; Elvis Costello; George Clinton and P-Funk; Bruce Hornsby; Les Claypool; and many, many more big names, while continuing to showcase extraordinarily talented, young, up-and-coming bands to the 20 thousand people who attend each year.
Lineup Features:
John Fogerty
Rodrigo y Gabriela
Rusted Root
Widespread Panic
Edward Sharp and the Magnetic Zeros
moe.
Slightly Stoopid
Maceo Parker
Deep Banana Blackout
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Newport Folk Festival
July 25- 27
Fort Adams State Park
Newport, RI
Folk music has been a presence in Newport since 1959, when the Newport Folk Festival was founded by George Wein. Backed by board members Pete Seeger, Theodore Bikel, Oscar Brand, and Albert Grossman, the Festival became renowned for introducing a number of performers who went on to become major stars, most notably Joan Baez (who appeared as an unannounced guest of Bob Gibson in 1959), and Bob Dylan, whose first Newport appearance, as a guest of Joan Baez in 1963, is generally regarded as his premiere national performance.
Lineup Features:
Deer Tick
Ryan Adams
Nickel Creek
Rodrigo y Gabriela
Jimmy Cliff
Mavis Staples
Band of Horses
Jeff Tweedy
Kurt Vile and the Violators
Conor Oberst
Sun Kill Moon
The Devil Makes Three
Puss N Boots
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Newport Jazz Festival
August 1-3
Fort Adams State Park
Newport, RI
Established in 1954, the Newport Jazz Festival begins its 60th year this August, one week after its sister event, the Newport Folk Festival, takes place. The first event was originally billed as "First Annual American Jazz Festival" and featured many notable jazz musicians, including Billie Holiday.
Lineup Features:
Bobby McFerrin
Jazz at Lincoln Center Orchestra with Wynton Marsalis
Trombone Shorty & Orleans Avenue
David Sanborn & Joey DeFrancesco
George Wein & Newport All-Stars
Dee Dee Bridgewater - To Billie With Love
Dave Holland
Dr. John
Gregory Porter
Gary Burton
Robert Glasper
Vijay Iyer
SFJAZZ Collective
Danilo Pérez
Ravi Coltrane
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Peacham Acoustic Music Festival
August 15-16
Various Locations
Peacham, VT
The Peacham Acoustic Music Festival is also a blend of the old and the new - roots music from the Celtic traditions, old time fiddle tunes, and a touch of blues and bluegrass - not to mention The Dance. Smoke and alcohol free.
Lineup Features:
Jonathan Edwards
Bob Amos & Catamount Crossing
Carl Jones
Alan Greenleaf & The Doctor
The Bayley-Hazen Boys
Plus many more to be announced…
The White Mountain Boogie & Blues Festival
August 15-17
Sugar Shack Campground
Thornton, NH
Entering it's 18th year, the Boogie and Blues Festival features award-winning blues artists, food vendors, craft vendors, a climbing wall, and many fun activities for children --including Saturday night fireworks.
Lineup Features:
Brandon Santini
Moreland & Arbuckle
Southern Hospitality
Samantha Fish
Jeremiah Johnson
Gracie Curran
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Rhythm&Roots Festival
August 29-31
Ninigret Park
Charlestown, RI
The 17th Annual Rythym&Roots Festival features award-winning roots music artists on the Main Stage and at two big tented dance floors, plus intimate one-of-a-kind workshops and kids activities.
Featuring The Duhks as the featured host band
2014 Artist Lineup Announcements Coming Soon