Early this year, fans of The Allman Brothers Band were treated to a special treat with a new and iconic performance from the band in the form of Manley Field House: Syracuse University – April 7, 1972. That performance was key because it was the band’s first performance following the death of band founding member Duane Allman. Now as 2024 quickly closes, those fans will be treated to another key performance from the band in the form of its last-ever concert, Final Concert 10-28-14 Set for release Friday through Peach Records, which has released a number of the band’s recordings, the 3-disc, 27-song recording is a little bit of a mixed bag presentation. That is due in large part to its limited set list and packaging, both of which will be addressed later. To the positive, it does boast some positive production, which will be discussed shortly. All things considered this final concert from one of modern music’s most legendary acts comes up somewhat short of expectations.
Final Concert 10-28-14, the forthcoming new live recording from The Allman Brothers Band, is an intriguing presentation that sadly leaves one wanting for more, and not in the best way, either. That is not to say that it is a complete loss. It does have at least a couple of positives, one of which being its production. The clarity of sound in this expansive concert is expert, thanks to the work of those behind the boards and those responsible for the recording’s post production. Thanks to their work, audiences are fully immersed in the band’s performance. Even without a full audiovisual presentation of the concert, the effect of the venue and the audience soaking in the sound is on full display. The result herein is that the concert gives audiences the best seat in the house as everything is fully balanced throughout the concert.
While the production of Final Concert 10-28-14 gives audiences something to appreciate, the concert is hardly perfect. The most notable of the negatives of what was supposed to be the band’s last-ever performance is its set list. Yes, it does total 27 songs across its three sets. The problem is that across those three sets, the band pulls largely from the early days of The Allman Brothers Band. It spans the band’s 1969 self-titled debut up to its 1973 studio recording, Brothers and Sisters, and also includes the band’s pivotal 1971 recording, At the Fillmore East. The only “modern” album from the band that gets any representation here is the band’s 12th and final album, Hittin’ The Note through the song, ‘The High Cost of Low Living.’ This is extremely important to note in that again, the band released a dozen studio albums over the course of its 45-year life yet this concert, which was supposed to be a tribute to the band’s legacy and treat for its fans, only pulls from a very small portion of the band’s catalog. There was so much more from which the band could have pulled to really give audiences something special but instead the band opted to perform so many songs with which audiences were overly familiar. To that end, this limited set list proves something of a negative to the whole herein.
On another note, the gatefold packaging of the whole proves its own negative, too. The three discs across which the concert is spread are placed within the packaging in their own very tight spaces. Audiences have to risk tearing the cardstock packaging in order to remove the discs as they shift the “case” to even get to the discs. Keeping that in mind, that potential of the packaging being damaged just to remove the discs mars the overall presentation even more.
While the negatives noted here are unquestionably concerning to the whole of this recording, there is one more positive to note. That positive is the brief background provided by Allman Brothers Band archivist John P. Lynskey. Lynskey writes in his brief liner notes that the choice to close the band’s career in New York was intentional due to its longtime connection with the Beacon Theater. Additionally, he notes correctly that yes, the concert does pull from six of the band’s recordings, but going back to the discussion on the set list, that list is much more limited than Mr. Lynskey lets on. Perhaps the most interesting item that Lynskey notes in his writing is how the concert, in its length, reached into the early morning hours of Oct. 29, which was the anniversary of founding member Duane Allman’s passing. This is important because it actually links back to the previously noted ABB recording, Manley Field House: Syracuse University – April 7, 1972, the band’s first performance following Duane Allman’s death. It is an interesting little six degrees of separation sort of matter that adds to the concert’s presentation; its final concert ended on the anniversary of the death of its founder so many decades prior. As Lynskey notes, this was not intentional, which makes for all the more interest. Knowing this and the positive aesthetic ensured through the recording’s production, the whole therein makes Final Concert 10-28-14 an interesting new live recording from The Allman Brothers Band but is ultimately not the best final live statement from this legendary band.
Final Concert 10-28-14, the new, forthcoming live recording from The Allman Brothers Band, is an interesting offering from one of rock’s (and music’s) most legendary acts). At the same time though, it does leave one wanting for more, sadly. To its positive is its expert production, which gives audiences the best seat in the house. The liner notes provided by band archivist John P. Lynskey add more interest to the whole thanks to the background that he provides to the concert. The set list sadly detracts from the enjoyment because of its limited nature, as does the overall packaging. All things considered what was supposed to be the band’s last-ever concert leaves a person wanting for more and in turn a presentation that could have been so much more.
Final Concert 10-28-14 is scheduled for release Friday through Peach Records. More information on Final Concert 10-28-14 is available along with all of the latest Allman Brothers Band news at:
Website: https://allmanbrothersband.com
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Twitter: https://twitter.com/allmanbrothers
