“Guitarmony” was promised and delivered Saturday night when End of the Line: An Allman Brothers Tribute Band brought their scintillating Southern rock, country and blues roots musicianship to the Park Theater.
Before the band took the stage, Thin Lizzy’s “The Boys are Back in Town” played on the historic speakers setting the seventies mood for the fans as they settled in their seats.
As a nod to the 55th anniversary of the band’s 1969 debut album, The Allman Brothers Band, the first songs were note for note from that seminal album beginning with “Don’t Want You No More.” When Smith launched into “It’s Not My Cross to Bear,” a time warp seemed to overcome the theater.
The screen behind the band flickered with alternating images of lava lamps, colorful mushrooms, and the original live footage from the Fillmore Live album.
Playing to a large and seasoned crowd, this collection of Nashville musicians and songwriters reveled in their playing.
For a little over two hours, the audience was transported to a time over a half a century ago. The soulful blues and melodious Southern jams filled the space as these young musicians channeled their inner Gregg and Duane Allman, Dickey Betts and Derek Trucks among others.
With a deep blue’s growl, Justin Smith rivaled the original Gregg Allman as he played the organ with grace and grit.
Adam Gorman, hailing from Macon, Georgia, seemed to know his way around a blues guitar fo’ sho.’ Along with the fantastic Conor Kelly and Casey Conway on guitar and bass, they created that sweet guitarmony the band has been hailed for.
“How about that bass?” yelled an appreciative fan from the balcony and the whole theater roared in agreement.
Not one but two drummers kept an amazing synchronized beat: Ryan McClanahan and Dave Czuba.
Other highlights included “Revival,” “Idle Wild South,” and the eloquent jazzy “Stand Back” from the Eat a Peach album.
After intermission, the band jumped into the iconic “Ramblin’ Man,” the highest charting song of all the band’s tunes.
“Statesboro Blues” was arguably the finest moment in a litany of fine moments. Covering the black blues artist Blind Willie McTell, the Allman Brother’s classic is a tribute and an infectious cross between black Southern blues music and white Southern musicianship.
“Sweet Melissa” and “Blue Sky” were both artfully done.
They also covered a tender version of “Desdemona” from Hittin’ The Note, one of the later Allman Brother gems. “Trouble Me No More” was a sweet moment as well.
The band are currently touring. They plan on performing in the home of more modern and famous Southern rock bands, The B-52s and R.E.M. in Athens, Georgia on April 20,
You can read more about the band and their touring schedule on Facebook, Instagram and the band’s website: endofthelineband.com.
