LIVE AT BLUES ALLEY By Eva Cassidy and PEAKIN’ AT THE BEACON By Allman Brothers Band

Eva Cassidy’s Live at Blues Alley was originally self-released in May 1996. The album was recorded live at the Blues Alley nightclub (Washington, D.C.) in January 1996. It was the last album recorded by Cassidy before her death in November 1996. Eva Cassidy died of melanoma at the age of 33. Eva Cassidy sang a mix songs, some traditional, some classic pop–like “Bridge Over Troubled Water,” “People Get Ready,” and the song she’s most known for: “Fields of Gold.” I love her talent and sound. Eva Cassidy died too young.

TRACK LIST:

  1. Cheek to Cheek” (Irving Berlin) – 4:03
  2. Stormy Monday” (T-Bone Walker) – 5:49
  3. Bridge over Troubled Water” (Paul Simon) – 5:33
  4. Fine and Mellow” (Billie Holiday) – 4:03
  5. People Get Ready” (Curtis Mayfield) – 3:36
  6. Blue Skies” (Irving Berlin) – 2:37
  7. “Tall Trees in Georgia” (Buffy St. Marie) – 4:05
  8. Fields of Gold” (Sting) – 4:57
  9. Autumn Leaves” (Joseph KosmaJohnny MercerJacques Prévert) – 4:57
  10. Honeysuckle Rose” (Andy RazafThomas “Fats” Waller) – 3:14
  11. Take Me to the River” (Al GreenMabon “Teenie” Hodges) – 3:51
  12. What a Wonderful World” (Bob ThieleGeorge David Weiss) – 5:50
  13. “Oh, Had I a Golden Thread” (Pete Seeger) – 4:46 [Studio recording]

Gregg Allman, like his brother Duane, also died too young. But this concert at the Beacon Theatre (New York City) from March 2000 bursts with energy with the Allman Brothers Band delivering their mix of rock, jazz, country, and rhythm & blues.

Peakin’ at the Beacon was the first Allman Brothers Band album to include Derek Trucks on guitar and Oteil Burbridge on bass, and the last to include founding member Dickey Betts.

The instrumental “High Falls” was nominated for Best Rock Instrumental Performance at the 44th Annual Grammy Awards, losing to “Dirty Mind” by Jeff Beck.

This version of the Idlewild South track “Please Call Home” was featured on their greatest hits album The Essential Allman Brothers Band: The Epic Years. GRADE: A (for both live CDs)

TRACK LIST:

All songs written by Gregg Allman, except where noted.

  1. “Don’t Want You No More” (Spencer Davis, Edward Hardin) – 3:06
  2. “It’s Not My Cross to Bear” – 5:12
  3. “Ain’t Wastin’ Time No More” – 5:46
  4. “Every Hungry Woman” – 5:56
  5. “Please Call Home” – 4:30
  6. “Stand Back” (Gregg Allman, Berry Oakley) – 5:44
  7. “Black Hearted Woman” – 6:30
  8. “Leave My Blues at Home” – 5:07
  9. Seven Turns” (Dickey Betts) – 4:48
  10. “High Falls” (Dickey Betts) – 27:27

10 thoughts on “LIVE AT BLUES ALLEY By Eva Cassidy and PEAKIN’ AT THE BEACON By Allman Brothers Band

  1. Steve+A+Oerkfitz

    I was lucky enough to see the Allman Brothers when they still had Duane. It was at the Eastown Theater in Detroit. J. Geils and Black Sabbath opened. Sabbath was booed. Geils got a good response.

    Reply
    1. george Post author

      Steve, I’ve been a J.Geils Band fan since the 1970s. Not a fan of Black Sabbath. I wish I’d seen the Allman Brothers Band with or without Duane.

      Reply
  2. Jeff+Meyerson

    We saw the J. Geils Band in December of 2014 at Madison Square Garden opening for Bob Seger. That was the concert where he brought Springsteen out to sing “Old Time Rock & Roll” with him. Never saw the Allman Brothers live. Was just watching Greg do “Long Black Veil” on the LOVE FOR LEVON tribute concert DVD in 2012 after Levon Helm’s death. He sounded OK but looked a little frail.

    Reply
    1. george Post author

      Jeff, I admire all the concerts you and Jackie and Steve have seen. I should have gone to more concerts when I had the chance. I did take Katie and her friends to see BACKSTREET BOYS, N’SYNC, 98 DEGREES, MATCHBOX 20, CHRISTINA AGUILERA, BARENAKED LADIES, and CELINE DION. But, not quite the same thing as J. Geils and the Allman Brothers…

      Reply
  3. Michael Padgett

    Always loved the Allmans but never saw them live, with or without Duane. I was stuck in the USAF during Duane’s entire tenure with the band. Didn’t much care for J. Geils or Black Sabbath, although I did sorta like The Oz, probably because of my affinity for weird, crazy people. Must admit I never heard of Cassidy, although she sounds like someone I’d find interesting.

    Reply
  4. Todd Mason

    I was just leaving the DC area when Cassidy died…she was definitely among the most-loved folks on the local scene. Blues Alley was cramped and overpriced, but Donna and I did try it at least for a show with Albert King and Koko Taylor and their bands.

    Reply
  5. Jeff Smith

    Eva Cassidy really had a way with a song. I never saw her; she was already dead by the time I heard of her. She could even make something like “Over the Rainbow” sound fresh and new.

    Reply

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