Album Review: Dickey Betts – Live from the Lone Star Roadhouse

1988 was a tough time to be an Allman Brothers Band fan. The group had roared out of Jacksonville, Florida in 1969, with a two-guitar, two-drums attack (in addition to bass and keys, of course) and a powerful yet nuanced sound that drew from jazz, blues and rock. The jam band for those who found the Dead a bit boring, the Allmans were influenced by Coltrane where Garcia and company found inspiration from bluegrass. And while the Allman Brothers would inspire a wave of Southern rock purveyors, they themselves never fit easily into that or any other pigeonhole.

Enduring even through the tragic loss of two of their members, the band carried on (albeit with a break), making great music well into the next decade. But by 1982, the band had called it a day. Its members would reunite in 1989, but those years in between wouldn’t have new ABB music as their soundtrack.

The band members carried on, each in his own way. Lead guitarist Dickey Betts formed a group with top-flight, like-minded players, but couldn’t find a record company who’d sign them. He returned to solo work, eventually landing a record deal for his own band. Today the lineup of that group can be seen as an important one: in addition to Betts on guitar and vocals, the group featured Warren Haynes, who’d go on to be a key member of the Allman Brothers Band when they regrouped; Matt Abts (who’d join with Haynes in Gov’t Mule); keyboaridst Johnny Neel (another future ABB member) and bassist Marty Privette.

This live set captures that group with an absolutely on-fire set at New York City’s Lone Star Roadhouse. The band tears through a tight set peppered with Allman classics, newer original material and well-chosen covers. This two-disc release is sourced from an FM radio broadcast, and includes the entire concert. That’s important because as the evening wore on, Betts and his band were joined by some very special guests: Rick Derringer, Jack Bruce and Mick Taylor. That meant that the audience was treated to rollicking readings of “Spoonful,” and “Rock and Roll, Hoochie Koo,” among others.

The sound quality is excellent as expected, and the playing and singing is top-notch as well. For those who missed seeing the Allman Brothers Band in those years, this show was just the ticket, with Betts and Haynes turning in that classic twin-lead vibe on old faves and new tracks (like “Duane’s Tune”). And for ABB fans, it fills a gap with music that’s very nearly the equal to what the Allmans had been up to.

Rock Beat’s release features a snappy, knowing liner essay by Cory Frye. The cover photo ain’t great: it shows Betts making a kind of constipated-guitar-face while he busts out a lead; most any other shot would have been more appealing. But hey, come and stay for the music.