Freak By Night Posted September 3, 2008 Report Share Posted September 3, 2008 The Allman Brothers Band with Ratdog Susquehanna Bank Center, Camden, NJ - 08-23-2008 by: Dave Alburger google_ad_client = "pub-8241045454770105"; google_ad_width = 250; google_ad_height = 250; google_ad_format = "250x250_as"; google_ad_type = "text_image"; google_ad_channel ="9487450232"; google_color_border = "FCFAED"; google_color_bg = "FCFAED"; google_color_link = "003366"; google_color_url = "003366"; google_color_text = "003366"; //--> Almost a year ago to the day, I went to a concert in Camden, New Jersey. The triple bill featured Keller Williams, Ratdog, and the mighty Allman Brothers Band. This August I made the trip to see pretty much the same concert at the same venue. The differences this year? Keller wasn't on the bill, and a different corporate sponsor has purchased the naming rights of the amphitheater. We arrived at The Susquehanna Bank Center, (formerly The Tweeter Center) just as Ratdog was getting into "Shakedown Street". The 7 pm start time was a bit early for us and Bob Weir & Company started only a few minutes late. They played a long set that featured mostly Grateful Dead tunes ("Eyes of the World", "Bird Song", "The Other One") as well as a couple of the more popular cover tunes the Dead used to play, including "Queen Jane Approximately" and a very emotional "Morning Dew". Warren Haynes of the Allman Brothers joined the band for "Bird Song", and stuck around for the encore. This being a Saturday night, the encore was of course "One More Saturday Night". I know there a few Bobby haters on this board, but I'm not one of them. I think Ratdog is a great band and I always enjoy seeing them, but every time they've played the opening role. Someday I'd like to take in one of their headlining shows in a smaller venue. Ratdog setlist Jam >Shakedown Street Loose LucyQueen Jane ApproximatelyMoney for GasolineEyes of the WorldA Hard Rain's A-Gonna FallBird Song > The Other One > StuffMorning DewBird Song (reprise)* E: One More Saturday Night* * with Warren Haynes Bob WeirPhoto by: Dave Alburger After an intermission, the Allman Brothers Band hit the stage with little fanfare. They opened up with "Hot 'Lanta" and "Done Somebody Wrong". By the time they ripped into "Midnight Rider", a sense of familiarity overcame me - they've played this one last year! I wasn't disappointed though, it's one of my favourite songs by them. Later on they played Van Morrison's "And it Stoned Me". They've been throwing in some Van from time to time, and it's always good. Warren Haynes handles the singing of these songs admirably. After a trippy "Dreams", most of the band took a rest while Warren and Derek Trucks picked up the acoustic guitars. Bob Weir from Ratdog joined the pair in a mellow version of Dylan's "I Shall Be Released". The obligatory drum and bass solos followed, and then "Mountain Jam". This seemed to go on forever, but was very enjoyable. Out of "Mountain Jam" came a fantastic cover version of Led Zeppelin's "Dazed and Confused" with Warren and Derek trading tasty lead guitar licks. It was a surprise to me that they chose to cover the mighty Zeppelin, and the crowd really got into it. "Southbound" was the encore and the show wrapped up just after midnight. The Susquehanna Bank Center is a great venue for a concert, and it's beautiful right on the Delaware River, with the Philadelphia skyline. I do have one complaint - having to pay $20 to park in the shadow of a pile of industrial waste really stings. Greg Allman Photo by: Dave Alburger Allman Brothers Band Setlist Hot 'LantaDone Somebody Wrong Midnight RiderGambler's RollAnd It Stoned Me I Walk On Gilded SplintersDreamsI Shall Be Released * You Don't Love MeJaMaBuBuMountain JamDazed And ConfusedMountain Jam (reprise)Southbound * Acoustic with Warren, Derek, and Bob Weir The Allman Brothers Photo by: Dave Alburger Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bradm Posted September 3, 2008 Report Share Posted September 3, 2008 (edited) Another nice review, Freak! Keep 'em coming.There's at least one recording of the Ratdog show are available for download:http://www.archive.org/details/rd2008-08-23.dpa4023.722.suraci.sbeok.flac16Aloha,Brad Edited September 3, 2008 by Guest Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts