Gregg Allman Band – Great As Ever: Live In Philadelphia (1 -11 -1986)
Despite the frigid temperatures outside the historic venue, the Gregg Allman Band brought the heat that night, as four years of steady touring had turned the group into a taut, well-oiled machine
Gregg Allman Band – Great As Ever: Live In Philadelphia (1 -11 -1986)
Format: CD – Digital
Label: Sawrite Records LLC
Release: 2026
Recorded January 11, 1986, before a sold-out crowd at Philadelphia, PA’s intimate Chestnut Cabaret, Great As Ever: Live In Philadelphia ’86 marks the latest in an ongoing series of electrifying live concert recordings from Allman’s personal archives
Despite the frigid temperatures outside the historic venue, the Gregg Allman Band brought the heat that night, as four years of steady touring had turned the group into a taut, well-oiled machine.
The one-of-a-kind musical legacy of the late, great Gregg Allman continues with Gregg Allman Band’s Great As Ever: Live In Philadelphia ’86, a previously unreleased concert recording arriving via the Rock and Roll Hall of Famer’s posthumous label, Sawrite Records, on Friday, April 10. Pre-orders/pre-saves are available now. The full-length live album is heralded by a thunderous rendition of the classic instrumental, “Don’t Want You No More,” highlighted by Allman’s nimble work on the Hammond B-3 organ and available now at all DSPs and streaming services.
The road-hardened line-up of Allman (lead vocals, Hammond B-3, and acoustic guitar), the Toler Brothers (Dan on lead guitar, Frankie on drums), Bruce Waibel (bass), Tim Heding (keyboards), and Chaz Trippy (percussion) hit the stage with a purpose, unleashing a 13-song setlist stacked with unforgettable performances of Allman Brothers Band favorites and more, including a nascent version of what would prove Allman’s biggest solo success, the chart-topping “I’m No Angel.” Among its many unforgettable standouts are a rousing take on “It’s Not My Cross to Bear” marked by Allman’s world-weary vocal and a fiery Dan Toler solo, a touching version of “Melissa” (dedicated by Gregg to his then-estranged ABB bandmate Dickey Betts), and a stellar performance of “Queen of Hearts,” Allman’s lament from his 1973 debut solo album, Laid Back.
The GAB’s ceaseless roadwork would pay off with the RIAA Gold-certified success of 1987’s acclaimed comeback album, I’m No Angel, but on stage in front of their devoted fans was where the group truly were at their best. This remarkable recording affirms that, night after night, the Gregg Allman Band were indeed Great As Ever.
Website: https://greggallman.com/
Tracks:
01. Don’t Want You No More
02. Ain’t My Cross The Bear
03. Sweet Feelin’
04. Hot ‘Lanta
05. Need Your Love So Bad
06. Trouble No More
07. Things You Used To Do
08. Queen of Hearts
09. Melissa
10. Midnight Rider
11. Just Ain’t Easy
12. I’m No Angel
Recorded January 11, 1986, at Chestnut Cabaret, Philadelphia, PA
Produced by Gregg Allman
Gregg Allman Band:
Gregg Allman – Lead Vocals, Hammond B-3, Acoustic Guitar
Dan Toler – Lead Guitar
Frankie Toler – Drums
Tim Heding – Keyboards, Vocals
Bruce Waibel – Bass, Vocals
Chaz Trippy – Percussion