Almost eight years after his death, Gregg Allman‘s musical legacy continues to grow with the release of a new live album. Out June 15th via Allman’s posthumous Sawrite Records, One Night in D.C., May 15, 1984, captures an intimate live show by the Gregg Allman Band during a formative year for the Allman Brothers Band co-founder’s solo project.
Recorded live at The Bayou 41 years ago tonight, One Night in D.C. documents the Gregg Allman Band’s entire 12-song performance for a lucky crowd of 900 fans. Two years removed from the Allman Brothers’ second breakup, Gregg had cemented his solo band lineup with himself on vocals and Hammond organ, Danny Toler on lead guitar, his brother Frankie on drums, bassist Gregg Voorhees, Bruce Waibel on rhythm guitar, and percussionist Chaz Trippy, plus the recent addition of keyboardist Tim Heding.
With this commitment to his new band came a stream of new material, showcased on One Night in D.C. with “Yours for the Asking” and “Faces Without Names”, which would both appear on Allman’s surprise 1987 hit album, I’m No Angel. Gregg also carried over “Sweet Feelin'” and “Matthew’s Arrival” from his second solo album, Playin’ Up a Storm (1977).
Despite the acrimony that brought the Allman Brothers to disband for a second time in 1982, Gregg still honors the group’s undeniable legacy on One Night in D.C. The album opens with the ethereal “Dreams”, and also features “Hot ‘Lanta”, “Trouble No More”, “Melissa”, “Midnight Rider”, “Statesboro Blues”, and a closing “One Way Out”, plus “Need Your Love So Bad”, a deep cut from the Allman’s 1979 reunion album, Enlightened Rogues.
“When I walk on a stage, I know the crowd has come to have a good time and forget about their problems for a few hours,” Allman once said. “Our music makes them happy – they can stomp their feet, clap their hands, dance around and smile. I love to see that, because it makes me feel like I have a purpose – that’s why I play music.”
Fans can get a feel for the Gregg Allman Band’s One Night in D.C., May 15, 1984 with the show-opening “Dreams”, available now across streaming platforms. The album will be available digitally and on CD, with pre-orders open here.
Gregg Allman Band — “Dreams” — Washington, D.C. — 5/15/1984
