The Brothers reunited this week at Madison Square Garden for the band’s first shows in five years. The latter-day Allman Brothers Band tribute led by original member Jaimoe plus longtime veterans Warren Haynes, Derek Trucks, Oteil Burbridge, and Marc Quiñones brought in special guests Chuck Leavell, Reese Wynans, Isaac Eady, and Joe Russo, the latter of whom shared a reflection on his time on stage with The Brothers.
“Its hard to put this week into words, but I’ll try,” Russo wrote on social media. “I’m beyond thankful and overjoyed to have been a part of this incredible band. I can’t thank these guys enough! I’m humbled and honored by the trust these amazing musicians offered me. This music is huge. It’s deeply meaningful. It’s timeless.
“Sitting in the eye of the storm between Marc, Jaimoe & Isaac felt like the ultimate rhythmic bliss state,” Russo continued. “Getting to pan my gaze and ears across the stage, enveloped by the artistry of Chuck, Oteil, Warren, Derek & Reese was transcendent. I never in a million years thought I’d get to be a part of this world and I’m so thankful to have these musical memories live with me forever.”
Russo knows something about honoring timeless songbooks. For the past 12 years, he has breathed new life into the Grateful Dead catalog alongside Scott Metzger, Tom Hamilton, Marco Benevento, and Dave Dreiwitz in Joe Russo’s Almost Dead. Before that, he filled the combined role of Bill Kreutzmann and Mickey Hart in Furthur with Bob Weir and Phil Lesh. This dedicated tribute work is in addition to myriad other projects ranging from work with psych-trance pioneer Shpongle to his experimental jazz outfit Selcouth Quartet.
“Lastly, it’s in no way lost on me the position that I was doing my best to fill,” Russo continued. “Butch Trucks was an absolute force of nature. His blend of power and musicality is unmatched. No one has ever done it like him, and no one ever will. Thank you Butch for driving that band into the stratosphere. I will continue to be a student of yours for the rest of my days. A huge Thank you to all the amazing people that made these shows happen! What an outstanding and passionate crew. Y’all made me feel at home immediately.”
Though the two-night run at Madison Sqaure Garden was all The Brothers had scheduled, Joe Russo said he’s up for whatever.
“If these are the only two shows this line up plays, I’ll have a lifetime of joy in reflection,” Russo concluded. “If these Brothers ever want to ride again…. They’ve got my number.”
This week’s shows marked a full-circle moment for Russo’s involvement with the Allman Brothers legacy. Last fall, Warren Haynes hosted his all-star SOULSHINE benefit for hurricane relief, where he reunited with Trucks for ABB staple “Whipping Post” on the same Madison Square Garden stage with none other than Joe Russo on drums. After playing together at SOULSHINE, Warren and Derek realized they needed to get their Brothers back together at The Garden.
Revisit Live For Live Music‘s full coverage of The Brothers at Madison Square Garden on Tuesday and Wednesday.
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