Rating: 
Summary: Simply Outstanding
Review: I read another editorial from an Amazon reviewer about the Fillmore East Shows. "Duane Allman died shortly after At Fillmore East shipped, and the Brothers haven't scaled such heights since". A nice statement but completely untrue. This reviewer obviously hasn't listened to Hittin The Note or the Live at the Beacon 2 DVD set. The original members of ABB have a new lease on life, especially Greg Allman. New focus and new songs that are arguably the best penned material the band has written since the 70's. New youngblood musicians adds life and direction to this legendary band from Georgia. After listening to this live set, one has to ask, "Dickey Who??" For any fan or newbies, this is a must own set. I wish the ABB would consider releasing a triple live CD audio set similar to Rush's Live in Rio (released in both DVD and CD audio formats). Don't miss out on this top notch triumph of a release by one of America's best improv bands. And check out Hittin The Note if you haven't already done so... edit - about the Dickey Who? comment: after listening and watching this DVD again, i decided to go through my ABB catalog. i now realize DBetts' role as a former member of ABB. if i sounded a bit disrespectful towards Mr. Betts it was not intended. he is an outstanding musician. just listen to Nobody Knows live from An Evening With ABB set 1. i saw that tour (Shades of Two Worlds) and DBetts was awesome that evening. perhaps DBetts and DTrucks just didn't gel like he and WHaynes once did... anyway, DBetts is a true legendary guitarist and his contribution to ABB cannot be ignored. but the latest ABB lineup cannot be ignored either: arguably the best ABB lineup since the early 70's or early 90's. as a side note, ABB fans may want to check out www.allmanbrothersband.com, there you will find a link to to three new live CD's, all recorded over the summer 2003 run, each a 3 CD package. looks good...
Rating:
Summary: I agree with top-reviewer Bill Thompson but...
Review: I couldn't have asked for a better quality DVD concert release from the ABB than this. The purpose of this release was to show how dynamic and powerful the band has carried on since the passing of original guitar blazer Duane Allman, and more recently Dicky Betts. All of their classics are not represented here, which is true. But the only classic songs left are the ones Dicky Betts penned such as Ramblin' Man, In Memomry, Melissa, etc., and I feel the band is carrying on without him in the band and without his songs with their live repetroire. As for recent newby, Derek Trucks, I believe he is filling Duane's shoes, not Dicky's, as he played along side Dicky for a few years in the ABB prior to Dicky's exit. Derek is quite possibly the greatest slide guitarist in the ABB since Duane Allman (which is in no way a dismis on Warren Hayes). This DVD release
is everything I dream of in a concert release. Just brillant. You have to get this.
Rating:
Summary: DVD Sets A Standard for Excellence!
Review: A superior document capturing the Allman Brothers Band at the top of their game in one of their finest venues. The camera work is exceptional. The intimacy of the venue as well as the electricity of the music are both well represented by the various film techniques. The quality is 5 star. Buy this disc and make your plans for the 2004 Beacon run.
Rating:
Summary: Wow !!!
Review: Just seeing Derek Trucks and Warren Haynes trade licks on "Woman Across The River" is worth the price of admission in itself. A must have for ABB freaks and slide players. The only way this could get any better is if Duane walked up on the stage and plugged in his Les Paul. Buy this !!!
Rating:
Summary: The Road Goes On....
Review: The band has been playing extended Beacon runs in March for years. Their most recent live album, 'Peakin' at the Beacon', which was produced two or three years ago (just before Dickey Betts was fired) has been aptly described as a train wreck. But these performances, caught on DVD two evenings in March 2003, are simply electrifying. As far as the performances themselves are concerned, five stars would be inadequate. Gregg is clearly on top of his game (and the interesting interview included on disc two explains why) and the Haynes-Trucks-Burbridge chemistry (not to mention the Trucks-Jaimoe-Quinones chemistry)is simply astonishing. If you are tempted to think of the continuing ABB as a revived celebration of nostalgia, think again. The standards for sheer musicianship have been raised by this band and its spin-offs. The talents and tastes of the band, with sources in blues, jazz and R&B, are sophisticated so that they are ill-compared to the standard fare of "classic rock." Even the old standards, such as Statesboro Blues or Dreams, are open to a degree of improvisation that renders them interestingly different even if performed on successive evenings. (And the Allmans' version of 'jamming' is emphatically *not* reducible to silly 'noodling.') But they are also writing new, powerful material. "Desdemona" and "High Cost of Low Living" feature smart lyrics and strong vocals from Gregg as well as soaring solos from Derek and Warren. "Instrumental Illness" showcases the Allmans' new guitar department sans Betts. This DVD is loaded with extra features on the 2nd disc. An encore of "One Way Out," Warren and Derek doing a dressing room acoustic version of "Old Friend," and a series of insightful interviews with all of the band members. Among other things, Gregg and Butch point out that the band is now *sober* and focused. It's hard to miss this when you compare present performances to past. (Worst concert I ever attended: ABB, Orange Bowl, August '74. Gregg was too stoned to play. The wisdom lately acquired by these veteran musicians is an interesting story in itself.) I am tempted to give a less-than-five star rating due to the filming and sound. Somehow, the filming fails to capture the full atmosphere of the show in the way that, say, Clapton's "One More Car One More Rider" does. (Though I would entertain arguments that this is due to venue size, etc.) The audience here is neglected by both the cameras and sound *almost* as if the band was in the studio. I won't say the sound is of poor quality, but it could be crisper, brighter. But in spite of that, this is most defininitely a keeper.
Rating:
Summary: If "Live At The Fillmore" is one of your favorite albums
Review: Then you've got to buy this DVD. I grew up listening to the Fillmore album for years, and actually owned it initially in 8 track format (that shows my age). I've followed the Allman Brothers through the years and I've never felt that they returned to the magic they had after Duane tragically died. However after watching the DVD I have no doubt that the magic is back.
I always cringe when people refer the Brothers as a "jam band" because most of the modern so called "jam bands" seem to mindlessly riff and wear out the same pentatonic scale in different keys. Duane Allman was a genius and I never thought I would hear a player that could match him in this format. With this lineup the band has returned to form with a skill and mastery of the blues that is phenominal.
From the start it's clear that Derek Trucks and Warren Haynes are a spectacular pair of guitar players. Trucks seems to prefer slide and plays with a reckless abandon that stunned me. Haynes is a more traditional lead player but has an absolute mastery of the techniques and skills necessay to be a great player. The band weaves in and out of songs from their early albums in the 70's to material from their most recent CD "Hittin The Note". Quite frankly I think this band is even better than the original lineup.
I would say I was slightly disappointed with the video, but I enjoyed the audio mix, especially the way they brought Greg's keyboard into the sound.
These guys can play, and for an old fan like me this was an absolutely wonderful experience.
Rating: 
Summary: 4.5 strars....
Review: Great band - missed the Fillmore concert in NY by 2 hours...
James Taylor did a show at the Beacon recorded for DVD 2 years ago with better audio and video. But nonetheless, this is much better than Great Woods or that other piece of crap they put out. The band members have aged - but the sound is still there... 4.5 stars because it could have been widescreen and had a better audio track..
Rating:
Summary: Awesome!
Review: The ABB are always awesome to watch. They are the only band, along with Santana & Deep Purple, that I never get tired of listening to them jamming. Led Zeppelin for example, bore me after a while, but the ABB always keep it interesting, so therefore I can enjoy a "Dreams" or "Elizabeth Reed" of 7, 12, 18 or 24 minutes. So buy any DVD or VHS 'cos it's the best southern rock you will ever find. Great stuff.
The poor Jean-Pierre from FL, complains that the DVD doesn't have many bonus :-S Forgodsake, they are offering you an almost 3 hours concert with 24 songs. What else do you want? What kind of bonus? Virtual sex with Jaimoe??? lol ;-)
Rating:
Summary: Awesome !
Review: The Allman Brothers Band are always an awesome show. Great music and jamming. It's the only band along with Santana & Deep Purple, that I can't never ever get tired of listen to them jamming. Led Zeppelin, for example, gets my nerves after a while, they bore me while jamming for too long. Not the ABB at all. I can listen with devote attention a "Elizabeth Reed" or "Dreams" of 7, 12, 18, 22 minutes and it's always interesting. So get any concert on video by this band. It's just amazing southern rock. Also it has an interesting SETLIST.
The poor Jean-Pierre from FL, gave it 3 stars 'cos of the bonus, he said it's not enough. Forgodsake, they are offering you an almost 3 hours show with no cuts!!!! what else do you want? what kind of bonus? Vitual sex with Jaimoe? lol ;-)
Rating:
Summary: ARE YOU KIDDING ME?
Review: LIVE AT THE BEACON, SICK.
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