After a night off, the Allman Brothers Band returned to the Beacon Theatre for another two-set performance that drew in special guests Buddy Guy, Trey Anastasio and Page McConnell. Much like the first night of the Allman Brothers’ run, the night opened with Warren Haynes and Derek Trucks interpreting Duane Allman’s ‘Little Martha,’ while images of the late slide guitarist were projected in the background. The rest of the band then took the stage for a blues-centric set that included ‘Trouble No More,’ ‘Leave My Blues At Home,’ ‘Who’s Been Talking,’ ‘Black Hearted Woman’ and ‘You Can’t Lose What You Never Had.’ Gregg Allman seemed particularly animated throughout the night, even letting his blonde hair out of its ponytail for the first time in many moons.
Though most pre-show rumors pointed to Boz Scaggs as the evening’s special guest, Chicago blues legend Buddy Guy surprised many by taking to the stage to shred next to Haynes and Trucks on ‘The Sky Is Crying’ and ‘You Don’t Love Me.’ An eager Trey Anastasio and Page McConnell then emerged for an all-star version of the Allman Brothers ‘Southbound.’ Anastasio, in particular, understood the evening’s importance, and kept his eyes sharply focused on Guy throughout the number.
Both McConnell and Anastasio returned at the start of the Allman Brothers Band’s second set for an extended version of ‘I Know You Rider’ that recalled the paired performers work with Phil Lesh & Friends. The Phish members remained onstage for a take on ‘In Memory of Elizabeth Reed,’ a number Anastasio played with the Allmans at the Beacon Big House Benefit in 2005. McConnell has also sat in with the Allman Brothers Band at the Beacon a few times, most notably in 1996 when the keyboardist filled in for an ailing Gregg Allman for a half a set.
The Allman Brothers Band then closed out its set with the jam-vehicle ‘Dreams’ and a stretched out version of Dickey Betts’ ‘Jessica.’ Despite being only four songs, the group’s second set extended well past the hour mark. Nodding to the opening night of its run, the band then encored with Taj Mahal’s arrangement of ‘Statesboro Blues.’ The Brothers’ Beacon residency will continue this evening.