Chuck Leavell and Friends...amazing show!!!
by redlocker on 1/21/14Atlanta Symphony Hall - AtlantaWell you know you are in for a great experience when the show title includes " and friends"!...And Chuck brought his BEST friends along to celebrate the great voices and music of Georgia. Most certainly, many more could be included on that list...but the ones he chose to be a part of this extraordinary event were a perfect fit. Most all knew each other and have played together before. Including the backing band. So it was like being in Chuck's living room, listening to familar songs and voices- without the warm blanket. Every performance was stellar. Every artist a true pro. Gregg Allman's performance with Michelle Malone was the pinnacle point. Standing ovations and extreme applause allowed the crowd to let off some steam. The back and forth vocal calling between the two on Otis Redding's "I've Been Loving You Too Long", brought tears to many...I witnessed hands on hearts, heads bowing and expressive groans from the audience members...Like soul music church. I could listen to Michelle sing for hours. And of course, Gregg...he is as amazing as he was when I played The Allman Brothers albums over and over in 1974. ( Michelle was the only female performer of the night) The players...stellar! Chuck Leavell...the best in the biz. Symphony Hall...a wonderful place to hear music...even loud music! I hope the Symphony chooses to do many more shows like this in the future. What a great collaborative effort and a wonderful way to expose the talent of the Symphony to those who love rock-n roll, blues or soul music.