The first weekend of this month featured some really great live music. A request by Friday’s blogger to cover a Gotham Red Bandana Award presentation delated this report. Shelly and I enjoyed an evening of John Lennon solo and Beatles music at Town Hall on December 2. The next night was our daughter’s turn join her dad for the music of the Allman Brothers Band at the Paramount in Huntington.

The 43rd Annual John Lennon Tribute honored Graham Nash who performed of course.

Judy Collins performed “Norwegian Wood” and “In My Life.” Lisa Fischer who was features in the Six Feet from Stardom documentary did a fine cover of Come Together. Graham Nash’s performance included a cover of “Jealous Guy” and with Ms. Collins and surprise guest Art Garfunkel, “Imagine.”

Willie Nile closed the show with energetic covers of “I Feel Fine” and “From Me to You.” An exception to Lennon music was made for the first encore, Graham’s hit with Crosby Stills Nash & Young, “Teach Your Children.”

Other performers included Betty LaVette, David Broza, Roseann Cash and The Kennedys.

The Allman Betts Family Revival featured Gregg’s son Devon and Dicky Betts’ son, Duane. I was really impressed by Tal Wilkenfeld who played bass throughout the show including a great solo to introduce “Whipping Post.”. She sang lead on moving version of “Ain't Wastin' Time No More.”  I especially enjoyed their cover with “Blue Sky” with Duane covering his dad’s vocals. Anders Osborne delivered a fine vocal on a riveting “Ramblin’ Man.” The playing was reverential but fresh as various performer lent their vocals and guitar licks.

Lennon Tribute set list:

Everybody's Got Something to Hide Except Me and My Monkey (The Beatles cover (Instrumental) Rich Pagano & Band

Whatever Gets You Thru the Night (John Lennon cover) - Rich Pagano & Band

Norwegian Wood (This Bird Has Flown) (The Beatles cover) – Judy Collins

In My Life (The Beatles cover) – Judy Collins

You've Got to Hide Your Love Away (The Beatles cover) – David Broza

All You Need Is Love (The Beatles cover) – David Broza

And Your Bird Can Sing (The Beatles cover) – Roseann Cash

Look at Me (John Lennon cover) – Roseann Cash

Oh My Love (John Lennon cover) – Lisa Fischer

Come Together (The Beatles cover) (with a verse of “Fame” (David Bowie cover)) – Lisa Fischer

Love (John Lennon cover) – Graham Nash 

Jealous Guy (John Lennon cover) – Graham Nash 

Beautiful Boy (Darling Boy) (John Lennon & Yoko Ono cover) – Graham Nash 

Imagine (John Lennon cover) – Graham Nash (with Judy Collins) (and Art Garfunkel)

It's So Hard (John Lennon cover) – Betty LaVette

Watching the Wheels (John Lennon & Yoko Ono cover) – Betty LaVette

8th of 11 sets (10:00 PM to 10:10 PM):

Real Love (John Lennon cover) – Maura & Pete Kennedy

Now and Then (The Beatles cover) – Maura & Pete Kennedy

Empty Garden (Hey Hey Johnny) (Elton John cover) (Preceded by band introductions) - Rich Pagano & Band

Hey Bulldog (The Beatles cover) - Rich Pagano & Band

I Feel Fine (The Beatles cover) – Willie Nile

From Me to You (The Beatles cover) – Willie Nile

Teach Your Children (Crosby, Stills, Nash & Young cover) (with Graham Nash) (and most everyone else from the concert)

Happy Xmas (War Is Over) (John Lennon & The Plastic Ono Band cover) (with Graham Nash) (and most everyone else from the concert) (>)

Give Peace a Chance (Plastic Ono Band cover) (with Graham Nash) (and most everyone else from the concert)

The Allman Betts Band Setlist

Set 1:

Sailin' 'Cross the Devil's Sea (The Allman Brothers Band cover)

Statesboro Blues (Blind Willie McTell cover) (with Jimmy Hall)

No One to Run With (The Allman Brothers Band cover) (with Jimmy Hall)

I'm No Angel (The Gregg Allman Band cover) (with Ally Venable)

Melissa (The Allman Brothers Band cover) (with Jackie Greene)

Ain't Wastin' Time No More (The Allman Brothers Band cover) (with Tal Wilkenfeld)

Soulshine (The Allman Brothers Band cover) (with Larry McCray)

Blue Sky (The Allman Brothers Band cover)

Dreams (The Allman Brothers Band cover) (with Larry McCray) (and Luther Dickerson)

Set 2:

Pony Boy (The Allman Brothers Band cover) (with Ghalia Volt) (and Jimmy Hall)

Come and Go Blues (The Allman Brothers Band cover) (with Mattie Schell)

In Memory of Elizabeth Reed (The Allman Brothers Band cover)

One Way Out (Sonny Boy Williamson cover) (with Sierra Hull; Larry McCray, Linwood Taylor, and Jackie Greene on Guitars)

Ramblin' Man (The Allman Brothers Band cover) (with Anders Osborne)

Whipping Post (The Allman Brothers Band cover) with Luther Dickerson and Jimmy Hall on vocals; preceded by Tal Wilkenfeld bass solo)

Midnight Rider (The Allman Brothers Band cover) (with all hands on deck)