March 18, 2022 – Loos Center for the Arts
The Devon Allman Project was a night of combinations. It was the Devon Allman band at times with just his band. Allman was joined at times by Larry MacCray who just released his new album “Blues Without You”, Jimmy Hall, and Samantha Fish who has also release her newest album “Faster.” Allman has done so many venues and styles over his career he seemed to be comfortably and happily sharing the stage and blending his music with each of the other performers.
Jimmy Hall pleased the crowd with his well-known “Keep on Smilin'” from his days as front man and co-founder of The Wet Willie Band. A song that has been around since 1974 and still gets a great response from the audience.
Larry MacCray performed his song “Mr. Easy” from his new album “Blues Without You” backed by The Devon Allman Project band.
The guest performers were in addition to The Devon Allman Band that featured drummer John Lum from the Allman Betts band, bassist Justin Corgan, guitarist Jackson Stokes and Devon Allman on guitar.
The Devon Allman Project was started after the break in the Allman/Betts concert schedule presented because of the hiatus in concerts due to Covid. He does tours including different artists at different venues so hardly any two shows are alike. The musicians change up as do the songs so each night is somewhat different.
Allman decided to combine his own sound with a throwback to the past songs of his father and the present music of his own. Though Devon Allman is the late Greg Allman’s son he does not just play rehashes of his father’s music. You can hear the similarities, but he has made his own name and his own record label.
The night culminated in all the artists joining one another on stage and performing the encore together. The stage was full of great performers, and they gave a star filled rendition of a cover of Fleetwood Mac’s “Dreams” and Wet Willies “Keep on Smilin.”
The River Kittens, Mattie Schell and Allie Voglera a folk duo who signed on Allman’s record label and took the stage prior to Samantha Fish and The Devon Allman Project hail from St. Louis and play a bluegrass/folk style.
https://devonallmanproject.com/
Review by Donna Erichsen
Photos by George Bekris
Setlist:
Down to the River
Wash in G Minor
Dreams (Allman Brothers Cover)
Keep On Smilin’
Encore
Dreams (Fleetwood Mac Cover)