They say lightning never strikes twice in the same place, but they're wrong! Many people thought it was virtually impossible for the second ABB show with Eric Clapton to equal the first, but in many ways this show surpasses Thursday's concert. There seems to be no ceiling to what the Allman Brothers Band was capable of in this Beacon run!

Check out the first set, a blockbuster that would be a worthy second set to most shows, complete with a "Mountain Jam" sandwich to open and close the set. "44 Blues" and "Gambler's Roll" provide some deep blues, and the end sequence of "Ain't Wastin' Time No More>Mountain Jam Reprise" is just as good as it sounds. Oteil's solo bass version of "Little Martha" adds a different twist to the Duane Allman classic, which had been played as a duet by Warren and Derek earlier in the run.

The second set is Clapton time, and Slowhand seems relaxed, comfortable and ready to jam. The Derek and the Dominoes classics sound just as good, if not better, than Thursday, but there are a few surprises in store. This performance of "Stormy Monday" might be the best ever, from Gegg's passionate vocals to the blues guitar master class being put on by Derek, Eric and Warren. Clapton soars even higher on this version of "Dreams" than he did on Thursday, and his jazzy explorations on "In Memory of Elizabeth Reed" show Slowhand venturing far from his blues-rock comfort zone and proving that he still has his mojo. This "Layla" encore may be even more emotional and powerful than the one from the previous show, if that's possible.

Another historic must-have show!  -Munck Music