Gregg Allman’s Archive Previews ‘One Night in DC, May 15, 1984’ with “Dreams”

Photo credit: Kirk West

In more than four decades of performance, Gregg Allman tirelessly advanced Southern rock’s sonic horizons with countless unforgettable recordings and performances. Today, the late, great artist’s estate has shared another archival dispatch that properly highlights the scale of his innovations as a singer-songwriter and instrumentalist from the place where those talents shone brightest: the spotlight.

One Night in DC is a full-concert recording taken from a May 15, 1984 staging at Washington, D.C.’s The Bayou for a sold-out house of 900 dedicated fans. Set to arrive on June 20 via Allman’s posthumous label, Sawrite Records, the long-vaulted album is just as clear and powerful 41 years after the staging, preserving an impression of his talents as a bandleader and frontman both with the Allman Brothers Band and out on his own. To preview the collection, the estate has shared the show-opening treatment of the ABB essential “Dreams,” which showcases his magnetic artistic temperament and singular take on the sound he helped to establish.

“When I walk on a stage, I know the crowd has come to have a good time and forget about their problems for a few hours,” Allman has said. “Our music makes them happy – they can stomp their feet, clap their hands, dance around and smile. I love to see that, because it makes me feel like I have a purpose – that’s why I play music.”

Beyond “Dreams,” One Night in DC features other Allman Brothers essentials like “Hot ‘Lanta,” “Trouble No More,” “Statesboro Blues” and the finale “One Way Out.” The 12-track cycle also includes ripping renditions of Gregg Allman Band standouts like “Yours For The Asking” and “Faces Without Names,” both drawn from his 1987 second solo record I’m No Angel, as well as covers like Candi Stanton’s “Sweet Feelin’,” which he included on his ‘77 solo debut Playin’ Up a Storm. Allman, who brings lead vocals and ripping B-3 organ, is joined on the record by a stacked ensemble of longtime accompanists, with lead guitarist Danny Toler, drummer Frankie Toler, bassist Gregg Voorhees, rhythm guitarist Bruce Waibel and percussionist Chaz Trippy supported by then-new arrival Tim Hedin on keyboards.

One Night in DC, May 15, 1984 is available to pre-order and pre-save now. Listen to “Dreams” below and read on for the album’s full tracklist.

One Night in DC, May 15, 1984 – Gregg Allman Band:

Dreams

Sweet Feelin’

Hot ‘Lanta

Yours For The Asking

Need Your Love So Bad

Trouble No More

Matthew’s Arrival

Melissa

Midnight Rider

Faces Without Names

Statesboro Blues

Band Introduction

One Way Out