Allman Brothers Beacon 4/5/07 rare Watchtower + Dave Mason

[njabbfan]

Hey why argue it's all good..Some like this some like that..I love it all..And by the way Dickey was booted after the Beacon run in 2000 Derek did not replace Dickey.Derek was in the band with Dickey..The summer run it was Jimmy Herring who replaced Dickey. Then Warren Haynes came back in the fold. The present guitarists are Derek trucks and warren Haynes.

[helmuthb]

Finally!!!!!!!! Dave with a great band again!! It`s been 33 years since the last time!!! Tears in my eyes!!!

[carloscarlos13]

I like jimi's best, but I love the song, there's so many great versions you could do a long playlist and never get tired of hearing the variations--thanks bob dylan...live forever man

[irideharley]

you people need to listen to Brewer & Shipley for the better than Dylan himself version of All Along the Watchtower

[SkySimm]

Neil at Bobfest is the best version of Watchtower in my opinion...wow didn't notice at first how bad that sounds...Neil at Bobfest...? Let's say Neil Young at the Bob Dylan tribute concert...

[gillman47]

bob dylans is the original and the best, i saw the dead this past easter in greensboro nc they also did this, reguardless who plays it, it fucking jams

[donottawaguitar]

great stuff

[wamster101]

not better then Jimi Hendix' version on Electric Ladyland

[nopissinontoday]

for my money Dave did the best watchtower!

[mjg23232]

I agree. Dave just released his first studio cd in 21 years. It's called 26 Letters 12 Notes. It is awesome and getting great reviews from fans and critics. Check it out.

[AwaTu]

I hear what you're saying ...I remember when he released the album with that cut ...That studio version is spectacular ...Great Hammond work on that one ...However, for me it's a tie between Dave and Jimi's studio version, which Dave played 12-string acoustic rhythm...

Cheers...

[nopissinontoday]

There are MANY great versions of Watchtower.Jimi makes every song unique to his style. You can easily fill a whole CD of different versions of this great song. Clapton and friends. When I want to hear a great Watchtower I look up Dave. For awhile I had been to see DM more than any one One time in the 70's I saw like 6 DMs at the same time cross the stage. Someone passed a bowl that had something I really don't care for. I was in the 2nd row. When the show ended I puked all over the front row LOL

[koeningyou]

I love how the lady shouts "Oh My GOD!" when she notices its All along the watch tower

TY for the vid

[Johng10000]

there is no "best" guitarist, we all have our favorites. Some like Derek, others prefer Warren. Dave is good, too. So was Jimi, so is Eric and Jeff and Carlos...and...and...and

[mjg23232]

I could not agree more. There are many great guitarist's and we should appreciate each one. But like you wrote, "we all have our favorites", and mine is Dave. Thanks for the comment.

[andyinoregon]

Jimi would have given his left nut to write and sing as well as Dave Mason. Bone up on your rock and roll history, 2pac.

[allaboutfun4us]

Great comment "andyinoregon". There is a reason Jimi was close to Dave, he saw how talented Dave was. Jimi, was Godfather to Dave's son.

[2pacinseattle]

dave is no jimi

[mjg23232]

What a stupid comment. Ok, Dave is no Jimi. Who said he was? Dave is a great guitarist and does an awesome job on this song with his band and also here with the Allman Brothers.

[arcangel6]

Learn your music history, Dave Mason played on the Hendrix recording of this song.

[gunslinger5854]

@arcangel6 Dave not only played guitar he also played bass after Noel copped an attitude and left on the first day of recording. I'm not sure if Dave ever was credited with playing on the allbum but he was surely involved with the early stages of recording this classic track. Even Bob credited Jimi with seeing and bringing out different aspects of the song he wrote. To this day Dylan plays the song in Jimi style as a tribute of sorts.

[jaythehistorian1]

@gunslinger5854

Dave Mason taught Jimi Hendrix how to play this song. IMO Hendrix was the third best rock guitarist ever. I rate Duane Allman as #1 and Dave Mason #2.

[nothingherb]

I was totally at the beacon this night ; ) see you folks in June

[firstbooob]

can i believe it

[BradBarnstead]

Dave is great. Through the jello textured video it looks like Warren and Derek are there too, but no Dicky. Is that correct? Is that the current line-up as of 1 year ago? Thanx for posting this great performance. It's a 5 star keeper, but the Allmans without Dicky just doesn't seem right.

[nothingherb]

Dickey has been out of the band since 2000. Derek took his place, the band is a new band sure. But they still rock and jam like in this video. They did cancel this years round at the beacon because of Greg's hepatisic C...

[jcorino]

boy oh boy, that was just great, what a sound ans feel, is that GA on the keyboard?

[rockyfreehand]

history in the making awsome

[kevinlcpc]

I have no desire to spend any time debating with you. I am obviously older than 55, but not much. I got my start with Chas Chandler the bassist from the Animals who "found" Hendrix and began recording him. You will find my engineering credits on many albums of the era thru a few years ago when I retired. I live in the States now full time and enjoy an occasional look at websites like You Tube. Have fun figuring out who I am. I'm right in front of your face if you look hard enough.

[ibwhiggin]

You're making claims that fly in the face of every rock journalist who covered one of the most revered recordings in the history of rock. Mason himself said "There's nothing to the arrangement of the song, really...it's just three chords, and it never really changes". If he did shake up the arrangement as you claim, I think he would say as much. It's just nice to know that the internet can still be used to make unfounded claims, where folks don't have to take responsibility for them.

[brymacbluesband]

Nice one kevin..keep them guessing.....

[kevinlcpc]

I reread my comment, and I did not mean to brag. I know that Dave Mason was credited with the 12 string on the album, but he certainly did much more. This was his arrangement and he never received credit for it. Hendrix submitted many minor changes after the original was recorded, but the final mix (I was just an assistant), ended up Mason's arrangement. I've mixed a lot of great guitarist in my career and he would be up there almost with Duane Allman who I feel was the greatest.

[mjg23232]

I am glad you think that Dave is one of the greatest guitarist of all time. When Rolling Stone came out with their "100 Greatest Guitarist of All Time" and Dave was not listed, I was shocked. Dave is the most under appreciated musicians of all time.

[kevinlcpc]

As usual, someone that thinks they know it all without being there. I was there, so don't tell me what Mason played, I watched him record it and even assisted in the mix. He played the entire guitar solo for Hendrix about 5 times before he could even get close to the solo.  Without the studio mix, Hendrix version would have been a joke. Hendrix couldn't hold Mason's pick.

[ibwhiggin]

please give us some credentials/proof that you are anything other than an internet kook nutjob. i guess all the journalistic coverage of the recording process is made up, including the stuff about mason not being able to get the correct feel for hendrix's vision, and having to redo his take over 20 times.

give us your name and something that has you credited as engineer/mixer

[ibwhiggin]

also, your profile says you're 55, hendrix's version was RELEASED in 1968...so you were an "assistant" at what 13/14 years old when this was being recorded?

[kevinlcpc]

I think someone told you a story. Yeah, Dylan wrote it, but Mason recorded this version first and even played on Hendrix's remake of Mason's version.

[ibwhiggin]

ummm...no, dave mason played 12-string acoustic on hendrixs version in the studio. he didn't "record" this version first

[mickels60]

Dylan DID write it Hendrix covered it and it is his version that Mason sounds most like of course dylan can play something 5 times and all 5 times sounds different :)

[ericrob123]

Dave Mason pure cool!!!!

[burningbridgex]

yes......creativity and relevency.One of the greatest songwriters of all time,no wonder Hendrix included Dave in his inner circle.........Masons guitar work goes so many places,yet stays right there,if you can dig that......im sure Hendrix did

[shortola]

I Thought Bobby Dylan Wrote It

[mjg23232]

That is a good point. It says a lot about Dave that Hendrix allowed him into his inner circle. I have said it many times, Dave Mason is the most under appreciated musician of all time. When Rolling Stone Mag ranked the 100 greatest guitars players of all time, and Dave did not make the list, I was stunned. But then again I shouldn't have been.

[Utubestir]

I love the shimmering video!.......like watching across a hot desert.........I think somebody put somethin in my tomato juice.............derek rocks

[inner56]

We do tell you - it says "Beacon 4/5/07" right in the headline.

[johnnyjohn58]

unless you are familiar with ny or the beacon theatre beacon 4/5/07 really doesnt say much.....ya know?

[0775773]

OKAY, Just For " Posterities' " SAKE, WHY ? Is it that Generally NO One Tells the VIEWERS Where! the Video was Filmed?? It wouldn't take too much to 'Annotate' the concert tape( at least, we got the DATE For a change). Hey, in this 'Offering' ,Warren Hayes..Was Good... However DEREK Trucks was Outstanding !! ( Derek Trucks, is Butch Trucks' Nephew.. Butch is one of 3 Drummers W/ The Allman Bros. Band ).

[LilRedHeadActress]

It was at the Beacon Theatre in NY.

[Engrishmajer]

The reason why this video is so popular is because you can here the audio REALLY well!!!!!!!101!!11010101~shift

Dave Mason Watchtower PWNS!!!!

[barnaclephil]

Yea for you you Younguns.....I mean...played with Traffic...Yardbirds...Spencer Davis...He was/is gifted like Windwood, Clapton, Asked to play with DUANE...come on...the guy is FOR REAL...Headkeeper, Watchtower covers, Look At You, Look at Me... I could go on...but I won't....Long Live Dave Mason...

[mjg23232]

Hey Barnaclephil,

Awesome post! I have said it before, and will say it again, Dave Mason is the most underappreciated musican of all time. Thanks for the comment.

[mjg23232]

Check out Dave's website at dave-mason.co_

[phhscowboys36]

im fifteen and i think dave mason kicks ass

and the allman brothers are fucking amazing

[pchaplo]

Nice to see youngsters who know good kick ass rock when they hear it. You will go far, Grasshopper!

[unc27896]

well young people do jam to dave mason i'm 17 and i listen to him. i think jimi does a better version of this song. but dave's still good.

[mjg23232]

Hey UNC27896,

Thanks for the comment. It's great to see that someone your age (17) can appreciate Dave Mason. It just proves what Dave always says, "Rock and Roll is an attitude, not an age".

[hendry69]

I just saw Dave and his band last week in PA, what agreat show! Can't wait until he comes around again.

[strat2caster]

this is great! i agree the chick in the audience that says "oh my God" at the beginning...Dave Mason with the ABB, man what a treat ;o)

[boerni1976]

Dave Mason- on of the greatest guitarplayer ever!

[mcleanartists]

Dave's in FINE form!

[DurCall]

Hope all you yougsters realize that Dave Mason played rythm acoustic guitar on Hendrix's version of "watchtower"

[LLaRo]

yep, and the way i understand it is that dave and jimi heard it at a party and recorded it that night. it's a shame dave doesn't get more recognition as he is a great guitarist and songwriter. He's also been a part of some amazing pieces of music history (his own solo career, traffic - for a few albums, all things must pass, and so on).

[1thirdstone1]

spare me the glass is half empty philosophy. Dave is getting plenty of recognition because it is about the music. Musicians play off of each other.Dave goes way back near 40 years that I remember. So the more recognition is a figment of your little mind.

Try to enjoy the music and life without sniveling all the time.

[1thirdstone1]

Let the youngsters enjoy the music without your take on history. You enjoy the music .

[LLaRo]

I think Dave definitely belongs in the list of greatest songwriters/musician of all time. Just ask some random people and see what they say. Chances are they'll say, "Dave who?"... and that to me, is what's sad. Some people may recognize him if you played "We Just Disagree" as the guy who "did that one song." That's why I feel he is under appreciated.

[mjg23232]

Exactly!!!!! Well said, and thank you!!!

[ohwowman2323]

Best show of this years Beacon run.

[Angelo49]

cant get any closer to clapton then his cousen Dave. Play the blues brothers

[1thirdstone1]

Dave is one of the Greatest Musicians ever.

[mjg23232]

Awesome! The more Dave Mason I see and hear the better. I believe he is the most under appreciated musician of all time. Thanks for posting.

[1thirdstone1]

Dave Mason is far from " under appreciated " He is still jamming and on tour all the time. buy a ticket and go see him and lose the glass is half empty philosopy. ENjoy the music.

[mjg23232]

Quit being smug and criticizing everybody who writes a comment. I have seen Dave Mason about 50 times in concert over the past 30 years. In my opinion he is the "greatest" musician but I still stand by my comment that he is also the most "under appreciated".

So take your "glass" and do something else besides critizing people on here. "Enjoy the music"

[LLaRo]

Thanks MJG. Thirdstone, all I'm saying is that he is not as recognized as I feel that he should be, as he is a great musician and songwriter. I'm 20 and have seen him twice, both at venues that seat a couple hundred people. I saw Clapton a few months ago in a crowd of 15,000. That's my point. In my mind, Dave should be playing venues like Clapton, but he doesn't get the recognition he deserves.

[mjg23232]

I could not have said it better. This is what has burned me up for years. It is awesome to hear about someone who is your age enjoying Dave. Thanks.

[alrightdmason]

Jesus! This was just this week, and it's already up on here. Nice. This was a really fun show. Thanks for posting it. ~Dave.

[LilRedHeadActress]

Hi Dave - is that "Dave" as in Dave Mason? Whatever the case the show was unreal - one of the best ABB nights ever!

[RevolutionKing2]

Dude i was fucking there too!! That concert was awsome!!

[benmols]

immense :|

[rodiero]

great - when will they ever come to Europe?

[agratefulmule]

Thank you so much for sharing this.

[manofthemilk]

i was at this, fuckin awesome. I was sittin loge, looks like you were filmiing there

[LilRedHeadActress]

wow!