Fans of Southern rock ready themselves this Thursday, August 15, 2024 evening on the beach in Seaside Heights, NJ for a revival of music by The Allman Brothers Band performed by SoulShine. SoulShine is a New York-based ensemble consisting of guitarists Geoff Hartwell and Norm Dodge, keyboardist Chris Burke, bassist Big Bob Goetz, and drummers Rob Wallis and Ron Negro.
Backstage before the show, SoulShine guitarist Geoff Hartwell talks about the genesis of the group, explaining, “All of us have been friends for many, many years. We’d all done different things and played in various combinations, but we got together around the time Gregg Allman passed away and, very quickly, knew that what we had was special. We’re all big geeks about the Allman Brothers’ music — we just love, love, love it — so this group became a labor of love for us.”
“I originally got interested in the Allman Brothers when I was a teenager,” recalls Hartwell. “Oddly enough, I first started by listening to long-time Allman Brothers’ guitarist Warren Haynes’ solo record, Tales of Ordinary Men, which was produced by the Allman Brothers’ keyboardist Chuck Leavell. From that, I ended up loving the Allman Brothers’ music because there’s always the ability to stretch out and use what you’re playing as a springboard and then bring it back home again, which is something that really appeals to me.”
“Plus, it really feels great to play this music for the fans!” acknowledges Hartwell. “I love talking to them about the times they saw the Allman Brothers. Like the fans, I love the music so much, so being able to take that amazing repertoire — all those great songs that provide all of those incredible flashbacks that have been imprinted on us — and trying to pass it along and keep the music alive just clicks my buttons!”
Following the announcement, “Presenting SoulShine, The Allman Brothers Experience!” the musicians of SoulShine enter the beach stage located just south of Casino Pier on the Seaside Heights boardwalk.
Opening tonight’s show with “Statesboro Blues,” keyboardist Chris Burke sings in his soulful voice, “Wake up momma/Turn your lamp down low,” before Geoff Hartwell and Norm Dodge wail on their guitars, Big Bob Goetz’s bass rocks to the beat, and Rob Wallis and Ron Negro add their dual percussion talents to the mix.
The crowd cheers, and Hartwell welcomes music lovers to the beach announcing, “We are SoulShine and we play the music of The Allman Brothers Band!”
Dodge sings lead on the Allman Brothers’ country rocker, “Blue Sky,” where he croons, “You’re my blue sky, you’re my sunny day,” to enthusiastic whistles and applause.
Following the country-rock ballad, “Sweet Melissa,” keyboardist Burke handles the lead on “Ain’t Wastin’ Time No More” where he soulfully cries, “Last Sunday morning, the sunshine felt like rain,” before Hartwell renders a bluesy electric guitar solo.
On SoulShine’s interpretation of “In Memory of Elizabeth Reed,” Hartwell and Dodge harmonize in sync on their guitars to the smooth Latin-like feel of this Allman Brothers’ instrumental before the band pushes up the tempo and Wallis and Negro take a rhythmic percussion solo.
Sailing into “Revival,” music lovers in the sand join in singing with the band on the song’s universal “People can you feel it/Love is everywhere” message.
The crowd vibes to SoulShine’s rendition of “Southbound,” a funky Allman Brothers’ number which features Burke channeling Gregg Allman as he cries, “Well I’m Southbound/Lord I’m comin’ home to you” before jamming out on the keyboard.
The free-flowing Southern rock instrumental, “Jessica,” follows where music lovers clap along and dance on the beach beside the ocean as Hartwell and Dodge play their guitars in harmony.
Hartwell asks, “How are we doing?” as the group segues into the driving blues number, “Black Hearted Woman,” which elicits enthusiastic cheers and applause from the crowd.
Dodge is featured singing the mystical 6/8 tune, “Dreams,” before Hartwell plays a slide guitar solo and Big Bob Goetz plays his bass downstage.
The crowd hoots and hollers, and Hartwell responds by exclaiming, “This is the greatest place on earth! We’ve got the moon and the ocean, and we thank you for being here tonight.” Adding, “I could use your help on this next one,” the group eases into “Midnight Rider” where the crowd joins in singing on the tune’s “Not gonna let ’em catch the midnight rider” refrain and Hartwell impresses with a guitar solo on his gold Les Paul.
The musicians perform their namesake Allman Brothers’ number, “Soul Shine,” where concertgoers join them in singing the song’s catchy “Soul shine/It’s better than sunshine/It’s better than moonshine/Damn sure better than rain” chorus.
Music lovers cheer when they recognize the bouncy guitar intro to “Ramblin’ Man.” The beach crowd happily sings along with Dodge on the famous “Lord, I was born a ramblin’ man” chorus, and Hartwell and Dodge rock out in perfect harmony.
To conclude tonight’s set, the SoulShine musicians perform their rendition of the rhythmic Allman Brothers’ tune, “One Way Out,” where Burke’s bluesy voice carries the lead and audience members sing along before standing and cheering in the sand.
For an encore, the group performs a dynamic rendition of “Whipping Post,” where concertgoers dance beside the waves to the soulful “Sometimes I feel/Sometimes I feel/Like I’ve been tied to the whippin’ post” chorus.
Music lovers stand and cheer on the beach and the members of SoulShine say goodnight by announcing, “Take care of each other and take care of yourselves. We love you!”
To learn more about SoulShine, please go to soulshineabb.com. For information on future concerts and events in Seaside Heights, NJ please click on exit82.com.
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