Warren Haynes

Bijou Theatre – Knoxville, Tennessee

February 28, 2016

 

Photo by Randy Patterson

Let me say right from the git go that if you’ve never seen Warren Haynes in concert, you’ve been missing out on a phenomenal musical treat. That was certainly what the sell out crowd at Knoxville’s historic, intimate and beautiful Bijou Theatre experienced last night.

From his show opener (Bob Dylan’s “All Along the Watchtower”) to the Allman Brothers’ “Jessica” for the encore, Haynes had the exuberant crowd eating out of his legendary nimble fingered hands.

Admittedly, while I’ve heard lots of Warren’s work over the years, this was my first time seeing the legendary guitarist

Photo by Randy Patterson

live. I was mesmerized by his precision and fluidity of movement along the neck of the guitar. Speed and range, both, were taken to their limits.  

As for his Ashes & Dust band (the name taken from his last CD), they were tight and smooth as a well oiled machine. Each and every musician were fascinating to watch them perform their craft to the highest levels of excellence – a compliment to their leader, for sure.

While much of the set list was from Haynes’ Ashes & Dust CD, he pleased the crowd with tunes from his other body of work, as well. All of which, of course, resonated beautifully in the Bijou.

Again, if you’ve never caught Warren Haynes live, you need to do so. You’ll never want to miss a show once you do.