Blues artist Allman looks to future on new album

By John Benson

After touring his 2006 debut album “Torch” for the past three years, Devon Allman is ready to look ahead.

As the visionary behind blues-jam band Honeytribe, Allman, son of Allman Brothers Band legend Gregg Allman who called Northeast Ohio home during his early teenage years, plans on releasing a new album sometime in 2010.

“The new record is going to be called ‘Space Age Blues,’ and it’s very much kind of a modern interpretation of what blues means to us today,” said Allman, calling from Indiana.

“The themes of the record are transformation and redemption, and it’s kind of like B.B. King meets Darth Vader. The production value of the record will be old-school through the core with the idea of not being afraid to sprinkle it with a little Death Star dust, if you know what I mean.”

To be honest, we have no idea what he’s talking about, but that doesn’t mean it doesn’t sound cool. Allman said the outfit will be playing new tunes at its Friday show at Boulevard Stage at the Dash Inn, on Youngstown’s West Side.

Among the unreleased material are the gospel ballad “Salvation” and the funky, ZZ Top-sounding “I’m Ready.”

Formed a decade ago, Devon Allman’s Honeytribe began as a modern Black Crowes and Widespread Panic-sounding act.

However, the obvious ace in the hole for Allman was his name, which early on acted as a novelty.

“I don’t think it’s fair to really call it a novelty,” Allman said. “It was more of a kind of entry point, but we weren’t hanging our hat on that. Obviously, people are going to know. But the thing that’s different between now and when ‘Torch’ came out is we have played over 1,000 shows worldwide. So that is proof enough that there is no coattail riding. We’ve carved out a career, a niche. My fanbase has grown in every single state, 14 countries since that record has come out. We have been just busting our butt, and it feels really good.”

Considering the number of shows the band has played over the past few years, it’s no surprise to hear Allman talk about how Honeytribe has matured and evolved.

“If you came out in 2007 or 2008 and saw Honeytribe, the show you’ll see in 2009 will be completely different,” Allman said.

“In fact, two of the more popular and fan-favorite songs of ‘Torch’ have been completely reworked. The ballad ‘When I Call Home’ now has an up-tempo Motown dance feel, and ‘Torch’ the song has a summertime-barbecue funk feel, and it’s extended and cut open and jammed. It’s definitely fresh. There is nothing stale on the table.”