Photo Credit: Alive Coverage

Revered bassist for the Allman Brothers Band and Dead & Company, Oteil Burbridge, has delivered a new single featuring longtime collaborator and esteemed vocalist Lamar Williams Jr. “Love and War” was released today as a live track, captured during the musician’s Oteil & Friends Dead Ahead frame, which occurred in January. Paired with newly released music is a 12-date headlining tour slated to hit both coasts this fall. 

“I’ve been waiting about 10 years to do this one,” Burbridges tells the audience, preluding the instrumental fall that ensues, driven by a funk-laden trickle of the bandleader’s signature slaps. Expanding on his individual intent, Burbridge added via press release, “I hope you enjoy ‘Love and War.’ Unfortunately, it seems both will be evergreen on this planet but we still strive for peace within and without. I do believe that one day we’ll collectively find and hold on to The Missing Peace.”

A subtle groove to start, “Love and War” builds off Burbridge’s bassline, with layers from the horn section and guitar riffs met with Williams’ soulful delivery on the decade-old co-write. Revealing meaning, the vocalist offered, “In this time and place where the ongoing battle within ourselves and throughout this planet’s history makes you question reality. Don’t let empathy fade. Know there’s a simple truth to the story. Love is the ultimate choice on this side of the blue.”

Apart from Burbridge and Williams, the live cut features Melvin Seals (organ), Duane Betts (guitar), Jason Crosby (keyboards, violin), Tom Guarna (guitar), John  Kimock (drums), Jennifer Hartswick (trumpet, vocals), Natalie Cressman (trombone, vocals) and Ryan Zoidis (saxophone), who pile on their individual talents and attach it to the song’s underlying message, captured in the refrain: “When it all comes down to love and war, will we pretend we don’t care anymore.”

Paired with today’s single release are details pertaining to Burbridge’s fall jaunt, slated to commence on Sept. 5 at Seattle’s Neptune Theatre, before moving down the coast to Portland, Ore., for an evening at Revolution Hall. On the heels of the aforementioned appearance, the group will take part in the charity concert for Oregon Adaptive Sports, sharing the bill with Margo Price. Read more. 

Next, the touring ensemble will perform a series of Golden State concerts, including Sept. 11 in Del Mar, Calif., followed by an evening in Los Angeles at The Bellwether. They’ll pop up to Berkeley, Calif., for two nights at The UC Theatre before making their way across the country and appearing next at The Pour House in Charleston, S.C., on Sept. 19 and 20. 

Traveling up the Eastern Seaboard, stop at the Annapolis Baygrass Festival before a stand at Boston’s House of Blues on Oct. 16. The leg will continue with two shows, Oct. 17 and 18, at Ardmore Music Hall in Ardmore, Pa., prior to the fall close out on Oct. 19 at Port Chester, N.Y.’s Capitol Theatre. 

Previously, Burbridge delivered Lovely View of Heaven, an homage to Jerry Garcia and Robert Hunter’s shared work. Learn more and listen here. 

Listen to “Love and War” below. Tickets for the fall tour go on sale to the public this Friday, May 10. For more information, visit www.oteilburbridge.com.

Oteil & Friends Fall Tour 2024: 

September 5 – Neptune Theatre –  Seattle

September 6 – Revolution Hall – Portland, Ore. 

September 7 – Bigstock – Sisters, Ore.

September 11 – The Sound at Delmar – Del Mar, Calif. 

September 12 – The Bellwether – Los Angeles

September 13, 14 – The UC Theatre – Berkeley, Calif. 

September 19, 20 – The Pour House – Charleston, S.C.

September 21 – Annapolis Baygrass Festival – Annapolis, Md. 

October 16 – House of Blues – Boston

October 17, 18 – The Ardmore Music Hall – Ardmore, Pa.

October 19 – The Capitol Theatre – Port Chester, N.Y.