As Geoff Achisons stint as a Georgia resident sadly nears its close, his pending departure has inspired some great moments of cross-pollination. Last Friday night Geoff joined Derek Trucks, Tommy Talton, Mike Mattison and Michael Allman (with his proud papa reportedly on hand to watch) as guests of the Yonrico Scott Band at Atlantas Five Spot, and just weeks ago Achison performed with Les Paul in New York City.

However, while Geoff has a handful of US gigs left, this Mondays Farewell To Acho show at Shortys Pizza will probably be remembered as the true going away party. A group of Achisons most loyal fans and band mates gathered at Shortys Pizza in Tucker, Georgia and the collaborations were plentiful.

The evening started with the core trio (Achison on guitar, Charlie Wooton on bass and Yonrico Scott on drums) running through a few numbers including Tell Me Something I Dont Know from Achison’s Souldiggin CD. Guitarist Jody Davies then joined for an interesting take on Chitlins Con Carne, A.D.D. Man and Achisons Rule The World. Deji Coker joined on sax for a nice medley of Never Give It Up and Reach For The Sky to close the first set.

The Atlanta music scene was on display during the second set with a slew of local musicians joining in at various points (including Jordan Gonzales, Evelyn Richardson and Todd Prusin). This culminated with Achison, Scott, Oliver Wood (Wood Brothers, King Johnson) and Rob Henson (Corey Smith Band) performing Sam and Daves Hold On, Im Coming and Achisons Jungle and a Wood-sung Something You Got.

The final set started with Colonel Bruce Hampton joining for deliciously extended takes on Born In Chicago and Spoonful (with Barry Richman from Hamptons Planet Zambie joining for the latter). Many of the performers alternated with Jon Schwenke, Greg Baba and Kevin Leahy (Bodeans, Shawn Mullins), while a powerful, three-piece horn section (Coker, Mark Kraemer, David Hibbert) also stepped up for Messin With The Kid and The Rivers Invitation with REM producer Johnny Hibbert on keyboards.

Achison will return to The States this January for a brief tour which will include at least three performances on the 15th Annual Delbert McClinton Sandy Beaches Cruise, however his shows later this week in Chattanooga, TN, Sandy Springs, GA and Dahlonega, GA will be his final ones as an area resident. Report by Rob Turner