In a night where the air crackled with anticipation and the stage was ablaze with talent, the Tedeschi Trucks Band delivered a concert experience that transcended mere entertainment and delved deep into the realms of musical bliss. From the moment Susan Tedeschi's soulful voice filled the venue to the last lingering note of Derek Trucks' masterful guitar solos, every moment was a testament to the band's exceptional musicianship and unwavering dedication to their craft.
Opening the show with an electrifying rendition of "Laugh About It", the band wasted no time in setting the tone for the evening. The song "Anyhow" followed and Susan Tedeschi's vocals soared effortlessly. The horn section added a layer of richness and depth to the sound, their brassy tones soaring and swirling around the melodies like a musical kaleidoscope.
Chuck Willis's song "I Feel So Bad" written back in 1954 was next. The night was filled with songs weaving tales of love, loss, and redemption with a raw emotion that resonated with every member of the audience. The song "Until You Remember" from the band's 2011 debut album Revelator was next, the band followed with one of my personal favorite songs by Gregg Allman, "Come and Go Blues"
The band chose the track, "Whiskey Legs" from their 2013 release Made Up Mind to continue their performance. This theme of love and loss continued with a song from their most recently acclaimed project their quadruple recording I Am The Moon. The track, "La Di Da" Whether belting out a bluesy ballad or crooning a heartfelt melody, Susan's voice holds an undeniable power that commands attention and stirs the soul.
Another song from I Am The Moon, was next. "Pasaquan" This song is often used to give Susan's voice a rest while Derek and the rhythm section laid down a solid foundation, driving the music forward into exploratory jams. This is comparable with the way The Grateful Dead used what they called "Drums and Space." Derek Trucks' virtuosic guitar playing was nothing short of awe-inspiring, his fingers dancing effortlessly across the fretboard as he conjured up one mesmerizing solo after another. His ability to infuse each note with passion and emotion spoke volumes about his mastery of the instrument and his deep connection to the music. But it wasn't just about technical proficiency; it was about the energy and the spirit that infused every note and every chord.
When Susan returned to the stage she immediately recaptured the audience's attention from the spell placed on them by Pasaquan with an emotional delivery of Bonnie Raitt's hit song from her 11th record Luck Of The Draw, the lamentful "I Can't Make You Love Me". As the night wore on, the band treated the audience to a diverse array of songs, ranging from gritty blues rockers to soulful ballads to sprawling jam sessions that seemed to stretch on into eternity. Each song was delivered with an intensity and passion that bordered on the sublime, leaving no doubt that this was a band at the height of their powers.
Next up was the Grateful Dead's song "Mister Charlie" which is often mistaken to be about Charles Manson but in reality is slang reference for a person of authority like a prison guard. Read about that here this song with lyrics by Robert Hunter, features a bouncy groove that had the some of the audience on their feet and dancing in the aisles.
25 years ago, Susan Tedeschi was nominated for the Best New Artist Grammy Award for her second album, Just Won't Burn the titled track was the next song performed. It seemed fitting that the band's next song was chosen from the record Already Free a 2011 release by The Derek Trucks Band, one written by Bob Dylan, Mike Mattison is featured on vocals with this one.
The fan favorite song, "Bound For Glory" also from their Revelator release was the set closer but always seems to raise the crowd out of their seats and into a sing along. But perhaps the most remarkable aspect of the evening was the sense of camaraderie and connection that permeated the entire performance. Whether sharing a smile, exchanging knowing glances, or simply losing themselves in the music, it was clear that the members of the Tedeschi Trucks Band shared a deep bond that went beyond mere musical collaboration. It was this sense of unity and shared purpose that transformed the concert from a mere spectacle into a truly transcendent experience.
The band came back out for the encore to deliver two more songs before they would call it a night. The first, "Soul Sweet Song" also from their latest release, "I Am The Moon" is an incredibly heartfelt song written to honor their original band member, Kofi Burbridge who they lost after his passing in February 2019. The last song of the night was made famous by Joe Cocker from his release Mad Dogs and Englishmen and this has long been a favorite of the band, "Space Captain"
I would be remiss not to mention that warming up the crowd before Tedeschi Trucks performance, was non-other than Duane Betts. Duane is the son of the legendary guitar player singer-songwriter, Dickey Betts. He is out on the road with his own band promoting his triumphant solo recording, Wild and Precious Life. On this night, he left the full band behind and showed up with a scaled down trio consisting of Johnny Stachela, to accompany him they both played acoustic guitar, and they had TTB drummer Tyler "Falcon" Greenwell playing percussion. Their opening set was well received. Both Duane and Johnny were out at the merchandise booth greeting fans, signing autographs and allowing fans to take photos with them.
In the end, as the final notes faded away and the applause echoed throughout the venue, it was impossible not to feel a sense of gratitude and reverence for what had just transpired. For in that fleeting moment, the Tedeschi Trucks Band had managed to create something truly magical. It was a musical journey that touched the heart, stirred the soul, and left an indelible mark on all who were fortunate enough to bear witness.
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Words and Photos by: Jerry Friend
