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Album Artwork — TTB Double Live Everybody's Talkin'

Tedeschi Trucks Band
Everybody’s Talkin’ (Live Dual Disc Set)
Sony Masterworks
Release Date: May 22, 2012

The Tedeschi Truck’s Band’s brand new live album, Everybody’s Talkin’, is the proof of theory that was hinted at in Susan Tedeschi’s interviews on the 2010 Crossroads DVD. Citing Delaney and Bonny (and Friends) as well as Joe Cocker’s all-star Mad Dogs and Englishman revue of the early 1970’s as touchstones the then embryonic TTB covered tunes from both those groups, “Comin’ Home” and “Space Captain.” Though neither of those songs is featured on this release the spirit of those groups permeates the grooves. If the goal was to create a feel good convergence of talented musicians at the top of their game then TTB is batting 1000.

Much like the Allman Brothers’ classic At The Fillmore East album Everybody’s Talkin’ gives TTB a chance to show off how they’ve blossomed on tour since last year’s debut album. While the Revelator album (reviewed here) was a favorite of mine in 2011, TTB’s live renditions almost immediately eclipsed the studio versions. I was totally blown away by the performance I saw at NYC’s Beacon Theater last September (review here.) Tunes I had been dismissive of like “Bound For Glory” became showcases for band interaction. I was enamored with “Learn How To Love” in the first place but the live version upped the ante with some searing and soaring slide work from Derek. Both those songs are highlights of this album.

I’m also drawn to the syncopated juke joint take on “Rollin’ and Tumblin’”, which is as much Ray Charles as it is Muddy Waters inspired. I’m glad they chose to include Stevie Wonder’s “Uptight.” Driven by Oteil Burbridge’s percolating bass it takes full advantage of the 11 piece band’s scope. The only misstep for my personal taste is the rendition of John Sebastian’s “Darling Be Home Soon” which doesn’t reach the vocal intimacy of either the original or the Joe Cocker versions.

The dual disc format of Everybody’s Talkin’ affords plenty of room for stretching out that will keep jamband fans satisfied. It’s a solid offering that conveys the camaraderie and excitement of the TTB live show. A nice tasting menu of what you get when you see them on stage. Bottom line is you must be a participant to get the full effect. There are plenty of chances coming up.

Tedeschi Trucks Band Tour Dates – 2012

5/27                 Summer Camp: Sunshine Main Stage, Three Sisters Park – Chillicothe, IL
5/30                 Murat Theatre – Indianapolis, IN
6/1                   Stage AE – Pittsburgh, PA
6/2                   Appel Farm Arts & Music Ctr – Elmer, NJ
6/3                   Mountain Jam Festival: East Stage – Hunter, NY
6/15                 Paramount Theatre – Seattle, WA
6/16:                The Britt Festival – Jacksonville, FL
6/17:                Arlene Schnitzer Concert Hall – Portland, OR
6/19:                The Center For The Performing Arts – Vancouver, BC
6/21                 Jack Singer Concert Hall – Calgary, AB
6/22                 Northern Alberta Jubilee Auditorium – Edmonton, AB
6/24 & 6/25     Minnesota Zoo Amphitheater – Apple Valley, MN
6/27                 Overture Center For The Arts – Madison, WI
6/29                 TD Toronto Jazz Festival: Main Stage Marquee, Nathan Philips Square – Toronto, OH
7/6                   Winnipeg Folk Festival: Main Stage – Winnipeg, MB
7/7                   Thunder Bay Blues Festival – Thunder Bay, ON
7/10                 RBC Royal Bank Ottawa Bluesfest 2012 – Ottawa, ON
7/11                 Quebec City International Summer Festival – Quebec City, QC
7/18                 Ravinia Festival – Highland Park, IL
8/5                   Newport Jazz Festival: Main Stage, Fort Adams State Park – Newport, RI
8/11                 Toyota Pavilion At Montage Mountain – Scranton, PA
8/28                 Verizon Theatre At Grand Prairie – Grand Prairie, TX
8/29                 Sandia Casino Amphitheater – Albuquerque, NM
8/30                 Red Rocks Amphitheatre – Morrison, CO
9/1                   Comerica Theatre – Phoenix, AZ
9/2                   The Joint – Las Vegas, NV
9/5                   Hollywood Bowl – Los Angeles, CA
9/7                   Bob Hope Theater – Stockton, CA
9/8                   The Mountain Winery – Saratoga, CA
9/9                   Harrah’s Rincon – Open Sky – Valley Center, CA
9/14                 Harvest Jazz & Blues Festival – Fredericton, NB
9/20                 Beacon Theatre w/ special guest Leon Russell – New York, NY
9/21                 Beacon Theatre w/ special guest The Wood Brothers – New York, NY
10/27               Legendary Rhythm & Blues Cruise – San Juan, PR

Tedeschi Trucks Band
“Revelator”
Sony Masterworks
Release Date: June 7, 2011

OVERVIEW –

If you’ve been watching Derek Trucks and Susan Tedeschi slow cook the “soul stew” over the last couple of years you might have found yourself wondering “is it soup yet?”. The answer – in the form of the first official Tedeschi Trucks Band album titled “Revelator” – is a resounding YES! The couple having already taken matrimonial vows in 2001 now seals the deal musically as well.

To those following the story from even a periphery view it comes as no real revelation. Derek and Susan have made high profile joint appearances in both Crossroads Festival DVD’s playing a mix of music that included covers of tunes associated with Delaney and Bonnie and Friends (“Coming Home”), its subsequent entourage Joe Cocker’s Mad Dogs and Englishmen (“Space Captain”), as well as Clapton’s Derek and The Dominoes (“Anyday”). Each of those projects featured a loose amalgamation of many of the same musicians (Bobby Whitlock, Carl Radle, Jim Gordon, Leon Russell, Jim Price). They burned bright and hot for a short period of time in the late 1960’s and early 70’s but imploded quickly. In all the best ways The Tedeschi Trucks Band fulfills the promise of those short lived groups by bringing together a pool of talent from both Susan and Derek’s solo groups, along with an expansive group of “friends” that includes John Leventhal, Eric Krasno of Soulive, Doyle Bramhall II, vocalist Ryan Shaw (a personal fave), Gary Louris (Jayhawks), and many others.

WHAT IT IS… A FUNKY AND LOWDOWN BEAT

Though calling a musical amalgamation a “gumbo” has become cliche, TTB has created a sonic menu with no better descriptor where all the influences meld perfectly. There’s a good deal of savory N’Orleans flavor throughout. The album opener “Come See About Me” grabs your attention with a head turning snare snap and deep funk Meters-esque groove. “Love Has Something Else To Say” percolates along on hammond organ chug and choke before evolving into a guitar versus horn duel.

“Until You Remember”, opens with an elegiac “first line” horn section then slips into classic R&B style reminiscent of Bert Berns and Jerry Ragavoy. A song you might expect to find in the late Garnett Mimms’ catalog. It has become a repeated listening favorite of mine. Though reverential in style, authors Susan and Derek along with John Leventhal, avoid slavish adherence to form with a sly and unexpected change of chord work that lifts the choruses and gives Derek a wonderful bed to solo over. I would love to hear what this one sounds like on stage.

The heartfelt “Midnight in Harlem” will be familiar to those who’ve seen the “Crossroads 2010” DVD where it got sneaked peeked live. Co-authored by Truck’s Band vocalist Mike Matisson and Derek, it’s a gem of a tune carried along by a languid chord progression over which Derek lays out some beautiful slide guitar sure to make Allman’s fans smile.

In a musical genre steeped in swagger Susan admirably holds down the vocal spot with strong leads that declaim, exclaim, and sometimes maim with honesty – just “tell the truth”. She’s not shy to get down in “jock rock” territory by wrestling “Learn How To Love’s” monster riff and rusty, primordial, slide guitar. This tune evokes nothing short of Jimmy Page on a ‘gator hunt with the cast of “Swamp People”; something you might expect to hear Paul Rogers or Steve Marriot belt. “Choot ‘em” indeed. The softer side is shown on tunes like album closer “Shelter” which simultaneously channels The Band, Billy Preston era Beatles, and All Things Must Pass era George Harrison. Are those all the same thing?

Sidestepping the pitfall of creating an homage to another time and place Jim Scott’s co-production (with Trucks) keeps the sound solid, up close and personal, and most importantly modern. The only extraneous track is the late album jam called “Shrimp and Grits” which I suppose is meant to serve as an aural palette cleanser. Otherwise this a rock solid – one great song after another – record that proves the confederation of these bands into an 11 piece juggernaut to be a brilliant decision.

What’s missing? Where the hell is a take of “John The Revelator” as teasingly promised by the title.

SKELETONPETE SAYS –

The Tedeschi Trucks Band debut “Revelator” is released June 7, 2011 on the Sony Masterworks imprint. My personal recommendation is buy it immediately. I believe it will it continue to reveal secrets and find its way onto your playlists for years to come just like the classic records these players clearly revere.