Tedeschi Trucks Band: Revelator

[rating=4.50]

Already Free was a complete album, a Grammy Award-winning album that brought together the visionary sound of the Derek Trucks Band, but also sent the close knit group of musicians on a much deserved hiatus in 2010.  Looking back on Already Free, “Back Where I Started” acted as somewhat of a preview of what was to be introduced shortly thereafter with the formation of the Tedeschi Trucks Band.  With the opportunity available to explore unique collaborations, Derek Trucks and Susan Tedeschi joined forces to give birth, musically, in 2011 to the first full length Tedeschi Trucks Band record entitled Revelator.  After recording with Herbie Hancock on his Imagine Project, performing together at Eric Clapton’s Crossroads Guitar Festival last year and touring festivals heavily in the summer of 2010, the duo completed recording Revelator at Swamp Raga Studios, Derek and Susan’s own home oasis in Jacksonville, FL.

The 11-piece band that is the Tedeschi Trucks Band yielded an end product that combines both Derek and Susan’s individual styles yet opens the listener an unrestraint that could only be captured in this type of environment.  Susan’s vocals define passion and soul that are rooted in blues but are delivered so smoothly and effortlessly.  Within the verses on tracks like “Come See About Me” and “Don’t Let Me Slide,” Trucks remains set in the background acting as the reply to Susan’s voice.  His slide range nearly complements her as a harmonic voice, though it his guitar providing the sound.  “Gonna carry this dream to the other side of town,” sings Tedeschi on “Midnight In Harlem,” a song written by DTB singer Mike Mattison that picks up with Trucks’ solo and exits easily with the help of the horn and sax combo.  “Bound For Glory” follows immediately, a courageous song that brings Susan in the foreground the most on the album, especially noted in the uplifting chorus. 

Dripping with funk is a late track titled “Learn How To Love” that brings together Trucks’ overdriven bluesy tone with Kofi and Oteil Burbidge’s funky brotherly keyboard/ bass riff.  But the center point of the album that brings forth all elements of the band strongly is a song titled “Until You Remember.”  Trucks is unleashed midway through the song as it builds momentum and he delivers, arguably, one of his finest studio recorded solos; such a live distinctive sound.  The song is an empowering piece that is strengthened by deep piano chords and paints the best image of the live sound of the Tedeschi Trucks Band.  That is what makes this album special; the seamlessness between the musicians and their ability to communicate on a musical level that creates music which resonates greatly.  Revelator takes the best of Susan Tedeschi and Derek Trucks’ musical abilities and brings them together in a setting where the potential is limitless. 

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