Friday, July 20, 2012

Tedeschi Trucks Band

I went to the Iroquois Amphitheater last night to see the Tedeschi Trucks Band. This is a big band led by the husband/wife team of Susan Tedeschi and Derek Trucks. Susan has been described as a younger version of Bonnie Raitt. Derek Trucks is proof of reincarnation. Some people, including Gregg Allman, believe he is the reincarnation of legendary slide guitar player Duane Allman. Duane was the older brother of Gregg and the original founder and leader of the Allman Brothers Band.  Derek Trucks now plays  lead guitar in the Allman Brothers Band.  A few years ago a friend and I met Derek when he did a gig in Louisville with his personal band. At that same gig his wife, Susan, was the opening act. Now “married with children”, they have combined their individual bands into the Tedeschi Trucks Band. My friend and I also saw their debut in Chicago in 2010 when they were part of Eric Clapton’s Crossroads Guitar Festival. The Tedeschi Trucks Band plays soul, funk, jazz, blues, reggae, and good old rock and roll. I call them a “big band” because they have eleven members playing guitar, bass, drums, horns, flute, keyboards, and back up singing. In some ways they are more of a revue than a simple band. Last night's show was quite an experience.  I had not been to this venue in over 40 years.  The last time I was there has become the stuff of legend.  Along with my long time friend and rock and roll companion, Tom, I saw NRBQ in a performance that was greatly enhanced by the chemical alteration of our young hippie minds.  We still talk about it to this day.  I drove to last night's show not completely sure where the venue was.  As I pulled into the parking lot it began to rain.  Before long there was a torrential downpour with some very scary lightening.  I huddled with some other brave souls under an overhang by the will call box office.  It poured down rain for about an hour making life difficult for all those trying to get into the show.  Eventually my friend Tom arrived and we headed into the amphitheater to find our seats as well as the closest beer vendor.  The opening act was already playing and everything was wet.  Fortunately the ushers were handing out paper towels and soon we sitting in our seats enjoying some music.  During the break, while the roadies were setting up for the Tedeschi Trucks Band, the skies once again opened up and the rain came pouring down.  Because of the lightening the second half of the show was delayed for about thirty minutes.   When the show finally continued it was worth all the hassle and delay.  The Tedeschi Trucks Band did not disappoint.  They played an awesome show with lots of highlights.  Over the course of the night they received several standing ovations.  I love to be with serious music fans seeing serious and talented musicians playing truly great music.  When I am in such an enviroment I am truly in my element.  I came home tired, slightly wet, and very satisfied.

Breathing in, I rock!

Breathing out, I roll!







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