Tedeschi Trucks Band
Made Up Mind
Reviewed by: Stephen Krock
If there was ever a band that lives up to the word “band,” in every sense of the word, it’s Tedeschi Trucks Band. Sporting a comprehensive ensemble, including guitars, horns, keyboards, two drums, four alternating bassists, and powerhouse front men in the form of husband-and-wife rockers, Derek Trucks and Susan Tedeschi; they’re a veritable band of merry men, Robin Hooding their way through the barren landscape of overproduced, soulless modern music and providing we poor with a bevy of riches.
Each offering is guttural ba-BAM of a song, from the classic bluesy rock title track to the folksier, woodwind heavy “Idle Wind” to “Misunderstood,” which brings in da noise, brings in da funk. Anchored by Trucks’ ever evolving lead and slide guitar, Tedeschi – the band’s Maid Marian – wails like a white water rapid and croons like a songbird. Her voice is very Grace Potter, and if the two of them ever got together, it might be event worthy of tearing the space-time continuum.
It’s hard to find fault in this very solid album, but if I had to ask for one thing, it would be for them to experiment just a bit more. A teacher always expects more of their straight A students after all. And with such a diverse gathering of talent at their disposal, Tedeschi Trucks Band has the means to explore every nook and cranny of the musical plane.
Rating: Bad-ass
