Tedeschi Trucks Band
Madison Square Garden, NYC 9/29/23
The second of two "garden parties" thrown by the Tedeschi Trucks Band took place last Friday night at Madison Square Garden as the rock and soul group pulled into town, playing the World's Most Famous Arena for the first time in their long career. The group brought some special guests along to commemorate the special evening, which lived up to the billing, as the sold out crowd braved epic flooding earlier in the day all throughout NYC to attend.
Opening the event was Lukas Nelson & Promise of the Real as their southern based soulful rock was an excellent compliment as fans filled in early to catch their set. The group reached their zenith with a fluid extended take on "Find Yourself" but no Lady Gaga duet emerge on this night, while "Set Me Down On A Cloud" showcased organ work and a soaring guitar while the finale of "Something Real" displayed bluesy southern rock with lap steel guitar.
The 12 piece Tedeschi Trucks Band took to the stage next as the large rock/blues/soul revue got it going with "Anyhow". The slower soul opener was spearheaded by Susan as she sang lead and delivered a ripping lead solo before the cool "Playing With My Emotions" which had a huge build from Derek as the band swelled behind his riffs. "Ain't That Something" was highlighted by the horns, specifically the trombone solo, while the first extended jams of the night occurred next as "Part Of Me" with a slow intro from Trucks, a soulful groove which highlighted the backing vocals, before a extended drum duel and sax solo.
Mike Mattison then stepped up to the front of the stage to take on lead vocals for the groups cover of The Rolling Stones "Doo Doo Doo Doo Doo (Heartbreaker)" which was revved up and well received. The band then stretched out again as "I Am The Moon" and "Pasaquan" flowed into each other and ranged all over the sonic map lead by Trucks, who delivered a huge crescendo to end these instrumental excursions.
The first special guest came out with just Susan Tedeschi as Nora Jones played electro-keys and sang a simple duet, a cover of John Hiatt's "Have a Little Faith in Me", before the full band returned to pump out a rocking cover of Tom Petty's "You Wreck Me" which was a mid set highlight.
The smooth soul of "Midnight in Harlem" gave the band a spacey, swirling excursion that focused on the sax before the energy picked up for the stomping "Made Up My Mind". The group then moved the night into various covers and all of them were played with grace and energy as John Prine's "Angel of Montgomery" was expertly sung by Tedeschi, who also dropped in a short "Sugaree" tease before Trey Anastasio was introduced.
Trey split lead vocals with Susan as the outfit delivered a killer take on The Who's "The Seeker" which featured a three way guitar vamping to end which was invigorating. The group then delivered back to back Derek and the Dominoes covers with Trey leading "Bell Bottom Blues" and Lukas Nelson joining for "Layla" which was mammoth as four guitarists kept the song soaring around piano break and horns; an apt set closer to a large night of tunes.
Things were not over yet though as Susan and Lukas started the encore off with another duet, this time a cover of Leon Russell's "A Song For You" which was heartfelt. After "Soul Sweet Song" the party kicked up with an extended Sly and The Family Stone medley which touched on "Sing A Simple Song" and " I Want To Take You Higher" as all the guests joined and the rock/soul/funk banged out with abandon.
Before the encore, the band advertised a return to the Beacon Theater for March of 2024, that location is their usual NYC haunt, and this unique Garden Party was a break from the norm which turned out to be a well organized and played event; a reward for a very trying (and wet) day for New Yorkers.
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Support the artists, see them live and peep some video from this show below:
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