Album Review: Tedeschi Trucks Band - Tedeschi Trucks Band and Leon Russell Present: Mad Dogs & Englishmen Revisited Live at LOCKN'

Tedeschi Trucks Band 

Tedeschi Trucks Band and Leon Russell Present: Mad Dogs & Englishmen Revisited Live at LOCKN'

**** out of *****

In 2015 Derek Trucks and Susan Tedeschi decided to devote their LOCKN' set to a special performance. Having covered some of Joe Cocker's Mad Dog & Englishmen songs in the past (with rousing success) via their soul/rock group Tedeschi Trucks Band, the outfit worked up a full tribute to that album/tour even bringing onboard original members, including the musical director of the tour/show/album Leon Russell.  

The whole process was captured in an excellent documentary, and now the group has decided to release the audio version of the show. The clear reason TTB was drawn to cover this album/songs is their own music is deeply rooted in the same Americana/Soul/Rock genres. This live album is not a note for note recreation of the original, rather a tribute and a showcase of the songs, style and communal musical vibe. 

While the original live album climaxes with the fantastic version of the Cocker led "The Letter", TTB decides to open their live album tribute with that classic song. This version uses big singing from all involved and dynamite sax solo. While one of the high points when seeing TTB live is Trucks amazing guitar work, for the majority of the album this is pushed towards the back, as the focus is on group interplay throughout this set.  

The list of core musicians is large, outside of Tedeschi, Trucks and Russell, the players are Bass – Tim Lefebvre, Drums – J.J. Johnson, Tyler Greenwell  Keys – Kofi Burbridge, Chris Stainton, Saxophone – Kebbi Williams, Trombone – Elizabeth Lea Performer, Trumpet – Ephraim Owens, Vocals, Choir [Space Choir] – Alecia Chakour, Mark Rivers, Mike Mattison, Bobby Jones, Claudia Lennear, Daniel Moore, Matthew Moore, Pamela Polland, Rita Coolidge, Percussion – Bobby Torres, Chuck Blackwell. If this wasn't enough a host of guests also contribute to the songs. 

Tedeschi fronts the easy rolling majestic soul of "Darling Be Home Soon" with Doyle Bramhall II joining on guitar, before "Dixie Lullaby" is led by Russell's piano and a sweet guitar solo. A quiet version of "Girl of the North Country" is nice but this band works best with all cylinders firing and that is the case during "Sticks and Stones" as Chris Robinson arrives with stirring vocals along with more great brass work on a killer album highlight. 

None other than Dave Mason shows up to sing his own tune "Feelin' Alright" which is fun with some excellent extended guitar dueling/jamming, but Mason's vocals aren't as strong as some other singers here such as Robinson or Tedeschi. The big dramatic pop of "Let's Go Get Stoned" soars while the soulful "Bird on a Wire" is a showcase for Coolidge who is supported by gorgeous backing vocals of the choir. 

TTB pitch a curveball with the players covering "The Weight" in slower fashion with different vocalists while guests Anders Osborne and Warren Haynes play a fantastic version of The Beatles "She Came In Through The Bathroom Window". Widespread Panic's John Bell kicks off the final trilogy of huge orchestrated pop rock with "Delta Lady" before Robinson takes over for the cool grooving "Space Captain" and then fronts the huge climax of "With A Little Help From My Friends" that is a monstrous live version that soars.

The live album wraps on a quieter note as Leon sings his piano ballad "The Ballad Of Mad Dogs And Englishmen" closing out a loving live tribute. This record captures a big night in Tedeschi Trucks Band history, as they got to play with legends and friends while doing songs near and dear to them. Tedeschi Trucks Band and Leon Russell Present: Mad Dogs & Englishmen Revisited Live at LOCKN' is more than just a souvenir for those who were lucky enough to be there, it is a ripping tribute to a classic album and more.  

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