Following up on their stretched out, expansive four album collection I Am The Moon, Tedeschi Trucks Band has scaled back ambitions releasing eleven shorter tracks via their new album Future Soul. While professional and pleasant the group never lives up to the album title promise.
The newest solo effort from the New Orleans based Isaac Eady is a culmination of his life's influences as a variety of sounds and styles color AMPONSAH. Self produced, the engaging record digs into funk, rock, R&B, ballads, hip hop, jazz and more.
We are now heading into the new normal with live music. Live shows will need to be flexible and streaming is a great way to keep music going. Streams have become essential for live music junkies like RtBE. We will highlight various shows/streams/virtual events for your viewing/listening pleasure. You can check out our weekly Full Show Friday series for concerts from the past and as always, please support the artists any which way you can.
Nugs.net subscribers can check out tonight and tomorrow's shows from the Beacon Theater from the fantastic Tedeschi Trucks Band. RtBE saw them last year at the Beacon and a few other times, so we speak from experience they put on a good show.
To get in the mood, here is some live video from the band.
Each year the music industry dips into the past to deliver box sets, live albums, re-masters and outtake collections to sell to the music loving masses (present company included). This look back will round up some of RtBE's favorite archival releases from the past year.
Usually these releases can fall into the money grab category, not really adding much outside of revenue for the label and (hopefully) the artist. Every now and then though some spectacular collections are unearthed and are worth any price.
RtBE includes live albums in this category, since they were recorded in the recent or distant past and thus fall into archival release status.
With the increase in vinyl, and enhanced Record Store Days to help smaller sellers, there are more and more archival releases each year. RtBE are sure to miss a lot of them, but the quality and abundance is exciting. Post your favorites, or any we may have missed, in the comments.
These were our favorite archival releases of 2025, click the link in the title for full reviews.
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.
On an unseasonably cool and rainy May evening, Tedsechi Trucks Band continued their six-night residency at the Beacon Theater on the upper west side of Manhattan. Making this fourth night of the run extra special was that it was the last to have the legendary Buddy Guy and his band opening the show.
The debut solo album from Duane Betts, Wild & Precious Life is his throwback to the bygone days of rock, with obvious (and not so obvious) influences along the way.
Depicted as a tribute album to the Florida sound he remembers in his youth, Betts and his touring band (Johnny Stachela Guitars, Berry Duane Oakley Bass Guitar, Background Vocals, John Ginty Hammond B-3 Organ, Piano, Tyler Greenwell Drums, Percussion) set up shop in Susan Tedeschi and Derek Trucks Swamp Raga Studio in Jacksonville, recording everything live in studio and keeping the best takes.
Even if you missed Betts' name, it would be impossible to miss The Allman Brothers Band's influence on these songs as Betts guitar playing, tone, and songwriting all recall the classic outfit. Betts' strength is his guitar playing, but he is never showy on Wild & Precious Life, wanting the songs to take center stage. It is a noble effort but Betts lives for the live stage and the jam, which is hard to capture on record.
The best efforts have that vital spark, starting with the opener "Evergreen" an upbeat southern rocker with great organ work from Ginty, that works well before an electric trumpet enters the scene from John Reid, pushing the song up to new levels; when it fades out it leaves you wanting more in this vein. The other album focal point is the extended "Saints To Sinners" which contains Betts best lyrics as well as some killer extended guitar takes.
Those guitar excursions get some extra strength on the back of a few choice guests as Trucks helps out on "Stare at the Sun", which is also excellently pushed along by drums and bass, while Marcus King adds some roadhouse riffs to the bluesy rocker "Cold Dark World". Betts guitar highlights the easy rolling "Colors Fade" while the motoring "Waiting On A Song" pushes upbeat piano work and southern rock in very familiar fashion.
The group delivers a few solid slices of songs in this style, but things can seem a bit redundant as "Forrest Lane" is fine, just not very exciting, while "Sacred Ground" never reaches the heights it is searching for. However, one of the more interesting shifts arrives on "Under The Bali Moon" which uses a different drum sound, in almost a drum machine/hip-hop fashion, around some very jazz inspired playing that clearly takes the Allmans inspiration and melds it in a new and interesting way.
The album wraps with a shift in styles as acoustic guitars, weepy pedal steel, and more excellent piano work eases the record to close and showcases a lighter side of Betts and the band. Forging his own route with a clear foot in the sounds that shaped him, Duane Betts' Wild & Precious Life is a solid solo debut.
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.
So... we did this back in early 2020, and got a bunch right...then Jazzfest was canceled. Then tried again for a special October 2021 edition of Jazzfest and that was canceled as well...third times a charm for 2022?
Actually no we don't...but since it is fun to predict, lets look into the crystal ball and guess who will be and who should be playing.
We will exclude the brass bands and local acts (even though they are truly the main reason we go each year) including nationally touring NOLA acts like Irma Thomas, Kermit Ruffins, Funky Big Sam, Galactic, Trombone Shorty who will all definitely be there.
Also we are obviously skipping the great jazz, blues and gospel acts who will be the foundation of the festival in their respective tents. Lets just talk about the bigger national touring artists for now....We will focus more on locals closer to the show.
To get in the southern festive NOLA mood, here is a great video done by Jeronimo Acero that my friend the fantastic Lu Brow sent north to warm me up during the winter.
So... we did this back in early 2020, and got a bunch right...then Jazzfest was canceled. Let's hope this one is happens and a lot of the same artists are involved.
Actually no we don't...but since it is fun to predict, lets look into the crystal ball and guess who will be and who should be playing.
We will exclude the brass bands and local acts (even though they are truly the main reason we go each year) including nationally touring NOLA acts like Irma Thomas, Kermit Ruffins, Funky Big Sam, Galactic, Trombone Shorty who will all be there.
Also we are obviously skipping the great jazz, blues and gospel acts who will be the foundation of the festival in their respective tents. Lets just talk about the bigger national touring artists for now....We will focus more on locals closer to the show. This is the first time the festival is being held in October so that changes things.
To get in the southern festive NOLA mood, here is a great video done by Jeronimo Acero that my friend the fantastic Lu Brow sent north to warm me up during the winter.
Actually no we don't...but since it is fun to predict, lets look into the crystal ball and guess who will be and who should be playing.
We will exclude the brass bands and local acts (even though they are truly the main reason we go) including nationally touring NOLA acts like Irma Thomas, Kermit Ruffins, Big Sam, Galactic, Trombone Shorty all the Brass Bands who will all be there.
Also we are obviously skipping the great jazz, blues and gospel acts who will be the foundation of the festival in their respective tents. Lets just talk about the bigger national touring artists for now....We will focus more on locals closer to the show.
To get in the southern festive NOLA mood, here is a great video done by Jeronimo Acero that my friend the fantastic Lu Brow sent north to warm me up during the winter.
Live From The Swamp Vol. 1: Chicago Theatre, January 26, 2018
**** out of *****
At the close of 2018 the Tedeschi Trucks Band announced that they would be starting a fan club called the "Swamp Family" named after the groups home recording studio. To kick off things for fan club members the twelve piece rock and soul outfit released two shows for fans through the club. Live From The Swamp Vol. 1: Chicago Theatre, January 26, 2018 lead the way for the series and the group themselves stated that this show was selected: "because it is simply one of the finest performances of the band’s career from start to finish". Tough to argue with that as the playing, sound and energy on this live release are all top notch.
The opening set is unique for the band as it contains all original compositions, beginning with "Anyhow" setting the easy rolling stage. While the first song and "Laugh About It" are fine performances from the professional band it is on "Don't Know What It Means" where the magic of this night really starts to seep in. A fiery soulful performance, with Susan Tedeschi lading the vocal way gets the crowd screaming as the group is locked in before an experimental squawking horn closing gets freaky, dripping back into the marching groove of the bright "Just As Strange".
Other first set highlights are the gospel influenced blazing southern rock of "Get What You Deserve" which has everyone cooking with gas as Derrick Trucks has fire shooting from his six strings and the set closing "Idle Wind" which runs almost twenty minutes and shows the wide range of the band from flute solos, to rhythmic drumming to exploratory reflective jams.
The sound on the release is a combination of soundboard and audience and while some past live release from the band haven't sounded great, yet this mix feels like you are in the crowd and enjoying the show with fans as the warm rich mix of the twelve piece.
For the second set the band came out with the full on accelerating road house blues of "Rollin' and Tumblin'" mixed with bubbling horns but it is the closing half of the set which really ignites. The trumpet lead freaked out funk rock of "Volunteered Slavery" and slide blues of Elmore James "The Sky Is Crying" prove the versatility of the band while the cover pairing of John Prine/Grateful Dead with "Angel of Montgomery>Sugaree" is blissfully gorgeous.
The show soars even higher on Signs "Shame" a burning soul shouter inthe vein of "Whipping Post" which fits the band like a glove, increasing the bass rumble while allowing the title couple display their formidable talents on the mic and guitars with horn and keyboard support. Trucks laying on this number is dynamic flashing pieces of inspiration from Jerry Garcia, Duane Allman, John McLaughlin and most importantly/prominently himself.
"I Wish I Knew How It Would Feel To Be Free" is a spiritual set closer before the Tom Petty (who had recently passed away) cover/tribute "You Don't Know How It Feels" started an encore which ended with the call to "Let's Go Get Stoned" whihc Petty obviously would have appreciated. The band wasn't joking; this show is a dynamite display of their talents.
Last month RtBE reviewed the solid new release from the band, but this is a group that lives for the live stage and with this new series they get to showcase the their best moments. While the Signs is fine, Live From The Swamp Vol. 1 will be what is spun much more often in the RtBE clubhouse.
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Support the artist, buy the album, and peep some live video of the group from 2018's Lockin' below:
The 12 piece Tedeschi Trucks Band have established themselves as one of the top touring acts, delivering vibrant, soulful, roots rock and roll. The group retreated to the band leading husband and wife's home studio Swamp Raga to record their fifth studio record, Signs, live, directly to analog tape. The result is a controlled mix of soul, blues and more restrained songs then some of the bands past efforts; at this point the band is confident in doing exactly what they do.
The album solidifies lyrically around themes of moving forward from loss while putting aside differences and coming together for love and the greater good. Tedeschi's vocals have always been strong and the recording style enhance her warmth, as do the pitch perfect backing vocals. The group has their funky good time rock locked down at this point in their career. Tracks like the opener "Sign, High Times", the grooving "Walk Through This Life" and the climatic "Shame" all already fit gloriously into their live set and these versions work strongly on record.
The studio allows the outfit to settle down as well, "Strength What Remains" is acoustic based with a Kofi Burbridge flute solo and "The Ending" wraps up the record with just Trucks and Tedeschi duet on a memory tune about past performers with palpable intimacy. The best of the slowed down numbers is the violin draped "When Will I Begin" which increases instrumentation but is based around some of Tedeschi's most emphatic vocals on the record.
The outfit gets everyone involved on the easy rocking Americana of "Still Your Mind" but all of the players seem a bit more invested in the swaggering southern rocking numbers like "Hard Case" and "They Don't Shine" both of which cook with southern fried fat.
While the group has yet to craft that knock out song which would elevate them even higher, they continue to do what they do with grace and ease. The statement song which coalesces Signs overall theme is "All The World" with gospel vibes straining through the organ, strings and gorgeous vocals. The Tedeschi Trucks Band are professionals who make the music they love for others to enjoy both on record and onstage.
(Edit: This review was written before hearing of Kofi Burbridge's untimely passing. Jambase has compiled musicians reactions and RtBE echoes those.)
___________________________________________________ RtBE are fans of this outfit. Support the artists, buy the album and peep some video below:
We search the murky back waters of youtube to find full concerts and post them to the site weekly, come back every seven days to help us celebrate Full Show Friday's. These shows are of varying quality and may not be here for long so enjoy them while you can...As always, please support the artist every which way, but especially by seeing them live (if they are still playing)...This week...Tedeschi Trucks Band!
The Capital Theatre in Port Chester, NY was a popular stomping ground throughout the 70's and 80's for musicians with a sprinkling during the early 90's tossed in. It was refurbished by Peter Shapiro and opened again in 2012 with a Bob Dylan concert to re-christen the venue to rock and roll once again.
RtBE has caught some great shows since the venue reopened and will be going to more in the near future. This month the focus for Full Show Friday's will be on some of the dynamite shows throughout the "Cap's" history.
This week it is the excellent touring soul review of the Tedeschi Trucks Band from last February. The group is fantastic live and always worth seeing so settle in for a fun show this week.
Pro Shot, Pro Sound, Setlist and Information Below, Enjoy:
Set 1: 3:55 Do I Look Worried 9:57 Just as Strange 14:24 Until You Remember 19:52 Key to the Highway (Charles Segar cover) 28:47 Don't Miss Me (Derek Trucks Band cover) 36:57 Alabama (Neil Young cover) 41:00 Talking About (Susan Tedeschi cover) 46:40 Idle WindSet 2: 1:40:22 Statesboro Blues (Blind Willie McTell cover) 1:49:50 Part of Me 1:54:25 It's So Heavy 1:58:45 drum space 2:02:10 Let Me Get By 2:13:46 Right on Time 2:18:31 Goin' Down Slow (St. Louis Jimmy Oden cover) 2:26:50 band intro 2:27:13 Made Up Mind 2:32:53 How Blue Can You Get? (Johnny Moore’s Three Blazers cover) 2:40:14 I Wish I Knew How It Would Feel to Be Free (Billy Taylor cover)Encore: 2:54:06 You Don't Know How It Feels (Tom Petty cover) 2:58:08 Laugh About It
Now that The Allman Brothers are done touring the Tedeschi Trucks Band has taken over the mantle of Peakin' At The Beacon.
The group recently announced they will be playing six shows in October this year with a variety of openers and guests checking in through out their run. This will be the seventh year the band will play the venue and will celebrate their 25th show there in style on 10/11/17.
We have caught the band the last two years at the Beacon now and enjoy every single show, the players are tight and exhilarating. Below are some video from past Beacon shows from the band, and under that is all the ticket information. We hope to see you one the Upper West Side of Manhattan in the fall.
2017 TTB BEACON THEATER SHOW INFORMATION: Fri Oct. 6 With Greyhounds showtime 8pm Sat Oct. 7 Two sets, no opener showtime 8pm Tue Oct. 10 With The Wood Brothers showtime 7:30pm Wed Oct. 11 “TTB & Friends – 25th Beacon Show” w/ special guests and North Mississippi Allstars showtime 7:30pm Fri Oct.13 Two sets, no opener showtime 8pm Sat Oct.14 Two sets, no opener showtime 8pm
Tickets on sale to the general public, Friday, May 12 at 10:00am. Tickets are priced at $49.50, $85.50, $126.00 plus applicable fees. There will a limited number of TTB Beacon Balcony seats at $29.50 which is inclusive of all fees. In addition, a specially priced 6-night ticket package will also be available. Tickets can be purchased online at Ticketmaster.com
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