Susan Tedeschi and Derek Trucks jointly front and run the incredible Tedeschi Trucks Band. The post-pandemic version of TTB rolled into West Palm Beach in November, and we caught them at the beautiful Kravis Center. Jonathan and Sarah flew in, and we had a great night of food, friends and music.
It was Florida in November, and there is no better place to be. We met up with J and S and had a fun dinner, catching up on all the things that were going on in our respective worlds. We then strolled to the theater from dinner - downtown WPB is compact and things are close. We had been to the Kravis Center before to see a Second City comedy show, but had never seen live music there. The theater is comparatively new, and doesn't have the history or decorative elements of the Beacon, Warner or other older venues. But it's really beautiful, with lots of polished wood, and the acoustics are top-flight. It's nice. TTB has made a career of playing theaters, and I totally get what they're doing. These venues have large stages and backstages that allow for big touring acts. They also allow for larger crowds than small clubs. Most of them are really beautiful, too, something that no basketball or hockey arena can approach. And while they are somewhat large, they are still intimate and there usually isn't a bad seat in the house. Did I say seats? Yes, and for a band like TTB that attracts a multi-aged crowd, seats can be important. Helen loves getting a seat (even if she doesn't like always sitting in it when the band is playing). I still prefer clubs that are SRO, but must admit that they can be tiring if there are multiple acts performing. Regardless, we've seen TTB in multiple theaters (Ryman, Warner, Met, and now Kravis), and I've enjoyed both the band and the theater experience every time. It's a keeper.
So who is TTB? In 2008, Susan Tedeschi and Derek Trucks both had successful solo careers, but decided to throw in together and form TTB in 2010. The married couple gathered a really strong backup band that, right from the start, featured a double drummer lineup that allows the band to be a super powerful live act. They added keys, backup singers, bass, and a full horn section. It's a 12-person band that packs a huge punch, and ventures into blues-based music, gospel, and jazz. If you think they're the righteous heirs to the Allman Brothers Band, you are partially correct, but it's also a different sound due to the horns and backup singers. Regardless, they have become relentless on the road playing about 200 shows per year and have also put out 5 studio albums. If you want more, check out their website for the "official" bio:
https://www.tedeschitrucksband.com/about
I'm a fan, but Jonathan is a superfan. He's seen them a ton of times, and I swear they know him. It's great going to a show with someone who can identify all of their cover songs (and TTB does a ton of great covers), fill you in on the band members and their histories, knows the best places to sit - you know, the front row - and otherwise has genuine enthusiasm that manifests itself by bringing everyone into it in a big way. The band was cooking this night. Susan came out in a sharp red dress and got right down to business. She has a great blues voice, and her emotional command of the songs is a huge attribute to the delivery by the band. Derek still has the pulled back ponytail, and was sporting the latest fashion looks from Bass Pro Shops. But man, can that dude play a guitar! Susan is quite capable on the guitar, too, and she gets her solos, but Derek is a virtuoso. And unlike many guitar heroes, he isn't constantly switching instruments. He plays a Gibson SG. Jonathan said he switches his guitar for just one song, but otherwise, he sticks to the SG. Whatever, it works for him. He rips and slides and has an amazing sense of when to let it ride and when to kick it in the ass. And the rest of the band is fine-tuned, too. When you have a 12 person band playing every night, you have to gather an ensemble that can listen to each other, rehearse and jam well together, and compensate for each other's strengths and weaknesses. Heck, it's just difficult keeping that many personalities in line, let alone doing it night-after-night and achieving musical success. Want a taste? I love this track, it rocks, but it also features just about everything great about the band - a sassy Susan vocal, a great Derek solo, and the power of the backing band in all respects. Did they play that song? Funny you should ask. I don't need to link to setlist.fm this time. We had the setlist and you can see it all in its glory: To Sarah's dismay, they did play Midnight in Harlem. It's a good track, but I guess when you hear it over and over live, you yearn for something different. Nonetheless, you can see that it was a strong set. I got some pretty good pictures this night, too. Here are a couple that you might like: Can someone please explain to me why lighting guys love red lights so much? I think they muddy the stage, they're terrible for pictures, and they give off a weird glow on people's skins. Alas, I guess we're stuck with them, but I really prefer the blues and whites. Getting back to TTB, they played a lengthy set (oftentimes, they will play 2 sets), and the crowd came away satiated. And even though it was performed in the Free State of Florida, people had to show vax cards to get in. There was also supposed to be a mask requirement, but what's the point if everyone is vaxed? Anyway, no one was hassling people about the masks, and that was a step in the right direction IMO. I've got a couple more pics to share, and then I'm outta here. If you get a chance to see TTB, I think you'll come away impressed. They jam frequently, but it's not a Phish concert where each song takes 25 minutes. The band's jams are used to highlight the power and musicality of the band, and to enhance the strength of the songs. It's the right mix. Hey rockers, in the words of Weezer, it's time I got back to the good life, and that means more postings on BRP. Tell your friends to check in every now and again. I've got a slew of shows to write about, and I've been collecting other things over the pandemic to share with you. Get out there and go for it!
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AuthorMy name is Bill, and I live in the greater Philadelphia area. I love music, and I have a lot of opinions. This site is primarily focused on music, but sometimes I get off track. I hope you enjoy. Archives
November 2020
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