Derek Trucks Band | 04.15 | S.F.

Wow article, pics, and damn those jams on that video. Whew straight fire. Looks and sounds like an amazing time. Derek Trucks and his band is a band worth traveling a nice distance to see without a doubt. Wow can't get over those Santana jams.

DTB may be my favorite band ever.

It was with some trepidation that I attended the DTB show, as my friend fell ill, it was a chilly Wednesday (work) night and I prefer going to shows with people rather than alone. But I sucked it up, and drove up to the City from the East Bay - which proved to be the best decision I've made in my 38 years on the planet.

First, I need to fill a void left by the reviewer and give Jackie Green his due. What a talent this kid is - most of the "guitar geek" crowd didn't have a clue who Jackie was, and by the end of the set he'd won over a lot of people with his special brand of soul. Playing only an acoustic set without his full band, Jackie delivered a terrific performance, playing finger style the whole time, singing and playing harmonica. No sax, no Hammond B3, no electric guitar and no piano, but still a terrific entertaining performance. I've seen Jackie with his full band (and Steve Berlin sitting in) and it was outstanding - but he's really taken it to another level these days, playing without fear. The result is a more unique vocal performance, and deeper and more adventurous solo work. His "Tell Me Mama" was something special, and anyone not paying attention before he started was enthralled about 1 min in. He's losing the Bob Dylan thing and developing a Jorma thing and it's all good.

On to Trucks...

This was my first Derek Trucks live performance. I've managed to collect some 30 live bootlegs, all of which are terrific. I've also collected many ABB bootlegs, with Trucks & Haynes doing their thang.

But this performance was something else. It takes a lot to blow me away - maybe one show every few years truly stands out as something special. This was absolutely that show. I admit to being a little nervous when Santana came out. I've seen Carlos a zillion & six times, and honestly the last few years it felt like he was a bit cliché - he'd play the "Santana licks" and do the "Santana thing" but unlike when I was a kid, he didn't seem to stretch or innovate. All that changed after Trucks 1st solo during that "Latin jam", when Trucks told Santana (with his solo) "no, see this is what we're doing here, man". After that, Santana's whole demeanor shifted, and I was pleasantly surprised by how deep Carlos dug to do something different and worth listening to.

The net result of this was perhaps the greatest guitar performance I've ever heard from Trucks, and a spectacular "head cutting" session with Trucks & Santana trading insane licks for what seemed like days. As much as my feet hurt from standing for 3 hours, if that show had lasted 4 more hours I would have lapped it up like a dog with a bowl of gravy. It was truly that good.

Do yourself a favor: see Derek Trucks band. Soon. Often. Again and again. I don't care if it's a 10:00 show on a Tuesday, I'll be there next time for sure.

^^ Right on great review! Thanks for the Jackie Greene info and little extra on the DTB performance from and experienced perspective SAZ.

Wow! Great review, Great Pics! I am bummed I missed it sounds like one of those truly memorable shows that only happen now and then!

Wow...Jackie Greene opened?! Thanks Jambase for a great review...and videos! Sounds like a historic show. Keep on rockin' DTB...and Carlos! Happy 04/20!

DTB is the best band on the planet!

Holy F#@*&! Now that I've actually watched all the footage...that is unfu#@in real!

Now this...this is how you write a review. Well done, Eric. I've only experienced Derek with ABB and Soul Stew Revival. This review has inspired me to do whatever it takes to catch DTB next time they're in New York. On another note, does anyone know what kind of guitar Derek is playing in that first pic on the first page?

Very well done on the review. I bet the hardest thing was finding the right words to describe the knockout guitar work of Trucks! His playing transcends labels.

CARLOS !!!!!!!!

Pimp, no buts it's a beauty. I also love Santana's PRS, one of the prettiest guitars there is.

PMcG that's an old old Silvertone guitar. they used to sell em in sears apparently. the kind of guitar that would only sound good in derek's hands.

I went to two redsox games in oakland and after the second game that afternoon, I told my friends that we should go see Derek trucks just to cap off a fun couple days,or drive three hours back to Tahoe...well that was one of the best decisions i ever made! we actually didn't get there until the 2nd song was playing, the atmosphere was terrific and the DTB was fantastic,as i moved to the front,that was when Carlos Santana was brought out,and the cheers were wild,and i looked at my friends in disbelief. Carlos was on my list of great musicians that i had never seen before.It was some of the best guitar playing that ive evere seen. It seemed like it would never end. i couldn't stop dancing. Derek trucks was completely going off,and then would Carlos. It was a very special treat for me,and the rest of the band was excellent as well.The energy in that building was just unbelievable. I cant say enough great things about a show I didnt even know i was going to until that day! Everyone should get a recording of this one!

Thanks Eric and Sue for the photos! Great review by _SAZ_

this show looks like fun, thought santana was gonna pop up at the beacon but he didnt. would have loved to been there, but on the other hand as much as i like derek trucks ( with the allman brothers) as many times as ive seen his band, i just didnt like it, and its not derek, hes always good, its just the rest of the band that annoys me, i dont like the singing, and it seems a bit corny to me at times. and i dont hate jackie green, but i dont love him either, he seems to be a bob dylan clone, or trys to immitate him toooo much. to be honest i thought phil and friends worst line up was with jackie green. not saying hes not good, just not my cup of tea. so all the people that wanna bash me fine, but this is just one mans opinion

Great show, what a way to enjoy taxday! Sound and lights were nice. As noted earlier, Jackie Greene was great as an opener. too bad he didn't make the review. It was the best solo thing I've seen him do, his singing was outstanding. Great "Friend of the Devil" cover too.

Derek's show was killer, his playing was on all night, taking us on a guitar powered journey of rock. I liked his rhythm section too, real solid. The singing was a bit up and down, but mostly good. I haven't seen Santana play like that in YEARS! So much power and intensity, incredible. Derek is one hellva axeman, but could still learn a thing or 2 from a master like Carlos. I also liked how he played 'behind' Derek, and didn't step on his toes all night. Wow. I may have to travel to Vegas to check out Santana's show there, if Wednesday night was any indication.

Oya Como Va!

Great review, thanks for the clips & pics.. I didn't see any tapers there, hopefully someboday had some mics on their hat or something?? Links to a recording would be much appreciated..

Somebody please upload this show to archive.org!

http://www.archive.org/details/dtb2009-04-15.nak300.flac16