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If you’ve seen Derek Trucks with the Allman Brothers, you know he brings a vitality and emotional depth that the band has lacked for years. If you’ve seen Derek during one of his many guest appearances with Gov't Mule, you know that his wailing slide guitar can transform even the most mundane song into a celebration. But you’ve never really seen Derek at his unfettered best until you’ve witnessed The Derek Trucks Band.
DTB began the southeastern swing of their current tour with a stop Thursday night at Lynagh's Music Club in Lexington, Kentucky. After ducking into the Speedway behind the venue for some water (he’s also been known to stop in for late night tacos), Derek wandered through the back door in his unassuming way and took his spot center stage. The set started with some psychedelic noodling/tuning as the band felt around for the right sound. The first couple of tunes felt a little lifeless but quickly warmed up as Derek found his groove. Like a great painter, Trucks is aware that the negative space — the space between the notes — is as important as the literal form. His intuitive phrasing takes you right past the edge and leaves you suspended in space, begging for the payoff. And O brother, what a payoff! It didn’t take long for the band to win over the initially hesitant crowd with smoking versions of “Ain’t That Loving You” and “Yield Not to Temptation/Turn on Your Lovelight.” Except for the drunken frat boy who did the same decapitated chicken dance during every song and spent most of the night high-fiving his buddies and screaming inane comments like “Duuude, Derek rocks!” (Duuude, we know!), the crowd was completely in sync with the music and the moment. Ear to ear grins and happy feet were the norm.
Highlights of the extended set (and there were many) included a heartfelt “Soul Serenade” which segued seamlessly into “Rastaman Chant,” with Derek’s slide weaving the transcendent melody in and around the buoyant reggae groove. The set ended with the gospel rave-up “Make A Joyful Noise,” which showcased Derek’s impeccable sense of tension and release. The encore included some more Marley (Derek was wearing his Marley t-shirt with the picture from the Kaya cover) with a jubilant instrumental version of “Lively up Yourself,” as if anyone needed any more encouragement.
This was guest vocalist Mike Mattison’s first night with the band, but it looked like someone forgot to alert him to that fact — his delivery was soulful, consistent and confidant. There are rumors that Mattison will be the full-time replacement for vocalist Javier Colon, who recently left the band to pursue a solo career. It couldn’t be a better fit.
I spent a few minutes talking with Derek after the show about the recent birth of his son, Charles Kahil Trucks, and summer tour plans. It looks like Bonnaroo is out as he’ll be on the road with the Allman Brothers at that time, but how Warren Haynes will pull that off while scheduled to play with both Phil and Friends and Gov’t Mule at Bonnaroo remains a mystery.
Be on the lookout for Derek’s first studio album with The Allman Brothers, their first set of new material in eight years and first album without founding guitarist Dickey Betts.
The Derek Trucks Band's Columbia Records debut is scheduled for release on August 23. The album includes guest vocal performances by Solomon Burke, Ruben Blades, Rahat Fateh Ali Khan and, of course, the lovely Mrs. Trucks, Susan Tedeschi.
Tom Wilmes
JamBase | Kentucky
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