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| Tedeschi Trucks Band at ACL Live Photo by Amanda |
Every summer after high school, I used to go see Dave Matthews when he came through town, always with nosebleed or lawn seats as per the budget of a poor college student. I remember my uncle giving me a hard time. "Why do you go to those concerts if you're so far away? Can you even see him?" The truth was that many times I couldn't, but it didn't matter. It wasn't about seeing him, it was about hearing him live and experiencing the jams and the way he would develop his songs until they were so far removed from their studio recorded selves.
Seeing Susan Tedeschi and Derek Trucks performing as their Tedeschi Trucks Band last night at ACL Live, was the same experience. No album can capture the way they sound live, the way their music envelops the room, even from the very back corner of the theater.
Rolling Stone recently named Derek #16 of the 100 greatest guitarists of all time, ranking higher than legends like Carlos Santa and Les Paul, and listening to him on stage there is no question. Paired with his wife, Susan Tedeschi, they are a power house couple on stage. Susan's voice is soulful and bluesy as she belts out every song. On stage they take turns soloing on guitar to an enthusiastic crowd. Derek is humble and unassuming on stage, his expression rarely changing while notes explode from his guitar, leaving me with goosebumps. They were backed by nine other musicians including a dynamite horn section, singers, an organ and 2 full drum kits.
Tedeschi and Trucks are remarkable, an incredible relationship of talent, instrumentals, performance and general awesomeness.
