This is what live albums are supposed to sound like boys and girls. Call them Southern Rock, Blues, Jam Band, or Jazz-Fusion...it really matters not the label, bottom line is The Derek Trucks Band is one fearsome live unit, and Roadsongs is the 2CD live document of their 2009 tour supporting their stellar studio release Already Free. Sadly, Roadsongs also looks like it might be the swan song for the band, as Trucks has hinted that the band is going on extended, if not permanent, hiatus, allowing him to join up with his wife Susan Tedeschi in a new musical project called The Derek Trucks and Susan Tedeschi Band. If this is to be the last DTB release, then it's a magficent one, and also one of the best live albums in recent memory.
Seeing as Trucks has been a member of The Allman Brothers Band for quite some time now, he knows a thing or two about live performances and live albums. Roadsongs shows the guitarist and his band in peak form, playing a majority of the Already Free album plus some older favorites and cover tunes. As you can imagine, these live versions smoke their studio counterparts by a country mile. The band here, considered the 'classic' DTB line-up, features Trucks on guitar, vocalist Mike Mattison, bassist Todd Smallie, drummers/percussionists Yonrico Scott & Count M'Butu, keyboard player Kofi Burbridge, Mace Hibbard on sax, trumpet player Paul Garrett, and trombonist Kevin Hyde.
From the catchy, funker opener "I'll Find My Way" to the raucous slide guitar rocker "Down in the Flood", the band is spot on and taking no prisoners. Trucks' guitar work, whether his sinewy leads or biting slide, is spine tingling. His tasty slide licks matches up with Burbridge's organ and the funky horns on the addicting "Sailing On", snd the entire band cook on the Southern Rock shuffle of "Get What Your Deserve", another perfect vehicle for Derek's scorching slide licks. His tender, almost country/blues strains are a joy to listen to on the poignant "Already Free", and the near 15 minute "Afro Blue" is a jazzy homage to Santana and The Allman Brothers Band, with Trucks' searing guitar licks, Burbrige's flute, Hibbard's sax explorations, and latin style percussion really driving this piece into the heavens. If you love extended jams, this one's for you.
Over on Disc 2, the excellent music continues with the funky pop of "I Know", a tune that allows singer Mattison to soar over some tight arrangements, and one that should have been a hit on FM radio. "Down Don't Bother Me" is a hard rockin' Allman Brothers Band styled number, complete with excellent vocals from Mattison and plenty of raging slide guitar & organ. After the catchy blues/pop rocker "Don't Miss Me" (another contender for FM hit radio), comes the 11-minute jazz-reggae jam "Rastaman Chant", which sees Derek's solo slowly build and build to a powerful and majestic climax before the band finish up the piece in funky fashion. It's pure blues rock on their version of "Key to the Highway", and they dive straight ahead into funk on the epic "Get Out My Life Woman/Who Knows". This live set closes out with the near 10-minute "Anyday", a rockin' song with some serious hooks, as the band gets all funky & jammy while Mattison sings his heart out and Trucks lets his slide run up and down his Gibson SG with reckless abandon.
It's rare that an album can grab your interest with spectacular musical/instrumental performances and at the same time have you singing along, swinging your hips and tapping your feet. Roadsongs is that CD folks, a daring musical journey that is also highly accessible and fun. You don't have to just be a guitar freak to appreciate this one, but anyone into contemporary Southern Blues Rock with plenty of pop, funk, and jazz flavors will certainly find this a real treat. Hopefully this is not the last we've seen of this formidable outfit.
Track Listing
Disc: 1
1. I'll Find My Way (Live)
2. Down In The Flood (Live)
3. Sailing On (Live)
4. Get What You Deserve (Live)
5. Days Is Almost Gone (Live)
6. Already Free (Live)
7. Afro Blue (Live)
Disc: 2
1. I Know (Live)
2. Down Don't Bother Me (Live)
3. Don't Miss Me (Live)
4. Rastaman Chant (Live)
5. Key To The Highway (Live)
6. Get Out My Life Woman/Who Knows(Live)
7. Anyday (Live)
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