If you were to form a fantasy band today, and you couldn’t pick more than one person in an existing group, who would you choose?
Chances are, Derek Trucks would be at or near the top of the list for lead guitarist. The 37-year-old slide guitar prodigy lived up to his legendary billing (and then some) during the first show of Tedeschi Trucks Band’s two-night run at the Orpheum Theatre in downtown Los Angeles.
Every time Trucks took center stage, whether for a slow-building crescendo to end the “Rise Up” opener or a stirring sitar imitation through a cover of the Beatles’ “Within You, Without You” into “Just As Strange”, he captured the imagination of an enthusiastic crowd and took it on a magic carpet ride of possibilities. Song after song, the crowd stood to applaud Trucks’ masterful ax work, often well before the end of the tracks themselves.
But Trucks wasn’t the only one in the band who brought people to their feet. Nor is he the only one worthy of fantasy band consideration.
Susan Tedeschi’s voice alone should put her in the running. Her gravely vocals growled through the aisles like a sultry cement mixer. She lent poise and purpose with prose to TTB’s rambling, rolling set pieces, and soared into the night sky with wails on “Don’t Know What It Means” and “Bird on a Wire.” During “Pity The Fool” and the “Let’s Go Get Stoned” encore, Tedeschi transformed the stage into a pulpit, preaching about peace and love to a willing choir.
It’s no disrespect to say that Tedeschi is a better singer than guitarist. That superior skill allows her to stand out from and expertly lead a gifted 12-piece ensemble.
But don’t discount Tedeschi’s guitar work, either. She plucked away aplenty and with aplomb during “Leaving Trunk” while ceding lead vocal duties to the towering talents of Mike Mattison.
If there’s a dark horse choice for a fantasy band selection among TTB, it’s Kofi Burbridge. The brother of Allman Brothers Band and Dead and Co. bassist Oteil Burbridge was a force of nature on both keyboards and flute. He tickled his not-quite-ivories on “The Letter,” fluttered away on the flute during “Idle Wind” and combined with Trucks on a mesmerizing wind-and-strings duel for “I Want More.”
In truth, just about everyone in TTB could carry a track if so called upon. Tyler Greenwell and J.J. Johnson engaged in some drum battles of their own. Kebbi Williams strutted through a slew of saxophone scats, including one that highlighted a cover of Carlos Santana’s “Soul Sacrifice.” Ephraim Owens’ trumpet and Elizabeth Lea’s trombone both came alive during the night’s final number. So did the voice of Alecia Chakour, who spent most of the evening humbly tapping away on the tambourine before she stepped forward.
It’s that depth and breadth of talent across instruments and roles that makes Tedeschi Trucks Band one of the best bands around, as far as pure musical skill and performance is concerned.
Make no mistake, though: Trucks’ ripping guitar work remains the group’s raison d’etre and would be the same for any fantasy band.
Check out the full show video and a gallery by Brandon Weil, below!
