It’s no secret that Tedeschi Trucks Band loves this quiet corner of New Jersey, returning to the newly revamped Hackensack Meridian Health Theatre (located within the Count Basie Center For The Performing Arts) in Red Bank almost every year since 2010. This year, fans of the band were extra lucky, as the first of three consecutive nights of music coincided with St. Patrick’s Day.

After opening folk act Ponderosa Grove stepped offstage, the platform was adjusted to accommodate the massive 12-piece line-up. A symmetrical three-piece horn section (Elizabeth Lea, Ephraim Owens, Kebbi Williams) on stage right and a mirror-image riser for the trio of backup vocalists (Mark Rivers, Mike Mattison, Alecia Chakour) enclosed a tight pocket around the two drummers (Isaac Eady and Tyler “Falcon” Greenwell). The front-line featured Gabe Dixon in his corner of keyboards, bassist Brandon Boone on the opposite of the stage, and positioned husband and wife rock royalty, Derek Trucks and Susan Tedeschi, centerstage.

In honor of their recent production and release of Learning to Live Together: The Return of Mad Dogs and the Englishmen, Tedeschi Trucks Band appropriately opened with The Lovin’ Spoonful’s “Darling Be Home Soon”. Without wasting time (no more), Derek cut a hair-raising solo into the tune.

Tedeschi Trucks Band – “Darling Be Home Soon” (The Lovin’ Spoonful) – 3/17/22

[Video: Borrowed Tune]

The music documentary revolves around the original Mad Dogs and the Englishmen cast and details the original tour as well as the revival show performed by TTB at 2015’s LOCKN Festival. The film was shown at the Hackensack Theatre last year on October 21st and will air again for one-night-only on the 22nd after the band leaves town.

“Signs, High Times” gave Susan a chance to display her powerful vocals before moving on to Leonard Cohen’s “Suzanne”. In the second installment of the fan-less Fireside Sessions, Susan explained that it was Nina Simone’s version of the song that captured her attention. Mike Mattison strummed an acoustic guitar as Susan whipped up a vocal storm.

Related: Watch Col. Bruce Hampton And Tedeschi Trucks Band Jam On “Lovelight” [Video]

Following with a cover of Johnny Moore’s Three Blazers “How Blue Can You Get?”, Susan demonstrated that she’s not just an outstanding vocalist but a proven blues guitarist as she ripped into a scorching-hot solo.

Rolling on with a triplet of originals, Mike Mattison stepped up to centerstage to belt out “Crying Over You” with vocal assistance from Mark Rivers and Alecia Chakour. The behemoth band lurched forward with a cutting performance of “It’s So Heavy” before Derek eased the audience into “Laugh About It” with an early introductory solo. Kebbi Williams sprinkled in a zesty sax solo to the musical mélange.

The horn and vocal section dispersed as Mike Mattison returned to the front of the stage and delivered a hearty cover of Roosevelt Sykes’ “44 Blues” before Derek Trucks shredded a new purpose into Derek and the Dominos’ “Anyday”. To follow, back-to-back Revelator tunes flowed forth as Susan Tedeschi put down her guitar to give her complete attention to the vocals of “Ball and Chain” before sliding into “Learn How to Love You”.

Tedeschi Trucks Band – “Any Day” – 3/17/22

[Video: Stagerli]

Winding down the extended set with a selection from each of their individual acts, Susan Tedeschi dug deep into her well and cut a crisp guitar section into “Just Won’t Burn”. After, Derek Trucks grabbed his slide to make the most of his eponymous band’s “Joyful Noise” accompanied by Gabe Dixon’s organ work.

Embracing a moment of silence, Susan took the time to thank the audience and announced that it was her first show back following knee surgery to repair a torn meniscus. The audience responded with a thunderous round of applause for her grit and gall.

To close out the set, TTB took turns passing the baton around a performance of “I Want More” which was broken down and built back up. First, the horns, bass, and drummers rolled through a devolved melody before the drummers commandeered the show for a percussive showdown.

Next, Brandon Boone jumped in the mix to whip some bass-heavy goodness into the mix before Gabe Dixon’s organ blazed the way into the Allman Brother’s Band’s “Les Brers in A Minor” to close out the show.

For the encore, Tedeschi Trucks Band ended the same way they began with another Mad Dogs’ number, this time selecting “Let’s Go Get Stoned”. Susan, once again, put down the guitar to devote all her energy to her formidable vocals. Elizabeth Lea made the most of her opportunity with a trombone solo before Ephraim Owens picked up where she left off on his trumpet. Closing out the first night, Mark Rivers showed off his vocal chops before turning back to Susan to send the audience out into the night.

Tedeschi Trucks Band – “Let’s Go Get Stoned” (The Coasters) – 3/17/22

[Video: edtyre1]

Tedeschi Trucks Bands returns for two more nights at the Hackensack Meridian Health Theatre before moving up to Port Chester, NY for a three-night residency at The Capitol Theatre. For full tour info, click here.

Setlist: Tedeschi Trucks Band | Hackensack Meridian Health Theatre | Red Bank, NJ | 3/17/22

Set: Darlin’ Be Home Soon (The Lovin’ Spoonful) > Signs, High Times, Suzanne (Leonard Cohen), How Blue Can You Get? (Johnny Moore’s Three Blazers), Crying Over You, It’s So Heavy, Laugh About It > 44 Blues (Roosevelt Sykes), Any Day (Derek and the Dominos), Ball and Chain, Learn How to Love, Just Won’t Burn (Susan Tedeschi), Joyful Noise (The Derek Trucks Band), I Want More > Les Brers in A Minor (The Allman Brothers Band)

Encore: Let’s Go Get Stoned (The Coasters)