Derek Trucks has come a long way since his days growing up as a child guitar prodigy in Jacksonville, FL. The talented slide guitar player who many fans have grown to know and love thanks to his playing with the Allman Brothers Band–and more recently the Tedeschi Trucks Band–has already played alongside some of the most prolific blues and rock musicians of the past half-century.
Some fans may recall Trucks’ formative years in The Derek Trucks Band, founded in 1994 alongside bass player Todd Smallie, drummer Yonrico Scott, and pianist Bill McKay. The band released its first album in 1997, and along with several lineup changes through the years (notably the additions of pianist/flutist Kofi Burbridge, singer Mike Mattison, and percussionist Count M’Butu) Trucks and company also managed to score a Grammy Award for Best Contemporary Blues Album for the release of their 2009 album Already Free.
Today marks the 17th anniversary of the Derek Trucks Band’s performance at Chicago’s Park West on January 28th, 2006. The performance was recorded and later released as a live album and concert film, Songlines. The show that night featured many original Trucks compositions as well as formidable covers of “I Wish I Knew (How It Would Feel To Be Free)”, “Key To The Highway”, “Sailing On”, “Soul Serenade”, and “Let’s Go Get Stoned”, all of which remain in TTB’s live rotation today.
Check out a few videos from Trucks’ Songlines concert film below.
The Derek Trucks Band – “Crow Jane” – 1/28/06
[Video: derektrucksbandVEVO]
The Derek Trucks Band – “I’d Rather Be Blind, Crippled And Crazy” – 1/28/06
[Video: derektrucksbandVEVO]
Relive the band’s entire performance from the January 28th, 2006 concert below.
The Derek Trucks Band – Songlines
Setlist: Derek Trucks Band | Park West | Chicago, IL | 1/28/06
Set: Joyful Noise, Crow Jane, Sahib Teri Bandi/Maki Madni, Volunteered Slavery, I’ll Find My Way, I Wish I Knew (How It Would Feel To Be Free), Key To The Highway, I’d Rather Be Blind, Crippled and Crazy, All I Do, Mahjoun, Greensleeves, Sailing On, Chevrolet, Soul Serenade, For My Brother, Feel So Bad, Let’s Go Get Stoned, Voices Inside, Anyday
Encore: Maybe Your Baby, Up Above My Head
[Originally published 1/28/18]