Tedeschi Trucks Band brought their Wheels of Soul Tour to the Fox Theatre in Atlanta, Georgia on Saturday night. Along for the ride were The Wood Brothers and Hot Tuna. While the entire run has been nothing short of special, Saturday night’s performance was especially meaningful as it marked the return to the very stage that several of the musicians shared with Col. Bruce Hampton on the night of his death earlier this year.
Tedeschi Trucks Band used the opportunity to honor their fallen friend through music, dedicating “Cry Me A River” to Col. Bruce Hampton during the band’s encore. Reports from the band’s crew confirm that Col. Bruce Hampton was very much there in spirit. The band also dedicated “Song For You” to keyboardist Kofi Burbridge, who is currently at his home in Atlanta, recovering from a massive heart attack, and taking this tour off from the road. The band’s entire set was an emotional rollercoaster, as the band played through “Midnight in Harlem” with a “Little Martha” introduction. “Little Martha” was written by Duane Allman and was often performed by Derek Trucks in the Allman Brothers Band to honor the fallen Brother. The husband and wife duo invited Hot Tuna’s Jorma Kaukonen (guitar), Jack Cassidy (bass), and Justin Guip (drums) to join for “The Sky Is Crying” immediately after.
After a powerful “Made Up My Mind,” Tedeschi Trucks Band were joined by Oliver Wood (guitar, vocals), Chris Wood (bass), Jano Rix (keyboards), and Tinsley Ellis (guitar) for “Have No Shame” and “Sweet Virginia.” It was a spiritual experience for Susan Tedeschi to again trade vocals with Oliver Wood on the stage of the Fox Theatre, as their voices were the last to pulse through the room on the night of Col. Bruce Hampton’s death. Strong as ever, the musicians let love prevail. The set closed with “Whipping Post” by the Allman Brothers Band, another meaningful nod to Gregg Allman and Butch Trucks who’d been buried in the same state earlier this year.
It’s been a rough year for everyone, but especially the Tedeschi Trucks Band. Their performances has proven time and time again how medicinal music can be. Don’t miss the Wheels of Soul Tour in a town near you.
Listen to Saturday night’s full audio below, as uploaded by Dfries81:
Setlist: Tedeschi Trucks Band | The Fox Theatre | Atlanta, GA | 7/15/17
I Want More, Don’t Know What It Means, Keep On Growing, Midnight In Harlem (w/ Little Martha intro ), The Sky Is Crying *, Made Up Mind, Have You No Shame **, Sweet Virginia **, I Wish I Knew, I Pity the Fool, The Storm, Whipping Post (jam and final chorus)
E: Song For You (dedicated to Kofi Burbridge), Cry Me A River (dedicated to Bruce Hampton), Will The Circle Be Unbroken, Bound For Glory
* with Jorma Kaukonen (guitar), Jack Cassidy (bass), and Justin Guip (drums)
** with Oliver Wood (guitar, vocals), Chris Wood (bass), Jano Rix (keyboards), and Tinsley Ellis (guitar)
[photo by Vic Brazen]