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I know he can play better songs than these, (too much good weed and magic mushrooms makes a person self indulgent). I "discovered" Derek Trucks as I have discovered many other modern guitar virtuosos by watching the Eric Clapton Guitar Festivals on DVD. Get "Songlines" instead. Since I quit smoking dope, I have lost my enthusiasm for long drawn-out jam sessions. If you like Phish, Dave Matthews' live albums, the other albums by Blues Traveller besides "4", then this is an album for you.
These boys use the full musical palette of colour.it aint just BLUE. Derek Trucks has proven that there is still room for improvement on the creative platform. He and is super talented band are the best I've heard in a long time.
The magic of this album doesn't end there although the first two songs will leave you awestruck.The Derek Trucks Band then pumps the soul classic "Drown in My Own Tears," with Gregg Allman providing a heavy, blues-drenched vocal, which is followed by a tricky version of Mongo Santamaria's "Afro Blue." By this point you will have no doubt about the importance of Derek Trucks and his band. Bassist Todd Smallie and drummer Yonrico Scott set the table for the band to deliver a powerful yet subtle swinging blues number. It's been worth the wait because the Derek Trucks Band is hitting on all cylinders from start to finish.The album begins with covers from two musical music legends-King Curtis and Bob Marley. They defy category. Trucks' guitar-sling and the fine work of his band show that the difference between the rock-steady beat of Jamaican reggae and Afro-American soul is so slight that it hardly matters. Soul Serenade (Columbia) by the Derek Trucks Band is one of the best albums I have heard this year(2003).
Soul Serenade was actually recorded three years ago, before Joyful Noise, but is being released only now. Trucks is on the case with his ax, and his band stays tight and focused at all times, letting the guitarist roam where he needs. It won't matter how this album is classified, either, because it has it all. The next track, "Bock to Bock," is even better. They challenge those preconceived conclusions that often muzzle music, and they will leave you wondering why this album had been held up for so long.-Brian Gilmore For those who liked Allman Brothers guitarist Trucks on his eponymous band's major-label debut, 2002's Joyful Noise, will find this CD to be even more impressive.
Trucks uses "Soul Serenade" by Curtis and "Rasta Man Chant" by Marley to deliver one of the more exhilarating musical moments of the year.
I read most of the reviews and the words 'jam band' crop up way too often. I believe he can play/sit in with anybody. "Derek should use his fingers to play". He's obviously 'cut the umbilical' to Warren and the ABB.
The ensemble is tight and this CD has a laid back feel. To say it's 'courageous' is not quite accurate either, since the ABB has fooled around with Soul Serenade quite a bit; not to mention some jazz licks, etc. I listen to it and imagine this may be very similar to what Duane would have done. A righteous effort. My only concern is that Derek throws in licks from Mountain Jam a little too often. And to try to pigeon hole this stuff as jazz/fusion/southern rock doesn't do it justice.
Words that come to mind when I listen to this album: range, eclectic, inventive, stretching, synthesis, experimental. A definite 'buy' rating. Believe me, he uses his fingers. He stays with them because he loves it.
the two are sandwiched around an outstanding take on Ray Charles' Drown in My Own Tears featuring Gregg Allman doing some of his best singing in years.As the disc moves toward conclusion it takes some interesting turns. Derek Trucks continues to blur the lines between jazz, blues, and world music. A sweet turn on Wayne Shorter's Oriental Folk Song leads to the acoustic Sierra Leone which takes the band out with the same mood altering dubro turn that Duane Allman lent to Eat A Peach with Little Martha.Definately a record for those who love good playing on good songs. The band plays (pun intended) tribute to Elvin Jones in the original Elvin. His slide playing, always among the best around gives several standards a new twist and the bands playing is first rate.The record starts with a sweet taste of King Curtis' Soul Serenade seguing into Rasta Man Chant. Bock to Bock slides into cool jazz and afro Blue is a trip to the heart of Coltrane country.
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