Show Review

Legendary boxer and tabletop grill peddler George Forman once stated that “Life is like boxing – you’ve only got so many punches to throw and you can only take so many”. Well, if the world is indeed a squared circle of sorts, it naturally follows that many musicians and groups exhibit techniques similar to a prizefighter’s offense and defense in their live performances. Some groups come out like Mike Tyson, ripping through their hits in an attempt to club their audience over the head with their best combinations, leaving them dazed and receptive to whatever follows. Other acts wait until that special moment to unveil their secret sonic weapons, playing possum until the time is right to lash out. Well, if music, which is such a big part of many peoples lives, really is like boxing, the Derek Trucks Band would be like a prizefighter whose conditioning and stamina eventually prove that, in a situation reminiscent of the “Tortoise and the Hare”, it’s not about the knockout punch, but about consistently chipping away until the crowd is left absolutely devastated.

Much like Sugar Ray Leonard or Evander Hollyfield, the Derek Trucks Band doesn’t have one knockout punch or signature style. Instead, they rely on their depth, experience, and perseverance to add up to the equivalent of a fifteen round unanimous decision. The eclectic and diverse members of Derek’s band are no strangers to the spotlight or the ring, as many of them have been evolving and growing together for over 10 years now. Through their pursuits in blending together jazz, rock, blues, Latin, Eastern Indian, and other world music, the group has cemented a solid platform to build their improvisational and expressive jams on, and has continually risen through the ranks. To understand the force and the technique that this band brings to the table each and every night, it is imperative that one understands a bit about its makeup and history. The group is comprised of Trucks, bassist Todd Smallie, drummer Yonrico Scott, mulit-instrumentalist Kofi Burbridge, and vocalist Mike Mattison. Trucks is a former child prodigy and son of Allman Brother drummer Butch Trucks; legend has it that this virtuoso picked up a guitar at a yard sale at age nine and was already touring by age 10, adding his developing signature to artists his father introduced him to. It wasn’t long before Trucks teamed up with Smallie, an Atlanta native whose resume included various gigs with jazz and blues artists. Scott joined the band next, and his trademark percussion gave the group a backbone that allowed both strength and pliability. Burbridge came from a musical family (brother Oteil is an Allman brother and all around nice guy), and this classically trained talent has been a phenomenal flautist for forever. He officially joined the group in 1999, replacing now Leftover Salmon keyboardist Bill McKay. Vocalist Mike Mattison completed the fearsome fivesome in 2002, adding something the group hadn’t delved into for their first 5 or so years and 2 albums – the power of the voice. Like a boxer in training, the group’s path has been forged through countless hours of work and sweat, although, naturally, they have encountered a few bumps on the road. Most notably, the open heart surgery Scott went through but 2 short years ago caused a period of grief and uncertainty, but, ultimately, helped bring the band back in top form.

With the “tale of the tape” completed, we can begin this night’s main event. The first set started without much fanfare or hullabaloo, as the group sauntered onto the stage and got right down to business. At first, “Sahib Teri Bandi” sounded like more of a warm-up or guitar check than an actual composition; Trucks’ started to bend his strings without the interjections of the rest of the group, producing a sound quite reminiscent of Hendrix’s classic “Waterfalls”. But, soon enough, Scott rolled the drums and led a pristine segue into “Maki Madni”, framing and forming the tune as Burbridge’s flute both punctuated and layered on top of Truck’s soaring lead. The Middle Eastern melodies of “Sahib” melted into applause, as the band welcomed Mattison to the stage for “All I Do”, an upbeat song that allowed his soulful growl to take center stage. Mattison has such a unique voice – low and raspy but perfectly pleasant unlike the stereotypical Barry White baritone. “Life Is Crazy” showcased the band’s R&B side with its chugging pace and Trucks’ scintillating guitar, as Mattison declared “Life is crazy, and so am I”. The upbeat “I Wish I Knew” followed and featured some fantastic flute work by Burbridge. The straight-up funky “Lonely Avenger” brought the energy in the venue up, and the more reserved fans seemed to really get moving for the first time in the evening. “Feel So Bad” closed the set with its rollercoaster ride of false starts and stops, soulful vocals, “silent” solos, and some unbelievable interplay between Burbridge’s organ and Truck’s guitar.

The bell rang on set one and the band adjourned to strategize, with all signs pointing towards a sensational set two. “This Is The Sun That (This Sky)” was a beautiful composition to ease back into the Derek Trucks Band signature groove. Mattison displayed the high end of his range, dancing around Burbridge’s flute while Trucks showed how sometimes simplicity is the most effective tool in a slide guitar player’s arsenal. “Volunteered Slavery” followed as the real turning point in the battle and nothing short of an anthem. “I want you to save me” howled Mattison as Trucks guitar echoed his every note and inflection. This was probably the tune that demanded the most applause of the night, and Trucks absolutely destroyed his jaw-dropping solo. The smooth R&B of “Can't Fight Love” followed, with Trucks setting a possible new world record for sustaining one note (he held one of his slides for what seemed like an eternity). “Cheesecake” presented yet another side of this band, with Scott’s jazzy brushes and fills highlighting the laid-back, loungey lead. In a display of pure rhythmic precision and power, Scott took a solo that both danced like a butterfly and stung like a bee. Second set staple “For My Brother” reared its head and was another highlight, working many in the crowd into a frenzy by its peak over 10 minutes into the song. “Going Down Slow” was a bit of a mellow follow-up, but it worked as well – Mattison’s falsetto crooned about “Goin’ down slow…leaving on the next train”. Perhaps the group’s mantra, “Joyful Noise” closed the set by showcasing yet another upbeat side of the band, and together they made another statement that clearly expressed the originality and unbelievable cohesiveness that this group of musicians possesses. Mattison asked the crowd “Can you feel it?” and apparently the answer was a resounding “YES”, as the pavilion and hillside erupted in applause. “Leavin' Trunk” was a great choice for an encore (although one fan really wanted “Freddy’s Dead”, imploring the band until he finally saw that he was fighting a loosing battle). As this great night came to a close, things wound down on a high note without the band loosing a single step.

If life and, consequently, music are like boxing, I guess that makes reviewers like me the equivalent ringside commentators. Well, if that’s the case, I have a few insights to share as we wrap up another stellar night for the music world. This show was really defined by the band’s ability to set the tempo in the early stages and prove to the audience that they were doing things on their terms and in their comfort zone. Although the heavyweight of harmony, Derek Trucks, sometimes has a tendency to go on a rampage and land a flurry of blows, he really showed the restraint of an experienced veteran. Of course, it was a huge advantage to have such talented and experienced members of his team in his corner. As for a highlight reel, well, there really isn’t one moment, movement, or crescendo that defined this show. Any quick overview or summary would miss the most profound aspect of the Derek Trucks Band – by delivering their trademark sound consistently and accurately, they were able to dazzle the judges and bring home another victory tonight. Look for this group to remain undefeated for years to come.

1: Sahib Teri Bandi> Maki Madni, All I Do, Life Is Crazy, I Wish I Knew, Lonely Avenger, Feel So Bad

2: This Is The Sun That (This Sky), Volunteered Slavery, Can't Fight Love, Cheesecake, For My Brother, Going Down Slow, Joyful Noise 

E:  Leavin' Trunk