Tour Press Clips - Derek Trucks Band - March 24

Pop and Rock Listings By THE NEW YORK TIMES Published: March 19, 2009

THE ALLMAN BROTHERS BAND (Friday, Saturday, Monday, Tuesday and Thursday) This archetypal Southern rock band is still on the road. Gregg Allman, the band’s keyboardist and main singer, is more than ever its center, since its co-founder, Dickey Betts, is estranged from the band. His replacement, Warren Haynes, shares the twin-guitar passages with Derek Trucks, the nephew of the band’s drummer, Butch Trucks, and a jam-band leader in his own right. At 8 p.m., Beacon Theater, 2124 Broadway, at 74th Street, (212) 307-7171, beacontheatrenyc.com; $60.99 to $150.99. (Jon Pareles)

MUSIC REVIEW | ALLMAN BROTHERS A Guest Guitarist Who Needed No Introduction

Michael Nagle for The New York Times From left, Warren Haynes, Derek Trucks, the guest Eric Clapton, Oteil Burbridge and, on drums, Butch Trucks, at the Beacon. By NATE CHINEN Published: March 20, 2009 Eric Clapton got right down to business with the Allman Brothers at the Beacon Theater on Thursday night. Taking the stage to a welcoming roar — his guest turn, while unannounced, was by no means an airtight secret — he picked up his light blue Stratocaster and dug into “Key to the Highway,” a Big Bill Broonzy tune. As a blues shuffle, it was a good fit all around, and Mr. Clapton, on vocals as well as on guitar, gave it purpose and presence. There was also a calculated weight behind the song, which Mr. Clapton recorded with the guitarist Duane Allman in 1970 for the Derek and the Dominos album “Layla and Other Assorted Love Songs.” Allman, who died the following year in a motorcycle accident, was Mr. Clapton’s original connection to the Allman Brothers. And so Mr. Clapton’s feverishly anticipated walk-on — arriving halfway through a 15-night run at the Beacon, the band’s traditional spring residency — gave the impression of a survivor paying his respects, airing a private sentiment in an extravagantly public setting.

The commemorative mood reached well beyond Mr. Clapton’s shift, which constituted the last six songs of the show. At the outset, after the lights dimmed, a written invocation appeared on a large screen above the stage: “Welcome to the 40th Anniversary of the Allman Brothers Band.” Then came a dedication “to the man who started it all,” and a succession of photographs of Duane Allman, at work and at play. “Little Martha,” a ballad he recorded shortly before his death, provided a wistful soundtrack for this reverie; the band’s guitarists, Warren Haynes and Derek Trucks, played it with all appropriate care. Duane Allman was just shy of 25 when he died, and his tenure in the Allman Brothers barely lasted a few years. But he was the founding father of the republic; its sound still bears his signature. The current lineup includes his younger brother, the keyboardist and lead singer Gregg Allman, along with the drummers Butch Trucks and Jaimoe — all charter members. And in their frontline interplay, Mr. Haynes and Derek Trucks (Butch’s nephew) bring their own voices, but with a profound awareness of tradition. The first half of the show was an affirmation of bedrock values, with some of the sturdiest songs from the Duane Allman era: “Statesboro Blues,” “Revival,” “Don’t Keep Me Wonderin,’ ” “Done Somebody Wrong.” Gregg Allman was in strong vocal form, and the rhythm section (also with the bassist Oteil Burbridge and the percussionist Marc Quiñones) chugged along expertly. The set kept gathering steam as it went on: “Whipping Post,” the last salvo before intermission, felt both inevitable and unassailable. When it was his turn onstage, Mr. Clapton seemed acutely conscious of his role, careful not to throw the tone off balance. This was probably a necessary measure, even in the wake of a satisfying first half. (Surely he understood that there were fans preparing themselves for a celestial event.) It meant something that he played “Dreams,” a somewhat ethereal staple of the Allman canon, in addition to several songs from the “Layla” files. Mr. Clapton was impressive, thoroughly himself, on every song. But the best thing about the appearance was his camaraderie with Derek Trucks. During an extended interlude in “Why Does Love Got to Be So Sad,” they improvised a duologue with no extraneous sparks, pushing each other but also yielding, on an equal plane. Their rapport — forged when Mr. Clapton brought Mr. Trucks on tour a few years ago — was just as deep on “Little Wing,” which occasioned a fiery solo by Mr. Haynes, and “Anyday,” which featured Susan Tedeschi, Mr. Trucks’s wife, on background vocals.

The encore was “Layla,” the song itself, and while it started as a gold medal showcase for Mr. Clapton, its mellower coda became a concerto for Mr. Trucks. Playing with a slide, he was melodic, vocal, imploring. That he was expanding on a part originated by Duane Allman only made the gesture feel all the more like an offering. The Allman Brothers continue through next Saturday at the Beacon Theater, 2124 Broadway, at 74th Street; (212) 307-7171, beacontheatrenyc.com.

Random Notes: Eric Clapton, Jane’s Addiction, Amy Winehouse, Rihanna and the Week in Rock 3/20/09, 6:30 pm EST

Photo: Loccisano/Getty

Eric Clapton finally made good on a long-anticipated appearance with the Allman Brothers this week at the blues-rock legends’ annual residency at New York’s Beacon Theatre. Clapton jammed with the Allmans on “Key to the Highway,” “Layla,” “Little Wing” and more at a show that doubled as a tribute to founding guitarist Duane Allman (who appeared with Clapton on the classic 1970 Derek & the Dominos record Layla and Other Assorted Love Songs).

Relix.com March 20, 2009 Clapton Joins the Allman Brothers for "Layla" and Other Assorted Love Songs Friday March 20th

Eric Clapton joined the Allman Brothers Band for an extended portion of its second set last night, marking his first appearance with the blues-rock legends after four decades of collaborations with its members. His long rumored appearance has been the source of considerable fan speculation since the group announced that its annual Beacon residency would double as an extended tribute to founding guitarist Duane Allman. In the early 1970s, Duane Allman appeared on Clapton’s classic Derek & the Dominos album Layla and Other Assorted Love Songs and later clocked in two shows with the famed band. Oddly enough, though Dickey Betts sat in with Slowhand on at least one occasion in the 1970s and Derek Trucks toured with the guitarist in 2006 and 2007, Clapton has never performed with the Allman Brothers Band. The three-week run has already seen guest spots from Duane Allman associates John Hammond, Bonnie Bramlett, Johnny Winter and the members of Cowboy. For the third time this month, the Allman Brothers opened its set with the ditty “Little Martha,” a rarely played track from Eat a Peach credited to Duane Allman. The band then launched into a ferocious first set that featured incredibly high energy versions of “Statesboro Blues,” “Done Somebody Wrong,” “Revival,” “Woman Across the River” and “Don’t Keep Me Wonderin’.” The Allman Brothers Band’s only guest-free set then came to a close with a playful version of the chestnut “Whipping Post.” As a rare treat, Gregg Allman opened his second set with a solo piano take on his “Oncoming Traffic.” The keyboardist recorded a live version of the song with his solo band in the 1970s and revived the number at the Beacon in 2005 and again earlier this week as a duet with Bramlett. The rest of the Brothers then emerged for “Come and Go Blues” and “Good Morning Little School Girl,” the latter of which featured Gov’t Mule keyboardist Danny Louis on piano. While a considerable number of fans rushed the floor, Allman introduced Eric Clapton as “a real great player and a real wonderful person” and the guitarist took the stage for the Layla and Other Assorted Love Songs number “Key to Highway.” Clapton proceeded to trade solos with Trucks and Warren Haynes on the Allman Brothers Band jam “Dreams” and another Layla and Other Assorted Love Songs classic, “Why Does Love Got To Be So Sad.” The latter song has been a staple in the Allman Brothers Band’s repertoire for years. In certain ways, the group’s second set climaxed with a mammoth cover Jimi Hendrix’s “Little Wing” that featured a three-way guitar duel between Clapton, Haynes and Trucks. The song, which is also appears on Layla and Other Assorted Love Songs, was a frequent highlight on Clapton’s world tour with Trucks. Susan Tedeschi then took the stage with the expanded ensemble for yet another Layla and Other Assorted Love Songs number frequently covered by the Allman Brothers Band, “Anyday.” Unbeknownst to most, Clapton actually plays slide on the recorded version of the cut, while Allman is credited as the song’s rhythm guitarist. The band then left the stage for a quick encore break, but returned with both Clapton and Louis for a version of anthem “Layla” that left the entire audience of its feet. In total, the Allman Brothers Band ran through six of Duane Allman’s

eleven contributions to Layla and Other Assorted Love Songs.

Allman Brothers Band, Eric Clapton jam at Beacon by Jay Lustig/The Star-Ledger Friday March 20, 2009, 3:20 PM

MICHAEL LOCCISANO/GETTY The Allman Brothers' Warren Haynes and Derek Trucks were joined onstage by Eric Clapton at the Beacon Theatre in New York City. Eric Clapton joined the Allman Brothers Band for songs like "Layla," "Key To the Highway," "Dreams" and "Little Wing" at New York's Beacon Theatre on Thursday. All the band's 40th anniversary shows at the Beacon this month, in fact, have had different, notable guests -- all unbilled. Here are the guests so far: March 9: Levon Helm, Taj Mahal. March 10: Johnny Winter, David Hidalgo and Cesar Rosas of Los Lobos. March 12: Buddy Guy, Trey Anastasio and Page McConnell of Phish. March 13: Boz Scaggs, Bruce Willis, the Asbury Jukes Horns. March 14: Robert Randolph, Randy Brecker, Stanley Clarke, Lenny White. March 16: John Hammond, Bonnie and Bekka Bramlett, Susan Tedeschi.

March 17: Sheryl Crow, Scott Boyer, Tommy Talton. March 19: Eric Clapton, Susan Tedeschi. Upcoming shows are scheduled for Saturday, Monday-Tuesday and Thursday-Sat., March 28. For information, call (201) 507-8900 or visit ticketmaster.com.

Gibson.com March 20, 2009

A Beacon Celebration: Eric Clapton Joins Allman Brothers Gabriel J. Hernandez | 03.20.2009

Months of speculation and innuendo finally culminated last night when Eric Clapton joined the Allman Brothers Band onstage at New York’s Beacon Theater to help celebrate the band’s 40th anniversary and honor the legacy its founding member – and former Clapton bandmate – Duane Allman. After a somewhat serious first set that saw the band – sans any guests for the first time during this Beacon run – deliver tight, spectacular versions of arguably its most classic songs, including “Statesboro Blues,” “Revival,” “Don’t Keep Me Wonderin” and first-set closer “Whipping Post,” band patriarch Gregg Allman introduced the legendary Slowhand midway through the second set, and immediately launched into the famed “Key To The Highway,” the relentless blues jam featuring dueling guitars by Clapton and Duane Allman from the Derek and the Dominos album, Layla and Other Assorted Love Songs.

From there, Clapton settled into a comfortable groove between ABB guitarists Warren Haynes and Derek Trucks, each taking turns with fingerpicking and slide solos that pushed each of the six songs to another level. Expectedly, the lucky attendees were treated to an incomparable display of guitar virtuosity, showering the Clapton and the band with an enthusiastic roar that lasted the entire set. The Allman classic “Dreams” ensured Clapton found his comfort zone, and the Brothers’ captivating musical domain, before continuing on with four more selections from the Derek and the Dominos catalog, including “Why Does Love Got To Be So Sad,” the Jimi Hendrix masterpiece, “Little Wing,” which Clapton and Duane covered for the album, and the soulful “Anyday,” which was sung by guest – and Derek Trucks’ wife – Susan Tedeschi. The highlight of the evening’s performance, however, was its finale. After a brief rest, and with the Beacon crowd in sheer delirium, Clapton and the Brothers returned and launched into the Dominos’ most defining song, “Layla” (see video below). With Trucks queuing up Duane’s leads and melding them into Clapton’s own melodies and lead lines, the song swelled to a climactic peak before releasing itself into its infamous piano coda, and it’s even more famous rhythm guitar melodies. When it’s all said and done, last night’s version of “Layla” could end up ranking as one of the best live moments in the history of the Allman Brothers Band. And that alone says a lot. The Brothers take the Beacon stage again tonight for night No. 9 of its 2009 run, and once again Clapton is scheduled to perform. And if last night’s show was any indication, tonight’s performance promises to be just as special. Gibson.com is giving you all the details of every night of this year's Beacon run by the Allman Brothers Band. Click on the corresponding date below for set lists, photos and videos of each night so far, and keep checking back for all the latest news on who's

showing up to help the band celebrate its 40th anniversary, and the legacy of founder Duane Allman. Mar. 19, 2009 Set 1: “Little Martha,” “Statesboro Blues,” “Noodlin’ Boogie” Intro > “Done Somebody Wrong,” “Revival,” “Woman Across The River,” “Don’t Keep Me Wonderin’,” “Whipping Post.” Set 2: “Oncoming Traffic” (Gregg solo on piano), “Come And Go Blues,” “Good Morning Little School Girl” (w/ Danny Louis, piano), “Key To The Highway” (w/ Eric Clapton, guitar & vocals), “Dreams” (w/ Eric Clapton, guitar), “Why Does Love Got To Be So Sad” (w/ Eric Clapton, guitar & vocals), “Little Wing” (w/ Eric Clapton, guitar & vocals), “Anyday” (w/ Eric Clapton, Susan Tedeschi, vocals). Encore: “Layla” (w/ Eric Clapton, guitar & vocals, Danny Louis, piano). "Layla" with Eric Clapton

Allman Brothers Band peakin' at the Beacon Wed Mar 11, 2009 9:15pm EDT

By Deborah Wilker NEW YORK (Hollywood Reporter) - With an all-ages appeal that plays as deftly to the classicrock crowd as it does to young jam fans and blues buffs, the Allman Brothers Band is still testing itself artistically, all while making lots of money. This is accomplished the old-fashioned way: unparalleled musicianship, a new set list every night and palatable pricing. The band pulled into the Beacon Theater on Monday for a sold-out 15-show run -- its own annual March madness, which it has been doing for the better part of 20 seasons at the storied venue. With last year's stand canceled because of Gregg Allman's poor health at the time and this year's gigs marking the 40th anniversary of the band's formation (complete with tribute to late founder Duane Allman), these shows appear to be carrying extra energy and poignancy. The first two nights -- the band's 176th and 177th Beacon shows -- saw the guys all over the musical map, with Levon Helm dropping by Monday with his entire band for "The Weight" and "I Shall Be Released." Bluesman Taj Mahal lent his formidable harmonica and vocals to "Leaving Trunk" and "Statesboro Blues," among others. Members of Los Lobos added some blistering improvisation Tuesday, particularly on the off-the-rails encore "One Way Out." B.B. King and Eric Clapton are rumored to be dropping in as the run progresses. Not that the Allman Brothers need any help. Purists were distraught when co-founder Dickey Betts was released from his contract nine years ago. But lead guitarists Warren Haynes and Derek Trucks continue to elevate each other and reinvent the band in ways that few musical acts have ever accomplished. While Gregg Allman remains the paternal figure and commercial frontman, Haynes and 29-yearold prodigy Trucks (nephew of Allmans co-founder/drummer Butch Trucks) drive the engine. There is a graceful interplay among the three leaders that is indeed unique -- as when Allman initially takes charge of classics like "Wasted Words" but then quietly signals Haynes and Trucks to move on and create another of their mind-bending duels. All are meticulous caretakers of the band's legacy, but none is beyond mixing it up with psychedelic flourishes, including feedback on the gospel-rooted classic "Revival." Allman was at his best on Tuesday's aching opener "Ain't Wastin' Time No More." He stepped out (tentatively) from behind his Hammond B3 organ just once, taking center stage with his acoustic guitar for "Melissa," a charming confection he wrote more than four decades ago that Haynes has for years been resculpting as a free-form electric ride. All the men appeared to be genuinely moved during the Tuesday set-closer "No One to Run With," a mild 1994 hit penned by Betts that took on added pain as the big screen showed grainy footage of Duane Allman and the late Allmans and Gov't Mule bassist Allen Woody. Haynes could not keep himself from turning around to face the images -- as if to be performing in unison with both.The shows also included such songs as "Midnight Rider," "Blackhearted Woman," "Mountain Jam," "Stormy Monday," "And It Stoned Me" and "Little Martha." Fans will have to wait for "Whipping Post," "Jessica," "Blue Sky," "Desdemona" and the rest. All 15 Beacon concerts will be streamed at Moogis.com until September. (Editing by Dean Goodman at Reuters)

Allman Brothers Band (Beacon Theater; 2,804 seats; $150 top) By DAVID SPRAGUE Presented by Live Nation. Opened and reviewed March 9, 2009. Closing March 28. The Allman Brothers' annual March run at Gotham's Beacon Theater has become something of a harbinger of spring, bringing with it a palpable sense of renewal. That vibe has seldom been more vivid than at the first night of this year's stand, what with the recent revamp of the venue and, more importantly, Gregg Allman's successful recovery from a bout with hepatitis C. As a nod to their 40th anniversary, which they're also commemorating this year, the band announced its intent to pay homage to founder Duane Allman, whose specter often hovers around them anyway. That was evident from the moment they took the stage on Monday night before an oversized screen that carried a slide show dominated by vintage shots of the late guitarist as current axmen Warren Haynes and Derek Trucks traded riffs on the chestnut "Little Martha." That sweet interlude soon gave way to a surprisingly fierce, intriguingly dark batch of standards that underscored the fact that the earliest version of the ensemble was called the Allman Brothers Blues Band for a very good reason. "Not My Cross to Bear," cleaved by an insistent, loamy solo by Haynes, segued into a sinister take on "I Walk on Gilded Splinters" that evoked dueling images of the storefront church and the shadiest juke joint. That duality was highlighted upon the appearance of first-set guest Taj Mahal, who alternated between proffering his usual good-time attitude and channeling the fearsomeness of Howlin' Wolf on a simmering ".44 Blues." Program's second set is usually home to the band's more exploratory forays, and this evening was no exception. Levon Helm of the Band took lead vocals on a warm, winning three-pack of songs highlighted by a burnished "Ophelia" and an embracing rendition of his own "The Weight." While Helm's presence was certainly affirming, the band hit its most bracing stride upon his departure, delivering an appropriately threatening "Stormy Monday" and a head-turning take on its customary closer "Mountain Jam" that found them dispensing with drums altogether, opening up heretofore impassible paths. Members of the band have implied that this may be the beginning of an extended last hurrah. If so, it's going to be one rousing farewell.

The Allman Brothers Band: Beacon Preview 2009, Forty Years and Counting By Doug Collette The Allman Brothers Band's 2009 run at New York City's Beacon Theatre carries more than its usual amount of hot-blooded anticipation. This year is the band's 40th anniversary, impressive enough in itself for any band, perhaps doubly so for one with the cataclysmic history of this group, with its well- documented accounts of personal tragedy and recurrent internecine warfare. Celebration of the ABB milestone looks to include more than the customary array of special guests for its mid-to-late March 10-night run at The Beacon. Both founding member Gregg Allman and latter day prodigal son Warren Haynes have spoken openly, if a bit close to the vest, about the potential cavalcade of stars, the latter specifically referring to a tribute to the Duane Allman, the ABB's original figurehead, who died tragically, not long after his 25th birthday in 1971. There are even more back stories to “ABB @ The Beacon 2009”--so many, perhaps, that the music at the heart of the events becomes of almost secondary interest. Due to Greg Allman's recovery from hepatitis- C, there was no 2008 run at the off-Broadway theatre, where The Brothers have taken up residence for a period upwards of 20 years now. In the interim, since their last appearance, The Beacon has been renovated to such an extent that, even more than before, its funky intimacy becomes an object of fascination--before during and after the performances themselves. Then there's the controversy surrounding ticket sales. At first appearing to be nothing more than the proverbial cluster of interest that has grown as demand has increased in proportion to The Allmans' own visibility since their artistic resurgence in 2003, the widespread shutout of many potential ticket buyers in early 2009 may just be the tip of an iceberg: similar and even more suspicious replays of this jam-up have occurred in sales for Phish, The Dead and Bruce Springsteen. With the announcement of the potential merger of Ticketmaster and Live Nation, which comes close on the heels of the suspect purchase of broker TicketsNow by TM, inquiries from Congress and “The Boss” have come into play. For the true music lover, though, The Allman Brothers at The Beacon comes down to the playing of the band. The repertoire of the group has remained fairly constant over the years, even as personnel has shifted. Still, earlier in the decade--coincident with Haynes' 2002 return to the group and three years after the enlistment of wunderkind guitarist Derek Trucks--there existed an adventurous spirit in the choice and sequencing of songs that was rare in ABB history. That mindset carried from the 3000+- seat venue into the sheds of summer as acoustic duets between Haynes and Trucks were juxtaposed with Gregg Allman performing suites of choice tunes at the grand piano. Such unpredictable interludes contrasted with highpowered sets from the full band, where extended segues of chestnuts, including ”Dreams”

and “In Memory of Elizabeth Reed,” would mesh with newer material like “Desdemona” and “Who to Believe,” from the classy latter-day studio effort Hittin' the Note (Sanctuary/Peach, 2003). All of the preceding might be wrapped within an intro/outro of The Brothers' signature improvisational vehicle “Mountain Jam.” Then there were the astute cover tunes, such as “Layla” and “Walk on Gilded Splinters,” these two usually based on association with Duane Allman and his extensive session work. Yet the sense of novelty has diminished since 2005, both in the spring and on the summer tours, so much so that the prospect of a string of cameos may not necessarily bode well for the kind of sustained momentum that can inevitably conjure up musical drama of the highest order. But that may be a purist sensibility that's increasingly left behind as The Allman Brothers run at The Beacon becomes less of a hidden secret and more of a mainstream preoccupation. Given the pride at the heart of this unit, particularly in its remaining original members--besides the surviving sibling, drummers Butch Trucks and Jaimoe-there should be no lack of effort exerted to live up to their legacy this year. With the utilization of Moogis, a technological advance spearheaded by Trucks that will allow following the shows live on the internet, there's an added sense of The Allman Brothers Band prospering in the modern world at least equal to talk of the group retiring at the top of its game in this its anniversary year. Anticipation may not be all when it comes to live music, but it may be peaking, appropriately enough, for The Allman Brothers at the Beacon Theatre in 2009. The Allman Brothers Band | Published: March 14, 2009

Thu., March 5

The Derek Trucks Band By Bob Ruggiero

Talk about laziness. Slide guitar genius Derek Trucks is pushing 30, and so far he’s only worked as a professional musician for two decades – jamming with everyone from Santana to Buddy Guy – been the second axeman with uncle Butch’s Allman Brothers Band, and led his own little combo for six studio releases now. Somebody needs to light a fire under this guy’s ass. In addition to being one his band’s finest albums, Already Free is also easily Trucks’ most concise. Musically, the sprawling jams and heavy jazz/Indian/Middle Eastern influences have dissipated in favor of a straight-ahead blues/rock-based sound (“Something to Make You Happy,”). But Truck’s impeccable, stinging slide work, coupled with vocalist Mike Mattison’s roughhewn, emotion-drenched voice, make it anything but pedestrian in a genre teeming with jaywalking violations. Just check out the lilting soul of “Days is Almost Gone,” R&B showstopper “Get What You Deserve” gospel-tinged “Sweet Inspiration” and gentle, lush “Our Love.” The latter two feature, respectively, blues singer/Trucks’ wife Susan Tedeschi and Arc Angel Doyle Bramhall II, giving it a loose, family-affair feel. First single “Down in the Flood” covers Bob Dylan’s Basement Tapes track, but Trucks’ slower, grittier take transforms the number from a rollicking sing-along to something deeper, even more foreboding. Already Free may be a break with previous DTB records, but it’s a worthy, continuing chapter in the musical and spiritual journey of the soft-spoken, blonde-maned bandleader. (Note: the Best Buy exclusive of the CD features three bonus tracks, and the iTunes version another one.)

Aftermath: Derek Trucks Band at House of Blues By Bob Ruggiero in Live Shots Friday, Mar. 6 2009 @ 11:46AM

Photos by Craig Hlavaty At its best, music has a deeply spiritual quality, an ability to create some connection on a higher level between performer and audience that even someone with a bust of Madalyn Murray O'Hair on their mantle can get on board with. Thursday night at House of Blues, Derek Trucks was able to coax more transcendence and purity out of one run on his slide guitar that a phalanx of pulpit pontificators could do with a month of Sundays. According to audience member James Perkins, who stood by Aftermath for part of the show, the quiet leader with the long blonde ponytail is also cosmic. "His music is so high-end and brilliant, it's almost from a different planet," he noted. "Some of it flies over my head, but it just soars. And it's got balls." Trucks and his ensemble - Mike Mattison (vocals), Todd Smallie (bass), Yonrico Scott (drums), Kofi Burbridge (keyboards/flute), and the mysterious Count M'Butu (percussion) enthralled for close to two hours on a free-form musical journey sailing through the seas of blues, jazz, rock and world music. It wasn't for no reason that the show opened with the churchified "Joyful Noise." The set list drew heavily from the band's newest (and most compact) release, Already Free, highlighted by a raucous cover of Bob Dylan's Basement Tapes number "Down in the Flood," an organ-drenched "I Know," "Get What You Deserve" and a sterling version of the title track. The latter

had Trucks seated on a chair, both legs pumping up and down like pistons while he peeled off fiery licks. Through it all, Mattison - who bears an uncanny resemblance to a young George Foreman - sang with a gutbucket passion that belied his stationary situation (with a cast covering most of his right leg, he was relegated to sitting on a stool the entire night). The Southern Baptist Conference should use his turn on "Preachin' Blues" as a recruiting tool. If the DTB is not about one thing, it's flashy showmanship. Mattison mostly maintained in inscrutable expression. Trucks himself addressed the audience only once to introduce the band early on, preferring in concentrate wholly on intensely caressing the neck of his instrument without stepping forward (though he did crack a few smiles). So it was up to drummer Scott to throw a few platitudes out about being happy to be in Houston. Perhaps Trucks was conserving his energy - his other gig on the road with the Allman Brothers Band starts on Monday. Sadly missing was more of the Indian/Middle Eastern/African-tinged instrumental jazzy material off the Soul Serenade or Songlines records (or at least the amazing cover of Rahsaan Roland Kirk's "Volunteered Slavery"). But just hearing the mastery of Trucks' slide runs in any form, complemented by his seamlessly united players (especially Burbridge and Scott), was indeed cause for joy. Opening the show was Austin's Gary Clark, Jr. Band, whose talented singing/guitar slinging frontman offered up a deep mix of blues, rock and one surprising falsetto-layered doo-woppish '50s love song. At times sounding like Dan Auerbach of the Black Keys, Clark was a solid opener with a future of his own.

Saturday, March 7, 2009

Concert review: Derek Trucks Band at the Granada (March 6) BY RON DEMPESMEIER

The Derek Trucks Band

A sold out audience in the venerable Granada Theater got its share of jaw-dropping moments during the Derek Trucks Band performance. Trucks’ slide guitar technique on his red Gibson SG was a wonder to behold. His precise, fiery playing led his group through stops in blues, jazz, gospel, Indian/Pakistani and rock styles, with several songs hitting nearly all of them in succession! Trucks does not need showy stage antics to punch his guitar hero ticket – he just uses his fingers, intense concentration and a Pyrex tube do it for him. Trucks’ band was also outstanding and their talents were showcased throughout the evening. Kofi Burbridge played some sizzling Hammond organ, funky clavinet and his flute playing was featured on the John Coltrane version of “My Favorite Things.” Drummer Yonrico Scott put on a clinic of powerful blues and jazz drumming and sang some gruff backing vocals. Bassist Todd Smallie anchored the rhythm with his solid playing and provided the majority of backing vocals. The oldest member of the group (likely in his sixties) was percussionist Count M’Butu who played a full set of African drums and just about any shaker, scraper, cowbell and stick available. Count M’Butu was announced as being from Plano, Texas, which got a big rise out of the crowd.

Wanee Music Festival celebrates the Allmans’ 40th anniversary February 27th, 2009 by Leilani Polk in News Wanee, the annual Florida music festival hosted by Southern jam rock grandfathers Allman Brothers Band and featuring two nights worth of headlining shows by them returns, this time with Gregg Allman in good health and actually in attendance.

The current lineup of performers includes the usual suspects — the Allmans (who headlines both nights), Gov’t Mule, Toots & The Maytals, the Derek Trucks Band (which plays a special midnight set on Saturday), Susan Tedeschi, and Devon Allman’s Honeytribe.

This year’s new additions (i.e., those bands who don’t show up almost every single year) are rather more appealing than in previous fests and include the Doobie Brothers, Little Feat, Umphrey’s McGee, The Wailers performing The Exodus Album, Drive-By Truckers, Bill Kreutzmann featuring Oteil Burbridge and Scott Murawski, Keller Williams, Grace Potter & The

Nocturnals, Ivan Neville’s Dumpstaphunk, Col. Bruce Hampton & The Quark Alliance, The Lee Boys with Oteil Burbridge, Hill Country Revue (featuring Cody Dickinson and Chris Chew from The North Mississippi Allstars), and Bonobos Convergence.

The fest takes place June 5-6 at the Spirit of Suwannee Music Park in Live Oak, Fla. Tickets go on sale next Saturday, March 7, at 10 a.m. Two-day event tickets are $138.00 March 7-April 19 and $153.00 April 20-June 3. All Ticket prices include three

nights of primitive camping starting June 4. VIP packages are $353 and the upgrade includes a special viewing area for the concerts, access to a hospitality tent with a catered buffet and beverages, preferred parking for those not camping, private restrooms and exclusive Wanee merch. For additional information, click here.

HitFix Friday, Feb 27, 2009 A Little Traveling Music, Please: More summer festivals announce

Get on your boots, as U2 sings. There's traveling to be done to hit some of the upcoming festivals. A lot are still holding back on announcing their lineups, and, sadly, some, like the Langerado Festival, cancelled outright this year. You can start with Coachella, which, as we've previously reported, is April 17-19 at the Empire Polo Grounds in Indio, Calif. Top acts include Paul McCartney, TV on the Radio, Morrissey, Amy Winehouse, Leonard Cohen and the Cure. Then hang out in Cali until the next weekend, for Stagecoach, at the same site, April 25-26. Headliners are Kenny Chesney, Brad Paisley, Reba McEntire, Kid Rock and Miranda Lambert. Rest until Bonnaroo, which takes place June 11-14 in Manchester, Tenn. Headliners include Bruce Springsteen and a reunited Phish, who are performing both Friday and Sunday nights. But today brings the announcement that three more festivals will continue this year, so mark your calendars. They'll be jamming at the fifth annual Wanee Festival, June 5-6 in Live Oak, Fla. with headliners Allman Bros. Band, Drive-By Truckers, Derek Trucks Band, Gov't Mule, Doobie Bros., Little Feat, the Wailers and more. Snarky indie rockers unite for the 2009 Pitchfork Music Festival will take place in Chicago's Union Park, July 17-19. Tickets go on sale March 13, by which time we're hoping they've announced some of the line up. Past performers include Vampire Weekend, Hold Steady, the Decemberists, Sonic Youth, Dinosaur Jr., Spoon and Public Enemy. Three weeks later, the much larger, and much more mainstream Lollapalooza will take place in Chicago's Grant Park. That line-up is also still top secret, but last year's headers included Radiohead, Rage Against the Machine, Kanye West and Nine Inch Nails. New Orleans' Voodoo Experience will take place Oct. 30-Nov. 1. No announcement of headliners yet, but last year's event featured Lil Wayne, Nine inch Nails, REM and Stone Temple Pilots.Want more music news and analysis? Want more music news and analysis? Sign up now for HitFix Blog Alerts and get The Beat Goes On in your inbox every day.

Spring music fests announce their lineups Submitted by Roger Bull on Fri, 02/27/2009 - 14:19. The lineups have been announced for some of the major festivals this spring. Here's what we're looking at: SPRINGFEST Suwannee Springfest, March 26-29 at Spirit of the Suwannee Music Park. Many of the regulars will be at the Americana/roots/blues and bluegrass festival at the park near Live Oak. Guy Clark and Verlon Thompson, The Duhks, Donna the Buffalo. Tornado Rider will make its Springfest debut. With Rushad Eggleston and the most manic cello you're ever likely to see, the band got a great response at last fall's MagnoliaFest. Amy LaVere, who's quickly drawing a lot of fans, will be there and then will play Mezza Luna in Neptune Beach on March 29. The Dedringers, kind of jangly pop and rock from Austin, played at Mojo Kitchen last September and will making their first appearance at the fest. The biggest news is that Richie Havens is playing the festival for the first time. He's been around for decades, is a definite favorite of folkies must strum with the most indestructible picks on the planet. Havens' lead guitarist is Walter Parks, who happens to be from Jacksonville, though he lives in New York these days. In addition to accompanying Havens, he's bringing his own band, Swamp Cabbage. And it sounds like just it sounds. www.magmusic.com SPRINGING THE BLUES Springing the Blues, April 3-5, Seawalk Plaza, Jacksonville Beach. The annual festival draws tens of thousands (some estimates put it past that), drawn not only by the blues by the beach in the spring. The weather, after all, is usually starting to get really good. Among the top performers at this year's festival: Chubby Carrier and the Bayou Swamp Band, Eddie Shaw and the Wolf Gang, Lucky Peterson, Greg Baril and Shane Dwight. Shaw is recognized as one of the top sax men in blues, and Peterson is one of the real showmen around. The festival is free. So is the sunshine. www.springingtheblues.com WANEE Wanee Music Festival, June 5 and 6, Spirit of the Suwannee Music Park. It's the Allman Brothers Band's festival, and they'll be back along a pretty incredible lineup: Gov't Mule, Doobie Brothers, Little Feat, Susan Tedeschi, The Wailers, Drive-By Truckers, Jorma Kaukonen, Devon Allman's Honeytribe, Grace Potter & The Nocturnals, Toots & The Maytals and more. That's a whole lot of jamming right there. The Derek Trucks Band will perform at midnight, since most of them are already there with other groups. Tickets go on sale March 7. www.waneefestival.com

Allman Brothers Band To Headline Wanee Festival By CURTIS ROSS | The Tampa Tribune Published: February 27, 2009 The Allman Brothers Band will headline both nights of the Wanee Festival, June 5-6 at Spirit of Suwannee Music Park in Live Oak. Several Allman Brothers offshoots will be playing as well. Allman Brothers Band guitarists Derek Trucks and Warren Haynes will perform with The Derek Trucks Band and Gov't Mule, respectively. Bassist Oteil Burbridge will perform with Grateful Dead drummer Bill Kreutzmann and The Lee Boys as well as with the Brothers. Other acts scheduled to play include Little Feat, The Doobie Brothers, Susan Tedeschi (Trucks' wife), Devon Allman's Honeytribe (led by Gregg Allman's son), Toots & the Maytals, the Wailers, Jorma Kaukonen, Keller Williams, Umphrey's McGee, Col. Bruce Hampton & the Quark Alliance, Drive-By Truckers and Ivan Neville's Dumpstaphunk. For the full lineup, visit www.waneefestival.com Tickets, $138 plus service charges, go on sale Mar. 7 at 10 a.m. Tickets include two nights of music and three nights of primitive camping beginning June 4. Ticket prices increase to $153 on April 20. Tickets will be available through musictoday.com and livenation.com

Weekend Warmup Posted by brandy on February 26, 2009

Music - Derek Trucks Band with Aaron Squirrel: See the Derek Trucks Band with Aaron Squirrel at 7 p.m. Sunday at Coca-Cola Bricktown Events Center, 425 E California. Information: (866) 966-1777 or www.okctickets.com.

by John Sinkevics | The Grand Rapids Press Sunday March 22, 2009, 6:00 AM GRAND RAPIDS -- It shouldn't surprise anybody that the Frederik Meijer Gardens & Sculpture Park's summer concert series promoter, Utah's Chris Mautz, is targeting surefire acts such as Bonnie Raitt, Taj Mahal and Jonny Lang to lay the foundation for the 2009 season. Most performers booked for Meijer Gardens' summer concert series have a more-than-familiar ring - or more accurately, guitar twang. Bookings to round out the 10- or 11-show series will include other repeat performers, too, I'm told. Guitar phenoms Lang and Derek Trucks have played the Gardens' amphitheater before and done darned well, I'd say, in drawing enthusiastic crowds to the intimate venue. And snagging blues guitar veterans Raitt and Taj Mahal for a late-August, co-headlining show ranks as a no-brainer: It's a guaranteed slam-dunk sellout, because these are two legendary performers I've long argued should be booked to bolster this outdoor series. EARLY LINEUP Frederik Meijer Gardens & Sculpture Park has its first bookings for the 2009 summer concert series. Ticket prices and schedule will be set by early April. Tickets go on sale to Gardens members May 2 and the general public May 16. June 10 -- The Derek Trucks Band, with Ruthie Foster June 18 -- The Avett Brothers Aug. 19 -- Jonny Lang, George Thorogood Aug. 23 -- Bonnie Raitt, Taj Mahal Lang has played the 1,750-seat amphitheater twice, last performing a sold-out show in 2006. Trucks made his first appearance last year with his wife, guitarist-singer Susan Tedeschi. This time around, The Derek Trucks Band is expected to open the Gardens' summer series on June 10. To be sure, adding blues-rock guitarist George Thorogood as a co-headliner for the Aug. 19 Lang show adds fresh zip to the lineup, as does the booking of up-and-coming North Carolina rootsy folkrock group The Avett Brothers for mid-June. The Avett Brothers (actually two brothers plus a bassist and, sometimes, a cellist) have earned acclaim on the Americana music scene and will open spring dates on Dave Matthews Band's 2009 tour. Mautz maintained the Gardens' concert bookings represent "a really good pattern of iconic figures and larger names that people really gravitate toward as a core," along with a few new names and younger acts (Cake last year, Avett Brothers this year) that mesh well with those established acts. "We don't want to get so outside the comfort zone that people are scratching their heads," Mautz said. "We're really comfortable with how things have evolved over the past three years. ... The repeats are great. Bringing back some of the favorites is always exciting for us." Courtesy PhotoBonnie Raitt will play the Frederik Meijer Gardens & Sculpture Park summer concert series in August. With tight budgets for most families in a teetering economy, picking tried-and-true live acts is a reasonable expectation for 2009. The record shows: If it worked at the Gardens before, it'll work again. A similar "play-it-safe" approach applies to other summer events, including the much-hyped Rothbury festival, which announced its lineup last week. Choosing long-in-the-tooth road warriors such as Bob Dylan, Willie Nelson, the Black Crowes and a sort-of-reunited Grateful Dead as the July event's principal headliners isn't exactly breaking new ground. Although many summer events haven't been finalized, Internet searches also show repeat performances by popular country stars Blake Shelton and Dierks Bentley at this year's B-93 Birthday Bash in June and blues guitarist John Nemeth at WLAV-FM's Blues on the Mall in July. And it doesn't get any safer -- or much better in terms of performance -- than landing Bonnie Raitt and Taj Mahal for what could end up being the Gardens' series wrap-up on Aug. 23.

Mautz noted in-demand artists such as Raitt (as well as Lang and Thorogood, who will tour together this summer) are "cherry-picking" the places they want to play. "I'm pretty sure it's the smallest venue they're playing this summer," Mautz said of the Raitt/Mahal concert. "It's one of those shows that I just think is another seed in the garden that says, 'Wow, this series is really something.'" It's like most investors' approach to the stock market these days: Stay away from risky stuff; stick to blue-chip performers. E-mail John Sinkevics: [email protected]