The Derek Trucks Band | Already Free
Album Review
Posted January 14, 2009 at 6:09 pm
Derek Trucks lives an accelerated life. He first played with the Allman Brothers Band when he was 10. When he was 12, he sat in with Buddy Guy, and by 15, he had formed his own band. He was recently named a “Guitar God” by Rolling Stone. In fact, the only place the 29-year-old former child prodigy seems to slow down is behind his slide guitar. A virtuoso bluesman, Trucks brings a cool, easy confidence to every note of “Already Free.”
Don’t expect any blistering Kirk Hammett-esque 128th note runs; Trucks is much more restrained, but this emotive style is effective nonetheless. Over the course of the album, the band proves to be very capable of atypical blues, but they also handle Southern rock well, and even a little funk on “Something to Make You Happy,” and often offer hints of jazz and Latin music.
The rest of the band is very talented as well. Dual percussionists Yonrico Scott and Count M’Butu are rock steady and are of the rare breed of drummer that can transcend merely keeping time and add to a band’s expression. Singer Mike Mattison, though, sounds like he’s got throat cancer, the kind that makes your voice raspy and breathy.
The only other complaints that can be made about “Already Free” are complaints about blues jam bands in general. The lyrics are uninspired and repetitive. If the band seems like they’re just trying to get them over with, well, maybe they are. Also, there aren’t any hooks. Don’t expect a “Ramblin’ Man” from this honorary Allman Brother; the boys are here to play long, sprawling rock.
And on “Down Don’t Bother Me,” Trucks’ sprawling rock is on full display. We get the full story just from the guitar solo. Though this is a particularly apparent display of Trucks’ talent, there’s no filler on “Already Free,” and every track is a solid cut of blues.
The Derek Trucks Band will be playing at the Pageant on Feb. 24.
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