While you are accustomed to many a sports-related post on TheBlog@TerryLyons.com - I love to recognize the very best in classic rock entertainment. Among the most talented musicians that I have had the pleasure to meet is Susan Tedeschi.
Susan happens to hail from Boston and is married to the world's greatest living guitar player, Derek Trucks. As you well know, Derek heads up the DTB and regularly plays guitar for the Allman Brothers Band when he's not sitting in or on tour with Eric Clapton (2nd best living guitarist , IMO). This summer and fall, Susan and Derek gave fans a treat when they toured together.
When the two appeared together at a DTB show at NYC's Nokia Theatre a while back, we had the good fortune to have VIP and backstage passes for the show. Susan was hosting when not playing and at one point, she gave me a special treat. She handed me a pass (that the roadies and guitar technicians use) and it allowed me to get a side-stage look at her hubbie as he was playing with his band. Susan later joined in for a medley of "The Band" - from the Band's greatest performance - The Last Waltz. It was terrific.
Anyhow, this post is dedicated to Susan today, Nov. 9th, her 40th birthday (hope she doesn't mind 'revealing' her age but, then again, it was plastered in today's Boston Globe, along with this review of Susan's work with the Experience - a tribute to Jimi Hendrix.
Happy Birthday Susan. Hope to see you at a concert very soon. Maybe the one listed under the Globe story?
Reveling in the Hendrix experience
By Scott McLennan Globe Correspondent / November 9, 2010
It doesn’t take a dozen exceptional guitarists to extol the virtues of Jimi Hendrix. But having that many certainly makes for a great show, as was the case Sunday at the Orpheum with the “Experience Hendrix’’ concert.
Steve Vai, Kenny Wayne Shepherd, Vernon Reid, Ernie Isley, Eric Johnson, Susan Tedeschi, Brad Whitford, Johnny Lang, Mato Nanji, and a triple dose of pedal steel players — Robert Randolph, Darick Campbell, and Chuck Campbell — produced a fiery three-hour show that explored all facets of Hendrix’s brief and brilliant career.
Isley, an early supporter of Hendrix, and bassist Billy Cox, who was in both the Experience and Band of Gypsys, brought historical heft as they teamed for the opening salvo of “Stone Free’’ and “Message to Love.’’ Cox reminded the packed house how Hendrix rested his unparalleled guitar architecture atop a steady foundation of blues and soul. Isley, best known as an R&B player, showed how Hendrix opened up new possibilities for guitarists, and he demonstrated with a mind-melting rendition of “Manic Depression.’’
Living Colour captured Hendrix’s brash showmanship. A crazed “Crosstown Traffic’’ found singer Corey Glover prowling the aisles and balconies of the theater, with bassist Doug Wimbish in the floor seats and Reid letting loose screams and howls from his guitar.
Drummers Chris Layton from Double Trouble and Will Calhoun of Living Colour manned the kits throughout the night, and when Cox wasn’t playing, the bass was handled in turns by Wimbish and Scott Nelson, from Shepherd’s band.
Tedeschi’s performance showcased the elegance of Hendrix’s songwriting. She teamed with Johnson to tackle the wistful “One Rainy Wish,’’ then moved on to the psychedelic poetry of “If 6 Was 9’’ and “Spanish Castle Magic,’’ tunes that summoned Aerosmith’s Whitford and Indigenous’s Nanji for additional guitar firepower, though Tedeschi delivered some of the toughest solos of the lot.
Just how far Hendrix’s legacy reaches beyond rock ’n’ roll became evident when Randolph and the Campbell brothers — players schooled in the gospel tradition — trained their pedal steel guitars on “Hey Joe’’ and “Purple Haze.’’
Lang, using the night’s only acoustic guitar, and Whitford crafted a majestic version of “All Along the Watchtower.’’ Shepherd tapped both “Voodoo Chile’’ and “Voodoo Child (Slight Return)’’ to highlight Hendrix’s influence on modern blues. Vai’s note-packed performances reminded how high Hendrix set the bar for those wanting to be impressive soloists.
Vai, Reid, and Randolph engaged in ebullient jamming during “Love or Confusion’’ and “Foxy Lady,’’ and Cox, singing and playing bass, brought the show home aptly with “Red House.’’
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Key concert news....
This year marks the 10th anniversary of the death of Allen Woody, a respected bass player known for his work with Southern rock acts Gov’t Mule and The Allman Brothers Band. His passing in 2000 brought together former bandmates, friends, and fellow musicians (including The Black Crowes and Phil Lesh) to pay tribute to both Woody’s life and his contributions to the rock and roll world with the ”One for Woody” benefit show. Now, a decade later, The Allman Brothers and Gov’t Mule camps are ready give back and celebrate the life of their friend by hitting the stage once again.
The original benefit was held at the historic Roseland Ballroom in New York City on September 21, 2000, less than a month after Woody was found dead of an apparent overdose. Thus, it’s only seems fitting that the legendary venue will also serve as host for “Another One for Woody” on November 22nd. Confirmed acts include The Allman Brothers Band and Gov’t Mule, as well as country/blues rock act The North Mississippi All Stars Duo.
“Another One for Woody” tickets go on sale November 5th and you can get yours at the Roseland Ballroom official site. A portion of the proceeds from the event will be donated to help raise money to keep music education alive in schools. For a taste of what’s to come, check out a performance of “I Shall Be Released” from the original benefit concert below.
In related news, Gregg Allman just announced his first new album in 14 years. Titled Low Country Blues and due for release on January 11th, the T Bone Burnett-produced effort hears Allman offers his take on classic Blues tracks from the likes of Muddy Waters, BB King, and Buddy Guy, among others. Album’s tracklist can be found below the aforementioned video.
Ya' gotta love T-Bone Burnett!
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Also, as long as I'm dedicating this entire post to music, I might as well plug a tribute to the late John Lennon (celebrating what would have been his 70th - back in Oct.). The show is coming this weekend, Nov. 12th, at The Beacon Theatre in NYC.
See this blog from WFUV - Fordham University's radio station.
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