Photos by Kelly Hueseman
The Scene: Call me biased, but the Tedeschi-Trucks Band headlining show at Red Rocks Amphitheatre is the one I’m most excited for every summer, and with openers including North Mississippi Allstars and Los Lobos, I knew the night wouldn’t disappoint. The only thing weighing down the good vibes among the crowd were the looming clouds and forecast for a rainy night. As droves of fans excitedly found their spot on The Rocks (some over-prepared with ponchos and tarps), most were so stoked for the show to start that the clouds were soon forgotten and the good vibes sent any chance of rain far away from our magical little spot in the mountains.
Opener: North Mississippi Allstars. I’ve been a fan of brothers Luther & Cody Dickinson and their Southern blues band, North Mississippi Allstars, for years, but I’d never seen them perform at Red Rocks. A small band of three, the Dickinson brothers took the stage and wasted no time churning out a number of songs packed with gritty guitar riffs from Luther, pounding rhythms from Cody on drums, and surprise vocals from Danielle Schnebelen, former singer of Trampled Under Foot, who has been touring this summer with North Mississippi Allstars and sitting in on bass guitar. It was early on in their set that Derek Trucks humbly walked onstage and kicked off what would be a night of collaboration among the musicians. Trucks’ ripping solos on slide guitar are always a treat to hear, but to see the smile on his face playing alongside Luther Dickinson was especially fun to watch. Although the Dickinson brothers are incredible on their own, I have to say Schnebelen stole the show during their set and was an exciting surprise for fans of Blues music. Typically found fronting her own band, the Danielle Nicole Band, she quickly earned the respect of the crowd and was welcomed again and again as she continued to grace the stage, sitting in with the following two bands as the night went on.
Opener: Los Lobos. The guys who have brought us to our feet for years thanks to their rendition of songs such as “La Bamba,” were no disappointment as direct support for Tedeschi-Trucks Band. Guitarist and vocalist David Hidalgo has sat-in with Tedeschi-Trucks Band a number of times, and his effortless musicianship makes him a real powerhouse next to Derek Trucks, who looked happier than I’ve ever seen him when he graced the stage for a heady rendition of The Grateful Dead‘s “Bertha.” While it was an epic moment to hear Trucks, Hidalgo, and Los Lobos guitarist Cesar Rosas swap solos and blow us away with some of the best guitar playing I’ve ever witnessed, we were taken to another level of awesomeness when Susan Tedeschi joined the band for a moving cover of Marvin Gaye’s “What’s Going On.” Not having to wait long to hear Derek and Susan was a big highlight of the night, and it was apparent early-on that this group of musicians loved to play together, truly respected each other, and was having the time of their lives on the Wheels of Soul summer tour.
Tedeschi-Trucks Band: Although new fans of Tedeschi-Trucks Band are often surprised and impressed by the size of the band, it’s quickly realized this is more than just a “super group.” Tedeschi-Trucks Band has proven year-after-year that when you tour with them, you’re part of the family. Each member of the band had their moment to shine, starting with Tedeschi’s bluesy guitar solo on opening song “Don’t Know What It Means,” an original off their latest album, Let Me Get By. That beautiful slide guitar that Trucks is most known for was breathtaking to listen to alongside Kofi Burbridge on flute during a cover of The Beatles’ “Within You Without You.” The psychedelic harmonies between vocalist Mike Mattison and Tedeschi were astounding, and these awe-inspiring moments kept on coming as Rosas, Hidalgo, Schnebelen, and Luther Dickinson all reappeared onstage to join Tedeschi-Trucks Band throughout the night.
It was a set filled with covers from bands including Derek and the Dominos, Santana, and Bob Dylan. While Tedeschi-Trucks Band has a solid set of original tunes across three studio albums that would have been just fine to hear to all night, their take on classic songs such as “Soul Sacrifice,” “The Sky is Crying,” and “You Ain’t Goin’ Nowhere” were so unique that many folks in the crowd may have mistaken them for originals.
It didn’t seem like anyone left the show early, and anyone who did missed out on one of the greatest encores I’ve ever witnessed. It started with Burbridge setting the stage on organ with the most soulful sounds that slowly eased into the recognizable Beatles, by way of Joe Cocker, tune “With a Little Help From My Friends.” Dancing and singing along with newfound friends in the crowd, the happiness and smiles were abundant both on and offstage, and Tedeschi sent us home with one of the best memories in live music, not holding back as she let her voice soar. There wasn’t one person sitting down after she unleashed an epic yelp, reminiscent of Cocker’s rendition of the song we all know and love.
I’m so grateful for the music from Tedeschi-Trucks Band. The feeling one gets from attending their live shows is infectious, and watching so many musicians play simultaneously in such an effortless fashion is nothing short of magic. To top it off, the love and respect between Trucks and Tedeschi is so beautiful to watch. When Trucks takes a solo, Tedeschi watches him longingly with pride in her eyes. And when Tedeschi rips into her own guitar solo or steps up to the mic, the smile on Trucks’ face grows. The music from this band is full of deep passion, and every time one show of theirs ends, I find myself seeking out an opportunity to catch them live again. This was a night to go down in the books of Red Rocks history, that’s for sure.
Energy: A
Musicianship: A+
Sound: A+
Stage Presence: A
Set/Light Show: A-
Overall: A
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