The twelve-piece locomotive known as Tedeschi Trucks Band rolled into downtown Newark, NJ on Thursday for the band’s fourth show at the New Jersey Performing Arts Center and its first performance there since 2016. NJPAC has a longstanding reputation of intimate performances and immaculate acoustics. Led by the dueling guitars of husband and wife duo Derek Trucks and Susan Tedeschi, the band resembled the symphonies that often perform at NJPAC, with bassist Brandon Boone, keyboardist Gabe Dixon, drummers Tyler Greenwell and Isaac Eady, and risers full of horns and a vocalist section to complete the group’s full orchestral sound of gospelized blues rock.
The first set comprised almost entirely of tracks from TTB’s most recent release, the four-part I Am The Moon, as the show opened just as the album does with an emotionally charged “Hear My Dear”. Consecutive tracks off Part II: Ascension followed as the bass and keyboard set the stage for Susan and the backup singers’ soaring vocals on “Playing With My Emotions” before Gabe Dixon commandeered the vocal helm during “Ain’t That Something”.
Stepping off his riser, creative powerhouse Mike Mattison, picked up an acoustic guitar on his way to the front of the stage to take lead vocals on “Emmaline” until Derek Trucks blasted off into “Circles ‘Round the Sun”. Susan walked off stage as Kebbi Williams’ saxophone nestled into a space in time with Elizabeth Lea’s trombone and Ephraim Owens’ trumpet following the saxophonist’s lead.
Afterwards, the risers cleared to leave only five musicians in the pocket to expound upon a sprawling “Pasaquan”. Derek, with his trusty slide in hand, came out blazing like a gunslinger of the old West, meeting at high noon on the sandy streets of Tombstone. Breaking it down to its rhythmic foundation, Tyler Greenwell and Isaac Eady dueled until the song’s triumphant conclusion, and even the most stubborn seat-loving fans stood up to applaud.
Susan introduced everyone on the crowded stage before cutting into the last I Am The Moon song of the first set with the sizzling blues guitar riffs of “Yes We Will”. To finish the frame, the stage cleared as she and Gabe Dixon worked together on a cover of Bonnie Raitt’s “I Can’t Make You Love Me”.
The second set continued in the same vein as an opening “Soul Sweet Song” and “Take Me As I Am” were taken off I Am The Moon, though separated by “Misunderstood” from 2013’s Made Up Mind. To celebrate the 10th birthday of “Misunderstood”, Susan elected to burn fiery guitar solos into the mix.
Moving away from IATM, Tedeschi Trucks Band dug its heels into “Anyhow” off 2016’s Let Me Get By. The beloved song recently stirred up mixed opinions when it appeared in a Chevrolet commercial. Consecutive covers emerged as Mike Mattison stepped to centerstage once more to belt out a cover of Sleepy John Estes’ “Leaving Trunk” before unshelfing Rahsaan Roland Kirk’s “Volunteered Slavery” from the Derek Trucks Band catalogue.
A masterful “Midnight in Harlem”, the only tune culled from the band’s debut album, revealed itself before two more classic covers closed out the second set. Prompting flashbacks to the Allman Brothers Band‘s famous Beacon Theatre residencies that took place each year in March, Elmore James’ “Done Somebody Wrong”—an ABB favorite—wound down into Billy Taylor’s “I Wish I Knew How It Would Feel To Be Free”. Mike Mattison took lead vocals on this Derek Trucks Band staple, which ended after a heavenly call and response between Alecia Chakour and Mark Rivers.
Returning quickly for a single-song encore, TTB performed an extended “Let Me Get By” that featured a breakdown from Gabe Dixon’s corner and a lively exchange between Derek Trucks’ slide guitar and Susan’s vocals. After one last solo, the song ended, and the house lights came on during an appreciative standing ovation.
After a day off, the unstoppable Tedeschi Trucks Band moves on to Asheville, NC for a show at ExploreAsheville.com Arena before making stops at DPAC in Durham, NC, Savannah Music Festival in Savannah, GA, and two nights at The Chicago Theatre in Chicago, IL. For the full tour, click here.
Tedeschi Trucks Band – New Jersey Performing Arts Center – Newark, NJ – 3/23/23
Tedeschi Trucks Band – “Yes We Will” – 3/23/23
[Video: sgibson818]
Setlist: Tedeschi Trucks Band | Prudential Hall | New Jersey Performing Arts Center | Newark, NJ | 3/23/23
Set 1: Hear My Dear, Playing With My Emotions, Ain’t That Something, Emmaline, Circles ‘Round the Sun, Pasaquan, Yes We Will, I Can’t Make You Love Me (Bonnie Raitt)
Set 2: Soul Sweet Song, Misunderstood, Take Me as I Am, Anyhow, Leaving Trunk (Sleepy John Estes), Volunteered Slavery (Rahsaan Roland Kirk), Midnight in Harlem, Done Somebody Wrong (Elmore James), I Wish I Knew How It Would Feel to be Free (Billy Taylor)
Encore: Let Me Get By
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