Venue:
Palais, St Kilda Melbourne
Date: 03/04/2024
Why is the Tedeschi Trucks Band so boring?
In this, my third attendance at one of their shows, I spent a fair bit of time pondering this question.
This 12 piece band from Jacksonville released an album described by All Music Guide as “roots music that cuts across and entwines blues, rock, jazz, soul, gospel, funk country, various African musics and Indian raga”. So pretty much a continuance of the Derek Trucks Band. But, in this concert at least, apart from the occasional dash of Indian style sounds in some of Derek’s soloing and the In A Silent Way intro to Midnight In Harlem they were pretty much a white southern blues soul outfit.
And they’re a covers band. In this 2-set show of 19 songs with 9 covers, the only memorable song of theirs was Midnight In Harlem – and what a song it is, granted, but the point remains.
So, what did my pondering come up with? So, with a 12-piece band I think the keyboard player got 2 solos, the trombone one, the sax maybe 2 and this is over a 19 song set. Why so sparing? You’ve got this whopping band (including 2 drummers which unlike in the Allmans seemed like a waste of time just muddying the sound), you are paying them all so why not mix it up, why not give them some time in the spotlight, why not add some more variation to the overall sound? Ditto the 3 back up singers. One solo in the encore except for Mike Mattison, more on him later. Instead, brass and back up vocalists seemed to be confined to providing blocks of sound to big up their overall sound.
Then there’s the stagecraft, or lack of it. Hardly anything said to the audience all night, and this is a southern soul show? Isn’t it all about in reaction? It’s not a fucking shoegaze concert. I think the only variation in stage positioning was Derek shuffling up back next to the drums and brass to do his majestic In A Silent Way intro to Midnight In Harlem? And they don’t move. None of them, not even the controller of the groove the bass player! Sure, there’s a sway of the hips, a nod of the head, the occasional dip of the knee but that’s it. And this is a southern soul show. This lack of energy feeds into the music and into the audience response. You love this stuff? Perform like you love it.
OK, so the at intermission I was hoping that the second set would be more of a stretch out a la the Allmans but it was more of the same until their tour de force MIH. Suddenly Tedeschi’s vocals were clearer, she started reaching for notes, stretching notes, varying things – you know like a proper singer! The band cooked and I leant over to Mrs Wells and said “that’s why we’re here”.
So let’s get to the elephant in the room. Susan Tedeschi. Hubby and wife, the stand centre stage next to each other, she does all the talking and most of the singing. But she is a boring singer. She sings like someone singing like a soul singer rather than being one. She stays within the rails never really stretching, always safe….until MIH and I’ll get back to that. A mate said but what about Bonnie Raitt? It’s a good point. But for mine Bonnie has more character to her voice while Susan is bland. And Bonnie is a great guitarist. In the interests of equity, presumably, Tedeschi got to do quite a few guitar solos and they were, well, awful. Sure, she is next to one of the world’s most fluid guitarists (which begs the question, so why bother?) but her solos just end up in a series of dead ends. They were jarring. But back to the singing – Mike Mattison is a singer in his own right, he did a lot of the vocal work in the Derek Trucks Band and his vocal work on Derek and The Dominoes covers are a delight. Then his one song ends, he goes back to the backing vocal line and my shoulders drop. What really bugged me walking out was how come Midnight In Harlem was so good, and the next song, The Sky Is Crying as they head into the home straight. It showed she can do it but it suggested she only “really” puts her heart and soul into the songs at the very end. That sounds very cynical, but what other explanation is there?
Whatever the answer, the conclusion I have reached is as much as I could listen to Derek Trucks soloing all night I won’t be going to see this band a fourth time.
The audience:
Older, more males.
It made me think..
Whatever the answer, the conclusion I have reached is as much as I could listen to Derek Trucks soloing all night I won’t be going to see this band a fourth time.
Oh dear. Mrs M and I are going on Saturday night. I don’t actually have any of their records so don’t know any of the songs but DT is a beautiful guitar player. Oh well, we’ll see. I’ll let youse all know…
Derek’s playing is always a joy. OOAA. Niall from this parish at one time asserted they are the best band in the world.
I think there’s a bigger difference between pop and rock concerts these days. If you had seen ABBA and AC/DC in 1979, the concerts would have been different but both acts would have used a lot of stagecraft to entertain you.
Pop stars still do this, which is one of the reasons why they’re asked to headline Glastonbury. I think a lot of modern rock bands find stagecraft and audience interaction a bit tacky. You know, a bit Dave Lee Roth, and so they avoid it.
This is a band that did the whole of Mad Dogs and Englishmen with Leon Russell, Claudia Linear and Dave Mason joining in. They don’t seem averse to the good time notion if not the execution.
“It’s about the music, man”. That old humbug about “authenticity”. I recall sneery idealists into lumpen blues rock talking of “rock cabaret”. Bollocks. It’s entertainment, not Bartok. But a balance is required, unless the excess is the point. I saw King Crimson perform with one slow lighting change but it was still a theatrical performance. Maybe it’s about the attitude.
(I rather like Bartok…)
So do I ! But Bartok never decided he needed to tour with inflatable pigs and a light show.
Apologies, I misread your intent.
But, to be completely fair, they wouldn’t have been available to him, even if he had considered it. He wouldn’t even have been aware of oil-slide lighting.
The Ballet Russe put on quite a show.
Well, yes – avant garde artists and all the art deco, very nice…but I’m not sure a flying pig dirigible would fit into their mise en scène.
The Band With No Songs.
Doesn’t “Why are they boring?” answer itself?
“Why is this old blues rock band boring?”
…other questions in this series include
“Why is pornography so rude?”
I like old blues rock bands esp with a sublime guitarist.
Music is entertainment. That is fundamental.
If it doesn’t entertain but bores, then they’re doing it wrong.
In my opinion.
Precisely. A bit of stagecraft is needed. Nobody comes out whistling the lights, but if it accentuates the music, all the better. Too busy and it’s just annoying, IMHO – and I like Hawkwind concerts.
No fireworks coming out of the keytar – no sale.
@Vincent
Two words – Stacia
Three words: death of cold.
two words: chapel hatpegs.
…one of the best trumpeters the Basie orchestra ever had.
His duets with Art Deco, on tenor sax, were simply stupendous.
Tedeschi Trucks seem to be part of the US jam band circuit, and it’s a genre where a lot of the crowd just want to get high and dance. Interaction with the crowd, stagecraft – not happening, as you can’t bop to it. I’ve seen Gov’t Mule and even the latter day Allman Brothers a few times and at most you’d get was a “good evening” and maybe a band intro. Clapton gigs at the RAH were the same. As someone who was neither high or keen on bopping, it did feel a bit disconnected.
It’s not a blues thing – plenty that can work a crowd from originals like Buddy Guy, through to the late Jeff Healy and SRV to Joe Bonamassa. My prejudices would have me believe jazz and prog would be likely candidates but given I steer clear of both I’m just guessing.
FWIW, most of the proggers that I’ve seen live have put on an excellent show – I’ve even seen Jon Anderson work a crowd!
Umphreys mcgee’s show looks colourful. A comfy balcony seat, a preload with some legal herb, and your evening would be set.
Some years ago a friend persuaded a gang of us to come with him to a gig by American jamband String Cheese Incident, who he’d been raving about for ages. It was a disappointing experience for all, including for him. Listless, uninspired and dull.
The last straw for me was a very whiteboy reggae number they played. The drummer was completely and utterly wrong. It was obvious he’d never properly listened to how reggae should be done.
Irie irie mon!
(As Americans always cry out on these occasions… for some reason)
Interesting, my experience exactly. They did a gig in Glasgow in the early noughties. I was curious. I lasted 15 minutes before making my excuses and leaving. Thankfully it was a comp ticket. US frat boys in the small nightclub crowd were doing twirly dances with sparkly scarves on the thinly populated dancefloor, to a rock bluegrass number. It was bloody awful.
They have a few live albums on Spotify which I really enjoyed.
I like them too – I have some great live albums of theirs. Studio albums less interesting.
A mate of mine is 77. A muso, a guitarist a lover of this “ sort of thing.”Not someone wanting to just have a dance and a good time. . He wouldn’t come. Reason – they’re boring. This is a band that on paper with the musicianship, the temples they worship at, the covers they select should be anything but boring. But in his opinion, in my opinion they are.
Plenty of others in this genre aren’t.
I don’t remember the Grateful Dead or the Allmans (or any of the other Southern Rock bands) being classified as “jam bands” at the time.The term came in when fans of extended jamming (over good songs) noticed nobody was doing it any more. So in come jam bands like Phish (and/or whoever) to cater for the I-love-a-good-time-me festival crowd, formed to tick every box except the one marked Good Songs. And, crucially, excitement (if you “like” the Grateful Dead isn’t an issue here – they ticked all the boxes for millions of fans worldwide, over decades). All these *cough* jam bands can play, at least individually, but the lack of good original material, and the lack of character and inspiration to spark excitement is crippling. The Tedeschi-Trucks band became the “safe” family band to take the kids to; hey – this is just like the Grateful Dead! But without the drugs! The getting naked! The excitement! The songs! Anyone want a Pepsi?
The truly terrible thing about this band of dullards is they suck the life out of the good songs they cover.
A wise and thoughtful post – it’s like we’re brothers
We are all brothers, united in our common grief.
There’s brothers and there’s brothers. Me and HP, we’re brothers
I have repeatedly tried “Phish”, and repeatedly failed. I like all the things they are influenced by, but they leave me cold. Is it one of those “can’t hear when straight” acts? They play to huge audiences in the USA. I presume people want to have a simulacrum of deadheadery.
Phish Have No Songs. You jam on a non-song, it’s pointless and boring.
To be fair, more by luck than judgement, I bought one of theirs, and the Farmhouse LP has quite a few that carry a tune. I got lucky, maybe, never seeking any further evidence.
Have to disagree with you there, HP.
My own intro to Phish was via a promo CD copy – I was working for a music retailer at the time, awash with promos from many labels. It was for their 1996 album ‘Billy Breathes’ and I took it home to listen to just on the strength of what looked like odd and interesting track titles. I’d never heard of the band and knew nothing about them, but I really enjoyed the album and still do.
I’ve since picked up a few more of theirs, and you must know there is an ocean of their live material easily found on the internet for the price of some bandwidth. Lots of it is certainly for the devoted, and leaves me, like @Vincent, cold.
But they do have songs, and they can stretch out live to magnificent effect from time to time. At least try ‘Billy Breathes’ and see if you like it, I think it’s a great album.
That’s why they do shows playing other band’s albums.
HARHARHAR!!!! GOOD ONE JUNES MY SON!!!
(and the above clip is a pleasant enough JJ Cale groove – but an actual memorable song? That you’d want to learn and sing to Impress Gurls at parties? I think not.)
But it was your 3rd time, were they less boring the first two times?
Each was a different format. Festival, then standing. This one I had misgivings but I had a seat. And Derek Trucks’s guitar playing is hard to pass up.
But no more.
He was out of his head the first two times, and can’t actually swear to being there at all. He’s going by what his mates told him.
If you put that YT clip on double speed, it sounds like a slow blues ballad. At normal speed
i t
i s
s o
s o
s o
s l o w
I actually gave this topic some Deep Thort while I was on the toilet, and came to this conclusion: that the Tedeschi-Trucks Band is boring because it consists of boring people. As individuals, they are boring, together, they become a cosmic sucking black hole of boringness.
But then, I thought, cooling to my theme, there aren’t many bands whose company I would find interesting. They’re mostly witless dullards who’ve slogged mindlessly away and eventually managed to hack out a living for themselves at the coal face of pop. So the TTB must have something extra specially boring about them – something science cannot yet explain.
I’m not sure there’s a place for electric blues in 2024. Surely it’s a horse that’s been flogged for so long it is extremely dead. Unless you are high. In which case, don’t let me stop you, music is a broad church.
Not sure why just electric blues would be singled out. To my ears folk and jazz died more than 50 years ago. Tedeschi-Trucks don’t do it for me but there’s plenty of newer artists that do.
“I’m not sure there’s a place for electric blues in 2024” – Afterword t-shirt. XXXL only.
Limited sales, I suspect…
Is it because they widdle?
We all widdle.
(Cue Gary: “You still go to the toilet? Nobody I know has done that for years. English people are so weird”)
Nonsense. I have consistently maintained that, apart from obvious exceptions like royalty and the deeply religious, most people go to the toilet.
English people don’t wash their bottoms though.
Just been listening to a local show on indie radio. Informed people and sort of music.TT show described as sublime and Susan’s singing as superb.
Guess there ain’t no facts when it comes to music.
Yep – it’s all opinion.
I enjoyed them last night at the State Theatre in Sydney. Their second night here, and the set list was completely different from the previous night. I actually didn’t recognise any of the songs except MIH, not even (I’m ashamed to say) Walk On Gilded Splinters although it did sound familiar.
And yeah, the backing singers/musicians got a few spotlights but it’s the TT’s band. Musicians and singers know when they’re hired what their role is. Doing a good job and touring with this band is good for their reputation not to mention their experience and hey, it’s a gig, and they get to come and tour down under. I didn’t mind that balance.
I also liked Susan’s singing – no she’s not Bonnie Raitt (there’s only one of them), someone commented that she veers towards Janis Joplin at times which is not necessarily bad. I also liked her guitar playing! You need a break from Derek’s endless brilliance. He is amazing. Endless melodic ideas and more sustain thatn Lowell George on a bender.
And they did a Junior Wells song!
Glad you enjoyed it Mousey. Clearly they have many fans. Mike Mattison was the the singer in the Derek Trucks band so probably more than just a hired gun. I think he should get more of the money lead vocal work but has been sidelined by Tedeschi.
Little by Little is a personal favourite!
*delete “money”
*delete “lead vocal work”
I blame Derek Trucks’ name and unchanging hairstyle for their and his dullness, which stifle my ability to even appreciate his best work. Derek, ffs. ( Altho I will concede the TTB cover of ‘Layla and other assorted love songs’ is rather good. No doubt someone will now tell me he was born in whenever, and named in honour etc etc. Citation needed, as they say.)
I should be so dull…
A workmanlike version of a great song, to be sure.
From wikipedia
According to Trucks, the name of Eric Clapton’s band, Derek and the Dominos, had “something to do with the name [Derek]
This is very probably the most interesting thing about the band.
Seems to be a lot bandwagon jumping here. Derek Trucks is an inventive guitarist capable of the most sublime solos and the band can be/usually are very funky and they change their setlists nightly. How then is this boring? Is it just because you don’t like Tedeschi’s voice? I think it is okay – not up there with the best but occupying some middle ground and not really the point of the band which to my ears is extended jams, mostly instrumental.
Seems there is a lot of negativity from the Australian section of our site currently – must be too hot down there.
Yes, it is a mystery, exactly how then they are so very damn boring, and it’s that mystery that is at the heart of Junes’ probing investigation. Perhaps it’s something to do with occupying the middle ground, as you say? And Tedeschi’s voice being not up there with the best, as you charitably put it? Yes, I suppose Trucks is a good player. I’ve seen plenty of good guitarists (Siam is awash with them) in boring bands. But he is a sucking black hole of charisma, which seems to work against excitement.
Have you seen the Allmans, Steve? Familiar with their records? I’m afraid I have and am, and this bunch of corporate event dummies is a sad and shabby echo of that band (and many others). You like ’em, fine. so do millions of rock n’ roll animals like the ones shown in that clip. It’s all they have, and I wouldn’t deny them a single uninspired second of it.
No I don’t like her voice much. Occasionally it’s ok but as I said I think Mike Mattison should do more lead vocals. I acknowledged that they tick various boxes so I should like them but they’re borng and I aint Robinson Crusoe on this. Equally the respected Mousey who is a kiwi but long term Sydney resident saw them for the first time and enjoyed it greatly and commented here to that effect. .
Saying too much negativity from Aussies is just silly. The Elvis concert review , which I assume is your other negative reference was a balanced review by a long term fan.
BTW its mid autumn and starting to get a bit chilly.
Football season’s started! I love the AFL, apart from anything else, I can’t think of another sports league that has so many teams that sound like they could be bands:
Fremantle Dockers: Cross between Rose Tattoo and the Starfighters
Adelaide Crows: Sound like pre-Boatman’s Call Nick Cave
Geelong Cats: Glam. Had a track on that All The Young Droogs box set. On the same label as A Supernaut.