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The Derek Trucks Band -Already Free
I found that Already Free is one of those albums that you can start, slide your headphones on, and lose your surroundings quickly. Or until the needle slides to scratches and you have to open your eyes, raise up, and turn the album over. Since this was the first piece of vinyl I had bought since I was a kid, it made sense it was this one. Already Free emits a vibe that harkens back to vinyl days. It seems that Derek Trucks was wanting a family gathering-type feeling for his debut as a producer in his new home studio in Jacksonville, Florida.
The opening track, “Down in the Flood,” is a Bob Dylan penned song and is covered nicely by the band and offers a good jump start to the project. The driving bass line makes me realize how under rated and under appreciated Todd Smallie is. “Something that Makes You Happy” and “Maybe This Time” are co-produced with Doyle Bramhall II with whom Trucks has toured with on recent Eric Clapton tours. Both songs have a funkiness to them aided by Bramhall's rhythm guitar and Kofi Burbridge's tasty keyboard setup. Bramhall sings lead on “Maybe This Time.”
Vocalist Mike Mattison and Susan Tedeschi (Trucks' wife) combine for vocals on “Sweet Inspiration” and give it a Delaney & Bonnie type feel from the early seventies. It sounds like the beginning of a southern tent revival with it's balance of soul and gospel. One of the songs that Trucks and Mattison collaborated on writing was “Don't Miss Me.” The foot-stomper is one of my favorite tracks and it's as swampy as the murky waters in Florida. The Sarod doesn't usually come to mind when listening to blues, rock, or soul music, but Trucks blends it beautifully on “Back Where I Started” which offers Tedeschi belting on lead vocals.
The connection to all on Already Free is from the sound of the holiest guitar in the land, Derek Trucks. It can be so rough and grinding sometimes and then in an instant be sticky sugar-sweet. He consistently confirms why he is highly sought after and has played with Eric Clapton, Carlos Santana, and Buddy Guy. And oh yeah, he is a permanent member and ten year veteran of a little group called The Allman Brothers Band. Just shy of his 30th birthday, he shows that age isn't a factor to be called a master of his trade. For a band that likes to stretch out and jam, this is a modest recording. The Derek Trucks Band is showing that all of their influences and vast ideas are coming together in one big stew. I highly recommend doing yourself a favor and purchasing this album whether it be the downloaded version from the website, cd, or vinyl package as I did. I give it a 4 out of 5 stars.
Peace
Joe
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