Back To The River

Susan Tedeschi | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Audio CD (October 28, 2008)
• Original Release Date: 2008
• Number of Discs: 1
• Label: Verve Forecast
• ASIN: B001E2PTJK
• Also Available in: Vinyl  |  MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 4.1 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (38 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #3,418 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)
  • #23 in Music > Blues > Modern Blues
  • #41 in Music > Blues > Contemporary Blues
  • #45 in Music > Blues > Electric Blues

Editorial Reviews

All Things Considered, November 24, 2008

On her latest album, Back to the River, singer and guitarist Susan Tedeschi uses her hard blues style to tell stories of family life. Her own day-to-day existence with husband Derek Trucks (a guitarist with the Allman Brothers Band) and their two children may not be average, but Tedeschi's songs have universal appeal.

After studying voice at Berklee College of Music in Boston, Tedeschi says she discovered the blues. "I think it was so fresh and new that I couldn't help but want to play along," she says. "Different guitar players really inspired me to want to learn how to sing on the guitar. I didn't care that my fingers were getting tore up or any of that."

'Can't Sleep At Night' Tedeschi's mix of blues style and domestic tales creates songs like "Can't Sleep at Night," with its tortured lyrics. The song was written late one night after the kids had gone to bed and her husband was on tour. "I was at home," she says, "and I remember going down in the garage and just looking at all the messes of things that I should be cleaning, and I was like, 'I don't want to clean. I think I just want to sit and play.' "The negative feelings in Tedeschi's songs can be attributed to the feelings of others, rather than her own, she says. "I think sometimes I tap into other people," she says. "I sometimes write about other things that I see or just different situations. I think during that time I had a lot of friends that were getting divorces. Sometimes the people around you really affect what you write."

The Influence Of Motherhood Tedeschi says her children have a significant impact on all aspects of her musical career, from songwriting to touring. "It's difficult now that they're in school. I can't just pick them up and throw them on a tour bus and go on the road with them," she says. Instead, the family stays in contact through daily phone calls: "I'm on the phone with them in the mornings if they're getting ready for school, just trying to quickly say hi."

In a way, though, her children are with her at every performance: Both she and her husband keep photos of the children on their amps on stage. "It helps us think about them," Tedeschi says. "It just helps us stay grounded." Her kids have also influenced the kinds of stories she tells in her songs. "I think, having kids, I really care more about the world. I'm not just caring about myself," she says. "In the past, I never really wanted to deal with stuff. I'm always trying to write about positive things now. I think it's less melancholy and more positive."

Product Description

Back To The River is Susan Tedeschi's 2008 album, her second recording for Verve Forecast. Susan writes, sings and plays on a hard-driving collection of new songs that offer an emotionally honest look at love and life. Produced by George Drakoulias (Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers, Black Crowes, Jayhawks) it also features performances by Derek Trucks (who also produced 1 track), Gary Louris and Doyle Bramhall II. Tedeschi's Verve Forecast debut, Hope and Desire, focused on her amazing vocal talents as an interpreter of other's songs. This time out she turns her pen, guitar and powerful voice to her own work having written or co-written all but one song.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

27 of 31 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The Old Susan is Back!, October 28, 2008

By 

NY blues guitar fan - See all my reviews

This review is from: Back To The River (Audio CD)

This cd rocks! Just got it in the mail today (way to go amazon) and I'm listening to it for the 3rd time. Susan's at the top of her game on this cd. Husband and guitar god Derek Trucks plays guitar on four tracks and produces one track, and Doyle Bramhall II plays on three. It's interesting to note that these are the two guitar players that toured with Eric Clapton's band in his big tour a couple of years ago.
I've been looking forward to this cd and I wasn't disappointed. Way to go Susan!

17 of 20 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Knockout disc from a knockout!, November 9, 2008

By 

audie o'phile (NY) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Back To The River (Audio CD)

I've been a fan of Susan Tedeschi the moment I heard "It hurts so bad".Not only does she really showcase her vocal talents here, she also makes a step forward in songwriting.Very slick and tight arrangements,on each song,makes this a must listen to.Bluesy,rockin',jazzy,gospel too, a fine fine effort ,again, by an under-rated artist.I especially loved the cover of Allen Toussaint's "Theres a break in the road"and Susan on lead guitar.

11 of 13 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars THE BEST YET, October 29, 2008

By 

dickydo "Richie D" (Warwick, RI USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Back To The River (Audio CD)

A terrific disc. Bluesy, hard rockin'and tender this really has it all. The first cut Talking About starts things off with a bang. The title cut is a piece of swamp rock heaven, co-written with swamp rock master Tony Joe White. Her killer band is equally at home with the hard rockers and ballads. As always with Ms. Tedeschi it's that voice, purring and growling or soft and moving she is a true wonder to behold. It doesn't get much better than this.