Customer Reviews

Back To The River

5 star:		(21)
4 star:		(9)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(5)
1 star:		(2)

 

 

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!

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.

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.

I first heard Susan Tedeschi on "Austin City Limits." Her gritty voice and down to earth style are what got me looking for more of her recordings. People who say rock is dead haven't heard Susan playing.

She's written every song on this CD except for one cover instead of her previous release of all covers. Plus, she's got her husband Derek Trucks playing guitar and guest appearance singers like Tony Joe White (the Swamp Fox) on "Back to the River."

My favorites:

"Back to the River"
"Break in the Road"

Rebecca Kyle, November 2008

The new CD, although not identical to "Just Won't Burn", is a hard rocking set that will please fans of the earlier set. It is a bit less bluesy set than the earlier set. Whatever style she's doing, she sounds great and is uniquley her own artist.
Good help here is received from her husband Derek Trucks and Doyle Bramhall. It's a solid set of songs well delivered. Here's hoping this expands her fan base even more as she is certainly a very good artist.

I just recently learned of Susan Tedeschi -- like, today! I heard a few clips from Back to The River on a radio interview and was blown away. I came home and immediately downloaded the entire album, something I seldom do. Like most, I am track picker, but this album is well worth an entire album download. Here some comments on a few of my favorite tracks:

The opening track, "Talking About", hits a lick that conjures the spirit of Janis' Move Over and Susan's controlled vocals add the right amount of heat.

Title tune "Back to the River" is a gritty rocker about the pain of the road and missing home.

"Butterfly" cooks with a driving tempo. I'd love to hear this one live in a smokey basement juke joint. Feels right.

But my favorite track is "Can't Sleep at Night" a straight ahead blues ballad that hallmarks Susan's excellent tonality and solid playing. Something to listen to when all alone at 3AM. Nice.

Susan mixes the gravel in her voice with a sweetness that cuts through like the warmth of fine whiskey on a Fall evening. You could compare her to Bonny Raitt in the way she bends a musical phrase or Janis when she belts it hard. Both would be apt. But, not to belittle either of those legendary ladies of blues, Susan takes the whole experience to a higher level and greater sense of polish without feeling slick.

Back to the River is very listenable. I feel that with every play it will just get more comfortable -- like a favorite pair of old jeans.

Susan Tedeschi continues to rock on this CD. If you love her, you will continue to enjoy her talent. If you haven't had a CD by Susan get it now! She is such a talented artists who surrounds herself with amazing musical artists that enhance her skills. Susan you are the best! (Even better in concert!)

Susan just keeps getting better. Derek Trucks and Doyle Bramhall, along with Susan give this cd as good guitar playing as it gets. Tom Petty's producer gives a new cooler sound to Susan, imo. I really like all the tracks, not just one or two. Check it out if you like rock and roll with killer guitars!

I haven't played this much since I bought it. There are a couple of tracks I like, but the collection, as a whole, is missing its soul.

As a guitar player and long time blues/rock enthusiast I am quite impressed with this album. The songs are soulful and the lyrics meaningful. Susan's guitar playing has grown nicely and her tone on that semi-hollow electric is beautiful. It is refreshing to see/hear a woman who isn't afraid to be feminine in a male dominated industry. Her voice ranges from beautifully soulful to raspy. Although she is a pleasure to behold, she does not rely on sex appeal (or at least does not need to or appear to) to sell her music. Seeing her singing on the old Derek & the Dominos song, Anyday, at the Clapton Crossroad 2007 festival with husband Derek Trucks' band was one of the highlights of that show. Having him guest on a couple of tracks adds a measure of dynamics that can't be quantified solely in musical terms. Buy this album if your ear to brain signal is filtered through your heart and soul.....