Customer Reviews

Hope & Desire

5 star:		(27)
4 star:		(8)
3 star:		(2)
2 star:		(4)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

Susan Tedeschi(-Trucks) is one of the brightest lights on the modern blues landscape. Thus far it has been impossible to listen to her without at least briefly being put in mind of Bonnie Raitt. Most of the time Susan works with her own band, playing a tangy lead guitar and singing her own material. Here she eschews it all-- the guitar, the pen, the band. The result is less Bonnie Raitt, more Otis Redding-- but all Susan.

On Hope and Desire, producer Joe Henry (I Believe to My Soul; Solomon Burke; the last Aimee Mann and Ani DiFranco releases) assembles a crack, empathetic and soulful studio band, featuring Doyle Bramhall II on guitar. Susan serves as vocalist, and every song is a cover of an under-appreciated soul chestnut, or a song re-interpreted through the lens of R'n'B. The album seems less like a typical Susan Tedeschi record, and more like a classic soul album from the early 70s, like an Al Green record.

"You Got the Silver," a Stones album track, sets the tone right off, Susan's earthy soulful voice inhabiting the song in a new way, making it all her own. She does this with each track on the record. Maybe the best is the Dylan cover, "Lord Protect My Child," which is so deeply steeped in gospel and blues that its hard to remember its a Dylan song.

Husband Derek Trucks guests on three tracks; as usual, his playing is electrifying and precise, and you know its him 2 notes in.

Joe Henry is a great producer for Susan. Give a listen to the Solomon Burke record he produced recently, or to I Believe to My Soul, a multi-artist set (Irma Thomas, Allen Toussaint, Ann Peebles etc.) he produced in '05. These show where he's coming from on this record, and Susan is a perfect foil, tapping into the same wellspring that has long informed the work of Thomas, Toussaint, Peebles and Burke.

Presumably Susan will be back with the boys in the band next time out. But Hope and Desire will prove to be a timeless and essential addition to her canon.

Would sound good in the CD changer on shuffle with: Songlines (Derek Trucks Band, 2006); I Believe to My Soul (various; 2005)

What a talent Susan Tedeschi is, both on vocals and guitar, and on this new CD Hope and Desire Susan concentrates on showcasing her brilliant vocals on twelve obscure, soulful gems. The songs on this CD are quite varied and contain interesting and catchy lyrics that Tedeschi phrases with power, conviction, soul and tender grace ... be sure to read the exceptional lyrics while listening to this CD the first time through. An example of wonderful lyrics contained in this CD are found in the touchingly soulful ballad "Sweet Forgiveness":

Sweet Forgiveness, dear God above
I say we all deserve, a taste of that kind of love
Someone who'll hold onto your hand
And whisper "I understand, and I still love you"

The high energy standouts that showcase Tedeschi's trademark vocal prowess and soulfulness are the woman-cheating songs "Evidence" and Ray Charles' "Tired of My Tears", both of which contain terrific background vocals, as well as the Otis Redding/Etta James classic "Security".

Other great tracks include the opener, a Rolling Stones song "You Got the Silver", and a song by one of Tedeschi's influences - Bob Dylan - "Lord Protect my Child".

I have to admit that I was a bit skeptical at first because this CD doesn't feature Tedeschi on guitar or her regular touring band who are wonderful, but the studio artists featured on this CD (including Clapton guitarist Doyle Bramhall, Jr., husband Derek Trucks, the Blind Boys of Alabama) are terrific and provide a very upbeat and soulful sound. Tedeschi couldn't have chosen a better producer of this CD ... the acclaimed singer/songwriter Joe Henry, who has worked Grammy magic recently with Solomon Burke.

This CD is soulfully refreshing and Tedeschi fans as well as those who enjoy soulful music with moving lyrics will love this CD. The versatile Tedeschi has more than succeeded in putting her personal spin on heartfelt songs from diverse sources that are all soulful and prove to be a perfect match for her incredible vocal talents.

Susan Tedeschi has one of those voices that draws you in as you listen to her music. This cd shows not only how she has grown as an artist, but as a person. She's gotten married and has a child, both of which give inspiration and creative spirit. This cd has a gospel feel without being preachy. Her best to date I think. If you are looking for a blues cd, this isn't it. But if you want music with soul and inspiration this is it I recommend without reservation.

I only recently discovered Susan Tedeschi on internet radio, and I fell in love with her music immediately. This is the third album I've picked up, and each one just gets better. She's covering some masters on this one, and while I miss the original sound of her own writing, it's the heart of her vocals that drives this one forward. Whether it's the soulful intensity of "Lord Protect My Child," the blues/rock gusto of "Evidence," or the gospel inspiration of "Magnificent Sanctuary Band," Tedeschi shines from start to finish.

I was a Tedeschi 'Virgin' until today. Just listened to her amazing voice on the new "Hope and Desire" album. From the opening chords of "You Got the Silver", I was entranced. My younger brother, who plays steel guitar, clued me in to Susan's talent - course I turned him on to Dylan back when he was 3 years old so it's a great payback. If anyone regrets buying this CD I'll buy it from you :-)

and she plays her own guitar better than most. She's not afraid to do covers, invent sounds and set back and wail. Her voice is more Joplin than Raitt..has that edge. She does Dylan, Stones, Sly Stone, and some solid soul.

I love this one and I can't get enough of it. If you liked her last one, you'll be blown away by this one!

i think time will and history will be very kind to this album, once certain core fans get over their hope & desire for original songs they'll realize just how deeply soulful and musical this album really is. I'm looking for ward to her next as i would anyway, but Hope & Desire will stand the test of time as a rare album that, from start to finish, makes a shape, is a phrase, and delivers that undefinable quality that touches us deeply. She is a treasure and this is one great record.

That voice is superb - her readings of soul classics are incredible...Soul of a Man and Lord Protect My Child are two stand outs. Her band is pristine, but it's clearly Susan drivin that train. This CD has that 1960's/70's breezy soul feel that brings back summertime memories with ices and AM radio. Love her, love the CD, makes you glad secure artists like her have no problems covering classics and even lesser-known gems. Great CD all around and highly recommended by this blues traveler.

This gal has the voice the blues have been waiting for. Turn the lights down and the volume up.