Customer Reviews

Revelator

5 star:		(76)
4 star:		(21)
3 star:		(9)
2 star:		(8)
1 star:		(9)

 

 

When I found out that Derek Trucks and Susan Tedeschi were recording a blues album together I couldn't wait to hear it. Trucks is one of the best blues guitar players out there and Tedeschi has a beautiful voice with guitar talents of her own. From the opening chords of "Come See About Me" to the last notes of "Shelter", this is an amazing collection of tunes that has it all: blues, soul, rock, funk, and everything in between. Filled with blues-influenced rockers and soft, expressive ballads that show off Tedeschi's huge vocal range, plus a series of incredible solos featuring Trucks's outstanding slide-guitar, Revelator also introduces the new, 11-piece ensemble - Tedeschi Trucks Band. And they do not disappoint. "Bound for Glory" and "Learn How to Love" are high energy blues-infested rockers that will leave you with your mouth hanging open. "Midnight in Harlem" changes the mood with meaningful, introspective lyrics and soulful music. "These Walls" is a beautiful song with an uplifting message of day to day survival in our current harsh times. "Simple Things" marvels in the unasked joys of life that Tedeschi delivers with passion. The band is tight, the production is crisp and fresh and the songs knock you off your feet. I would recommend this to anyone!

As a fan of both Derek and Susan I was a bit dubious about them combining their individual bands into this extended 11-piece band. However, from the first track "Come See About Me" they hit the ground running - starting out with an acoustic slide intro before settling down into a blues-funk groove featuring Susan's wonderful vocals, Derek's peerless slide guitar and Kofi Burbridge on clavinet. The rest of the CD is of a similar high standard, with great songs, marvelous playing that is full of emotion but is also very subtle. The large line up is used wisely, the album doesn't feature the full band on every track and there is lots of space but the different elements add variety when necessary.

Although there are obviously similarities with both Derek and Susan's previous work, they have collaborated with others such as Jeff Trott, John Leventhal, David Ryan Harris, Sonya Kitchell, Oliver Wood, the Jayhawks' Gary Louris and Soulive's Eric Krasno to bring in some outside influences to the songwriting. Nevertheless, Mike Mattison's "Midnight in Harlem" (as featured in Clapton's Crossroads DVD) is one of the best songs here. The record was recorded in Derek and Susan's home studio in Florida and sounds great, it's also possibly the reason that Susan sounds so relaxed. I think that up to now she has never made an album that has really shown her true potential but I think that this one definitely does - she goes from a whisper to a scream and really sells every song, an outstanding vocal performance.

The album is so consistently good that I find it hard to pick a favourite track, although "Midnight in Harlem" is right up there, as is the restrained "These Walls" where Derek's guitar counterpoints Alam Khan's sarod. I also really like "Learn How To Love" - one the album's most bluesy tracks - and also the slow soul burner "Until You Remember", with beautiful restrained brass and Stax-style backing. There isn't as much of Derek's guitar on this album as on his own band records but his contributions are, as ever, absolutely superb- lyrical and sinuous but with real bite. My one regret about the album is that the wonderful singer Mike Mattison is relegated to a backing vocalist, surely they could have let him sing lead on one track? I'm really looking forward to seeing the band in the UK at the Shepherd's Bush Empire at the end of June!

I cannot remember the last time that I've listened, again and again, so intently and with joy to a day-of release from Amazon. No need to be long-winded. We knew Tedeschi-Trucks mash-up would be tasty. Punchy, soulful horns are awesome, the dessert atop Susan's sassy, gospel-sexy vocals and Derek's' slide-guitar wizardry. Five stars? Hell, "Revelator" deserves 10.

I was biased listening to this the first time, because I love both Derek Trucks and Susan Tedeschi's music. I'll admit that the first time I listened to the album, I was a little taken back, because it wasn't exactly what I was expecting. It's definitely not a blues/rock album. At first, I would skip the slower songs to listen to "Bound For Glory", "Learn How To Love", and "Love Has Something Else to Say", which are all awesome songs. But the more I listen to it, the more I appreciate "Ball and Chain" and "Easy Way Out". I think everyone is entitled to their opinion, but I seriously do not understand how anyone could think that Susan Tedeschi's voice is "grating". Her voice is amazing, always on. My wife and I just saw them in Albuquerque, and it was absolutely amazing. I will say that this album doesn't capture how great they are in concert, but I think that's the way it is supposed to be. Great bands should be better in concert than they sound on the album. The album gets you familiar with the songs, and then they can change and improvise the songs in concert.

Derek's playing on the album is great. Maybe more understated than on the DTB albums. But his solo on "Love Has Something Else to Say" is just ridiculous. He plays riffs that are completely out of left field, and I love that. I love his slide playing, but I don't think he gets enough credit for his non-slide playing. I think I enjoy hearing him play without his slide even more. He plays scales and riffs that nobody else plays. There are a lot of players with technical skill who can shred on the guitar, but they don't have anything original or interesting to play. On the other hand, there are some people who aren't technically skilled, but you can tell there's soul behind their playing. They have something to say. Derek is one of the handful of people in the world who has both. He's amazingly talented and technically skilled, but he uses that to say something, to add to the song, not just to impress people with how fast he can play pentatonic scales.

Overall, a great album. I hope this band will stick together for at least one or two more albums.

OK so no one else is going to say it, I will. Susan sounds a LOT like a young(er) Bonnie Raitt... she sounds eerily close in not only tone but style. Given that I personally love Bonnie Raitt, listening to Tedeschi is pure joy. Since she's not exactly like Raitt and in some ways a better singer - I say this with some caution - every song on this CD was extremely entertaining.

I am a keyboardist in a local Blues band and I really appreciate exactly how recorded music is produced. I felt that, given the punch that Tedeschi's voice has and the searing slide of Trucks (Tedeschi's no slouch as a guitarist either) it would be difficult to balance both of them along with a full blues band (horns and all.) I would say whomever produced and engineered these tracks is nothing short of a genius. Clearly, the whole exceeds the sum of its parts.

I haven't bought a CD in a while, but this one is well worth it.

I was a little skeptical at first about what studio creation would result from the husband and wife team. Mostly, I was afraid that the magic of the Derek Trucks Band would be lost. How much of the music would feature Derek? I must say, the greatest treat for a music fan is all of the great stuff on an album that take you by surprise. Especially coming to discover that the Tedeschi Trucks band is bringing out the best in the best guitar player in the world (Mr. Trucks of course).

Songwriting: This song is very lyrical. Lots of emotional content. Trucks' solos feed off of this -- i.e. Midnight in Harlem solo is a slow blues masterpiece. The songs on this album are way deeper than Already Free. Simple Things is an up tempo ballad that makes me think of loved ones right away (even though I'm not really sure what exactly the song is about, which I like). Many of these songs have an abstract element to them I've never heard from a Trucks project.

Musicianship: Top notch. Derek is getting better with every album he puts out -- by far, his solos in some of these songs have the tightest melody lines I have ever heard from him. Love the horn section. Makes for some great funk. Would like to hear a few more Kofi keys' solos.

Vocals: I had never listened to Susan much, but she is very talented. I love Mike Mattison's voice as well and would love to hear one song featuring him with some higher harmonies from Susan (at least give Mike a solo in Bound for Glory). This is their first album -- I suspect they will mix it up more in the future. Still, I like Susan as the vocal leader because her tones seem to add a perfect layer.

In conclusion, this album is my album of the year so far. I like it better than Warren Haynes new project (although I love that album too). It still amazes me how many people have yet to discover a talent like Derek Trucks. But I kinda like that when I go see he and his bands live, I can be up close without too much hassle. And tomorrow night, I am seeing them live. Can't wait to see this outfit for this first time. I am pumped!

Revelator is the first CD from the Tedeschi Trucks band and I certainly hope it's the first of many. WOW! This ensemble is musically magical. Both Derick Trucks and Susan Tedeschi are great artists in their own right, but together; it's an experience all its own.
With a phenominal band and great performances, Revelator is a special CD. Husband and wife Trucks and Tedeschi's musical marriage is certainly made in heaven. Buy this CD now!

When you see Susan Tedeschi and Derek Trucks together, you know you are guaranteed a one of a kind music experience.This husband-wife team are responsible for some of the finest roots music recorded today; Derek for his band and the Allman Brothers, Susan for her band and a collaboration with her husband, the "Soul Stew Revival". The Tedeschi Trucks Band, however, is the most ambitious project to date for this couple. It is also the most successful.

Derek long ago earned virtuoso jam band cred, as did Susan with her late fellow guitarist Sean Costello. This band, however, is about the SONGS. Derek and Susan had a hand in writing nearly all of the songs on this all original collection, with help from band members including Mike Mattison and Kofi Burbridge. While Derek's slide is unmistakable, Susan's guitar, Kofi's keyboards and the background vocalists get plenty of spotlight on each track.

The biggest surprise on this album, however, is the romantic vibe on so many songs. Those familiar with Billy Holiday and Lester Young can recall the tenor sax of The Prez enhancing the lovely voice of Lady Day on songs like "When You're Smiling" and "Back In Your Own Backyard". Likewise,the early years of Ike and Tina Turner reflected their mutual adoration in "It's Gonna Work Out Fine" and "I Idolize You".Throughout "Revelator", Derek's slide enhances Susan's voice- never obtrusive, always supporting in a tasteful manner. In songs like "Come See About Me" and "Don't Let Me Slide", the emotion between these two artists is almost palpable.

Those looking for the superb playing these musicians are known for need not worry.Plenty of players are featured, especially on "Love Has Something To Say",the disc's strongest cut. Susan and Derek trade fours, the horns are prominent (Kebbi Williams-sax, Maurice Brown-trumpet, Saunders Sermons-trombone} and vocalists Mike Mattison and Mark Rivers get solo turns. It's also great to hear the Burbridge brothers working together. Bassist Oteil of the Allmans and keyboard player Kofi of Derek's band make up one solid rhythm section.

"Revelator" is the culmination of an eighteen month labor of love. This is a wonderful album, with the promise of more to come. Considering their youth, we probably haven't yet heard the best music from the Tedeschi Trucks band.

As a long time fan of both Derek and Susan's individual bands, this album is a culmination of everything that I love about the two bands! Could not recommend it more! Something about it as well is that Susan REALLY seemed to nail every one of her tracks. I can think of no other female vocalist in the world that does it for me like Susan Tedeschi! WELL DONE! As for Derek, he is on this record as he always is. Tasteful and lyrical..his guitar is the perfect compliment to Susan's voice. If you like either DTB or Susan Tedeschi, this is a must have record. Buy it...you won't regret it.

With eleven members... it's either going to be a complete mess, or an amazing ensemble in which each instrument compliments each other. This record is even more than the latter.. every instrument works in tandem beautifully and the female vocals on the top of everything absolutely shine. It's got a feel of the 70's jazzy/bluesy tunes, a splash of 80's catchiness, a hint of 90's alternative, and a shiny 2000's production value. Overall it is a great album for EVERYONE to enjoy. My parents love it, my friends love it, and I love it!