Customer Reviews

Soul Serenade

5 star:		(14)
4 star:		(12)
3 star:		(2)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

The fourth installment from The Derek Trucks Band, Soul Serenade, which was apparently recorded before 2002's Joyful Noise, works as fine a follow-up as I can imagine. While Soul may rock less than Noise, its eclectic fusing of jazz, rock, Indian, blues, and even folk amalgamate to beautiful results.

These recordings-all-instrumental, save for Track 3, sung by Gregg Allman who's in fine form-are sophisticated compositions that have a discernible melodic structure-sometimes lacking from "jam bands." But to merely call TDTB a jam band would be doing them a disservice. The jams are never self-indulgent; they have direction and balance. The musicians have such a tight synergy between them that it appears they've been playing together for a decade or two. The tunes are at times jazzy: ("Bock To Bock"), funky: ("Soul Serenade/Rasta Man Chant"), bluesy: ("Drown In My Own Tears"), and ethereal: ("Oriental Folk Song" & "Sierra Leone"). Despite sounding like a mere rambling of music styles, the songs on the disc actually coalesce into a natural togetherness-creating a unified vibe.

The key word for this band is taste. They tastefully employ the use of flute (a rather audacious choice that works so well), played by the widely talented Kofi Burbridge. They tastefully keep their tunes to a reasonable length, never overplaying as far as I'm concerned. Even the packaging and liner notes (though a bit laconic) show good taste.

Like all great art, and I do believe this album exemplifies great art, Soul Serenade is truly original. But if I had to liken it to something, I'd compare them to Traffic (at their zenith), of course The Allman Brother's Band, and Wes Montgomery (the late jazz guitarist). And because it's great art, it's absolutely NOT for everyone. There are no "pop hooks" (I loathe that phrase) or riff based songs. There's no maudlin display of musicianship or image. There are simply forty or so minutes (I wish there was more) of great music.

The last thing I'll say is about Trucks himself. The CD includes a bonus interview where D.T. offers up his own take on his music. After watching this, I felt a tremendous respect for him; he is articulate, humble, and wise beyond his years. It's nice to know there are some artists who know not only what they're doing, but also why they're doing it.

Blender magazine = 1 star. Rolling Stone = 2 stars. Don't always believe what you read.This is another fine album from Derek Trucks and band.It has more of an "easy" jazz feel due to the inclusion of flute on just about all the tracks.Don't let that scare you, this cd still rocks.Starts off with the Duane Allman fave Soul Serenade (wish it was longer)and quickly fades to Bob Marley's Rastaman Chant.Gregg Allman makes an appearance on an excellent Drown In My Own Tears.The rest is all jazzy instrumentals featuring flute and Allman Bros. style guitar.Somehow it all works.Don't believe what you read just believe what you hear.

I was late coming to appreciate Derek Trucks (took the Allman Brothers latest, HITTING THE NOTE, and The Flecktone's LITTLE WORLDS on which he makes a guest appearance, to get my interest). Quickly I've collected the last three of his Band's recordings and this has become my favorite. It holds together well.

My first impression of Trucks is that he is the incarnation of Duane Allman, or at least part of him. I'm not the first to get this impression. It makes me happy to feel our culture is getting stable enough to begin recognizing such continuity. Now, if we can just do so without enshrining the pop artists in religion (a la the tulkus of Tibet).....So after taking notice of this guy I go back into my collection and hear him on a Col. Bruce Hampton retrospective, playing electric sitar with the Col. at age 3. And Derek is playing slide! This guy obviously has natural talent, but it is talent he is serious about developing too.

What matters is that he can play well, and encourage others to do so too. Trucks plays like a whale moving easily through the depths, and his band moves easily between styles, from reggae to jazz to blues, to latin, middle eastern, and oh yes southern rock. (This CD is predominantly jazzy, check out JOYFUL NOISE for more eclectic variety.) I really like Kofi's flute playing here. It is a treat to have a modern and young band use the flute prominantly. The sense of creativity and exploration is refreshing. These songs are nothing flashy in isolation, pretty underspoken actually, but together make a soothing, uplifting and yet grounding experience.

The bonus (on computer) interview is great, it really opened my eyes to this young artists intelligence and depth and gave me cause for joy about the future of music.

The fourth installment from The Derek Trucks Band, Soul Serenade, which was apparently recorded before 2002's Joyful Noise, works as fine a follow-up as I can imagine. While Soul may rock less than Noise, its eclectic fusing of jazz, rock, Indian, blues, and even folk amalgamate to beautiful results.

These recordings-all-instrumental, save for Track 3, sung by Gregg Allman who's in fine form-are sophisticated compositions that have a discernible melodic structure-sometimes lacking from "jam bands." But to merely call TDTB a jam band would be doing them a disservice. The jams are never self-indulgent; they have direction and balance. The musicians have such a tight synergy between them that it appears they've been playing together for a decade or two. The tunes are at times jazzy: ("Bock To Bock"), funky: ("Soul Serenade/Rasta Man Chant"), bluesy: ("Drown In My Own Tears"), and ethereal: ("Oriental Folk Song" & "Sierra Leone"). Despite sounding like a mere rambling of music styles, the songs on the disc actually coalesce into a natural togetherness-creating a unified vibe.

The key word for this band is taste. They tastefully employ the use of flute (a rather audacious choice that works so well), played by the widely talented Kofi Burbridge. They tastefully keep their tunes to a reasonable length, never overplaying as far as I'm concerned. Even the packaging and liner notes (though a bit laconic) show good taste.

Like all great art, and I do believe this album exemplifies great art, Soul Serenade is truly original. But if I had to liken it to something, I'd compare them to Traffic (at their zenith), of course The Allman Brother's Band, and perhaps Wes Montgomery (the late jazz guitarist). And because it's great art, it's absolutely NOT for everyone. There are no "pop hooks" (I loathe that phrase) or riff based songs. There's no maudlin display of musicianship or image. There are simply forty or so minutes (I wish there was more) of great music.

The last thing I'll say is about Trucks himself. The CD includes a bonus interview where D.T. offers up his own take on his music. After watching this, I felt a tremendous respect for him; he is articulate, humble, and wise beyond his years. It's nice to know there are some artists who know not only what they're doing, but also why they're doing it.

Derek Trucks is clearing a new path for the slide guitar. Throughout most of this excellent album, Trucks plays melodic lines with his slide that show an amazing technical deftness. But his playing is so much more than just techincally profiient-- his solos are thoughtful, restrained, and straight from the soul. And just like human souls, his playing is sometimes achingly beautiful, sometimes playful, sometimes chaotic and angst-filled. Most of the album consists of jazz instrumentals, including a restrained, grooving "Soul Serenade/Rastaman Chant" and a multi-layered Afro Blue that positively screams at one point. He's going for mood and melody over hot licks, although hot licks abound. In every song, you get the full range of the power and dynamic of Trucks's playing without it ever becoming calisthenics. The band is mighty indeed, especially Kofi Burbridge's shimmering flute and Bill McKay's classic B-3 organ. In middle of all this is a down-home, snarly, "Drown In My Own Tears", featuring a vocal from Gregg Allman. Trucks's slide on this tune is raunchy and bluesy, and it is an outstanding cut (although divorced a little from what's going on in the rest of the album). I don't really listen to a lot of jazz, but I found myself absolutely mesmerized by this fine album.

Recorded in 2000 but shelved due to the HOB record label folding, SS is a incredible listening experience. All instrumental except for the one track with Gregg Allman vocals, SS is truly a jazz album more than anything. Derek and Kofi (flute) lock-in over the top of Yonrico, Todd, and Bill McKay (now with Leftover Salmon) to blend several genres and textures with ease. This is the real deal. Miles Ahead (pardon the reference) of Joyful Noise (2002), this album accurately reflects the dTb at one stage in their development. I can recommend this CD to jazz, blues, and rock fans. The crescendo during the "Rastaman Chant" is very cathartic, if that doesn't prompt a "Soul Serenade" in you, then get to a doctor soon. The complex "Afro Blue" (written by Mongo Santamaria and made famous by Coltrane) is a gem as is the last tune "Sierra Leone", which has Derek on the sarod. It's the dTb version of "Little Martha" and worth the price of the CD. Finally, the Gregg Allman guest vocals on "Drown In My Own Tears", I feel like I am in church with Ray Charles everytime I hear that number. You won't be disappointed in the least with this masterpiece. Also, get out and see this band live when they roll into your neighborhood. You will be talking about it for years to come.

Enjoy!

Like their other cd's there is depth here and sincere solid playing..many styles here, east,blues,cool Jazz,Jamaican as the music moves in a somewhat unique sounding fusion despite the hybrid..these guys cater to unity and it does not hurt qouting The Mysticism Of Sound And Music" as they do on the liner notes which fits the groove like the earlier Krishnamurti quote from their Joyful Music cd..these "mystics" take music sincerely and that is a good thing..The healing that music brings is real and heartfelt...those that missed the 60's and 70's can get a glimpse from a jam band that is professional,respectful and certainly literate.

Unlike the more raucous Joyful Noise, Soul Serenade is silky smooth. More jazz than blues, this is my favorite "kick back and relax" album. There is just no way to feel tense when DT is laying down those honey smooth slide licks. Each song on this album is distinctly different. The only thread that ties them all together is Derek's slide guitar -- and that's not a bad thread at all.

Greg Allman makes a guest appearance on "Drown in My Own Tears" and delivers one of the absolute best vocal performances of his four decade career. On "Sierra Leone," Derek puts aside his electric Gibson SG for an acoustic guitar and delivers one of the most beautiful acoustic slide pieces I've ever heard. The only thing wrong with this album is that "Sierra Leone" should last for about 30 minutes rather than less than 2.

It's hard to believe that DT was only around 20 years old when these tracks were recorded. Only time will tell where he eventually falls in the pantheon of great blues guitarists, but he's certainly off to a great start. His music has both a depth and width which belies his age and I'm looking forward to much more great music from the DTB in the future.

And I am/was plesantly surprised. The vocal appearance of Greg Allman was unexpected in this otherwise instrumental effort. This is no typical offering; it belies catagorization, just like I like it. Somewhere between jazz/rock fusion and blues there is the Derek Trucks Band. Derek has a real gift in using the slide; it sounds smooth and unforced. Just glides along... A very good effort.

The unexpected tradgedy of Duane Allman left the band with a continuation of what they were left with, and the Band did its best, which was Jam! Wth defined Soul, and Blues, the Allman Brothers Band strived for this continuance for many years. Dicky Betts, was obvioulsy a limiting factor in the Allman Bros. Band's later progression, and then came Warren Haynes, form Gov't Mule with a reinvigorated "Southern Rock 'n Roll"!

However, what Derek Trucks passionately embraces is the brilliant diversity of what Duane Allman was searching for (Remember Duane Allman An Anthology), continuing to incorporate the diversity of appreciation and foundations from which they learned, within the defined already successfull style of The Allman Brothers Band>>> Never forget how it was Duane Allman who was the creative spark, and intuitively so, Derek Trucks is running with the torch in a way that will make Duane Allman proud of how magnificent Coltrane's AFRO BLUE could sound with the smooth manifesto of a slide guitar. An hey, what's wrong with a flute intro???

This "KID", which is a joke for calling him young, for discerning his musical appreciation, as well as his bravado for attempting to record measures fromm the brilliance of John Coltrane, deserves a more acute measurement in the dimension the Derek Trucks Band is presenting here in the 21st Century.

This Band is a deserved embodiment of how the blues, jazz, and pure rock 'n 'roll can all come together. An amalgum of music is what every musician strives for in there fortitude of composition!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!