Chillin’ with Derek
Sitting at the airport, Gate G-something, hoping to hop on the next flight home, and for the first time in a while – just chillin’. Apparently earbuds in the ear and a bobbin’ head is the universal sign for “talk to me now” in the Twin Cities. But hey, I can’t complain – I’m heading home after a long week. The headache is gone, the chill is gone (in more ways than one), the stomach has finally launched the last of my Hardees cheeseburgers, and I’m sitting anonymously in my church jeans and a sweatshirt; number one on the standby list – never happen again.
Finally had a chance to listen the latest release by The Derek Trucks Band, and I’m not quite sure what to say. I started listening to this on a Northwest flight about 6 hours ago, and I can’t get enough.
Already Free definitely will not disappoint. In fact, this might be one of the greatest blues releases of the “modern blues” era. It’s refreshingly old-school, in a modern kind of way. Don’t know Derek? Here’s the gist of it: 9 year old kid buys guitar at yard sale for 5 bucks. Paid to play by the time he was 11. Laid the foundation for his own band at age 14. Became the lead guitar player for the Allman Brothers at age 20, and at age 27 Rolling Stone named him one of the greatest 100 guitar players of all time. 27 years old – Prodigy.
From the first song, Already Free is mature, it’s edgy (can do what you please, but Get What You Deserve), it’s old fashioned (Sweet Inspiration), it’s timely (Already Free), it’s tender (Our Love), and it rocks (Down in the Flood).
I’m a Civil 3D guy, I’m not an album reviewer, but right now I just needed iPod time, and those who know me best, know I have an ear for the blues (there you go Jason, 1 of the 25 things you didn’t know about me, I learned to play on a Gibson Epiphone – one blues riff). Sure, I’ll do the three Kings, Elmore James, Clapton, Santana, Joe Bonamassa, John Hiatt, et al; gimme a ol’ fashioned cryin’ guitar, and I’m in my own world. But this disc is the real deal. Need more to go on? Already Free was recorded at his home in Jacksonville, FL and mixed in Jimi Hendrix’s old apartment. To quote Derek, “Lot’s of good Juju.” That’s putting it mildly.
Best 10 bucks I’ve spent in a long time.
