Dererk Trucks is probably the best slide guitar player in the world today. Dude is baaad. Trucks is from Florida and is the nephew of Butch Trucks, drummer of the Allman Brothers(one of two, the other being Jaimoe). Trucks got his start through the Allman Brothers in 1999 and has since become an integral member of the band. As of late, he has also been a member of Eric Clapton’s touring band. Along with Doyle Bramhall II, Clapton and Trucks make up a scary good guitar trio.
Although known primarily for his work with the Allman Brothers, Trucks has recorded five full-length solo albums, all of which are great. His latest, Songlines, shows Trucks at his peak. Full of guitar wizardry, Songlines has Trucks focusing on creating “songs” with structure instead of melodies and jamming.
Songlines mixes many different styles, rangin from funk to blues to soul. In the past, Trucks enlisted many different singers like Solomon Burke to contribute to songs, opting for a more discontinuous album feel. For Songlines, Trucks recruited vocalist Mike Mattison to join the band full-time. With Mattison on almost every track, the record feels more like an “album.” My favorite track on the record is entitled “Sahib Teri Bandi – Maki Madni,” a 9-minute Indian-influenced track that showcases Trucks ability to create amazing melodies on his guitar. Using no effects, Trucks plugs straight from his 61’ SG into his Fender Reverb, and creates vocal-styled melodies, also choosing to not use a pick and strumming with his fingers. How he creates this crazy effect? I have no idea. But, man, that tone is KILLER.
Trucks is married to blues singer Susan Tedeschi, and also rocks a pretty gnarly blonde ponytail. You may recognize Trucks from Rolling Stone, where he was recently featured in the cover article alongside John Mayer and John Frusciante. They were dubbed, “The New Guitar Gods.”
Trucks = Guitar god.
Until Whenever,
BD
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