Concert Review: Tedeschi Trucks Band at Mizner Park in Boca Raton
Just a mere 307 miles to the north of Boca Raton is Jacksonville, home to legendary blues rockers Tedeschi Trucks Band. While Jacksonville may be home, Boca Raton and St. Petersburg must be equally important to both Susan Tedeschi and Derek Trucks, because for a half-dozen years both cities have played host to the band’s annual Sunshine Music Festival (January).
The Grammy Award-winning duo brought their Wheels Of Soul tour to South Florida and performed an emotional and inspiring set on Saturday at Mizner Park Amphitheater. After enduring several days of downpours and above-average temperatures with a call for rain the entire weekend, it was doubtful that the band’s loyal fan base would have a chance to enjoy this summer’s concert dry. However, higher powers must love TTB’s music, because the skies cleared just a couple of hours before the show, setting the stage for a near-perfect summer night. Openers Shovels & Rope, the husband-and-wife American folk duo, took the stage to a warm reception from those who arrived early to catch their set. The South Carolina-based band — Michael Trent and Cary Ann Hearst — are known for their unique blends of traditional folk, rock and roll, and country rock. It was quite surprising that the duo could fill the venue with an acoustically rich medley of sounds that would normally require at least a five-piece band. Credit them for playing a set of non-stop, musically genre-diverse music that was the perfect starter to get the crowd into rhythm and up the level of anticipation for headliner Tedeschi Trucks Band.
Historically, TTB has been quite discerning about their tours opening acts; for the Wheels of Soul tour, they chose two bands that compliment TTB’s music perfectly. Blackberry Smoke was clearly the right band to provide support on this tour, because the Atlanta-based Southern rockers got the crowd off their feet and jamming along to every guitar riff and drum beat. Blackberry Smoke’s frontman and lead vocalist, Charlie Starr, was in top form while fellow band members Richard Turner, Paul Jackson and Brandon Still were solid and Brit Turner pounded on the drums. This band delivered a good ol’ non-stop Southern jam session.
If you have ever attended a TTB concert, you know that the band’s set list is always a surprise. The band does not play the same songs on tour at every tour stop. In fact, on Saturday the band surprised those who were there with several well-known covers of some of their favorites, including “Keep On Growing” (Derek and the Dominos), “Somebody Pick Up My Pieces” (Willie Nelson), “Border Song” (Elton John), “Get What You Deserve” (The Derek Trucks Band), “Soul Sacrifice” (Santana), “Statesboro Blues” (Blind Willie McTell), and “Space Captain” (Joe Cocker). Whether playing their own catalog of hits or a series of covers, TTB’s 12-piece band adds their own unique sound to each song with the use of dual drummers, saxophone, trumpet, and trombone players. Tedeschi Trucks Band, along with Susan Tedeschi’s soulful voice, got everyone on their feet clapping along to the inspiring beats. Clearly, TTB music leaves you feeling good; it’s the kind of music to crack open a beer, sing and dance along to. The entire 16-song set created a fun and upbeat atmosphere, with the exception of Willie Nelson’s heartbreaking song “Somebody Pick Up My Pieces.”
As the tour moves onto the next stop, this band leaves you with a desire to have more. This is a band that engages its audience with songs that normal, everyday people can relate to. It’s pretty easy to see why Tedeschi Trucks Band usually performs to sold-out crowds both stateside and across the globe. One concert just doesn’t seem to be enough. Fortunately, the tour has just started, and with a little luck you can catch them again this summer. Check for tour information here.
Set List
Signs, High Times
Laugh About It
When Will I Begin
Keep On Growing (Derek and the Dominos cover)
Life Is Crazy
Part of Me
Let Me Get By
Somebody Pick Up My Pieces (Willie Nelson cover)
Hard Case
Border Song (Elton John cover)
Get What You Deserve (The Derek Trucks Band cover)
Stranger in a Strange Land (Leon Russell cover)
I Want More
Soul Sacrifice (Santana cover)
Encore:
Statesboro Blues (Blind Willie McTell cover)
Space Captain (Joe Cocker cover)