Nov 21, 2013 – The Tedeschi Trucks Band (TTB) made a stop in Halifax Thursday night in support of their most recent CD “Made Up Mind”. This was the final stop on their 2013 Canadian Tour. They took the 3 piece Canadian band, The Walkervilles with them on their tour. I had no previous exposure to The Walkervilles, but they were a perfect fit to open the show at The Cunard Centre.
The Windsor Ontario band was heavily influenced by the Detroit Mowtown movement but they also have a rock edge to their sound. The band is fronted by guitarist/vocalist Pat Robitaille and Michael Nargreaves and Stefan Cvetkovic complete the trio.
Guitar legend Derek Trucks and his wife Susan Tedeschi formed the TTB in 2010 after many years touring with their own bands. TTB travel as an 11 piece unit with 2 guitars, 2 drummers, a bass guitar, a 3 piece horn section, keyboards and 2 background singers.
TTB’s 2011 debut studio release Revelator, won them a Grammy for the Best Blues album as well as the Blues Music Award for Album of the Year. They followed the success of their 1st CD with the 2012 live recording Everybody’s Talkin’. Everybody’s Talkin’ showcased the bands musical prowess receiving praise everywhere it played. Everybody’s Talkin’ built on their initial success and picked up a 2012 Blues Music Award for Best Rock Blues Album.
Sadly the show was not a sellout, but the crowd appeared to be close to capacity. TTB walked onto the stage at 8:45 PM just after I worked my way into the photography pit. Like the majority of shows we were only permitted to take images with no flash for the first 3 songs. 3 songs might sound like plenty of time to snap some pics, but it was amazing just how fast time passed and security was there ushering us out of the pit area. The Walkervilles set left the crowd primed and they erupted with applause when the first TTB song began. It was pretty clear that TTB was going to be treated to a warm reception from a very vocal crowd at The Cunard Centre. TTB had the complete attention of everyone in the venue and maintained it for the entire show. The TTB also had the best sound that I have experienced at Cunard Centre.
Verdict – 5/5
I have seen quite a few shows over the years but the level of talent on stage with TTB left me somewhat awestruck. Standing within a few feet of Trucks with a totally unobstructed view was awesome. Watching how Trucks controlled the guitar is probably why the 3 song in the pit just flew by. His slide guitar playing has long been considered world class and now I know why. The show ended and I was left standing in my spot wondering how time had elapsed so quickly. If Tedeschi Trucks Band plays close by you would be well advised to go check them out.
