In a swirling haze of neon lights cast upon gold leaf and velvet curtains, the Tedeschi Trucks Band unleashed a torrential storm of bluesy goodness upon the Warner Theatre in Washington, DC, on March 7, 2024. This performance wasn't just a concert; it was a transcendental experience that took the audience back in time to the days when the Allman Brothers Band was still touring the country.

As the clock struck showtime, the atmosphere was electric, pulsating with the anticipation of what would come. Duane Betts—the son of Allman Brothers Band guitarist Dickey Betts—opened with an acoustic trio featuring Johnny Stachela on guitar and Tedeschi Trucks Band drummer Tyler "Falcon" Greenway on a snare drum with brushes. Duane led the trio in mostly original music featuring songs from his debut solo album Wild & Precious, recorded in Derek and Susan's home studio in Jasonville, Florida.

Duane also performed "Seven Turns," an Allman Brothers Band song written by his father after being inspired by an old Navajo story. Duane's likeness to Dickey was only matched by how similar their voices sound, and the acoustic trio, filled with slide guitar solos performed by Stachela, further set the tone for an incredible evening of roots rock music and a revival of several Allman Brothers Band classics.

Kicking off the headlining set with "Just as Strange," the Tedeschi Trucks Band set the stage for an odyssey through the depths of soulful soundscapes and heart-wrenching melodies. Lead vocalist Susan Tedeschi's voice cut through the air like a hot knife through butter, commanding attention and respect with every note. Tedeschi, a veteran of the blues scene since her early years, brought a lifetime of experience and passion to the stage. Her musical journey was evident in every heartfelt lyric and soulful riff, from her humble beginnings performing in smoky bars to sharing the stage with legends like Eric Clapton and B.B. King.

And when her husband, guitar virtuoso Derek Trucks, unleashed his fiery licks, it was like watching a sorcerer conjure magic from thin air. Trucks, a prodigy who began his musical journey at a tender age, inherited the blues gene from his family's musical legacy, including his uncle Butch Trucks of the Allman Brothers Band. Together, Tedeschi and Trucks formed a powerhouse duo that is backed by an incredible group of musicians (Mike Mattison on guitar & vocals, Gabe Dixon on keys & vocals, Brandon Boone on bass, Tyler "Falcon Greenwell on drummers & percussion, Isaac Eady on drums & percussion, Mark Rivers on vocals, Alecia Chakour on vocals, Kebbi Williams on sax, Ephraim Owens on trumpet, and Elizabeth Lea on trombone) who elevate the blues to new heights.

The setlist was a rollercoaster ride through the annals of musical history, paying homage to legends like Derek and the Dominos with a soul-stirring rendition of "Tell the Truth." The set continued with the horn section walking on stage to perform "Don't Drift Away," then the band continued with "I Am the Moon," the title track of their 2022 album. Susan remarked that it was one of her favorite songs the band wrote during the pandemic. They continued with "Idle Wind," which swept the audience away on a gust of triumphant emotion with Tedeschi's power vocals and the horn section's beautiful harmonies.

Tedeschi Trucks band then paid tribute to the Queen of Soul herself, Aretha Franklin, with a spine-tingling cover of "It Ain't Fair" led by vocalist Alicia Chakour—whose belting vocals lifted the roof off the venue. The band kept the classics rolling with a fiery rendition of "Outside Woman Blues" featuring Derek's blistering guitar solo. The band then slowed the night down with one of their biggest hits, "Midnight in Harlem." Derek picked up the pace with two songs that he recorded with the Derek Trucks Band, "Leaving Trunk" and "Volunteered Slavery," both of which showcased Derek's prowess on the slide guitar. Susan followed up the duo of DTB songs with one of her bluesy originals, "Just Won't Burn." Tedeschi led the band in the sad and methodical blues ballad that peaked with her playing a mournful weeping guitar solo.

As the night peaked, opener Duane Betts joined the fray, adding an extra layer of intensity to a nearly 30-minute Allman Brothers Band mini-set. The band began by launching into the euphoric "Blue Sky," during which, both Derek and Duane took extended solos. They continued the Allman Brothers Revival with a colossal version of "In Memory of Elizabeth Reed," which showcased more incredible dueling guitar solos from Trucks and Betts, thundering drum solos from Tyler Greenwell and Isaac Eady, and an organ solo that would make Gregg Allman blush from Gabe Dixon. The chemistry between Betts and Trucks was palpable, sparking fireworks on stage that reminded the audience of Derek's early years with the Allman Brothers Band in the late 1990s. 

The band returned for an encore that left jaws on the floor and hearts in the stratosphere. "Soul Sweet Song" was a balm for the soul, leaving audiences feeling warm and relaxed, while their rendition of "How Blue Can You Get?" was a gut-wrenching testament to the power of the blues. In the end, as the lights dimmed and the echoes of applause faded into the night, one thing was clear: the Tedeschi Trucks Band didn't just perform; they put on a revival for one of the greatest rock bands who paved the road they continue to travel today.

Duane Betts

To learn more about Tedeschi Trucks Band, please see the following web resources:

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To learn more about Duane Betts, please see the following web resources:

• Webpage
• Facebook
• Instagram
• YouTube
• Spotify
• TIDAL