Photos/Review: Tedeschi Trucks Band 2.17.24 Hard Rock Live Atlantic City

Words & Photos by Rod Snyder

Tedeschi Trucks Band was at the Jersey shore this past weekend for their first live shows of 2024. Dubbed the “Deuces Wild 2024” tour, the tour kicked off with 2 shows at the Etness Arena in the Hard Rock Live in Atlantic City. The band is still touring under their latest release, “I Am The Moon”.

Both nights kicked off with an hour set from the opening band Little Feat, who had a pair of great shows and was ecstatic to be the opener for TTB.

The band walked on stage under the dim, blue house lights, got their gear situated and eased into “Don’t Let Me Slide” from their debut album “Revelator”. A trio of songs from “I Am the Moon” followed. These would prove to be the only songs performed from their latest effort, as the previous night they played 7 songs. Tonight’s performance was all about the covers. Ranging from New Jersey’s own Bruce Springsteen to Aretha Franklin, to the Allman Brothers Band and of course some Derek & The Dominos.

One of the highlights of the night was “Idle Wind”, the way the song organically progressed and slowly built up into a zenith was mind blowing! So much so, that after Derek had finished his amazing solo, I heard a woman close by say to her boyfriend “That makes me want to have sex!” That’s a perfect example of what live music can do to you. I try to explain that to people who don’t go and see music in a live setting – music is so transcendent!

A new live debut of the Springsteen song “State Trooper” followed “Idle Wind”. This featured Mike Mattison & Susan on vocals with just drummer Tyler Greenwall and bassist Brandon Boone left onstage. It started out as a slow quiet number but built up into a crunchy jam towards the end of the song. They knocked this one out of the park. Another highlight of the night featured backup vocalist Alecia Chakour stepping into the spotlight for another live debut. This time it was Aretha Franklin’s “It Ain’t Fair”, and Chakour gave a clinic on how to sing! The song started out with the feeling of being in a small, dingy blues club, and by the end, the audience erupted with a thunderous applause. It was well deserved!

As if that wasn’t enough, they segued right into the classic Allman Brothers staple “Dreams”. Keyboardist extraordinaire Gabe Dixon started the vocals and ended with Susan closing out the song. Derek took both of the solo parts with his partner left watching him perform his craft. She had the best seat in the house! “

Just Won’t Burn” is a song and title track from Susan’s 2^nd solo studio album. This is a great song to showcase her vocals and guitar prowess. Just really a gritty song with lots of feeling that leaves you moving your head ever so slightly. The set ended with a “I Want More” going right into “Beck’s Bolero”, a Jeff Beck tune they incorporated into their set not long after the passing of the guitar great last year. The show ended with the fun crowd sing along “Space Captain”. It was the only song where Susan didn’t have a guitar strapped to her. It also featured a short segment with Derek and trombone player Elizabeth Lea trading licks.

What always surprises me when I see TTB, is how deep their bench is. With multiple people capable of lead vocals and guitar, it really shows how versatile they are as a band. It’s evident in any of their studio efforts, and damn well shows in their live performances… and their setlists are NEVER the same!

The band has a limited number of shows left in the short Winter “Deuces Wild” tour and wraps up next month in Florida.

Setlist:

Don’t Let Me Slide

Playing With My Emotions

Ain’t That Something

Tell The Truth (Derek & The Dominos

Where Are my Friends?

Idle Wind

State Trooper (Bruce Springsteen)

Keep On Smilin’ (Wet Willie)

It Ain’t Fair (Aretha Franklin)

Dreams (Allman Brothers Band)