Made Up Mind

Made Up Mind

by Tedeschi Trucks Band
Made Up Mind

Made Up Mind

by Tedeschi Trucks Band

CD

$14.99 
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Overview

Made Up Mind, the second studio album from the Tedeschi Trucks Band, contrasts considerably with Revelator in that it showcases the strength of an 11-piece band willing to experiment as they assimilate inspirations -- from Stax, Muscle Shoals, Motown, Delaney & Bonnie, blues, and jazz -- and incorporate their various experiences into a new whole. Co-produced by Derek Trucks and Jim Scott, there is an increased emphasis on songwriting and more sophisticated arrangements. At the behest of Sony, Susan Tedeschi and Trucks invited other songwriters (some old friends) to contribute to these songs, adding perspective. They include Doyle Bramhall II, John Leventhal, Gary Louris, Eric Krasno, and Sonya Kitchell. Tedeschi's voice has developed into one of the most expressive in modern music; she receives outstanding choral support from Mike Mattison and Mark Rivers. Trucks' lead and slide guitar playing have evolved, creating new possibilities for the instrument; it remains the anchor of musical direction for this massive ensemble, that also boasts a horn section, keyboards, two drummers, and four alternating bassists. It always stands out, but rarely dominates. The title opener is a roaring blues-rock boogie. Tedeschi wails atop punchy gospel piano from Kofi Burbridge and a ripping slide guitar solo with horns blazing. A funky clavinet introduces the Sly Stone-inspired "Misunderstood." Trucks' silvery wah-wah guitar drives chunky horn fills, a grooving B-3, and tough vocal exchanges between the vocalists. Tedeschi and Saunders Sermons duet on the fingerpopping soul tune "Part of Me," which recalls Motown's early years; his sweet falsetto is the perfect foil for her grainy contralto. Trucks' guitar fills accent the call and response vocals in the second half, and the Northern soul melody is contrasted by a grittier Stax-style horn chart. The ballads -- the spiritually poignant "It's So Heavy" and the devastating, broken love song "Sweet and Low" -- with their subtleties and canny arrangements display a real TTB strength. It is no mean feat to deliver music this intimate and personal with such a large ensemble. On the rockers, everybody is engaged at a heightened level, as in the funky, grimy, blues-rock strut of "Whiskey Legs" and the off-the-rails roil of "The Storm." On the latter, hard rock, blues, and jazz intertwine, and Trucks gets the opportunity to spiral off into the exploratory void. Closer "Calling Out to You" is simply his National steel guitar caressing Tedeschi's voice in a tender love song. Made Up Mind is tight, though it maintains the gritty, steamy, Southern heart displayed on Revelator, though on some level it feels just a bit restrained. Everything these players have assimilated throughout their individual careers is filtered through the group consciousness. When it expresses itself fully, historical and cultural lineages are questioned and answered in their dialogue. It's a sound that is instantly recognizable, sure, but it also offers a nearly limitless set of sonic possibilities. three years in, this is the sound of a band that's just getting started. Watch out. ~ Thom Jurek

Product Details

Release Date: 08/20/2013
Label: Masterworks
UPC: 0888837118224
Rank: 47835

Tracks

  1. Made Up Mind
  2. Do I Look Worried
  3. Idle Wind
  4. Misunderstood
  5. Part of Me
  6. Whiskey Legs
  7. It's So Heavy
  8. All That I Need
  9. Sweet and Low
  10. The Storm
  11. Calling Out to You

Album Credits

Performance Credits

Tedeschi Trucks Band   Primary Artist
Saunders Sermons   Vocals,Trombone,Handclapping
Susan Tedeschi   Guitar,Vocals,Percussion,Handclapping
Bakithi Kumalo   Bass,Congas,Percussion
Maurice Brown   Trumpet,Handclapping
George Reiff   Bass
Eric Krasno   Guitar,Vocals,Percussion
John Leventhal   Guitar
Derek Trucks   Guitar,Percussion,Handclapping
Doyle Bramhall II   Guitar,Vocals,Handclapping
Pino Palladino   Bass
Jim Scott   Handclapping
Kebbi Williams   Saxophone,Handclapping
Tyler Greenwell   Drums,Percussion,Handclapping
Kofi Burbridge   Flute,Piano,Clavinet,Handclapping,Piano (Grand)
Mark Rivers   Vocals,Tambourine,Handclapping
Mike Mattison   Vocals,Handclapping
J.J. Johnson   Drums,Percussion,Handclapping
Dave Monsey   Bass,Handclapping

Technical Credits

Dave Gutter   Composer
Saunders Sermons   Horn Arrangements
Josh Cheuse   Art Direction
Mark Seliger   Photography
Laura Kszan   Product Development
Cathleen Murphy   A&R
April Johnson   Wardrobe
Duncan Lothian   Production Assistant
Adam Smirnoff   Composer
Alec Huxley   Cover Painting
Susan Tedeschi   Composer
Bob Ludwig   Mastering
Maurice Brown   Horn Arrangements
Eric Krasno   Composer
John Leventhal   Composer
Derek Trucks   Composer,Producer
Doyle Bramhall II   Composer,Producer
Sonya Kitchell   Composer
Jim Scott   Mixing,Engineer,Producer
Kebbi Williams   Horn Arrangements
Oliver Wood   Composer
Tyler Greenwell   Collage
Gary Louris   Composer
Kofi Burbridge   Horn Arrangements
Mike Mattison   Composer,Liner Notes
Bobby Tis   Mixing,Engineer
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