In June of 2011, the 11-piece American blues rock group Tedeschi Trucks Band released their debut record, Revelator. The group’s 2011 effort reached the Billboard 200 charts at the No. 12 spot. Two summers later, the blues-based rock and roll band released their sophomore studio album, Made Up Mind. The band’s sophomore studio album reached the No. 11 spot on the Billboard 200 charts. Additionally, the record reached the No. 1 & two spots on the Billboard Top Blues Album and Top Rock Album charts.
The 11-song record spans 53 minutes and takes the band in a higher direction. Many of the tunes that make up Made Up Mind have become fan favorites and concert staples. On Made Up Mind, some of Derek Trucks’ best solo and guitar work can be found on this record. It’s very easy to see why this record won a Blues Rock Award for the ‘Rock Blues Album of the Year.’
What makes Tedeshi Trucks Band so unique from most blues bands is that about 11 different musicians make up the band. On Made Up Mind, 16 different musicians have credit for appearing on this record. Having so many musicians creates complex, unique and different sounds, which allows the band to explore different avenues of music all within one song.
The record kicks off with the title track. This tune runs just shy of four minutes but is a great opening track. There is a great jumpy guitar riff from Trucks that is met by drums/percussionist Tyler Greenwell and J. J. Johnson. The production team was able to perfectly capture all aspects of this tune. There are so many unique and different aspects, from piano, background singers and wind instruments, that being able to layer all the audio is a challenge that is captured perfectly. With under two minutes left of the tune, the band quiets down and lets singer Susan Tedeshi showcase her vocals ever so slightly before jumping back to the core of the song.
Song two, “Do I Look Worried,” is a more serious-toned song than the title track. Trucks provide a deeper hummed tone that creates an umbrella for the rest of the band to go under. This song is a slower-paced track that relies on the band as a whole. Without the pockets of instrumentals from the wind instruments that move along the drums, it would create an odd sound behind Trucks’ solo. Throughout the record, for newer fans, that is, you get a sense that Tedeshi’s singing is equally matched by excellent rhythm guitar that accompanies her husband’s lead guitar. Tedeshi’s vocals are not talked about enough in the rock and roll sphere, where she deserves her place among the best.
As the listener makes their way to the halfway mark of the record, “Part of Me” appears as the fifth song. This is a much happier tune than the seriousness of “Do I Look Worried.” “Part of Me” relies heavily on call and response from Tedeshi and the band’s additional singers. The duo of Mike Mattison and Mark Rivers does a phenomenal job trading off with Tedeshi throughout the song. Additionally, Mattison and Rivers harmonize beautifully with each other to support Tedeshi elsewhere throughout the song. “Part of Me” is such a feel-good song that fans can’t help but get in a better mood after listening to this song. There’s a spot where Tedeshi sings, and Trucks’ guitar mimics her vocals, creating a new, unique sound heard on this tune.
The muddy and funky riffs of “Whiskey Legs” greet listeners after “Part of Me.” Trucks has a more muffled, damped guitar tone on this song. This track is one of the tunes on the record that is heavily rooted in their blues origins. Kofi Burbridge creates all kinds of magical sounds on keyboards. Whether it’s more of an electric/synth sound or an organ sound, he provides a different and exciting edge to the tune. Having the dual drummers of Greenwell and Johnson on this record really deepens the sound of the drums, creating a more surrounding sound. Additionally, this allows for one drummer to keep to the beat and the other to play something off the beaten path to create more depth. Tedeshi and Trucks enter a marvelous guitar battle on this tune, which further cements Tedeshi as not only a talented singer but a guitarist as well.
The final song on the record is “Calling Out To You.” This melodic tune opens up with a soft acoustic opening, which makes fans dream of the high peaks of the Midwest while traveling down back roads and long highways. “Calling Out To You” allows the fans to get lost in the music and interpret the music to each their own. It’s special when bands create pictures through magical little words in between notes. Trucks does not show off his slide guitar prowess on this song. Truck elects to take a simple and grassroots approach and only whip out the slide when deemed most necessary, which, in part, is the magic of the song.
Made Up Mind is truly one of Tedeshi Trucks Band’s best efforts. Even though the record is 13 years old, it helped the foundation of the band. A lot of these songs are still relied on during live shows and expanded upon for long, in-depth jam sessions. Whether it’s the magic of the 11-piece band or the magic of Tedeshi’s voice matched with Trucks’ guitar, they captured something undeniably special on Made Up Mind.
Rating: 8/10
Tracklisting:
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
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My love for live music started with my first concert ever, Guns N’ Roses back in 2016. Since then, I’ve been able to capture photos of some amazing artists like Alice Cooper, Judas Priest, Ace Frehley, and Post Malone. I am based in the Boston, Massachusetts area. I am always looking for the next concert to attend.