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Derek Trucks Band: Joyful Noise

By Jet Murray

When I put in the Derek Trucks Band newest album, Joyful Noise, I wasn't sure what to expect. The band is constantly adding onto it's jam band status with new sounds from around the world and of an eclectic mix of music genres.

Trucks himself hails from Atlanta, grew up listening to blues musicians Elmore James and B.B King and is famed for touring with the Allman Brothers Band; the influences of both are obvious.

Immediately, the sound is pure jam band, reminiscent of my summer spent at music festivals: mellow, with long, long jam sessions, and Trucks showing off lead guitar skills. But the music continues to impress in its skill and complexity. The album moves along more like a soundtrack, each song has a unique feel to it. From jammy we have bluesy, then funky and into a more lounge-jazz sound, even a little latin-ish.

The album incorporates an enclave of Indian classical, blues and jazz, a James brown cover song, "Baby, You're Right," and an array of guest vocalists, namely Rahat Nusnat Fateh Ali Kahn, a world-renowned Pakistani vocalist. One song reminds me of Muddy Waters and the next of Moe. with disjointed, free sounds. Most don't have lyrics at all. The whole thing finishes up with a slide guitar piece that makes me stop what I'm doing and close my eyes.

Derek Trucks has in the past criticized corporate radio and stressed the value of underground musicians. With this new album from Columbia Records his fans may wonder if this dynamic will change. As a musician, the sound is improving and many of the songs are possibly radio-friendly. Let's hope the band isn't abandoning their morals.

The music itself is remarkable, and the band, led by a 23-year-old, already accomplished musician, is pretty damn impressive too.

Email Jet at jmurray2@ithaca.edu.

This review is an online exclusive.