Tedeschi/Trucks Band @ Bataclan, Paris - November 15th, 2022

The Tedeschi/Trucks Band is one of the best bands working today. This concert at the tragic Bataclan was the last of a three-night stint in Paris, the first two of which took place at the Trianon theater. Touring behind their new quadruple (!) album I Am The Moon, the twelve-piece band played an absolutely exquisite set which was even more thrilling than the last time we saw them over three years ago.

Susan Tedeschi's voice is always superb and emotive and her guitar playing perfectly complements that of husband Derek Trucks, who, in my opinion, is simply the best guitarist of the past quarter century.

Mike Mattison, who was lead vocalist in the Derek Trucks Band, is relegated to a supporting role but his gritty, soulful rasp is put to good use on songs like Emmaline.

Blues, Rn'B, Jazz, Southern Rock, Americana... Tedeschi/Trucks Band fuses and transcends all the idioms of American music into one soulful stew. If you're in the mood to cry, they have just the song for that. And if you're in the mood to dance, well, you're in luck; they have that too. You want to laugh, you want to get high, get down and make love? They've got you covered.

Among the many highlights of the evening was a version of Keep On Growing, originally released on Derek and the Dominos' Layla and Assorted Love Songs, an album that they've also covered in full in the past.

A cover of Harry Styles' Sign Of The Times was another surprising high note, as well as renditions of their own Bound For Glory or Yes We Will.

All of the superlatives fail to actually convey the experience of attending a Tedeschi/Trucks Band show. It is a most musical, magical experience where authenticity and emotion reign supreme. No rock stars shenanigans, no ego trips, no pageantry: just pure music.

This was the last stop on their highly successful European tour and as we were leaving the venue, after a rousing rendition of Ray Charles' Let's Go Get Stoned, we were already jonesing for our next fix. Another Paris residency in 2023, please?