new interview
http://www.jambands.com/features/2016/07/21/butch-trucks-the-freight-train-s-freight-train/
Published: 2016/07/21
by Larson Sutton
Butch Trucks: The Freight Train’s Freight Train
For 45 years drummer Butch Trucks was known as the Freight Train as he drove the powerful and pioneering Allman Brothers Band. The ABB’s unparalleled improvisation and melding of jazz and blues into a unique and widely influential brand of rock and roll would yield both hits and history, eventually earning the Brothers an induction into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and a Lifetime Achievement Grammy Award. The Allman Brothers Band may have reached the end of the road in 2014, but Trucks continues to carry the spirit forward in not one, but two groups: the Freight Train Band and Les Brers – the former including his son Vaylor and the latter featuring past members of the Allman Brothers including his longtime drum partner Jaimoe. Trucks spoke to us from his home in France, a few days ahead of returning to the States for a summer tour with Freight Train, and a fall run with Les Brers.
Interesting interview!!
High praise from Butch for Jack Pearson. Plus no DB bashing. Cool.
Butch mentions that at the end of the ABB, he disliked the band's fear of making mistakes. I wonder who that involved? Is that the same thing as the fear of playing new tunes?
Also, and maybe this question merits its own thread, but I'll pose it here for now: if you had to choose between seeing Les Brers or Freight Train, which would you choose and why?
Also, and maybe this question merits its own thread, but I'll pose it here for now: if you had to choose between seeing Les Brers or Freight Train, which would you choose and why?
Les Brers - due to Jack Pearson and Oteil. Very good guitar and bass players in Freight Train - would love to see them - but if I can only pick one - Jack and Oteil are world class players - that's the pick for me.
Butch mentions that at the end of the ABB, he disliked the band's fear of making mistakes. I wonder who that involved? Is that the same thing as the fear of playing new tunes?
Probably and more than likely (even though he would never say so) the reason Derek decided to move on...
Ok! I nabbed a ticket to see Les Brers in Ridgefield CT in September. It really is a no brainer in hindsight; the band has 5 ABB alumni, right?!
Butch mentions that at the end of the ABB, he disliked the band's fear of making mistakes. I wonder who that involved? Is that the same thing as the fear of playing new tunes?
Probably and more than likely (even though he would never say so) the reason Derek decided to move on...
No, Derek left because he was tired of being a hired-hand, and wanted to do what he wanted musically, on his own terms.
Did you see the video of Gregg sitting in with TTB?
Excellent show last night at BB Kings. Great band led by Butch , Berry Jr. and Bruce Katz . Varied setlist that included a good amount of Brothers ,some covers and original music. Guests included Junior Mack, Brandon (Taz ) Neiderauer, Vaylor's daughter and Butch's granddaughter singing Ophelia. Loved watching Berry and Butch playing together. Butch's best line of the night : ' As Duane once said , Berry starts this one off - you guessed it - as Berry plays the opening notes to Whipping Post. Heather Gillis on lead vocals and guitar , Vaylor Trucks on lead guitar , a percussionist and a terrific slide player round out a great band .
Here is the before mentioned video of BB Kings ....
Who is the slide player?
Love Jr. Mack btw 
Butch mentions that at the end of the ABB, he disliked the band's fear of making mistakes. I wonder who that involved? Is that the same thing as the fear of playing new tunes?
Probably and more than likely (even though he would never say so) the reason Derek decided to move on...
No, Derek left because he was tired of being a hired-hand, and wanted to do what he wanted musically, on his own terms.
Did you see the video of Gregg sitting in with TTB?
Body language in that TTB video suggests one of the reasons Derek left the ABB was having to look after Gregg on stage.
Not trying to be rude just an observation. Watching that TTB video actually made me nostalgic for the ABB because, among other things, it brought back memories of the many times I saw Derek walk over and give Gregg directions.
The slide player is Ben Sparaco.18yrs old. I was impressed. Gibson Custom Dickey Betts signature SG & a 53 Gibson Les Paul gold top. I saw Freight Train at the Egg in Albany NY last Friday.The lineup was Butch, Bruce Katz, Heather Gillis, Ben Sparaco, Berry Duane Oakley & a percussionist. Quite an enjoyable show.
I was at the Albany show. The guitar player Sporaco was soooo good. I never heard of him before... Butch was really pushing him and Heather gillis...What 2 great young talents Butch has..
Thank you jsdonnan and fender31 for the infomation on Ben Sporaco ! Great player !
... have to check out Heather Gillis as well !
Wonder why Butch's website has no news on the current lineup ...
Maybe Butch is too busy working on his latest blog post for this site.
I think the band is a work in progress. The program for the Albany show has Damon Fowler listed as the other guitar with Heather Gillis & the percussionist was a new addition & not listed. Sparaco's website has him listed with Freight Train for 12 dates 7/21-8/6.
Found this forum looking for some information on Ben Sparaco. I had been spelling his name really wrong. He is pretty accomplished and has played with some big names since he was young. I found videos back to when he was 15 killing it on ABB music, and it looked like he was with a Dead Tribute band and an ABB tribute band, as well as some kid bands.
He played with Devon at Wanee and I saw photos of him on IG with Derek & Susan and a few with Warren, so hopefully we will see a lot more from the kid. (I'm not a stalker, he was just that good.)
After seeing him in Maryland twice with the Freight Train and Ron Holloway, I was finally able to find his CD on line (after I got the name right) and was even more impressed by his original music. I am hoping his band makes it up this way sometime.
Too bad it took so long to figure out who he was, as he is not mentioned in any article or social media from the freight train, and if they keep that kid I'd love to hear him sing more than Ophelia. He's got a great voice too, since they did a Bruce Katz song, maybe they will even take on one of his. Thanks for helping to find his name.
[Edited on 8/6/2016 by RichMusic]
