So the interplay with Derek & Kofi during "Let Me Get By" did nothing for you?

I guess the definition of "fire" as well as what we enjoy musically is as always subjective.

I find them a bit underwhelming, and I've felt that way for several years now. I can't really put my finger on what it is, but they just don't turn me on much.

Agreed. Way too much Susan.

Definitely agree with "way too much Susan". I like the band, although not as much as I did a few years ago when they first started touring.

I dig all 3 and have seen all 3 a few times each. I'd see 'Em all again.

It's funny; the last time I saw TTB, I ran into a buddy whose complaint was "Too much Derek, not enough Susan." He said that when she sings, the heavens open, but when he plays, it's just another guitar solo. To each his own!!!!!

TTB is the one band of those 3 that keeps me on my feet and on my toes for the whole show.

They are the THE most exciting band around for me. I will see them anytime. I have never caught anything close to a bad show. Their new album is their best yet, I can't stop spinning it even months after it came out. I haven't heard a show stopper like "Midnight in Harlem", something that will put a spell on the audience for 10 minutes. I can see Jimmie Vaughn bringing their intensity down, he is pretty milk toast. Doyle Bramhall II does the same thing - he is a great guitar stand.

I really don't understand the desire for people to go out of their way to rag on TTB. If you don't like them, fine, not everyone likes everything. I am not a huge fan of Warren's solo shows. He does a lot of different stuff, and I can appreciate that, but I've been bored to tears at some of his shows I've caught. But I don't go out of my way to post how little I care to see his band after a show I wasn't fond of. Go ahead and post your opinions, that's what this space is for, but how many times does the same negativity need to be voiced? Why do people have such an axe to grind with TTB?

[Edited on 4/30/2016 by porkchopbob]

I was just saying to my wife the other day that ‘something’ is just missing. I haven’t seen them live in person so told her maybe that will flip the switch for me. I listen to the albums and outside a couple songs like “midnight in harlem” the songs just aren’t there. Frankly the music is kind of boring…very well played…but boring

To me, the sum just doesn’t equal the parts.

I agree with your opinion about them Rob. I too find them underwhelming and I've only gone to see them when friends of mine are going and tickets are extremely cheap. I would not however pay a lot to see them in certain venues where they charge a lot for tickets.

I like Warren's solo shows, and love Gregg's shows but TTB just bores me at times. But other times they're not that bad.

[Edited on 4/30/2016 by The_Newt]

They are the THE most exciting band around for me. I will see them anytime. I have never caught anything close to a bad show. Their new album is their best yet, I can't stop spinning it even months after it came out. I haven't heard a show stopper like "Midnight in Harlem", something that will put a spell on the audience for 10 minutes. I can see Jimmie Vaughn bringing their intensity down, he is pretty milk toast. Doyle Bramhall II does the same thing - he is a great guitar stand.

I really don't understand the desire for people to go out of their way to rag on TTB. If you don't like them, fine, not everyone likes everything. I am not a huge fan of Warren's solo shows. He does a lot of different stuff, and I can appreciate that, but I've been bored to tears at some of his shows I've caught. But I don't go out of my way to post how little I care to see his band after a show I wasn't fond of. Go ahead and post your opinions, that's what this space is for, but how many times does the same negativity need to be voiced? Why do people have such an axe to grind with TTB?

[Edited on 4/30/2016 by porkchopbob]

This is simply a forum where we discuss topics. Any harm in that? And as others have opined, it IS subjective. Personally, after seeing them two days in a row (both free which was nice ) in Chicago, while I enjoyed myself both days I came away with the opinions of others. Susan is WAY too loud for me and seems to be the center of attention.

The first night when Leon Russell opened, as much as a grump that he is, he was the highlight of the weekend for me. Leon joined the TTB for two songs during their set. I was in the front for leaning on the stage. I couldn't hear anything Leon was doing. She was that loud.

I really loved Susan 10 or 15 years ago, bought all her CDs, saw when I could, etc. I remember a show years ago at Park West in Chicago. Jackie Greene opened for her. Awesome show. When she was done, the house lights came on and they were trying to get people out of the doors. Susan just walked back on stage, sat down at the piano and played a song. That was awesome.

I love them both individually and the sit ins with each other but I personally don't really care for their band.

Just my two cents.

Go ahead and post your opinions, that's what this space is for, but how many times does the same negativity need to be voiced?

This is simply a forum where we discuss topics. Any harm in that? A

Lee, I said as much in my post. I have no problem with people voicing their opinions, but people go out of their way to rag on TTB, where as I don't start a topic ragging on Warren every time I see a show of his I don't love. Not liking TTB is understandable, and I am glad you dig Susan's music, but you have to admit that the Susan rhetoric is a little over the top around here and people seem to go out of their way to voice their disinterest (not even intense dislike) in TTB.

I guess the definition of "fire" as well as what we enjoy musically is as always subjective.

I think that's pretty much an unspoken assumption around here. Hope you didn't think too hard to come up with that one. Here's a quote from my post:

I realize it's only my opinion, but I find them a bit underwhelming,

I really don't understand the desire for people to go out of their way to rag on TTB.

I really don't understand the desire for people to criticize me for not liking TTB..........."rag" is certainly quite critical.

The fact is, I've gone out of my way to try and like them. Revelator is several years old, I bought it, played it quite a few times, never could get into it. I also saw TTB a few years back...........I was quite bored. But I tuned into AXS last night thinking that, hey, it's several years later, I'm going to keep an open mind.

Great musicianship, great horn section. I still feel as I have always felt that Mike Mattison deserves to be featured more. And the material they are doing just doesn't hit home for me. They don't inspire me the way Gregg still can at times and the way the Mule often does.

Now if that is "ragging"..........I don't quite get that.

Hope you didn't think too hard to come up with that one.

Racked my brain for hours.

I was just participating in the conversation and even asked about a spot in the show that I thought almost everyone on here would enjoy. Maybe I read the tone of the above response wrong, but why so defensive?

As far as the band goes. The only parts I don't like is when Susan over sings. As many say, I would also prefer Mike get more songs in the set (Or most of them), however Susan's voice is perfectly fine when she is singing. When she shouts it seems forced and not natural.

However, for the most part the vocals don't hinder my enjoyment of listening to the band.

I don't need to hear them play "The Letter" again, it is showing up in the set a bit too much when other covers could be done.

[Edited on 4/30/2016 by WarEagleRK]

Love the TTB. Love Susan's own CD's. Love her voice and present role in the band. Would grab every oppurtunity to see them live and although 2016 promises to be an awesome concert / festival year i'm bummed that i won't be seeing them live at their summer festival appearance over here in the Netherlands in june. Festival is sold out and hotel / camping arrangements kinda sucked.

If her voice was way too loud even to the extend that it made a guest on stage (Leon Russell) almost inaudible may very well be caused by somebody not paying attention behind the mixing desk. So maybe it's not Susan to blame?

Am i completely non-capable of saying anything "negative" about one of my favourite current bands? Nope.
Unlike most reviews and fan opinions that "Let Me Get By" is their best studio offering yet i personally like both other releases more. It's not that i dislike the new studio album i'm just mildly underwhelmed by it. But i bet i would dig hearing those new songs live.

I guess the definition of "fire" as well as what we enjoy musically is as always subjective.

I think that's pretty much an unspoken assumption around here. Hope you didn't think too hard to come up with that one. Here's a quote from my post:

I realize it's only my opinion, but I find them a bit underwhelming,

I really don't understand the desire for people to go out of their way to rag on TTB.

I really don't understand the desire for people to criticize me for not liking TTB..........."rag" is certainly quite critical.

The fact is, I've gone out of my way to try and like them. Revelator is several years old, I bought it, played it quite a few times, never could get into it. I also saw TTB a few years back...........I was quite bored. But I tuned into AXS last night thinking that, hey, it's several years later, I'm going to keep an open mind.

Great musicianship, great horn section. I still feel as I have always felt that Mike Mattison deserves to be featured more. And the material they are doing just doesn't hit home for me. They don't inspire me the way Gregg still can at times and the way the Mule often does.

Now if that is "ragging"..........I don't quite get that.

Ragging...gimme a break.Rob-you expressed an opinion.Why is that ragging? BTW Rob,I agree with you 100% and I'm simply expressing an opinion.

I think preference in style, intonation, timbre, melody, attack, etc etc etc affect our preferences in musical artists. I like TTB a lot, and Susan is not my number one female vocalist ever by any means. Derek is also not my number one favorite guitarist ever. But I enjoy them both. Live, very much so. I can see where some find Susan too "twangy". But to say she is a "bad" singer is IMO not technically correct. She is a good singer who intonates well and hits the notes well. I can compare Derek and Duane and come up with: ability to use the "spaces" and spot on intonation as Duane strong points over Derek. But I don't like to play that game. Some here favor Warren, and I tippy toe around discussing him. A great player who has a hard edge often, is that a preference, yes, maybe, sure.... Mule is not my preference, although I see where if you like that style, they are very good. Warren is a competent singer, but his playing guitar is his forte IMO. If he didn't play guitar, would he be at same level? This is many axe players fate.... One can name many many guitarists who are fantastic pickers but competent as singers. Many great pickers are mute.... Derek.... Duane..... Jeff Beck.... Santana...... but to point, when framed as preference over "good"... "bad" it makes more sense to me when discussing established pro musicians.

They are the THE most exciting band around for me. I will see them anytime. I have never caught anything close to a bad show. Their new album is their best yet, I can't stop spinning it even months after it came out. I haven't heard a show stopper like "Midnight in Harlem", something that will put a spell on the audience for 10 minutes.

I'm in the same boat.

on the other hand, if I got upset every time someone like music I didn't, or didn't like music I like, I would be pissed off most of the time.
If you don't like TTB, then I have a better chance of getting a ticket

Powerhouse band, watching the reruns of Jazz Fest waiting on them.

Spicy mustard is the best too.

What?

Rob, don't assume you are so special that I was I referring directly to you. Don't get a persecution complex. It's just that every other week someone has to go out of their way to state their disinterest in TTB. Those of us who aren't huge Mule fans made up our minds we weren't into it, but don't feel the need to start thread after thread rehashing our disinterest. That's all. I just feel like if people were that disinterested, they would not be so interested in discussing it over and over. It doesn't bother me if you aren't into them, better seats for me.

Those of us who aren't huge Mule fans made up our minds we weren't into it, but don't feel the need to start thread after thread rehashing our disinterest.

as per my prior post trying to convey the aspect of "preference" in "likes" I would add to your comment that I probably fit your "us" group. But I would expect if I started a thread with my points on why Mule did not stir my pot, I would expect a few things. First, to be confusing preference with quality. Then I would feel I would be kind of disrespecting Mule fans who have different preferences. I also would expect Mule fans to feel "taken to task" as someone is conveying blandness judgement to their passion. And I would expect not nicey responses.

having said all that wordy cr@p, I also don't expect anyone should see anything the way I do so a worthless IMO is all here.

Nothing missing to me at all. I think they're the best thing going right now. Their sense of dynamics is astounding. Having said that, I get why Susan may not be everybody's cup of tea.

Different strokes.

quote:
They are the THE most exciting band around for me. I will see them anytime. I have never caught anything close to a bad show. Their new album is their best yet, I can't stop spinning it even months after it came out. I haven't heard a show stopper like "Midnight in Harlem", something that will put a spell on the audience for 10 minutes.

I'm in the same boat.

on the other hand, if I got upset every time someone like music I didn't, or didn't like music I like, I would be pissed off most of the time.
If you don't like TTB, then I have a better chance of getting a ticket

I absolutely love TTB. I had a blast all three nights at the Warner. I'm looking forward to seeing them at DelFest and at Wolf Trap, but don't expect those shows to raise to the level of the Warner shows. I'm catching Gov't Mule at a pretty crappy out door venue in Richmond in October. I'd rather be catching them at the Tabernacle, but the 9 hour drive would be a little rough.

I, like Blooby, love the band's dynamics. In the Warner the audience was really respectful and I could dig in deep and listen fully. It was great. Same thing when I caught ScoMule in Charlottesville.

Bottom line... I'm really glad TTB is not everyone's cup of tea. I really want to be able to score great seats in small venues with people who are into the band. There is so much to listen to with all those great players and I don't want to miss a note because the folks behind me would rather drink and kvetch than listen to the music.

pcbob while I haven't taken a poll I'm guessing that the answer to your ragging question is that some people:
1) might be kind of disappointed that Derek is sinking his time into the TTB instead of something different.
2)Maybe it is frustrating to watch a great talent move in a direction that they feel does not really showcase it?
3) Have anti-Susan sentiment dating back to "too much Susan on stage" during Beacon and other shows.
If you combine these things, you might find the reason that some people are a little more vocal in their negative assessment of TTB.
Or maybe it's the fact that this is a discussion forum where you can find rants and raves galore on any subject you wish.....

Isn't Derek doing what he wants? Wouldn't his performances suffer if he was doing something he didn't want to do?

I think the last ABB show was so good in large part because Derek knew he was moving on.

And for the record, I loved the DTB.

pcbob while I haven't taken a poll I'm guessing that the answer to your ragging question is that some people:
1) might be kind of disappointed that Derek is sinking his time into the TTB instead of something different.
2)Maybe it is frustrating to watch a great talent move in a direction that they feel does not really showcase it?
3) Have anti-Susan sentiment dating back to "too much Susan on stage" during Beacon and other shows.
If you combine these things, you might find the reason that some people are a little more vocal in their negative assessment of TTB.
Or maybe it's the fact that this is a discussion forum where you can find rants and raves galore on any subject you wish.....

I hear you. If an artist is pleasing everyone always, they are doing something wrong. I am totally cool with people not being into TTB, I just don't understand the disproportionate amount of people still voicing their disinterest, when there are just as many people who aren't into other like bands. And this is kind of what I suspect, people keep expecting something else out of Derek than what HE wants to do - people also complained when Dylan and Miles went electric. Those complainers were were the loudest. Just turn the channel.

I'm not saying don't talk about it at all, have at it. As often as you want to talk about. There are a lot of bands I'm not into.

Have only seen TTB twice and loved both shows. Wheels of Soul this summer will be my 3rd. Listen to recordings of shows on a regular basis and just really like what this band is doing. That being said I'd like less Mad Dogs material.

Judging from the crowd at Jazz Fest they have a lot of fans.

They surely do have a growing following. They do the Beacon, right?

Yes Jim. Usually in October. Last year they did 3 weekends... or maybe just two weekends. I expect they will do a little more this year.

They played several residencies this year in Chicago, Nashville, and in DC. They usually cap their stay with "An Evening With..."

Great thread!

I think the reason TTB is getting scrutinized so much is because they are talented band with growing popularity in the thick of their prime. Plus, they are putting out new music on a fairly regular basis.

That is cause for talk and that is a good thing. Regardless of your opinion of TTB, it's nice to have a band out there that gets people talking!

I do agree that Susan seems to be the focus of a lot of Yoko jokes and the like. See it a lot but thankfully not in this thread.

I don't understand how people don't like TTB. Fine if you don't.

Some in this thread have referenced the fact that something is "missing." As with any band, some songs are better than others but I am interested (really; no sarcasm) to know what is missing from performances like these below which I think are stellar:

Wah Wah
https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=PlO1bb1IYnQ

Everybody Talkin
https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=FeQ_wsqsjzI

All That I Need
https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=G4AfC2hLxHM

Part Of Me
https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=c6B-JS_WAtw

And Derek's solo from Idle Wind at this Warner Theater show is top notch. Great song too:

https://archive.org/details/ttb2016-02-25.CM-33

[Edited on 5/1/2016 by axeman]