I'll break the thread mold. What's wrong with Derek? I'd say nothing I guess. "Made Up Mind" as a studio album is a complete throwaway in my collection, haven't listened to it in half a year. The TTB is a seasoned group of musicians playing "safe" versions of songs waiting for the next Derek solo. I've seen them live, it's an interesting show ready for the DPAC in Durham, NC, where they have Broadway touring shows and the like. There's nothing inherently wrong with that, but I think Derek is a humongous talent, like many here do, and his gift isn't being wholly realized by the music the TTB is playing.
I don't think Derek should disband the TTB, but if he has some free time, it would be amazingly interesting to see him get down live with some musicians who aren't dominated in their performance by the need to return to the verse/chorus that the TTB constrains him to. That's what the ABB was, and he doesn't have that outlet now. No Warren to challenge him. No legacy to stare down and overcome. I sincerely hope one of the singular musical talents of this generation doesn't get lost into his mid-40s wading through Joe Cocker and Sly Stone covers for an opportunity to unleash his musical geniius.
I agree with this. While the band is fine, you don't go see the Jackson 5 for Tito. It's nice that they allow other members of the band to have their moments but derek and Susan are the reasons i buy my tickets. You can see Derek focusing communicating with the band onstage, telling them when to come in and when to end while Sue have to yell over such a large band. It's more of a group thing then a derek and susan showcase which I enjoy the most.
I agree about the constraints that the TTB song structures place on Derek's playing. But I believe that's what he wants. As he made clear, he needs to create new material. That's his only m.o. right now. I think the TTB is his writing outlet, and he will keep on writing with this band. Once he has satisfied his writing urges, I think he'll go back to the classic Allman-style jamming that we know and love, collaborating with Warren, Jimmy, Jack, and all the new comers. I just think being with the Allmans 5-years longer than he wished, only put his desire to write into over-drive, and that's what we're seeing now with TTB.
I don't think there is anything wrong with Derek. He's been doing his own thing for years. Back when Johnny Lang and Kenny Wayne Shepherd were being Stevie Ray clones for example, Derek was the same age and doing his own thing. Where are Johnny and Kenny now? Still sounding like Stevie Ray Vaughan...
I don't think that's fair.
First, it was hard to be a electric blues player of KWS and Johnny's ages and NOT be heavily SRV. He was THE blues player of that time. He kind of re-birthed the genre.
Derek grew up in a very unique surrounding with very unique musical influences. It's not a basis for which to criticize KWS and Johnny.
Second . . . I think KWS and Johnny have found their own voices, and frankly did so relatively quickly. These guys came out as teenagers, and are now in their mid-30's. But, it didn't take even that long for either of them to stop sounding like a copy of SRV.
Are either of them up there with Derek in my mind? No. But nobody really is. I don't listen to Johnny other than what I hear on XM, but I am a fan of KWS, and in fact really dig his 2d, 3d, and 4th albums . . . where I think even that early he had formed his own style.
[Edited on 12/18/2015 by cmgst34]
I'm of the mind that assumes Derek is as challenged/unconstrained/unconstrained as he wants to be. Derek is clearly in charge of his band and his career.
I fully agree with you Mr. Boynton. Watching him push Elizabeth Lea (trombone) the other night in Virginia Beach was the highlight of the show for me. They engaged in full frontal call and response with an almost Dixie Land approach.
I"ve watched the band evolve. There was a time I felt they really had the "song" structures down. I hoped they would then concentrate on the "show" structure. In my mind they have done exactly that.
My complaint about this band is not enough "Evenings With". I really want to see them stretch out and play two full sets more. I'm very excited about the Warner shows coming up. Getting to see them three nights in a row is exciting. I'll report honestly on what I see but I fully expect to be awed.
Last year at the Warner Derek played a "Living Loving Maid" intro into "The Storm". The intro was full of "Ramble On" teases. During "The Storm" he continued to quote "Ramble On". There was nothing "safe" about that performance.
I would personally like them to let Kofi stretch out more but, the VB show and the streamed Moody show both had Kofi earning his keep.
In my mind... ain't nothing wrong with Derek.
There's nothing inherently wrong with that, but I think Derek is a humongous talent, like many here do, and his gift isn't being wholly realized by the music the TTB is playing.
Isn't that up to him to decide? That's a fairly selfish music fan statement to make, no disrespect intended. 
I agree about the constraints that the TTB song structures place on Derek's playing. But I believe that's what he wants. As he made clear, he needs to create new material. That's his only m.o. right now. I think the TTB is his writing outlet, and he will keep on writing with this band. Once he has satisfied his writing urges, I think he'll go back to the classic Allman-style jamming that we know and love, collaborating with Warren, Jimmy, Jack, and all the new comers. I just think being with the Allmans 5-years longer than he wished, only put his desire to write into over-drive, and that's what we're seeing now with TTB.
The jams were what was asked of him as a member of the ABB. A lot of musicians can capably and eloquently improv jam. However, it seems that any song played by anyone, it has to be a good song first. If the song is awesome at 3 minutes on the album, chances are it'll be pretty sweet jammed out to 15 minutes. But, if the song is a clunker to begin with, then that 15 minute of jam is more akin to self-indulgent rambling. Or, as Gregg one put it, "We're not a jam band, we're a band that jams." There is a difference.
Derek has jamming down for sure, and he can do it whenever he wants. It's gotta be a good song first.
At the expense of repeating myself, if you haven't heard the 12/03 show (evening with at Port Chester), you should listen.
IMO there has been progressively more jamming since the summer, there was even more in this show.
There were several Derek / Kofi call and response (Kinda like what Derek and Warren used to do, and also Derek - Kofi in DTB) with Kofi on flute some tune and keys other tunes.
The LZ jam into storm was great (personally I thought it was the outro from What is and What Should Never Be), but the Miles intro jam is even better, with more open improv - reminiscent of the open jams he used to do with My Favorite Things.
There still is song structure, but much more Derek. I've been listening to this show almost non stop.
[Edited on 12/18/2015 by stormyrider]
Seems like Derek's personal kindness has brought out the kindness in the folks posting here in this thread. Nice; thanks.
I'll break the thread mold. What's wrong with Derek? I'd say nothing I guess. "Made Up Mind" as a studio album is a complete throwaway in my collection, haven't listened to it in half a year.
That may be for you but my self and many others would disagree. The album sold well and continues to. It brought the TTB success level even higher both from sales, attendance and their asking price to promoters. Glowing success at all levels which goes against your opinion of the album. I love the fact that I regularly hear them on the radio.
It amazes me that some tend to totally overlook the fact that Derek is writing these songs. He was always a great player but not a writer. He has grown beyond belief in that regard. Also his strength as a band leader has also taken off and now he is firmly the quarterback which he obviously wasn't in the ABB and even in the DTB it was more of a collective.
Derek is extremely successful right now at a level that he has never been to. I'm happy for him. Amazed that any fan of his would consider all of those songs as throwaways. I don't think there is a weak song on the album. Judging from the success, I think you are in the minority.
I'll break the thread mold. What's wrong with Derek? I'd say nothing I guess. "Made Up Mind" as a studio album is a complete throwaway in my collection, haven't listened to it in half a year. The TTB is a seasoned group of musicians playing "safe" versions of songs waiting for the next Derek solo. I've seen them live, it's an interesting show ready for the DPAC in Durham, NC, where they have Broadway touring shows and the like. There's nothing inherently wrong with that, but I think Derek is a humongous talent, like many here do, and his gift isn't being wholly realized by the music the TTB is playing.
I don't think Derek should disband the TTB, but if he has some free time, it would be amazingly interesting to see him get down live with some musicians who aren't dominated in their performance by the need to return to the verse/chorus that the TTB constrains him to. That's what the ABB was, and he doesn't have that outlet now. No Warren to challenge him. No legacy to stare down and overcome. I sincerely hope one of the singular musical talents of this generation doesn't get lost into his mid-40s wading through Joe Cocker and Sly Stone covers for an opportunity to unleash his musical geniius.
Although you have not posted much, I see from your registration date that you have been around here for a while. If you have been lurking regularly, you have seen lots of threads where the comments were not as gracefully and kindly stated as yours.
There are lots of others, myself included, who feel the same way. But although this was more of a thread about Derek, most of the threads related more specifically to the TTB tend to degenerate into name calling from both sides. It's nice to see that has stopped.
The most common side project that I have heard mentioned is with Jimmy Herring. For me that would be a lot more fun than what he does now. It's clear that Derek is totally invested in TTB as his musical "vehicle", and he is choosing to commit all his energy to its success. Commercially he is achieving that. Many here believe the TTB to be the best touring band around, so by their standard, it's musically successful as well.
It's also very good for his family, and other big consideration.
I do not expect Derek to change his focus. Derek is a man of his convictions. For once, he does not have the distraction of playing in multiple bands with conflicting touring schedules.That's another plus for his lifestyle.
well said.
I'm also pleased this is a respectful thread.
And,i'd love to see Derek do some more work outside of TTB,perhaps an album with Clapton,a tour with Herring,and a diverse group of studio work a la Duane.
For me, TTB is the most interesting and exciting band around right now. Their studio albums don't always do their material the justice seeing it on stage does (sounds like another band I know of) but the performers Derek and Susan have put together are amazing. Derek has been on record about wanting to be more about the songs and the band as a whole, which I totally understand. Young guitar players want to jam, and Derek did that better than anybody. Right now Derek wants to create a whole and I love the rotation and diversity of sounds TTB achieves. Their new single "Anyhow" is one of my favorite tunes right now, and "Midnight in Harlem" might be the ultimate piece of music to bear witness to at the moment - I don't know anybody who isn't stopped dead in their tracks by that tune.
There isn't anything wrong with Derek right now. Musicians are lucky to be able to do what they want, to get total freedom. Derek has that. If you aren't into it, that's fine, (I'm not a huge fan of Warren's solo shows which also contain a lot of cover material, for those of you complaining about TTB's covers) but it seems like people have been complaining about Derek's career moves for forever. If you want an artist to fit your mold that you have created for them, be ready to be constantly disappointed.
Certainly nothing wrong w/ Derek. He is doing what he wants to do. Leading a kick-ass band!! For those asking for him to be pushed by other guitar players, he is getting pushed a plenty by that talented ensemble he runs.
For me, TTB is the most interesting and exciting band around right now. Their studio albums don't always do their material the justice seeing it on stage does (sounds like another band I know of) but the performers Derek and Susan have put together are amazing. Derek has been on record about wanting to be more about the songs and the band as a whole, which I totally understand. Young guitar players want to jam, and Derek did that better than anybody. Right now Derek wants to create a whole and I love the rotation and diversity of sounds TTB achieves. Their new single "Anyhow" is one of my favorite tunes right now, and "Midnight in Harlem" might be the ultimate piece of music to bear witness to at the moment - I don't know anybody who isn't stopped dead in their tracks by that tune.
There isn't anything wrong with Derek right now. Musicians are lucky to be able to do what they want, to get total freedom. Derek has that. If you aren't into it, that's fine, (I'm not a huge fan of Warren's solo shows which also contain a lot of cover material, for those of you complaining about TTB's covers) but it seems like people have been complaining about Derek's career moves for forever. If you want an artist to fit your mold that you have created for them, be ready to be constantly disappointed.
Thanks PorkChopBob, I concur!!
personally,I'd like to see him play with a reformed DTB as well as TTB...Then he'd have good creative control on something different,unless ABB agreed to create new material with him included.
I actually think "Made Up Mind" is all killer, no filler. It's a huge jump up from "Revelator." The songcrafting is so good, so tight, so funky.
I don't particularly think songs with verses and choruses are "limited," though. I never listened to The Band or the ABB and felt the music was shackled in any way; i think cool funky grooving rhythms are their own reward. They're a goal in and of themselves.
Derek said in interviews at the beginning of TTB that he realized change was going to rub some fans the wrong way but he was going to do what he wanted to do. He has said many times that at this point he would like to put himself in service to the song as opposed to endless jams. Y'all might remember Clapton got himself into Delaney and Bonnie for exactly that reason - to be part of a band playing songs. He frequently and has consistently said what a strong singer Susan is, how he respects that, and how that is essential for a band.
Derek has many facets as a person and as a musician, he'll do something besides TTB eventually, but he is one of the very few that can say they have a successful marriage to a respected musical partner, a successful career as both an in demand sideman and fronting his own band. He has studio for writing recording, and producing, all of which he is doing. And unlike previous musical generations he hasn't blown it all on drugs and other very stupid hobbies.
When I think of comparing him to anyone, I think of artists like Les Paul, highly respected, talented at multiple aspects of making music, humble, hard working.
I actually think "Made Up Mind" is all killer, no filler. It's a huge jump up from "Revelator." The songcrafting is so good, so tight, so funky.
I don't particularly think songs with verses and choruses are "limited," though. I never listened to The Band or the ABB and felt the music was shackled in any way; i think cool funky grooving rhythms are their own reward. They're a goal in and of themselves.
Agree completely. I think it was a major step and accomplishment for Derek.
My only complaint with the TTB is when I see setlist where the covers outnumber the originals. Hopefully with a new album coming out that will happen less often.
Seeing Jack Pearson fill the gap would be different, but probably pretty sweet
TTB is a hot band, certainly not the ABB, but Derek is making something new, I'd be happy to see both lineups in a summer
Derek got Yoko'd
that joke was bad when it was 1st posted 5 years ago.
It is not a joke. It is true. Susan is overrated and a half ass guitar player. She has gotten better with Derek's assistance, of course, but TTB is a pretty boring band overall that does not take any chances live. They play the afe card each and every show.
safe
Derek got Yoko'd
Some huge differences there though besides the obvious looks issue.
Yoko
Susan
Derek sure did better than John of course a steady diet of LSD didn't help John with some decisions.
😛
I like your approach, CM. Some of us will always be bitter that the DTB is gone forever most likely.
Derek knew he'd leave some bitter fans behind. I doubt he loses much sleep over it. Pursuit of happiness and all that.
Pussy is the strongest of drugs.
Nothing safe about a guitar hero becoming a bandleader and songwriter. Plenty of guitar heroes can't do it.
At this point, you can go into any Guitar Center - or go onto Youtube - and find plenty of guys who can solo all day. Can they direct a band through an interesting and dynamic progression of music? Some can't. Notice how many guitar heros step away from great bands and flounder, putting out uneven music. Derek has put together a winner of a band, and when you go to one of their shows, everyone there feels it.
Hey, if Derek wants to be a boring leader instead of rock and roller, that is cool with me. I just won't see him as much.
Say what you want, TTB is a VERY safe band that does little improvisational work and many structured covers. It is very generic and unoriginal in my opinion. There is a ton of talent in the band but Susan gets way too much of the limelight. Mike should be singing at least a quarter of the songs instead of standing in the corner in a backup role.
