Tedeschi Trucks Band is known for its electric live performances, unparalleled in the contemporary music scene. Fronted by Derek Trucks and Susan Tedeschi, the band has been active since 2010 and has many live tours under its belt. In 2015 the band came together with Leon Russell and a host of musicians to pay tribute to Joe Cocker legendary ‘Mad Dogs & Englishmen’ tour, which took place in 1970. Now 10 years on from the performance, Tedeschi Trucks Band is releasing the whole performance on CD, vinyl and digital.
This review focuses on the 2LP vinyl edition, which comes housed in a full colour high-quality gatefold. The first time the audio from the show has been made available, this release really is something special for fans of Tedeschi Trucks Band. For the show, the band was joined by members of the Mad Dogs including Rita Coolidge, Claudia Lennear, and Chris Stainton, along with special guests including Chris Robinson of The Black Crowes, Warren Haynes, Anders Osborne, and Dave Mason.
The first LP opens with ‘The Letter’, which was a huge hit for Joe Cocker, and with Tedeschi on vocals it sounds fresh and new. Her voice is simply incredible, with so much grit and soul. She sings from deep down in her soul and honestly, this song alone is worth getting the record for. Tedeschi impresses again on ‘Darling Be Home Soon’ with Doyle Bramhall III, putting a new twist on the Cocker classic. The song sounds classic and new at the same time, with soulful backing vocals that lift it.
Highlights on the record include the soulful “Let’s Go Get Stoned”, which builds to a crescendo of vocals and musicianship, the Rita Coolidge and Doyle Bramhall III take on Leonard Cohen’s ‘Bird on a Wire’ and Tedeschi and Chris Robinson’s version of Cocker’s ‘Space Captain’. The all-star rendition of ‘With a Little Help From My Friends’ is another standout moment, feeling epic and soaring as it progresses. Leon Russell brings the album to a close with his song ‘The Ballad of Mad Dogs and Englishmen’, a fitting end to an incredible 71 minutes of live music.
Tedeschi Trucks Band is really in a league of its own when it comes to live performance. This release highlights not only how tight the band is but also the incredible lead vocals of Tedeschi. The band can turn its hand to anything and this tribute is spectacular. If anyone can point me to a band that does it better than Tedeschi Trucks Band, I’d love to see it because I genuinely don’t think anyone does in today’s music industry. If you love skilled musicianship, fantastic music and soul, then this is the perfect release for you.
Track list: Side A – 1. The Letter 2. Darling Be Home Soon 3. Dixie Lullaby 4. Sticks and Stones Side B – 1. Girl From North Country 2. Let’s Go Get Stoned 3. Feelin’ Alright Side C – 1. She Came in Through the Bathroom Window 2. Bird on the Wire 3. The Weight 4. Delta Lady Side D – 1. Space Captain 2. With a Little Help From My Friends 3. The Ballad of Mad Dogs and Englishmen Record label: Fantasy Release date: 12th September 2025 Buy ‘Tedeschi Trucks Band and Leon Russell Present: Mad Dogs & Englishmen Revisited Live at Lockn’ now
