Songlines :: Education by Design Store

Editorial Review
Just in his mid-twenties when this album was released in early 2006, the guitar tone of Allman Brothers Band guitarist Derek Trucks (nephew of founding drummer Butch) has become one of the most recognizable sounds to be squeezed out of the instrument. Snake-like, swampy, and filled with tense soul, his slide work has been compared to Ry Cooder's, and perhaps inevitably, to Duane Allman's. On his first album of new studio material in four years, Trucks steers his malleable band through a heady blend of jazz, Jamaican, gospel, blues, and world music, occasionally even combining styles in a single track. Any disc that covers deep soul man O.V. Wright, Pakistani music legend Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan, and reggae journeyman Toots Hibbert can't help but swim in eclectic waters. But Trucks pulls it all together with a sure sense of flow and arrangements that never let the tunes descend into free fall.

Soul singer and newest band member Mike Mattison acquits himself admirably, bringing a tough gospel edge to "I Wish I Knew (How It Would Feel to Be Free)," an airy, ethereal quality to the floating "This Sky," and gruff spirit to the original rocker "Revolution." Although there are plenty of solos, Trucks's structured approach never lets the tunes sink into aimless jams, navigating his lines around the verses rather than vice versa. As classy and controlled as his rather stoic stage presence, Songlines confirms Derek Trucks's status as one of music's most innovative, fearless and affecting guitar players, regardless of age. --Hal Horowitz
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Customer Reviews

I love this guy

2007-07-03
This is a great album with a variety of songs that I can listen to over and over. The smoky voice against Derek's guitar is really wonderful.

Sound Worthy!

2007-07-01
Derek grows and grows with each endeavor, complex texture, more and deeper exploration. All true signs of a "worthy sound" and superb musician.

Great, but not a "blues" album

2007-06-20
First things first: Derek Trucks is the man. I saw him a couple weeks ago live, and I left the place in awe of how he touches a guitar. I immediately ordered this album and played it LOUD today. I was definitely impressed, but not completely. Why? Well, I figure Derek Trucks should be playing blues. That is what he does best. This album is basically second generation Santana with a bluesy element, and unless that is what you are looking for you will be disappointed. So it all comes down to your expectations. In either case, however, this record is further proof that Derek Trucks can play. He plays Santana better than Santana does.

Not what i was expecting

2007-06-13
Not the kind of music i was expecting to hear when i purchased the cd. I was looking for a real rockin, bluesy, jam on kind of album seems how he is from the Allman Bros. Band. NOT THE CASE. This album is a total waste of time and money. Turns out its like world music, with a hint of gospel and new age jazz. Total Let down from what i was expecting after "Rolling Stone" named him one of the new guitar gods. DEREK TRUCKS IS NOT A GUITAR GOD, HE IS A TOTAL WASTE !

Great CD - Worth Buying for sure...

2007-05-12
Derek Trucks has such talent - enjoy this one for sure.

WOW

2008-05-05
I can't believe I'm just now finding out about this super-talented guitar player and his band. This guy is fantastic with ear-catching chops that are also super-melodic. He's got tremendous feel, probably one of the best guitar players I've ever heard.

The whole album is very listener-friendly, energetic yet easy going. It's bluesy and really funky. Great keyboards too. In fact, the singing, the drumming and everything else here is first rate.

Superb recording!

2008-04-29
Very pleased with the entire recording. Shows off Trucks' guitar heritage. Find myself reaching for the CD more and more.

The Prodigy is coming into his own

2007-11-29
I recently read the Rolling Stone list of the 100 Greatest Guitarists from a few years back, and Trucks was on it. At 24 years old! This album showed me why. From Sailing On, Revolution, and I Wish I Knew, Trucks shows his wide spectrum and ability as a slide guitarist. His cover of Nina Simone's 'I Wish I Knew' has the gospel tone with vocalist Mike Mattison, and it's definitely my favorite song on the album. Also, his wife and great guitarist, Susan Tedeschi, appears on this album, giving it even more firepower.

He's going to be remembered as one of the greatest guitarists ever. I know that's a bold statement seeing as he's only 28. But if you don't believe me, get this album. It's worth it!

HOT HOT HOT

2007-10-27
no time to get into detail, but the second CD is so good, it's been in my cd player for the past month............

"Songlines" will not disappoint

2007-07-30
I was pleasantly surprised with the entire CD - it's a very eclectic mix of bluesy rock, rythmic African flavored drumming and a bit of Indian rock thrown in for good measure and the vocals are awesome....something for everyone!