<p>Continuing his exploration of great slide players Harrison Marsh examines the style of one of the finest ever, the awesome Derek Trucks.</p>

- Harrison Marsh

Derek Trucks was a child prodigy. He stood in with Gregg Allman’s group aged just 10 and with blues legend Buddy Guy only three years later. By the time he became an official member of The Allman Brothers at 20, in 1999, the slide virtuoso had released two albums with his own band. Indeed the Jacksonville-born guitarist had already been playing alongside his uncle, drummer Butch Trucks for several years as a guest musician with The Allman brothers and had shared stages with the likes of Bob Dylan and a host of others. Trucks’ time with The Allmans saw him appear on two live albums and the band’s final studio recording, as well as performing with them on stage until their retirement in 2014.

The Grammy award-winning Derek Trucks Band would go on to release nine albums with its own unique blend of blues, southern rock and soul that evokes the great ‘70s jam bands.

In all of Trucks’ playing the Duane Allman and Elmore James influences shine through. His creativity as a songwriter and band leader sees him incorporate a wide range of styles, techniques and genres. He spent time studying Indian classical music, and its influence is clear throughout his playing.

Amazingly he finds time to play sideman for an array of top artists, ably demonstrated by 2006’s collaboration with Eric Clapton and JJ Cale on The Road To Escondido, as well as going on the road with EC’s live band.

In 2011 Derek and his wife Susan Tedeschi released the first Tedeschi Trucks Band album. The two had toured as leaders of their own outfits

Denne historien er fra November 2018-utgaven av Guitar Techniques.

Abonner på Magzter GOLD for å få tilgang til tusenvis av kuraterte premiumhistorier og over 9000 magasiner og aviser.

ABONNER NÅ

Allerede abonnent? Logg på