Musical prodigy
This guitar wizard lives
up to rock 'n' roll roots
While Derek Trucks speaks with a gentle cadence that hints at his Southern heritage, the impassioned moan of his guitar suggests a soul entrenched in the hallowed traditions of Delta blues, jazz and Southern rock. As leader of the eclectic Derek Trucks Band, the unassuming 23-year-old guitar wizard has made it his mission to craft an earnest, soulful sound, regardless of sales potential or marketability.
The group's wild fusion of American roots music and world grooves isn't likely to earn it airplay on radio or MTV, but truth be told, Trucks couldn't really care less. His band has been assured that its recent signing to Columbia Records is based not on its malleability, but rather, the musicians' ability.
"It's the first record we had done for Columbia and the first time we actually had enough time in the studio to take chances," he says of the making of "Joyful Noise," the dynamic new offering from the band, which showcases the group's inclusive, one-world outlook with guest appearances by soul stalwart Solomon Burke, Pakistani singer Rahat Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan (nephew of the venerable Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan), Panamanian salsa star Ruben Blades and Trucks' wife, noted blues performer Susan Tedeschi. "We were really excited just to have the opportunity to work with some of the people I didn't think we'd get a chance to work with."
The diverse sound produced on "Joyful Noise" is one that crosses musical, cultural and generational boundaries and Trucks is hopeful his group can break through to younger audiences who will not only appreciate the band's intensity, but its musicality and sense of adventure as well. "The band and everyone in it realizes there's really a kind of a void of musicians playing together for the right reasons," he says. "The people in this band are into it for musical reasons and not for financial gain. Music can be a powerful thing, but I think it's being misused 99 percent of the time. It just seems the art of live music with improvising and having 500 people in the room really reaching another level with you is dying and I think this band feels a little bit of the weight of trying to be one of the voices of this generation."
TRUCKS already has represented his generation well. He picked up the guitar at the age of nine and with a few lessons, became a member of a traveling band. By 11, the young phenom was a touring veteran sharing the stage and jamming with the likes of Bob Dylan and Buddy Guy. Early on, it was apparent the boy was born to play guitar.
"I think from an early age, it felt really natural and comfortable, but I think with anything, if you're young enough and you try to hit it with a hundred percent of your being, anything's pretty easy," he ventures. "You don't second guess yourself at that age. If it works, it works and if it doesn't, you move on."
Much is also made of Trucks' lineage, as his uncle, Butch Trucks, is the drummer for the Allman Brothers Band, the revered Southern rock icons for which Derek, when not fronting his own band, has been sharing his talents for the past four years as a full-time member. His time with the Allman Brothers, he believes, has been beneficial to both parties. "For me, playing tunes like 'Dreams' and 'Statesboro (Blues)' and all these songs that I grew up listening to was just really exciting and I think that excitement really sparked everyone," he relates. "When a song is fresh to someone on stage, it rubs off on everyone else. I imagine after playing the same songs for 25, 30 years, it'd be hard to keep the fire every night, so I think it's been almost musical dialysis for everybody."
Whenever he needs some inspiration, Trucks may delve into the vaults of Sun Ra, Charlie Christian, South Asian classical performers or even old tapes of himself. "When I listen to some of the stuff I was doing when I was younger, some of it really hasn't changed. I think with almost anyone though, once they start, their sound is kind of there; their essence comes through. You're just playing yourself, or that's what you're trying to do. That's why people like B.B. King and some of the masters are so amazing, because when you hear them and you meet them, it's the same thing."
As it is with a genuine songman like Derek Trucks. What you hear is what you get.
Hawaii Shows
The 7th Annual Rhythm & Blues Mele featuring The Derek Trucks Band>> 8:30 p.m. today, Hawaiian Hut, Ala Moana Hotel, 410 Atkinson Drive; $28 advance, $32 at the door. Call 941-5205
>> 5:30 p.m. tomorrow, lawn area of Ohana Keauhou Beach Resort, 78-6740 Alii Drive, Kailua-Kona; $25 advance, $28 at the gate. Call 322-3441
>> 2 p.m. Sunday, Anahola Taro Patch, Kuhio Highway across from Ono Char Burger, Kauai. Same prices as on the Big Island. Call 337-9234
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