Susan Tedeschi and the Revival of the Soul Anthem
Ashley Sulock
Issue date: 11/3/05 Section: Arts
Susan Tedeschi made her way to Northampton last week and brought with her a blues revival that emptied the seats and filled the aisles of the Calvin Theater with the help of her amazing band and a solid opening act. Opener Jackie Greene, hailing from Sacramento, Calif. breathed new life into many blues classics and introduced some inventive rock originals laying the foundation for an explosive evening. Tedeschi, who recently released her third studio album, has been compared to the likes of Janis Joplin and Bonnie Raitt for her unabashed passion and guitar prowess. However, Tuesday night she was all her own woman, and let it be known with the backing of an all male ensemble.
Tedeschi opened the night with Sly and The Family Stone's "You Can Make It If You Try," guaranteeing a night of amazing music and a genuine good time. The repertoire was full of loyal fan favorites such as "It Hurt So Bad," which incited such a reaction that one would suspect the audience was in a gospel church listening to a soul sermon that only Tedeschi could deliver. In addition to the soulful jams and deep, blues-based ballads, Tedeschi introduced some brave new covers, the most prominent of which being a sweet, little-known Bob Dylan tune which she dedicated to her children.
The audience was also treated to an extended encore, during which Jackie Greene returned to the stage to play the harmonica. Susan Tedeschi offers what is lacking in today's popular music: uninhibited passion and talent, virtuosic musicianship and a voice unafraid to play with melody and tempo- vocal improvisation at its finest. Susan Tedeschi's musical style is self-described as having "American roots" as she explores blues and soul, reinvents folk and takes on rock and funk with authority. If any of these interest you, I suggest doing yourself a favor and checking out Susan Tedeschi. As she says, "Be thankful for the feeling that music brings."
Tedeschi opened the night with Sly and The Family Stone's "You Can Make It If You Try," guaranteeing a night of amazing music and a genuine good time. The repertoire was full of loyal fan favorites such as "It Hurt So Bad," which incited such a reaction that one would suspect the audience was in a gospel church listening to a soul sermon that only Tedeschi could deliver. In addition to the soulful jams and deep, blues-based ballads, Tedeschi introduced some brave new covers, the most prominent of which being a sweet, little-known Bob Dylan tune which she dedicated to her children.
The audience was also treated to an extended encore, during which Jackie Greene returned to the stage to play the harmonica. Susan Tedeschi offers what is lacking in today's popular music: uninhibited passion and talent, virtuosic musicianship and a voice unafraid to play with melody and tempo- vocal improvisation at its finest. Susan Tedeschi's musical style is self-described as having "American roots" as she explores blues and soul, reinvents folk and takes on rock and funk with authority. If any of these interest you, I suggest doing yourself a favor and checking out Susan Tedeschi. As she says, "Be thankful for the feeling that music brings."