Derek Trucks CD Review: Almost Free

If you haven’t heard the new album from the Derek Trucks band, then you’re missing out one of the greatest blues albums released in the last couple of years.

This CD to me is filled with a  swampy sound that really drips with emotion, while paying homage to old blues.

This 12 track disc has a more cohesive sound compared to Derek’s previous releases.  It almost seems the band has found their sound and have really tuned into making some killer albums.

While most of the band’s previous albums were mostly live jams with extended solos, “Almost Free” is nothing of the sort.  The new album focuses on strong compositions and guitar solos that become part of the song.

“Almost Free” was recorded at Derek’s new studio in his backyard.  Maybe the swampy sound comes from the fact there is a swamp directly behind his house.  In a recent interview I read, Derek mentions going fishing, and playing with his son between takes.  It seems this studio will be a great asset for the Derek Trucks Band.

All the tracks on the CD are really great with Susan Tedeschi, and Doyle Bramhall III making guest appearances.

Standout tracks to me are,

  1. Down in the Flood
  2. Something to Make You Happy
  3. Get What You Deserve
  4. Down Don’t Bother Me
  5. Days is Almost Gone

There’s a lot of cool songs and guitar playing on this album for sure.  The R&B blues of “Days is Almost Gone” is just classic slide guitar playing.  The funk of “Something to Make You Happy” is low down and dirty, while the Bob Dylan cover of “Down in the Flood” is just downright awesome.  “Get What You Deserve” has one of the nastiest slide guitar riffs I’ve heard in a while.   It’s just mean!

This is an excellent album.  If you like blues music, you owe it to yourself to check this out.  It’s truly the next step in a legendary guitarist’s life.

Check out a video of “Get What You Deserve”.  This is probably my favorite song off the new album right now.

What is your favorite song off “Already Free”?  Please let me know by making a comment right below.

I’ve released 6 DVDs on how to play slide guitar in this style.   To learn more about my slide guitar lessons please visit Learning Guitar Now.

John W Tuggle
John W Tuggle

I love teaching the blues and have created numerous training courses and lessons to learn how to play like BB King, Clapton, Duane Allman, and more. Get Started Now

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12 Comments

  1. John,

    This is indeed an excellent album. It’s the first album in a long time that I have enjoyed all the way through. While all of the songs are excellent, I think Down Don’t Bother Me is probably my favorite track right now. Maybe it’s because they opened with it in Cleveland a few weeks ago, but it’s also written by the band.

    I expect a lot of great things from these guys in the next few decades. Live, they are one of the best I have ever seen or heard.

  3. Get what you deserve is most definitely my favorite off the album. They were here in Des Moines Friday night and it was hard to breathe it was so good! I’ve seen Derek several times, but the other night was just great. I’m looking forward to the Beacon shows on moogis!

  4. You know it’s a good album when everybody has a different favorite song. Down Don’t Bother Me is my favorite. Good message, nice vocals and it has some great slide – tasteful and not over the top. The whole freaking album kicks. Derek is meeting everyone’s expectations.

  5. I agree with you, John. Definitely the best album yet. The whole vibe is so great but the songs are also really incredible. I really think Our Love is my favourite. Doyle Bramhall is awesome on it. I also really love the version of Sweet Inspiration the Dan Penn and Spooner Oldham tune.

    Thanks so much for all your work – your playing the blues DVD arrived this morning – it’s already unlocked a whole load of music for me.

    Les
    in London

  6. Thanks for all the comments!

    I’ve been listening to it a lot lately, and another of my favorites off the album is “Sweet Inspiration”. Just a great feel and sound to that song.

    The band also used The Kinks neve board to record the album with. That was a great piece for Derek to put in the new studio. The album is very good sounding, and doesn’t sound overproduced and thin.

    Here’s an article where Derek tells about his studio.

    http://budurl.com/3nh8

  7. Warm, soulful, bluesy, relaxed: this describes the vibe here. This is the least Derek Trucks-like the guitarist has ever sounded.

  8. Yeah. I have to agree with one or two others above who cite the soul cuts. I was thrilled to hear this band pull off a decent version of Sweet Inspiration. I still have the original album ny The Sweet Inspirations on vinyl here somewhere.

    All good. Another step along the road.

  10. @Tayt I’ll probably be putting together something for it this year. You’ll have to join my newsletter to find out about it. It won’t be available to the general public.

    Thanks!

  11. Yes i like this sound, sound a like BB King or so. Nice Music, letz play Guitar :) cu

  12. Our Love
    Get What You Deserve
    Sweet Inspiration
    I Know
    Days Is Almost Gone….

    These are my favourite songs from Already Free, but whole album is awesome. :)
    I wish there would be some lessons on the Internet for these songs (fortunately we have Get What You Deserve already from you). :)

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