The Derek Trucks Band. Photo: On Tour PR
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Derek Trucks Band lead singer Mike Mattison discusses how he and Trucks crossed paths, the band’s new album, Already Free, and Bob Dylan.
Most classic rock fans are familiar with Derek Trucks. The young guitar phenom is a member of his uncle’s group, the Allman Brothers Band, and has played alongside legendary musicians such as Eric Clapton and Carlos Santana.
By age 24, Trucks had appeared on the cover of Rolling Stone magazine and was the youngest player to make the publication’s “100 Greatest Guitarists of All Time” list.
Mike Mattison Meets Derek Trucks
What fans may not know, however, is that the legendary Trucks has his own group, the Derek Trucks Band, and with it, a secret weapon named Mike Mattison.
The two musicians started playing together after a chance meeting. According to Mattison, Trucks had been visiting New York and was looking for a singer for his group, when two different people gave him copies of the same album by a band called Scrapomatic.
Trucks was unable to listen to it right away, but happened to be waiting for the subway when he spotted a familiar looking man with a large and distinctive afro; it was Mattison. Trucks recognized him from the album cover photo and quickly approached.
“I didn’t even know who he was at the time. I mean I knew of him, but I had never seen him,” Mattison recalls.
“After having my CD shoved down his throat by two very nice people, John Snyder who produced the first couple Derek Trucks Band records and the first couple Scrapomatic records, and another great producer named Craig Street who produced their [the DTB's] Joyful Noise album, it just seemed like all the stars were aligned.”
Mike Mattison’s Unique Voice
Mike Mattison is a highly intelligent man who holds a degree from the prestigious Harvard University. He has held traditional jobs, both as a reporter and public relations specialist, and has traveled the world.
More impressive than his resume, however, is his amazingly unique voice. As the lead vocalist for the Derek Trucks band, Mattison has a sound that seamlessly compliments Trucks’ bluesy, southern rock style.
Mike Mattison is not the typical in-your-face lead singer found in most rock bands. Instead, his voice, like Trucks' guitar playing, is more stealth, understated, and humble. He has the uncanny ability to compliment, rather than over take a song.
“I kind of have a few characters that I can go to within the natural scope of my voice,” he says. “It’s good to have different colors on your palate that you can go to so that you can make yourself useful to a band, and so you’re not just a one dimensional singer with one voice. I’ve always tried to be that … I’ve always tried to be versatile.”
The Derek Trucks Band Album Already Free
Mattison and Trucks' winning combination is well featured on the band’s ninth record, Already Free.
Recorded at Trucks' home studio in Jacksonville, Florida, Already Free offers listeners an extraordinary combination of sounds. The album contains both covers and original songs, and has elements from many musical genres, including blues, jazz, southern rock, and world music. The varying pieces come together to form an amazing puzzle and make for a great record.
The Derek Trucks Band Covers Bob Dylan’s “Down in the Flood”
One of the best songs on the album, the cover of Bob Dylan’s “Down in the Flood” is great. The members of the Derek Trucks Band offer a fresh twist on the song and really seem to make it their own.
“That was a suggestion from our A and R guy, Steve Berkowitz,” Mattison recalls. “He thought it would make a good track. Derek and I just sat in the control booth with just a guitar and singing. It was a real kind of seat of the pants, first take, best take thing. It really started off as just this duo, front-porchy kind of thing … then the rest of the music was built up around it.”
Mattison continues: “The great thing about Bob Dylan is that he writes beautiful songs and they also have this other quality of being a blank slate that other people can really put their ideas on. He opens up the door with these wonderful lyrics and great tunes, and then it’s kind of a free for all. I think some of the best versions of Bob Dylan songs haven’t been recorded by Bob Dylan … as an artist you want to cover, he’s very appealing.”
Fans who are looking for a record that stands out amid a sea of dime-a-dozen rock albums will love the Derek Trucks Band’s Already Free.
Even better, fans who are able to catch the group live shouldn't miss the opportunity. The Derek Trucks Band is touring the U.S. throughout the end of this year, and will also be appearing in Japan with the Doobie Brothers. Those in the Nashville, Tennessee area should be sure to attend the band's only free show on Sept. 17, at Public Square.
Please feel free to leave a comment, and be sure to check back for the review of the upcoming Doobie Brothers concert at Tulalip Amphitheater.
The Doobie Brothers Scheduled to Play Tulalip Casino Amphitheater
Comments
Great article! Love Derek Trucks and his wife Susan is also an awesome guitarist. The Doobies you say? That should be a great show as well. Look forward to hearing about that as well.
Very nice interview coverage. Derek Trucks is a Jacksonville boy, and we love him here. He's a genuinely nice person, and it sounds like he's found the perfect singer to match his personality. Looking forward to hearing about the Doobies.
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