Detailing of the Trucks

I'll remember lots of little moments from the past weekend. Making a new friend from Palestine. Meeting Derek Trucks' dad, Chris. Being told by him that "he makes good babies." Paying less for a DTB show poster, but getting an autographed version. The actual blurring of Derek's hand during a song of the scorching first half of the Highline Ballroom show. Having Chris hold up the Derek head on a stick. Then being told that Derek has displayed the head on the stick in various places -- including the bathroom! An even better show at the Blender. Watching his brother, Duane, in the wings with a camera phone snapping pictures. Getting a double-take from opening act lead guitarist Eric Krasno after wailing on the harmonica. Getting a double-take smile from Derek after waving the infamous head on a stick.

As 'ark was making his way up to the Turnpike, I was at the Highline Ballroom -- around the corner from work, which is always slightly unsettling for some reason until I get in there and totally forget about an outside world. Lots of room up front for the opener Mocean Worker, a jammy jazzy band who introduced all the members as so-and-so Obama. That got the crowd going.

During this time, I met a nice guy (and new Facebook friend) from Palestine named Majeed. He had never seen Derek live before, and took time from his busy thesis schedule to finally catch the band.


I spotted someone with a concert poster and remembering how 'ark didn't manage to get one in New Hampshire after waiting too long as well as the Squeeze/Black Coffee in Bed shirt debacle, I went over to get one from the merch table. And there was Chris Trucks sitting there, selling wares for his son. I brought up writing the article back when Derek's guitar was bigger than he was and Chris chortled "was I drunk at the time?" Due to my rather expensive purchase of one mere alcoholic beverage, I only had a $20 on my person and the posters were $25. Chris sold me one for $20 -- and not just a regular one at that, it had been signed by Derek and two other members of the band. Much joy in the land. We took a picture and those with long Pai history should recognize for its Luongo-like moment.

And then there was much embarrassment in the land... I brought Majeed over to meet him and introduced him as Butch, who of course is Derek's uncle. Chris took it in stride, "I mess up names all the time." He apparently didn't take it too badly, for he was flirty until 'ark got there. Chris: "Is he going to kick my ass? Oh well, it's been kicked before ... and it'll be kicked again."

In the meantime, hundreds of people kept swarming into the general admission room, I wasn't sure Park would be able to stick a big toe in there. But once he arrived we not only got in, but squoze our way all the way up to the front right side of the stage.

The band SCORCHED the first half of the set, beginning with the Bob Dylan cover so applicable in this day and age, "Down in the Flood" aka "Crash on the Levee." 'ark pointed out to me when Derek was playing a solo in which his hand literally was blurred with movement -- I had noticed the very same. The familiarity of a Derek and the Dominos favorite "Anyday," which reminded me of Clapton watching him play the same from offstage at Crossroads, was a treat.

Frankly there was no way to keep up this kind of pace, and -- I want to make sure this is clearly noted, 'cause it is not intended to show displeasure, just a difference of momentum -- the set kind of chilled out about halfway through. The play was still stellar, the vibe was just not as intense. DTB's cover of John Coltrane's version of "My Favorite Things" exemplified that and the keel was evened out.

Now DTB likes to vary their setlist each night, but "My Favorite Things" did make a reappearance at the next show. I don't know if it was because they didn't quite get what they wanted out of the previous night, but it really took flight at the Blender Theater -- which managed to be even smaller and tightly packedier than the Highline.

I digress though, because there was definitely entertainment prior to that. Decided to copy and bring a copy of my early Derek article to Chris, particularly after he did me the solid with the signed poster. Also wanted to get a picture of him holding the infamous "Derek head on a stick" -- I had the idea of him holding it up at the height at which Derek comes up to his dad. After seeing the article, Chris was reminded of the couple of years of heartache his son suffered when Derek was told he could no longer play bars such as Gatorz (the place I first saw him) because of his age. But much more amusingly, the "head on a stick" has been fodder for laughter -- whether on the tour bus, hanging next to Jesus in the home or even right by the toilet in the bathroom.

This night's opener was the band Chapter 2, a great amalgamation of rock and soul. They got us primed and ready for the big event. Guitarist Eric Krasno looked surprised and bemused when heard the legendary Park $3 harmonica tooted during a quiet moment, thought I might have to go up and jam for a second there.

There was a great sit-down set ("Soul of a Man," "Chicken Robber" and "Meet Me at the Bottom") during this show that wasn't done the previous night. And Derek took time out from his busy guitar genius to doubletake for our camera. (It's at about 1:55 in "Meet Me" for those who can't wait that long -- basically everyone that reads this blog, I'm sure.) The head on a stick might have caught his attention, I'm not sure...


So back to "My Favorite Things," I'm not sure how to do either version justice because it didn't suck Thursday and it just went off to another stratosphere Friday. During this time caught a glimpse of another Facebook friend, Derek's brother Duane, standing off stage and watching the magic. At one point, he funnily tried to block out the noise and several times he whipped out the camera phone and recorded the moment just like the fans at the front of the stage.

A novel concept: members of Chapter 2 (get it? novel... chapter...) came back for the final two songs of the set and it was ignition and take off for "Get Out of My Life, Woman" and "Joyful Noise." It was great fun watching the keyboardists and the drummers switching places and not missing a beat. I was hoping Duane would get to join the party on drums, but I think the stage was in danger of being shut down by the fire department -- either for reaching capacity and/or dangerously raising room temperature levels. After a quick break, there was a third extended jam on "Freddie's Dead," which ordinarily I would have loved but well ... it felt OVERextended to me. But hey, if that's the only thing I have to complain about, well, there's absolutely nothing to complain about.

By the way, I was just FULL of Trucks faux pas this weekend, 'cause Duane messaged me this: "Sorry man, but i wish i was there in new york to see those guys play but that was somebody else. I got a good laugh though i actually thought it was me there for a second."