When the Tedeschi-Trucks Band undertook recording their high-reaching fifth ambitious project—the four-part opus I Am the Moon, inspiration provided an excess of material. In looking for a project to undertake during the pandemic lockdown, the 12-piece looked to “Layla and Majnun,” the everlasting story of star-crossed devotion by the 12th-century Persian poet Nizami Ganjavi. The end result of this inspiration was four albums and 24 original songs, a creative surplus Susan Tedeschi and her band mates warranted being given the a full release treatment over the span of a few months.
(Photo by David McClister)
“We just kept writing while it was organically growing and we wanted to see where it was going to take us,” Tedeschi explained. “When we started recording, we had a lot of songs [and we realized] it was too much for a double-album because it wouldn’t all fit on a record. We weren’t sure if we were going to cut it down because we didn’t have any songs that we thought were fluff. They were all really great. At this point, the label didn’t even know we had made a record. Our guys and gals don’t like to be bored, so they’re always working and always being creative. It’s just one of those things where it was just a good way to keep in touch and communicate without being together. When we could be together, just keep working on it”
Taking the lead of albums like Axis: Bold As Love and its shorter run time (“…35 to 40 minutes is a good amount to enjoy the music. You get overwhelmed with too much information.”), TTB went down the same path in dividing I Am the Moon into four parts. With that in mind, Susan Tedeschi was more than happy to share some of her favorite albums that follow the same rule of length (with the exception of Bob Dylan and the Band and Stevie Wonder) along with makes them resonate for her.
Blind Faith – Blind Faith (1969)
“Fabulous songs, great singing and guitar work.”
Joni Mitchell – Blue (1971)
“Great songs and storytelling combined with Joni’s heartfelt emotions.”
The Beatles – Revolver (1966)
“I love ‘Good Day Sunshine’ along with the flow and early childhood memories of this record.”
Magic Sam – West Side Soul (1968)
“This album is the reason I picked up electric guitar [thanks to] the guitar sound with all the reverb and soulful singing.”
Stevie Wonder – Songs In the Key of Life (1976)
“So I’m going to go Stevie Wonder—all the world needs is some love. The world’s in need of love today. It’s an epic record.”
John Hiatt – Bring the Family (1987)
“This is an early favorite record of mine.”
Bob Dylan & The Band – The Basement Tapes (1975)
“Yet another epic record.”
The Tedeschi Trucks Band will be appearing with Los Lobos on July 10 at the Great South Bay Music Festival, Shorefront Park, Patchogue. Visit www.greatsouthbaymusicfestival.com for more information.