Born in Jacksonville, Florida, Derek Trucks took up the guitar at age 9, and it was quickly apparent that he was a child prodigy. He was playing with a band and touring within two years. His early repertoire was heavily blues-based, obviously inspired by The Allman Brothers Band, of which his uncle, drummer Butch Trucks, is a founding member. Older bluesmen like Howlin' Wolf, jazz musicians Miles Davis, Sun Ra, John Coltrane, Charlie Christian and later Wayne Shorter and many others, became an influence for Trucks a few years later. Eastern Music, mainly Indian Classical, also affected Trucks's musical development, primarily his slide guitar playing, which is often compared to that of Duane Allman but is also heavily influenced by sarod players like Ali Akbar Khan. In 2003, he was the youngest guitarist on Rolling Stone magazine's list of 100 Greatest Guitarists of All-Time, and has been hailed as one of the greatest slide guitarists since Duane Allman.
Trucks formed his first band at age 12, and played his first gigs with them as "Derek and the Dominators". Later, Atlanta's jazz and blues bassist Todd Smallie joined Trucks in 1994, and became the first member of what is now the current version of The Derek Trucks Band. When Trucks really set about assembling a lasting band, he was by his reckoning about 14 years old. Smallie, on bass, was the first to join him. As a result, Trucks feels that he's "kind of grown up with him." A year later in 1995, drummer Yonrico Scott completed the band's early rhythm section. The band released its self-titled debut album, The Derek Trucks Band, in 1997, and followed with Out of the Madness in 1999. Scott has been playing with Trucks for over 16 years as of 2008. According to Derek Trucks: "We've developed a kind of 'musical ESP'.. it's nice to have somebody that you don't have to look at...he's just right there with you."
Kofi Burbridge joined the band shortly thereafter, contributing to the band's sound as a multi-instrumentalist, with his versatility on keyboards, flute, and vocals. Like his brother, whom Trucks plays with in the Allman Brothers Band, bassist Oteil Burbridge, Kofi Burbridge's education was primarily rooted in classical and jazz music. In an interview upon the release of their 2002 album, Joyful Noise, Trucks laughingly commented, "Kofi Burbridge has been with us maybe 2-3 years, and he's one of the few musical geniuses that I've had the chance to work with, he's totally insane"... continuing, "I'm really anxious to see in the next few years to see where he takes this, because he's definitely a huge part of what's going on right now."
In 2002 the band's producers, Craig Street and John Snyder recommended singer Mike Mattison to the band. Mattison performed several shows with the band, and Trucks decided Mattison's soulful voice and calm stage presence completed the band's identity. Trucks said of Mattison, "He's got a huge range, so that helps us out a lot when we stretch into some of the different material we cover. It's like having three different vocalists onstage at times. It's a tough piece of the puzzle to find, you know -- a good singer who fits with what you're doing -- so we were very fortunate to hook up with Mike." Mattison had a previous band as well-- a vocal duo, called Scrapomatic, with Paul Olsen, a guitarist and vocalist, whom he still performs with at occasional gigs, including some opening sets for The Derek Trucks Band. The band's final member, Count M'Butu is the only band member that does not appear on every tour. M'Butu, the group's eldest member, plays a variety of African drums. Trucks mentions casually that he had known M'Butu for many years before he joined the Derek Trucks Band, as M'Butu was a regular musical fixture in Atlanta; one of the bastions of the Allman Brothers fan bases.
Trucks' guitar playing is unusual in a number of respects. He steadfastly avoids processing and effects, preferring to get the purest tone possible by connecting his guitar directly to his amplifier, a 1964 Fender Super Reverb. He modifies his tone with the controls on the guitar. He plays without the use of a plectrum (pick), using his fingers instead, plucking primarily with the thumb, index and middle fingers, but also using the ring finger on occasion. He developed his technique himself. His guitar is always tuned to 'Open E'. From the low to high string, (i.e., EBEG#Be) he slightly detunes his low E string (a technique he and Jimmy Herring developed while playing together). Open E is a normal tuning for slide players, as it allows them to form chords more easily, but over the years he has become a highly acclaimed straight lead player without switching to standard tuning (EADGBe).
In 2001, Trucks married singer/guitarist Susan Tedeschi. The couple have two children: Charles Kahlil Trucks (born March 8, 2002), and Sophia Naima Trucks (born August 9, 2004). Charles is named for saxophonist Charlie Parker and guitarist Charlie Christian; his middle name is taken from author Khalil Gibran. The name Sophia has mystic overtones (meaning "Wisdom" in Greek), and the unusual middle name comes from the John Coltrane ballad, which Coltrane named after his first wife, Naima.
In 1999, Derek Trucks joined his uncle, drummer Butch Trucks, as a member of The Allman Brothers Band, while continuing to lead his own band. With the Allman Brothers Band he has performed on 2000's Peakin' at the Beacon, 2003's Hittin' the Note, 2003's live DVD At the Beacon Theatre, and 2004's One Way Out.
As of early 2006, Trucks is an accompanying guitarist in Eric Clapton's 2006-2007 touring band. In early 2006, Trucks lost equipment, as an equipment trailer was stolen. Some of the gear was recovered on May 18, 2006, as reported in the Columbia Records Derek Trucks Forum. Gear that was reported as recovered from a field outside Atlanta, GA includes Derek's "1965 BFSR, the amp he's been playing since he was a young boy; Derek's 1968 SFSR (one of the backup amps),the DTB's Hammond B-3, two Leslies, a Hohner E-7 Clavinet, and a few other minor items."
Sahib Teri Bandi
The Derek Trucks Band Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Down without a rope
Was the only time it mattered
Ow, when I was broke
Then you're my second nature
A-coming over me
And though I might be shakin'
I'm standing on my feet
Pickin' out a cue
Travelin' with no memory
Ow, in my shoe
Down don't bother me
If the music say
You can take a picture baby
Time won't care
And you're my second nature
A-coming over me
And though I might be shakin'
Down don't bother me no more
Down don't bother me no more
Down don't bother me no more
Down don't bother me no more
The lyrics to The Derek Trucks Band's song Sahib Teri Bandi are poetic and introspective. The first two lines "You send up the ladder, Down without a rope" implies that the singer has taken a risk or a chance without a safety net, and survived it. The next line sounds like the singer was in a state of financial crisis, and in that time, the presence of someone who is "my second nature" was crucial, as it helped the singer to cope and overcome their difficulties.
The lyrics "Goin' 'round in circles, Pickin' out a cue, Travelin' with no memory, Ow, in my shoe" could represent the singer's emotions or thoughts, particularly after overcoming their struggles. The song suggests that the singer is somewhat lost and disoriented, as if they are going round in circles in their head, looking for guidance or some kind of signal to move on. The line "Down don't bother me" may imply that the singer has learned to overcome the hardship and is now at ease despite life's obstacles.
Overall, The Derek Trucks Band's song Sahib Teri Bandi seems to be about perseverance, survival, and resilience. It encourages listeners to embrace life's struggles, knowing that they can be overcome.
Line by Line Meaning
You send up the ladder
Someone gave me an opportunity to better my situation
Down without a rope
I took a risk without any safety net
Was the only time it mattered
That was the crucial moment for me
Ow, when I was broke
I was struggling financially
Then you're my second nature
I rely on you instinctively
A-coming over me
It's becoming a part of me
And though I might be shakin'
I may feel uncertain or scared
I'm standing on my feet
I'm able to hold my ground
Goin' 'round in circles
I'm confused or lost
Pickin' out a cue
Trying to find my way
Travelin' with no memory
I'm moving aimlessly, without any purpose or memory of why I started
Ow, in my shoe
I feel discomfort or pain
Down don't bother me
I'm content with my situation and don't need any help
If the music say
When the rhythm or vibe speaks to me
You can take a picture baby
You can capture the moment
Time won't care
Time doesn't discriminate, it moves on regardless
Down don't bother me no more
I've learned to cope and move forward on my own
Down don't bother me no more
I'm now self-sufficient and don't need anyone's help
Down don't bother me no more
I've overcome my struggles and don't need any assistance
Contributed by Peyton W. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
@georgebennett3197
This is what happens when a brilliant American guitarist realises that there are notes between C and C# ! I have the utmost respect for him for that.
@notkidding9229
This is what happens when you listen to Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan
@TheKonga88
This is what happens when you realize Toad of Toad Hall has stolen your motor car.. 🐸🐸🐸🐸🐸🐸🚗🚙🚗🚙🏃🏃🏃🏃🏃🏃🏃😁😁😁😁🐸🐸🐸🐸🏃🏃🏃🚙🚗🚙🚗🏃🏃🏰🏰🏰🏰😁
@Fareed63
@Not Kidding listen this https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fPGynwOQvB4
@mccer12
This is what happens when it's modal
@WilhelmWilder
@Norma Bates I love that book lmao
@ramita1607
You can't even begin to explain how you feel after listening to this. This is sheer awesomeness.
@SlashBeetlejuice
Was introduced to this song years ago. Excellent instrumental rendition of an islamic qawwali by the late and great ustaad nusrat fateh ali khan.
@joshuajeevanand8554
Music has no boundaries... long live the strings...
@AleBarca10
I don't know how this has so few view for how awesome of a freakin' tune this is!!! I love how Trucks covers an Khan tune like this and makes it JAM