Listen to What Tedeschi Trucks Band is Listening to on the Bus
Wondering who Tedeschi Trucks Band is listening to right now? We’ve invited them to put together a curated Spotify playlist of tunes currently in heavy rotation on the TTB bus. Check it out! This playlist is perfect for your workday or road trip to LOCKN’.
1. Are You Ready? – Sly & The Family Stone
Sly & The Family Stone start out this playlist with their groovy song “Are You Ready?” The funk legends set the mood for tune after tune after inspiring tune. The song was released in 1968 off of Sly & The Family Stone’s sophomore studio album, Dance To The Music.
2. Qualified – Dr. John
A lot of the TTB’s influence comes from soul, blues, and funk music. Dr. John’s 1973 hit “Qualified” is just that. It hits you right in the soul! The song also features The Meters as Dr. John’s backing group.
3. I’ll Take Care Of You – Bobby “Blue” Bland
“I’ll Take Care Of You” was originally written in 1959 by Brook Benton. After being written, it found its way into the hands of Bobby “Blue” Bland who recorded it. The song reached number 89 on the Billboard Hot 100 in 1960. This lovely tune has been covered by many different artists including Elvis Costello, Etta James, Van Morrison, Miley Cyrus, Joe Bonamassa, and Beth Hart.
4. Mas Y Mas – Los Lobos
With their unique blend of Tex-Mex, country, R&B, rock and roll, and traditional Mexican songs, Los Lobos became one of the biggest bands of the 1980s. “Mas Y Mas” features Los Lobos mixing funk, rock, Latino, and blues. The song comes from their 12th album, Colossal Head in 1996.
5. Fixin’ To Die Blues – Bukka White
“Fixin’ To Die Blues” was recorded in Chicago in May of 1940 by Bukka White. Led Zeppelin used to include the song during their live shows in the middle of “Whole Lotta Love.” After Led Zeppelin, Robert Plant recorded a version of the song called “Funny In My Mind (I Believe I’m Fixin’ To Die).”
6. Out In The Country – The Meters
Straight out of New Orleans, Louisiana, the legendary Meters are unmistakable legends, with iconic tunes including “Out In The Country.” “Out In The Country” was released in 1975 on their album, Fire On The Bayou. This year LOCKN’ will host a special funky set by Foundation of Funk: Celebrating 50 Years Of The Meters.
7. Give It Up Or Let Me Go – Bonnie Raitt
“Give It Up Or Let Me Go,” is the first song off of Bonnie Raitt’s second album, Give It Up. The song was released in 1972. Tedeschi Trucks Band has been known to cover “Give It Up Or Let Me Go” every now and again.
8. I Can’t Quit You Baby – Otis Rush
“I Can’t Quit You Baby” is a blues standard that was originally written by Willie Dixon. In 1956, Chicago blues artist Otis Rush recorded the song and became a big hit. Led Zeppelin also covered this song and put it on their first album.
9. Tell Mama – Etta James
“Tell Mama” was originally written by Clarence Carter in 1966 and recorded by Etta James the following year in 1967. Etta James’ version of “Tell Mama” rose to number 10 on the R&B charts and number 23 on the pop charts, making it James’ biggest pop hit.
10. Superman Lover – Johnny “Guitar” Watson
“Superman Lover” is a funky tune featuring Johnny “Guitar” Watson. The song was released on his 1976 album, Ain’t That a Bitch. “Superman Lover” has been sampled by various rap and hip-hop artists including Ice Cube, Redman, Lady Of Rage, and Quasimoto.
11. Only You Know And I Know – Delaney & Bonnie
Delaney & Bonnie covered Dave Mason’s “Only You Know And I Know,” for their 1972 album, D & B Together. Along with Delany & Bonnie, “Only You Know And I Know” has been covered by Rita Coolidge and Badfinger.
12. Sweet Little Angel – B.B. King
“Sweet Little Angel” also known as “Black Angel Blues” and “Sweet Black Angel,” is an old blues standard. It was first recorded in 1930 by Lucille Bogan and again in 1934 by Tampa Red. The name was changed to “Sweet Black Angel” in 1949 by Robert Nighthawk. After hearing “Sweet Black Angel,” B.B. King was inspired to record his version of the song. After learning about the history of the song and that there were older versions of it, he changed the name again to “Sweet Little Angel” and recorded it in 1956.
13. Everybody’s Got To Change Sometime – Taj Mahal
“Everybody’s Got To Change Sometime” came out in 1967. It was the fourth song on Taj Mahal’s self-titled debut album. The LOCKN’ family has had the pleasure of hosting Taj Mahal and his musical genius! We love you, Taj!
14. Eleanor Rigby – Aretha Franklin
Aretha Franklin’s version of “Eleanor Rigby” is a take on The Beatles’ classic song. She released her cover of this song off of her 1970 album, This Girl’s In Love With You. The album also features a cover of “Let It Be,” also by The Beatles.
15. Death Letter Blues – Son House
“Death Letter Blues” is one of Son House’s most popular songs. Son House was known to perform the song on a metal-bodied National resonator guitar and a copper slide. The structure of the song came from one of his earlier songs called “My Black Mama, Part 2.”
16. Compared To What (Live) – Col. Bruce Hampton & The Aquarium Rescue Unit
“Compared To What” is a groovy track performed live by Col. Bruce Hampton & The Aquarium Rescue Unit in 1992 for their self-titled live album. The band features many past bandmates, collaborators, and friends of Tedeschi Trucks Band, including Oteil Burbridge and Jimmy Herring.
17. I Cannot Make It – Sly & The Family Stone
“I Cannot Make It” is another favorite of TTB. “I Cannot Make It” comes from Sly & The Family Stone’s 1967 debut album, A Whole New Thing. TTB has been known to cover this hit song.
18. Love Has No Pride – Rita Coolidge
“Love Has No Pride” is another song by Bonnie Raitt from her 1972 album Give It Up. This version was recorded in 1974 by Rita Coolidge. Elvis Costello and Linda Ronstadt have also recorded covers of “Love Has No Pride.”
19. Honey Jar – The Wood Brothers
“Honey Jar” is the fourth song of The Wood Brothers’ fifth album, The Muse. According to The Wood Brothers, the song was written during a quiet nighttime rehearsal after bassist Chris Wood’s daughter went to bed.
20. The Ballad Of Mad Dogs and Englishmen – Leon Russell
As Joe Cocker’s bandmate and musical director, Leon Russell helped him organize his Mad Dog and Englishmen tour in 1970. The following year, Russell released his own album called Leon Russell And The Shelter People, featuring this treasured tune, “The Ballad Of Mad Dogs and Englishmen.”
21. Power of Soul – Idris Muhammad
Jazz drummer Idris Muhammad released an album called Power Of Soul in 1974. The album featured four songs, including the seven-minute jam, “Power Of Soul.”