Personnel: Susan Tedeschi (vocals, guitar); Kevin Barry (acoustic guitar); Milt Reder (electric guitar); Dereck Trucks, Colonel Bruce Hampton, Dave McNair (guitar); Jason Crosby (violin, organ, keyboards); Annie Raines (harmonica); Paul Ahlstrand, Tino Barker (tenor saxophone); Gordon Beadle (baritone saxophone); Scott Aruda (trumpet); Kofi Burbridge (piano, organ); Johnnie Johnson (piano); Tom West (organ); Noah Simon (mellotron); Dean Cassell, Ron Perry, Dave MnNair, Drew Glackin (bass); Dave Mattacks, Yonrico Scott, Tod Smallie, Jeff Sipe, Joe Bonadio (drums); Eguie Castrillo (percussion).
Recorded at Rear Window Studios, Brookline, Massachusetts.
WAIT FOR ME was nominated for the 2004 Grammy Award for Best Contemporary Blues Album.
Since it comes a whopping four years after her wildly successful major-label debut and Best New Artist Grammy nomination, the appropriately titled Wait for Me is a highly anticipated follow-up for an artist who nearly slipped into the "where is she now" bin. While the album doesn't totally justify the extended wait, Tedeschi returns with a tough, uncompromising release that's the equal of its predecessor. After touring the world, then marrying and having a baby (with husband/guitarist Derek Trucks), Tedeschi has shifted styles from guitar-slinging blues mama into a subtler but still passionate R&B approach. Trucks contributes a few of the album's bluesiest moments, laying into a slide solo on Paul Pena's exuberant "Gonna Move" that injects soul into its hooky chorus and bouncy groove. The title track's low-key horns, jazzy flourishes, and gospel underpinnings recall '60s Etta James, and a version of Dylan's "Don't Think Twice It's Alright" transforms the folk chestnut into a touching, torchy swamp ballad. It's here and on Tedeschi's own lovely "In the Garden" where her expressive vocals are a ringer for Bonnie Raitt's similar style. Those fired up by Just Won't Burn will easily warm to Wait for Me. With classy yet scorching performances and songs infused with roots rock, blues, funk, and even pop, it's a crossover album that oozes with integrity, terrific playing, and a loose yet distinctive direction. ~ Hal Horowitz
WAIT FOR ME is the follow-up to Susan Tedeschi's hugely successful 1998 release, JUST WON'T BURN. It mixes a few originals with potent takes on songs by Bob Dylan ("Don't Think Twice"), Paul Pena ("Gonna Move"), and others. Her vocals blend earthiness with soaring earnestness. Similarly, the arrangements are rooted by a solid rhythm section over which stylish soloists take flight (among them are her husband, guitarist Derek Trucks, and legendary pianist Johnnie Johnson). The utter conviction of the performances seamlessly melds the assorted genres which inform Tedeschi's music--rock, soul, blues, country, and folk. Some of the tracks on WAIT FOR ME were produced by the late Tom Dowd, making them some of the last recordings by the legendary producer of everyone from Aretha Franklin to John Coltrane. minimize